Snow White Sorrow (Book #1 in the Grimm Diaries)

Amazing book but I’m disappointed that Cinderella dressed in ashes is unavailable everywhere

Okay, I am a huge fan of re-envisioned fairy tales, and this one definitely delivers a fresh, well researched, well constructed new world of vampires and witches, and a unique take on old stock characters as well as fabulous new folks.But I've just got to ask, WHERE THE HECK WAS THE EDITOR?I'm not normally a freak about technical junk when a story is well told but with Snow White Sorrow- as well as what I've read of the prequels, Cameron Jace would have benefited HUGELY by some serious editing. Honestly, it reads like a third draft in which none but the author and some beta readers have yet given feedback.The meandering plot pacing keeps one from being truly gripped (and as an aknowledged biblioholic, I live to be posessed by great books, but this one just wouldn't let me be) by the tale and being unable to put it down.It's been very nice for the other things in my life that have not been neglected as I have been able to put this book down quite easily and pick it up again days later- which is freakishly out of character for me since I generally gulp a book down in just a few hours and hate stopping in the middle, even to sleep. ;)The problem is not with the story, because it is a GREAT story, and since the price is right, I will buy the next one. It's just SEVERELY in need of the re-working and polish that a great editior provides.Okay, and now for the actual reason for which I have roused myself to actually leave feedback, since at the rate in which I generally inhale books (I am currently recovering from spinal surgery and books provide the most amazingly wonderful escape from my painfully healing body), I generally don't bother since there are simply too many to keep up with and I would much rather read a new book.Here it is:If I have to read that even one more of Cameron's characters, "omitted a laugh", I think I am going to stick a fork in my eye.In the immortal words of Indigo Montoya, "I donna think it means what you think it means."If the author means by 'omitting a laugh', that the character stifled a laugh, thereby 'omitting' to laugh, then that is probably the most akwardly uncomfortable way to attempt to express it.Omit (as per google, ;) ): is a verb that means to leave out or exclude (someone or something), either intentionally or forgetfully."a significant detail was omitted from your story"If on the other hand, the author means the character, "emitted a laugh", that is also extremely uncomfortably akward.Emit (as per google): a verb that means to produce and discharge (something, esp. gas or radiation)."coal-fired power stations continue to emit large quantities of sulfur dioxide"I'm sorry. It's just sick and wrong.;)Where was the editing here? Any editor worth their salt would have caught this- especially as it happened more than once and in BOTH BOOKS! People are 'omitting laughs' all over the place and it frankly makes me want to hurl.There are other nit picky things such as this that frequently pull me out of the narrative and draw attention to the craftmanship of the book instead of the story, which MOST DECIDEDLY interrupts the flow and my ability to lose myself, and my spinal woes, in the truly excellent story the author has concocted.The world building is wonderful.The fun 'insightfulness' into other possible reasons for themes in the old fairy tales is truly intriguing.I like Loki, though the other characters are a bit unfocused at times, and all of the characters could use a bit more consistant description; I am sure, for instance, that Loki was initially described as being a toe-headded blond, but, as we never really revisited that, it came as a suprise in the 'Cinderella' prequel (I'm reading each prequel just prior to each novel, not all the prequels and then all of the novels).And I have to say the author's 'third person omnicient' point of view is disconcerting offtimes, because we'll be reading everything from one character's point of view, and then in the same paragraph, have one sentance thrown in from another character's point of view.It's just another thing that would have been remadied by a good editorial polishing.Anywho, for all of that which was imperfect in the technical crafting of the work, the story is fun, and I LOVE rediculously long series' as that then means I don't have to work so hard to find my next drug, I mean book. If they were any more expensive, I don't know that I'd bother investing, but at $2.99 on my Kindel, meh, who's so picky.I do wish, however, the author could have ensured a more excellent reading experience by putting forth the extra effort to ensure the books were polished to perfection.They'd be worth spending much more on if he had.

