The Skinny
(aka Back of the Book Summary in a Sentence)
The characters in Cinderella mixed with Frozen in Russia.
Nutritional Value
(aka What’s Good)
This is the first book of a trilogy. I enjoy it when the stage is set with lore. Children are gathered around the fire, waiting for their nurse/nanny to tell them a story that they’ve heard tons of times. Reminds me of when I listened to the stories of Sun WuKong as a child.
It gets a little cold in winter here, but this story actually makes me feel better about my situation. Here I am, thinking I’m cold in 68 degree weather, reading about starving children joyously listening to a story while freezing half to death. Yeah, I’m spoiled.
Freezer Burn
(aka What’s Bad)
Too many foreign characters with no introduction. Names are being thrown everywhere and I’m not sure if Alyosha is a girl or boy’s name. It’s a boy though!
Lingering Aftertaste
(aka My Prediction)
The nurse’s stories are true. The trilogy is probably gonna end with the main character marrying the Frost King.
Taste Test Verdict
(aka Would I Read More?)
The simple, yet compelling tale which Arden is able to weave makes me want more. Give me a second scoop, please!
Memorable Morsel
(aka Quotable Quote)
The nurse has 0 chill.
Then Olga spoke up plaintively. “But what happened to Marfa? Did she marry him? King Frost?”
[…]
“Well, no, Olya,” [the nurse] said to the girl. “I shouldn’t think so. What use does Winter have for a mortal maiden? More likely she married a rich peasant, and brought him the largest dowry in all of Rus’.”
Would you compromise the story to make a child feel better? Let me hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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Tim enjoys playing guitar and memorizing all the words to his favorite pop songs. When he’s traveling, catch him on planes reading from his trusty Kindle.
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