Snow and Poison is loosely based on the Snow White fairytale, but there are plenty of adaptations to keep one guessing the outcome. Several characters are not what they seem and are often misunderstood. It’s fun to both enjoy the familiarity of the story and characters while also anticipating that there will be changes and being delighted as they unfold. In several of the versions of the Snow White story, Snow White seems to have little substance; however, in this version, she is strong, kind, smart and resourceful. She’s a fantastic character. Author Melissa de la Cruz is a wonderful storyteller and as a very well-written story, the plot will enchant readers from beginning to end. 

While the traditional story is typically intended for younger audiences, there are mature elements included in this retelling and parents are encouraged to read the provided content analysis. For that reason, Snow and Poison is recommended to young adults who enjoy fantasy novels.

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy Provided by Penguin Publishing

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: 4 religious exclamations; 1 mild obscenity.

Violence/Gore: Many (33) brief incidents including poem about death; character saying the king will have his head; character’s words made another feel like he’d been punched in the gut; characters could starve; character worried about others being dead; character says to another metaphorically that he’ll hang himself with his words; reference to having enemies and needing to know self-defense; assassination ordered; characters threatened with weapons; several references to death; references to war and characters getting hurt and dying during it; witches believed to eat children; reference to hunting; character accidentally cuts self; character slaps another in attempt to wake; character learning to filet a fish; characters killing and eating a deer; character nearly stabbing another for self-defense; duke getting poisoned; arrows getting shot at characters; character fighting and killing a man; characters getting attacked; character throwing a dagger at another; characters dying.

Sex/Nudity: Many (33) brief incidents including holding hands; dancing; hand on arm; walking arm in arm; character wanting to touch another’s face; character telling another he likes her; hugging; kissing; reference to fertility; character getting accused of kissing another; character reading a love poem; touching face; characters discussing marriage; marriage proposal; man threatening to take advantage of a woman; married woman gets pregnant; sexual activity without a lot of details (married adults).

Mature Themes:

Sexual activity; war; death; murder and attempted murder.

Alcohol and Drug use:

Drinking at parties.