Yuki: A Snow White Retelling: 2 (Tales of Akatsuki) Paperback – Import, 10 May 2023

Where the book worked for me:🌹 Snow White is a fairy tale that we all know. To provide surprises within a known story is a tough task. The author takes some dark elements of the original German tale, intermingled with some elements from the Disney version and adds her own twists. This retelling thus provides a refreshing experience of Snow White.🌹 I loved how smoothly the setting has been transferred to Japan. The Japanese setting is very well used, not just with the locational details but also with folklore characters such as tanuki and yokai having a strong role to play in the narrative.🌹 Historical marriages among the nobility was mostly to ensure a strategic alliance among the male rules. But in this story, Yuki has a strong and independent role to play. She isn’t written as a typical historical/fairy tale heroine, waiting for someone to come and rescue her. Quite the opposite, in fact. She holds her own, is outspoken and fiesty and loyal. She makes for a much better fairy-tale heroine as she is not the typical Ms. Goody Two Shoes.🌹 Hotaru is an interesting character. He begins as a cocky “What girl can resist me?!” kind of fellow but soon shows his sensitive side that he is forced to keep hidden for the sake of appearance. The growth in his character is most enjoyable.🌹 We know how, in the original fairy tale, Snow White is rescued from her eternal sleep by a kiss from the Prince. (Consent be darned!!) I won’t tell you what happens in this story but whatever happened was so perfect! I really loved that turnaround.🌹 The writing is pretty quick-paced and there was enough action to keep me engrossed from start to end.Where the book could have worked better for me:⚠ There are minor language-based/writing-based errors and becomes slightly repetitive midway. This wouldn’t affect most readers but I am a bit of a grammar fanatic, so I can’t ignore these. But as this is an indie work, I am not going to deduct stars for this issue.⚠ You already know who the villain is if you know the original. I liked the build-up to her evil deeds, which are very clear to us readers though no one in the story knows who it is. However, the scene where she gets her due is too short and over before it even begins. This was the only real disappointment in the book.Overall, I loved this retelling. While staying true to the original, it adds enough of novelty to ensure an entertaining experience. I want to read the rest of the series for sure.4.25 stars.Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book at my request and these are my honest thoughts about it.

I wasn’t sure that I would like the retelling of the fairy tales I grew up with, but these are just fabulous. They have put a totally new twist to the original and added into the mix some Japanese culture. Totally loved this book in the series looking forward to the next one. Highly recommend.

Every book I read from her just keeps getting better. But this one specific will forever hold a special place in my heart. Even though these are short they are very very good. Thank you for the ride.

So creative, the author has a unique way of telling a new tale entwined with an old. Highly recommend. There was some inconsistency with book 1 of the series, but it was not too distracting as the plot was still very good.

I loved this retelling even more than the original Snow White! Yuki is very strong willed and feisty and the shenanigans she and the tanuki pull had me laughing out loud. Highly recommend this story for those that love fantasy and fairytales.

This is another great book! I love the twists. I knew there was something fishy about the stepmom but didn’t guess that she wasn’t human. I hope she dies for real in the next book!