the start of a good life

Hello, my friends! Thank you for stopping by SGL – whether it’s a first time for you or if you’ve been here before – welcome!

The Tale of Snow White and Rose Red by Tim Maddox – When a magical storm brings a bear to their home, sisters Snow White and Rose Red welcome him in. But while he stays all winter with them- leaving first thing in the morning and returning in the evening- they never know that he’s searching for a cantankerous dwarf. When spring comes and the sisters meet a prince that’s searching for his lost brother in the woods, as well as a pompous dwarf, their lives take an unexpected turn.

~This quite easily jumped to a Favorite Read of the year as well as onto the list of favorite fairytale retellings. I’d never read anything by Maddox before, but I look forward to reading another of his. I loved how the story was woven together – recognizing aspects of the fairytale while wondering just what was going to happen next. I did appreciate also, how the parents were portrayed – not as villains nor perfect, but present just the same. I fully expect to be wanting to read this come summertime, highly recommend. I’ve even recommended it at my local library!

Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King by William Joyce – North, before he was Santa, was a swashbuckling swordsman bent on treasure and adventure. That search led him to the carefully guarded village of Santoff Claussen – a village that’s said to house the greatest treasure in the East and to the greatest wizard, Ombric Shalazar. But when North arrives, terrors have threatened the village! The terrors are Fearlings – those nightmares of Pitch, the Nightmare King, are taking over the night and causing fear throughout the village. For North, this fight for the children is worth it and he’s not alone. There are other guardians and all he’s got to do is find them in time.

~This young adult/children’s story was a reread and quite fun to read over the holidays. I adore Ombric and Kathleen and North. If you love the animated movie, Rise of the Guardians, you’ll likely enjoy this book, as that’s the series that inspired the movie!

Currently Reading:

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan (this took a backseat to the retelling!)

Fair Blows the Wind by Louis L’amour

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

Christmas on the Goblin Express by J.J. Fischer

Ten Days in a Mad House and Other Stories by Nellie Bly

Gate of Trust – Shaar Habitchon by Rabbeinu Bachya Ibn Pakudah

Hope When It Hurts by Kristen Wetherell

Tags: book review, book reviews, books, children's book review, fairytale retelling, nicholas st. north, nicholas st. north and the nightmare king, snow white and rose red, the tale of snow white and rose red, tim maddox, william joyce