Review:Protagonist: Loki Blackstar is a kid with no past. The earliest thing he remembers is the past year. He's told he has one year to kill ninety-nine vampires in order to restore his place in Heaven and his status as a Half-Angel Dreamhunter. So at first I wasn't sure what I thought of Loki. I mean he's a fairly likable character, but his insistence on getting back to Heaven, a place he has never seen and only heard of felt a bit off. However as the book progresses his view of the world is changed and he begins to focus on who his future rather than his past.Romance: So I'm very on the fence about how I feel about the romance. It starts off with a slow burn, I guess, but it's more like Loki's interest is piqued by Snow White, and then in just a few hours they fall in love. Now these few hours are very intense and part of me can really see them believing they've fallen for each other, but no matter how intense the time is I don't truly believe they could actually fall in love in just a few hours. Since this is a fairy-tale story I figured I wouldn't let it bother me and just bask is the quick romance.World-Building: So like I said this is a fairy-tale book, but for about half the book I wasn't getting the fairy-tale vibe I was hoping for. Maybe the prequel novellas kind of ruined it for me. I mean going into it I knew it wasn't going to take place in a fairy-tale-esque medieval world and that it would take place in a more modern day setting, but still I think I expected a more fantasy or urban fantasy touch to is that wasn't fulfilled with vampires, witches, and werewolves. However once we reach the second half, there's a lot of fairy tale wonder to explore. I won't say much but it sort of makes up for the lack of a magical fairy-tale presence in the beginning. It's about time to hear the real Snow White tale. P.S. Sorry for the awkward transition but I wasn't sure where to put this or how to get there, but there is a plot hole of sort, well actually there are a few things that didn't make sense and not in a "We'll find out later" way, but this specifically didn't make sense. We meet Loki in the second prequel Ashes to Ashes, Cinder to Cinder and well let's just say something don't really add up.Writing: So, my biggest bone to pick with this book is the writing. This is a Young Adult novel, however it has this Middle Grade cheesy quality to it that really bothered me, I mean it was so cheesy that even if this was a Middle Grade novel I would have gotten annoyed with it. I felt like the author was trying to tone down the book where he should have embraced it. I mean in certain scenes where things are getting dark there's usually some sort of moment of humor or levity that completely undercuts the darkness of this tale. I mean embrace the darkness especially when writing a dark fairy tale. Sometimes the writing felt a bit awkward too, like things just didn't click like they should have. Now the grammatical errors, miscapitalizations, and formatting errors I can get past, but I decided to mention it for those who can't.Predictability: I wouldn't say this book is overly predictable, mainly because like I said for about the first half of this book not all that much happened. However, after this book takes off there's a lot more that happens and a lot of twists. Some things that surprised me just sort of happened.without explanation and no real build up to it, just sort of Deus Ex Machina style. When things are foreshadowed and make sense though things are really cool. There were a few twists that I was able to catch onto, but the biggest twists, the things that I could never quite predict didn't happen until the very end.Ending: So when the final climax started I didn't know what to expect. It didn't go down like I thought it would, but the scene was actually rather badass, though there was that weird level of humor to the darkness that annoyed me. When things started to cool down there were quite a few twists, these are game changing, crazy, and revealing twists. Everything culminates in a rather heart shattering cliffhanger.Rating:So this book was a bit of a disappointment, or rather a large portion of it was. I was hoping for something more fantastical and fairy-tale-esque, and while the story picked up toward the end and became very compelling, with the weird writing style and the damage already done, there was still a lot that just really disappointed me. The silver lining though is that the next book holds a lot of promise.

A really great book, with more twists than a road up a cliff. A linear storyline following one main character, without jumping off on distracting side trips. There is a wonderful sense of wit behind the writing, not showing as much in humorous scenes (although there are a few), as in clever references to other sources in popular culture. Well, certain types of popular culture. Over the last two or three centuries. Some of these references are made quite obvious, most aren't. I am wondering how many I missed. (And feeling glad tomorrow is Sunday so I can sleep in!)As I mentioned, this book covers one popular "fairy story" however book 2 covers a completely different one. It is an interesting way of using the multitude of various Brothers Grimm tales, without hopping between characters within one book, which would need to be much larger. It will be interesting to see how the story develops in book 2 and later (as there seem to be a fair few more planned), how these various stories will work when woven together. In essence, how they will each become a chapter of one, very, big book.

When I first read 'The Grimm Diaries Prequels' I thought oh no its a cheesy fairytale where everyone is a vampire?! But I thought no these are short stories and its always best to read past the first few chapter to give it a chance, not everyone could be a vampire? Well I was right to give it the chance it deserved because I've read all the prequels and have just read 'Snow White Sorrow' within in a matter of weeks on my kindle.I can honestly say that I haven't been as gripped (as in cant put the book down) in a series of stories since reading Harry Potter, which I would say is a massive compliment to the author Cameron Jace. Although, I have to say the only thing that has let it down a little is the editing, where typos have been missed and double words. I would have tagged them all but found there were too many, and I knew what it was supposed to be so carried on reading.Anyway, back to the 'Snow White Sorrow' Jace is very good at making you think you know what is going on, and the suddenly he surprises you with another fact and your in utter shock that you missed it. I will not reveal any giveaways because anyone reading this review should be reading it for themselves. If you have already considered reading the books reviews then you know deep down using you "chanta" that you want to read it. ("chanta" will be understood if you read it so please do).Even though I have read the prequels and this one I want to read them all again to see where all the clues where that lead to the final.Can not wait for the next one in the series with Cinderella (as well as read the originals from Brothers Grimm and the historical facts mentioned by Jace in the stories.) LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

I had been looking forward to reading this book ever since I finished all the prequels and boy was I not disappointed , this book has taken a fairy tale and completely turned it on its head whilst introducing characters that fitted right in that maybe the reader won't be expecting. Well done Cameron for a fantastic read I can't wait for the next one .

This story is very unique, and I adored it with my whole heart, I fell in love with the characters especially Loki Blackstar.Lately I have found it hard to find a good book, but this book kept me turning the pages, I could not stop reading it. It is a great book.I enjoyed it from start to the end, and had to buy the next book in the series immediately, which is equally as good, but a little more emotional and touching.I would recommend this book to teenagers and young adults, I doubt that many other authors have considered writing what Cameron Jace has written.I loved it! Awesome book.

Interesting twist on the grimm stories and I like the background of the storytelling and the parrot. Managed to get the prequels for free from Amazon, The snow white one did have a few spoilers but overall a good read.