There’s so much to love about this book that I genuinely can’t imagine people not enjoying it. Despite the cool settings, reading Snow Child was like being wrapped in a toasty blanket. I’m getting chills just thinking about how good the writing in this book was. All the descriptions were as clear and beautiful as freshly laden snow; the atmosphere danced off the page.
From the beginning, I felt myself drawn in by the narrative voice. I could practically feel the sadness seeping off the page in the melancholy opening. Yet what was remarkable about this book was the whole range of emotions it tapped into, from child-like wonder and playful delight, to prickling fear and nervy hope. In the end, it’s enough to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
The story itself was enchanting. It had a fairy tale feel, yet at the same time it felt raw and real. Juxtaposed with the original, it made for a rich retelling, which will feel even more unique to us non-Russians who aren’t familiar with the tale. The best part of this, however, was how it clung to its fairy tale roots, whilst reaching out into a historical landscape, making us ponder whether magic played a part, or not.
With every turn of the page, you could feel the characters coming alive. I really appreciated the slow build of characterisation. My one issue was that I felt a tiny bit disconnected from the romance later on, which is the only reason this didn’t get five bananas from me. With that said, I gave it:
Rating: 4½/5 bananas
Have you read this? Do you plan to? Let me know in the comments!
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