Girls Made of Snow and Glass
Book Review - Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
"Girls Made of Snow and Glass" by Melissa Bashardoust is a feminist fantasy reimagining of the Snow White fairy tale, combining elements of "Frozen" and "The Bloody Chamber." The story revolves around two main characters, Mina and Lynet, and explores the complex dynamics within their mother-daughter relationships.
Created by a magician as a copy of her dead mother, Mina forms a plan win the king's heart for the first time. Her relationship with her regal stepmother, Mina, is entwined with the ambition to reshape themselves and their story in the southern territories. Mina, the stepmother, had her heart cut out by her magician father, a vicious act that transforms her into a queen with glass traces.
Lynet, the king's daughter, is the result of her magician father's desire to replace his dead wife. Lynet's journey unfolds as she discovers her own identity and navigates the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. The narrative takes readers to Whitespring Castle, where Lynet meets the king and sees the consequences of her heart being replaced.
The plot is marked by intrigue and power struggles as the characters navigate their roles in the kingdom. The themes of reshaping one's destiny, the impact of parental actions on their children, and the quest for self-discovery are woven into this enchanting tale. As the characters grapple with their pasts and desires, "Girls Made of Snow and Glass" offers a unique and feminist perspective on the classic Snow White story.
Reading Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust at Maison Marcel in Chicago
I've read enough books that I am confident in which genres I enjoy and which ones I don't. But sometimes, just sometimes, I feel the need to break out of my comfort zone and give a new genre a try. I am SO GLAD that I gave this fairy tale by Melissa Bashardoust a chance. I won't be adding a lot more fantasy to my list of books, but I did feel a great sense of nostalgia for the genre that first captured my love of reading when I was little. Who doesn't love a good fairy tale? Make it a modern, feminist fairy tale and turn it into a full-length novel and you've got Girls Made of Snow and Glass.
Reading Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust at Maison Marcel in Chicago
The story is about two girls: Princess Lynet and her stepmother, Queen Mina. The two have a lot in common: both were raised motherless, both were made (at least in part) by Mina's magician father. Lynet was made of snow to look exactly as her mother had looked, at the request of her father, after her mother died to continue her mother's legacy as Queen. Can a woman who was made in her mother's image live her own life and create her own destiny? Mina's heart was made of glass after her real heart failed her. Can a woman whose heart is made of glass love and be loved? The magician says, "no." So Mina grows up believing that she is incapable of loving or being loved. When Lynet turns 16, her father positions her to replace Mina as ruler of the south. Will the women turn against each other in the name of power or work with one another for a greater good?
Reading Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust at Maison Marcel in Chicago
What I liked most about this book is that it had everything we love about a fairy tale: royalty, love, magic, good vs. evil...but none of the fairy tale BS: a damsel in distress saved by her big masculine hero. The story focuses on these two women, their struggles and difficulties and miscommunication. And these two women make up their own minds and fight for themselves without some hero swooping in to save them. So although this book is a YA novel, I think it is a fairy tale for adults who understand the nuances of life and get frustrated with the old fairy tale formula.
Melissa Bashardoust Books
Melissa Bashardoust is known for writing young adult fantasy novels with a focus on retellings of classic tales, often incorporating diverse and LGBTQ+ themes. As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, she had published two novels:
"Girls Made of Snow and Glass" (2017): This is a reimagining of the Snow White fairy tale, exploring the complex relationships between two women in a kingdom ruled by a glass queen. The novel delves into themes of power, identity, and the search for self-discovery.
"Girl, Serpent, Thorn" (2020): This novel draws inspiration from Persian mythology and folklore. It follows the story of a princess cursed to be poisonous to the touch and her journey to break the curse. The narrative weaves together themes of love, betrayal, and the quest for acceptance.
As for recommendations on which book to read first, it ultimately depends on your preferences. If you enjoy fairy tale retellings with a feminist twist, "Girls Made of Snow and Glass" might be a good starting point. On the other hand, if you're intrigued by stories with mythological influences and unique world-building, "Girl, Serpent, Thorn" could be a great choice.
Keep in mind that there may be new releases or developments in Melissa Bashardoust's bibliography since my last update in January 2022, so it's advisable to check for any recent works or recommendations from readers and critics.
