The Shadow of the Bear: Original Title: Snow White & Rose Red, a Modern Fairytale [Paperback]

Regina Doman (Author)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Bethlehem Books; Revised edition (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883937760
• ISBN-13: 978-1883937768
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,182,250 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting real-life fairy tale, October 18, 2002

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shadow of the Bear: Original Title: Snow White & Rose Red, a Modern Fairytale (Paperback)

Previously published as "Snow White and Rose Red: A Modern Fairy Tale," this is a wonderful, gritty retelling of an otherwise-uninteresting fairy tale. This is a real-as-life story about true love and courage, with a dash of crime and religion in there to balance it all out.

High-school students Blanche and Rose once lived in luxury in the country, but since the death of their father they live in a slushy city with their overworked mother. At their new school, they are generally ignored or abused, especially Blanche, who frequently has dizzy spells.

The girls are, at first, less than thrilled when their mother brings a homeless young man called "Bear" home. Despite their apprehension, soon they become close friends with him, based on a mutual love of poetry and jokes. But after a disastrous prom night where Bear is thrown out of the dance and Rose is intimidated by a would-be seducer, the girls find themselves in a potentially deadly struggle with a ruthless man -- with a grudge against Bear and the mysterious boy called "Fish."

Regina Doman manages to triumph in this book is several areas. Though there are essential religious themes woven into the plotline, there is no irritating sanctimonious air to the book. The two heroines aren't goody-goodies loved for their virtues, but mocked for them. And it's not exactly squeaky-clean either: there are themes such as child abandonment, homelessness, assault and attempted murder, heart trouble, and Rose's boyfriend pressuring her for sex. However, Doman is never less than tasteful, and her handling of these is in sync with the vein of Roman Catholic beliefs that runs through the novel.

Blanche and Rose are another good accomplishment. Rather than being carbon copies of one another, as siblings in many books are, the two girls have strengths and weaknesses that complement each other. Bear is a gentle giant who loves poetry and swing dancing; he proves to be a character like an onion, that is gradually unpeeled. And Fish is my personal favorite, a cocky wise-cracker who doesn't let any situation (including attempted murder) keep him down for too long.

One of the few "real life" fairy tale retellings that works. "Shadow of the Bear" is an enchanting love story with a pulse-pounding storyline and likeable characters.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!, May 3, 2008

By 

Steven R. McEvoy "MCWPP" (Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shadow of the Bear: Original Title: Snow White & Rose Red, a Modern Fairytale (Paperback)

Some books just fall into your hands, and instantly become treasures you want to share with all you know. This is one of those books. It is a modern retelling of the story from the Brothers Grimm, of Snow White and Rose Red. It is the story of two brothers and two sisters, all of whom have lost much in life and are not fully what they at first appear. The sisters have lost their father and had to move back into New York City. The brothers have lost their mother and have both been convicted of drug charges. Then one fateful night their fates become somehow intertwined.

The sisters are Blanch and Rose, two girls who grew up in the countryside, and who now reside in the city. They live with their mother and attend secondary school. The first of the brothers we meet is named Bear; he has dreadlocks, is big and tough, yet upon spending an evening with the Brier sisters and their mother he reveals different parts of his past. He has a passion for life, loves poetry and takes the girls on outings. But there is always a dark side to a Bear and this one is no different. He has secrets and his story and journey are still unfolding. The mystery revolves around a murdered priest, an abandoned church and the school the sisters are attending.

This story is wonderfully told. The author draws you in and keeps you captivated from first page to last. Each chapter begins with a quote from the original fairy tale, and foreshadows what is coming, yet in New York the mysteries and magic of a fairy tale are very different from the German countryside. Regina Doman is a true storyteller, not just an author. His skill with the pen makes you see the action as it is taking place, and you feel so drawn into the story that you feel like a character sitting on the sidelines waiting to see what will happen next.

This is the first book in a trilogy and I cannot wait to lay my hands on books two and three. This story was so captivating that it left me wanting more immediately. If you are looking for some great summer reading this term, give this book a try.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book!! Then read the sequel!! It only gets better, August 8, 2004

By 

C. Khoury (Parsippany, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shadow of the Bear: Original Title: Snow White & Rose Red, a Modern Fairytale (Paperback)

I read this book years ago and loved it. Now, I've returned to it again only to discover that it remains as good a read as ever. A little mystery and danger mixed with some very easy to identify with characters. I feel as if I know them personally. Ms. Doman does a great job bringing this fairy tale into the real world.

The reason that I've returned to this book is that it's sequel has just come out "Black as Night". If you like "The Shadow of the Bear" - you will LOVE "Black as Night". I really liked "The Shadow of the Bear" alot - I couldn't imagine how a sequel would be. I have to say that I was much more than pleasantly surprised. "Black as Night" sucks you in from the first paragraph and doesn't release you until the very last punctuation mark. It's wonderful to see a writer hone their craft and come out with such an amazing piece of work. I'm anxious to see the third book in this series!! Ms. Doman, if you're reading this.....we want more!!!

I HIGHLY recommend that you read these books. While you're at it - order another set to give as a gift to that book lover in your life!! (I already know what my niece is getting for Christmas....if I can wait that long to share the joy!)