22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like the mirror, I can't lie..., August 29, 2009
This review is from: Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen (Hardcover)
A wonderful story about how the wicked queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs became so wicked.
I like to casually browse the Young Adult section at Borders and B&N and I'm very influenced by cover art. Reading the inside flap, I only needed one sentence to sway me. I bought it immediately and started reading once I got home. I have to say that the author caught the Disney version of the characters perfectly and I believe that's the way it should be.
The writing was well written and it moved quickly for me. The end of each chapter made me want to know what would happen next and it provided great imagery for my imagination. I watched the classic Snow White right away with the thought of the Queen's life and it changed the whole movie for me-in a good way!
It even has a nice twist at the end. I definitely recommend this to anyone who appreciates an alternate view on a classic.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fairest of All, September 14, 2009
This review is from: Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen (Hardcover)
Fairest of All is the Wicked Queen's story... what drove her to become soooo wicked.
Firstly I want to say that the moment I saw this cover - I absolutely had to buy it. It really is spectacular. Secondly, the fact that it is a prequel to Snow White - obviously "had me at Hello".
Ms. Valentino did a wonderful job blending what we already know of Snow White and the Wicked Queen with this new tale. In it we learn of how the Wicked Queen became the bitter and well, evil witch we've known for years. We are taken back to the days where she lived with her father, an artist in crafting mirrors. We also read of her marriage, her dreams, hopes and eventually her downfall. Although I did find her a wee bit whiny at times, I thought she was a very interesting character with lots of emotional turmoil. I really sympathized with her as her life was definitely not an easy one.
This is definitely a YA title - but I would recommend it more for older teens vs. the younger tweens. The content is a bit dark at times. Reading this was like getting inside information on one of my favorite Disney villains. And I really enjoyed the fact that it had a couple of twists thrown in that I didn't see coming. I recommend this to anyone who'd like a new twist to this classic fairytale.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Fascinating Explanation As To Why The Evil Queen Is So Very Evil, October 24, 2010
This review is from: Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen (Hardcover)
Classic Disney films were magical for many reasons. Part of what made those films so memorable was the portrayal of the villains. Villains such as Maleficent from "Sleeping Beauty" and Cruella De Vil from "101 Dalmatians" simply do not exist anymore, as political correctness and the dumbing down of children's entertainment now dominate culture.
Fairest Of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen by Serena Valentino is a glimpse into the life of one of Disney's most sinister villains, the Evil Queen from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Known for her vicious plot to kill Snow White and remove her heart after the Queen's Magic Mirror declares Snow White to be the fairest in the land, fans of this classic film have wondered for decades exactly why the Evil Queen is just so evil. Fairest Of All provides an explanation in the form of a prequel to the original tale.
The daughter of a talented maker of mirrors, the woman who is to become the Evil Queen is a simple person of low self-esteem, suffering the ridicule of her father after he blames her for the death of his beloved wife during childbirth. When the King takes interest in the renowned crafter's mirrors and visits his shop, he meets the mirror maker's daughter and is enchanted with her, ultimately marrying her and welcoming her into his kingdom as the Queen.
Initially, the relationship between the King's daughter, Snow White, and his new bride, The Queen, is exceptional. Although unrelated by blood, the two are as close as any biological mother and daughter would be. These are during times of war, and the King is not one who leads his troops from a distance. He prefers to be on the front line, battling along with his soldiers for protection of his kingdom. He often leaves the castle for months at a time, leaving his Queen and daughter behind to spend time with one another bonding and sharing each other's company.
As is expected, events turn, and the relationship between the Queen and her stepdaughter slowly disintegrate. Valentino offers explanations and insight into the psychological state of the Queen as she descends into depression and madness. Long-held questions are finally answered. Why is it that the Queen practices witchcraft and magic, and how did she enter into those practices? Who is the man in the Magic Mirror and just how did he come to be there? Why does the Queen hate Snow White so very much?
Although promoted as a book written for young adults, adult fans of Snow White and the Disney villain will take pleasure in this novel as well. The Disney villain is a critical component to most Disney films. Fairest of All is officially published by Disney, thereby making it the official account of the tale of the Evil Queen. Disney would do right to publish similar tales, such as the tales of Maleficent and Cruella De Vil.
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