The Bibliophile's Bookshelf

Title: Snow White and the Dragon (or, Sleeping Beauty and the Seven Dwarfs)

Series: The Princess Swap #2

Author: Kim Bussing

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Retelling

Rating: 3.75 stars

Review:

What would happen if Sleeping Beauty had to create a poisoned apple, and Snow White faced off against a dragon? Fairy tales meet Freaky Friday in this series, where there’s a magical mix-up for every princess!

As a baby, Rose was cursed to meet a mysterious fate on her thirteenth birthday . . . but no one bothered to tell Rose that until a week before she turns thirteen. And a week’s not nearly enough time to figure out what to do when she’s suddenly whisked from her Dreamwood cottage to a strange palace—trapped with an evil queen who hands her an apple . . .

Princess Snow is preparing for the ceremony that will prove she’s fit to rule her kingdom. The problem? Her wicked stepmother. The other problem? Without warning, she finds herself in the middle of the Dreamwood, where, on top of all her other problems, she has to worry about . . . a sleeping curse.

Happily-ever-after couldn’t feel farther away. Can Rose escape the curse that’s followed her since birth? And can Snow save her kingdom from her stepmother? -summary from Goodreads

This was a fun retelling, and I liked it more than the previous book!

This one was a combined retelling of Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, where Snow White was in Sleeping Beauty’s story and vice versa.

This one was a little more developed and connected than the first one, in my opinion. The world and magic was still amazing, but it was more thought out.

I liked the two main characters, Snow and Rose, but Rose was definitely my favorite, though that may be because I love Sleeping Beauty in general.

Snow seemed a little arrogant for my tastes. I don’t know why it grated on me so much, but I found her a little irritating. And, despite being a dual POV, I felt like most of the story followed her. She wasn’t horrible and I liked her well enough, and I did enjoy her side of the story. It was very adventurous and dramatic.

Rose’s part of the story was a little slower, while still being adventurous. I liked her chapters a little more, though I can’t pinpoint an exact reason. Her story took place more in a city, while Snow’s took place in the Dreamwood.

I liked the way that other aspects of the original tales were included. I especially enjoyed how the apple and spindle were used. They came in in such unexpected ways that I thoroughly enjoyed! I also liked how the dwarfs were included and how they were different, though I wished they were in the story more. I have to share that I loved the Huntsman. I hope in the next book they make a reappearance, especially with their train!

I loved, loved, loved the twist on the Evil Queen and, stepmother role, in general. I won’t give anything else away, but I loved it!

There was a lovely twist in the story that doesn’t come to light until the end, but I really liked it. I wish there was more time for this to be developed, but I still really liked it.

The protagonists had more friends than the protagonists from the first book. I enjoyed this addition, and how we got a little of their perspectives. However, romance was hinted at again! It wasn’t inappropriate and it was more so hinted at, but I wish it could have just focused on friendships.

Snow White and the Dragon (or, Sleeping Beauty and the Seven Dwarfs) was a fun, cute retelling perfect for middle grade readers. It was wonderfully developed, with interesting twists on the classics!