Review (77): Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis

Stitching Snow 

by R.C. Lewis

 

Release Date: October 14, 2014

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Pages: 336

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Author Website 

My Thoughts: 

Stitching Snow is a unique and futuristic retelling of the widely popular German fairy tale, "Snow White". Although loosely based, there are still many key identifying features that recall the beloved classic. Essie has been living alone in the barren tundra of Thanda for the past several years. She keeps to herself and spends her days tinkering, coding and repairing the 7 loyal drones that help run the local mines. Her solitude is disrupted when a boy her age crash-lands near her home. Begrudgingly she agrees to help Dane repair his ship and gets caught up in a war that she had risked her life so many years ago to escape.

Fairytale retellings are my jam and this was no exception. Essie is a truly fantastic and complex heroine. She is badass, brave and smart, but also very cautious. I was truly impressed with how she handles life on Thanda—especially since it is a planet populated mostly by brute men. (What sixteen year old girl willing participates in cage fights for cash and street cred? lol) 

I also really like how intricately detailed all the planets are and how each has a unique climate, population and their own set of problems. Despite all the added elements, I didn’t find it confusing in the least trying to keep track of when, where and what everything was happening. 

Another thing I want to mention is the simple yet beautiful cover. Snow White’s poisonous apple with the almost machinery-like designs are perfect representations of the story in my opinion. 

This reminded me of The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer just because of how the universes are set up and because of the sci-fi elements added to the retellings. I really like both and if you're already a fan of TLC, then I think you'll enjoy this one as well. However, that being said, don’t lump these two together because Stitching Snow deserves its own recognition. (I might prefer Essie over Cinder though if I’m being completely honest…) I’m not sure if Spinning Starlight is the next book in the series (or if this is even a series at all?), but I’m for sure excited to read that one as well!

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