Girls Made of Snow and Glass

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust     384 pages

Entwining the stories of both Lynet and Mina in the past and present, Girls Made of Snow and Glass traces the relationship of two young women doomed to be rivals from the start. Only one can win all, while the other must lose everything—unless both can find a way to reshape themselves and their story.

This book promises a more thrilling, action-packed story than it delivers. It's really a slow-paced, generalized re-telling of Snow White, with barely enough "fight" between the two main characters to justify the promise of an "only one can win" tagline. I liked it okay, but it was very meandering and not all that it was hyped to be and so I was unfortunately let down. 

Kudos to making a women-centered story and providing some diversity (a few lesbian characters), but even that was a bit predictable and really didn't improve the story. I didn't really love any of the characters and I only liked a few. But otherwise, a rather boring story that could have been so much more. 

As Red As Blood

As Red As Blood by Salla Simukka, 256 pages

Lumikki is named after Snow White but is nothing like the fairy tale character either in looks or temperament.  She is living away from home, in her own apartment, while she finishes high school.  Lumikki has perfected the art of blending in.  She is like everyone and no one.  Until the day she discovers thousands of euros drying in the darkroom at school.  She is too curious to completely ignore the situation and when she figures out who put them there and they also find out that she knows she becomes involved in what could be a very dangerous plan, one that could get her killed.  This was a really good story but it was also a little odd.  Teens who like thrillers will probably still like it, but I wouldn’t necessarily give it to a reluctant reader.