Book Haunt

We all know the story of how Snow White found her Prince Charming and they lived happily ever after.  Or do we?

In David Meredith's The Reflections of Queen Snow White the "ever after" part didn't quite work out the way it sounds.  You see, Prince Charming was quite a bit older than Snow, so he passed away, while Snow still had quite a few years left ahead of her.

Preparations are underway for the wedding of Snow and Charming's daughter, Raven, but Snow just isn't showing much interest.  It has been over a year since she lost her prince, and although this should be a happy time for Snow White, she just can't snap herself out of this hopeless depression.  Snow feels as if a huge part of her very soul has gone missing.  

Snow White wanders the palace seeking solace.  When she wanders into the unused wing that was once the quarters of her wicked stepmother, she finds the infamous mirror.  This is the one that her stepmother once talked to endlessly, asking it who was the most beautiful woman in the all the land.  Although the rest of the quarters are cobwebbed and dusty, the mirror appears shiny and clean.    

As Snow White gazes into the mirror, she finds that she is talking to it, and she is saying things that she has never revealed to anyone before, not even Charming.  The mirror advises her that some people are frightened of their own reflections and too scared to examine what lies deep within them.  The visions the mirror provides will only reveal that which is already a part of her, but may not be fully realized.  

Snow White seeks clarity from the mirror.  As she reflects back on the abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepmother, she begins to realize that the pain and torment of these memories still haunt her.  She almost died at the hands of Lady Arglist and she has resented her father for having died, abandoning her to the devices of the evil queen.  And now she resents Charming for leaving her as well.  Although Prince Charming came into her life and put an end to her suffering, she questions whether she ever possessed any strength of her own.  Snow White will need to come to terms with the memories that haunt her and find the strength to carry on without Charming.  Will her wicked stepmother's mirror help Snow, or is this an evil trap?

This is a nice little novella, taking us on a different route through Snow White's future.  I found it a very enjoyable and quick read, with a lot of important points being made along the way.  This is a great book for those who might be grieving a loved one.

I would like to thank the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.