• Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews 2023 April #1
  De la Cruz brings her own magic into the well-known tale of "Snow White," setting her story in 1621 Bavaria, where Lady Sophie lives a quiet life with her father, a widowed duke. She's happy with this arrangement, but when her father makes plans to remarry, he deems the occasion the perfect time to introduce his daughter into high society. Although Sophie would rather remain hidden away, she unexpectedly meets someone at the ball who steals her heart. The man is the handsome Prince Phillip, heir to the Spanish throne and, tragically, already betrothed to another. Heartbroken, Sophie tries to connect with her new stepmother, who is not as kind as she seems. As the story progresses, readers will be invested in Sophie's future and remain leery of Claudia, the stepmother. Familiar plot points from the original tale make their way into this drama-filled retelling, which nevertheless twists and turns. Lessons on trust and romance are accompanied by moments of strength and weakness from both Claudia and Sophie, leading to a satisfying ending.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Fairy-tale retellings are always popular, and best-selling Melissa de la Cruz knows exactly how to make them shine. Grades 7-10. Copyright 2023 Booklist Reviews.

Melissa de la Cruz is the #1 New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and Publishers Weekly internationally bestselling author of many critically acclaimed books for readers of all ages, including the Alex & Eliza trilogy, Disney's Descendants novels, the Blue Bloods series, and the Summer on East End series. Her books have sold over eight million copies, and the Witches of East End series became an hour-long television drama on the Lifetime network. Visit her at melissa-delacruz.com