I'm not a big fan of Snow White but this retelling is one of the best I have ever read. It was pretty gloom compared to other retellings but that's why I liked it so much. There wasn't much romance which honestly wasn't a setback at all becuase the plot itself was great and honestly wouldn't mind it if there was no romance at all. But I have to add that even though the romance was so scarce it was cute. I was hooked from the very beginning and Snow's adventure was hell of a ride. Oh and I really liked that magic was involved.

The plot is fast paced and Snow is a compelling character. A great choice for adult and YA fantasy collections.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

There's been a big trend recently with authors writing retellings of countless stories and I am not always impressed with how they changed the stories but this one was really well done!n A dark retelling of Snow White complete with elves, magic and two powerful female characters (and one crazy one) who are completely unapologetic for how strong they are - both mentally and their magic. Really loved how there are hints of major plot points from the original story without completely copying the story. Will definitely be getting a physical copy of this one!

Snow White witnesses the gruesome murder of her father and sister at the hands of the Aunt she loves and is certain without the help of a guard loyal to her family she would been murdered too. She has hidden herself away for years feeling frustrated that she didn't do more to stop her cruel Aunt and decides to take a chance during the Queen's Selection to be chosen as one of the girls of the kingdom that becomes one of the Queens ladies. While she is certain that her Aunt is up to know good she could possibly fathom the depths of her depravity, with no one to turn to but the mysterious Hunter Snow is determined to bring her Aunt down, even if it costs her her life.

Honestly, I didn't really get into this one. I tried and failed to find any connection with any of the characters. I really wanted to like Snow especially but I just couldn't she was pretty cookie cutter. I found I did enjoy Red so there was that, but, not enough to move this past three stars.

And while I did find this to be well paced, I found that while there were scenes where the passage of time was mentioned it didn't seem like that much time had passed at all. For example there's a scene where Red mentions that it had been a month since some goats (Snow's goats) just randomly appeared at her cottage, which is supposed to indicate that it had been a month since Snow was chosen at the Selection but it didn't seem like that at all. I honestly figured it had been maybe a couple of weeks no more.

I think the thing that really got to me with this more than anything is the potential is there for this to have been an amazing Snow White retelling. Buel's got some fantastic ideas here and the bones of some characters that I feel could be really great if the book had been a bit longer.

What I *did* like about this was Lyrica probably the most, she was a pretty well done bad guy and quite honestly bat sh*t crazy which I really did not see coming and I absolutely loved. It's also a pretty unique retelling in terms of the Snow White tale so I enjoyed that as well.

Overall, I enjoyed the originality of the story, I wish it had been a little more fleshed out but feel that if you enjoy fairy tale retellings as I do its one that's worth the read for Lyrica alone.

Thank you to the lovely author for sharing your work with me before its publish. I am so thrilled to have received this ARC as my very first- this novel has left grand shoes to fill!

White as Witching is a stylish retelling- no, absolute empowered and deviously dark resurrection- of Snow White with a strong willed, fiery, more-than-capable young woman who is determined to take care of herself, those she loves dearly, and reclaim what is rightfully hers from a treacherous usurper Queen capable of horrific magic and power on her own, but harbors an unspeakable alliance with darkness itself.
Katherine Buel artfully breathes depth and resolve into a character so often portrayed as a damsel-in-distress while taking us on a wild ride through the reimagined world so many of us thought we understood well until now.
I really enjoyed a very dark take on this traditional story. It's fast paced and there's just enough grit to really get your sense of dread building. Clever and imaginative twists and turns of traditional pieces kept me on my toes and prevented this work from being too easily predictable.

3.5/5

<I>White as Witching</I> is a retelling of the classic Brothers Grimm tale of Snow White, drawing you into a moody, atmospheric and haunting gothic tale you've known since childhood.

<I>White as Witching is set to be published in early October 2022. Thank you to Victory Editing, NetGalley and the author for the ARC.</I>

I’d like to thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book!

This was a fun, quick read for me that I was able to finish in a day. The majority of reviews say that this is a fast paced book and this is very correct. I didn’t mind the faster pace of the story as I was looking for something that would keep my attention. I do however agree that this could have been a duology, or maybe even a trilogy.

I found the plot of the book to be interesting and the characters likable. I would have liked to learn more about the characters as we really only got surface level engagement with some of them.

Overall, this is a good book for anyone who may be in a reading slump and is looking for an attention grabbing story.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

It's such a shame to have to rate this book so low, after such a promising start. For the first 40 percent of the book I was completely hooked, and it looked like a 4 star read. After the 40% mark the plot started moving extremely fast, without any logical development to the point when it felt like reading nonsense and I had to check if I had skipped a chapter.


Overall not a good read, the author clearly has potential but I wouldn't recommend

I was enticed by the idea of a Grimm Fairytale book and this one was delivered. It is based on Snow White but it is not at all the Disney Princess version. It is very much in line with the tales of old times. It is a little dark and creepy so if you're looking for niceties, it isn't in this book. It is VERY fast-paced so I binged it in about two days. It would be a perfect weekend read.

Essentially we have a young Snow White who has some facial scarring and she's looking for revenge on the person responsible for it and the death of her family. She goes through so much throughout the book that at times, it did seem a bit rushed. I can't believe I'm saying this, but this book actually could have done with a second book. A duology maybe? Or may an even longer book if the idea was to keep it as a standalone if it is one? We shall see. There is not a lot of romance as well which I know some people tend to look for in fairytales. It is there but it is subtle and there is no spice. This doesn't bother me because I personally tend to look for books without romance or spice so that I can just get on with the story. This is THAT book. I have enough spicy books and sometimes I need a break from it. I hope that any other spin offs in this series will sort of stick with the overall theme; fast, dark, creepy, little romance, and a good revenge story.

I love a good fairytale fantasy like this one, especially with darker undertones. It definitely has more of a Grimm-style feeling, rather than a Disney version, and I love the sinister truths lurking behind every scene. Although a Snow White retelling, it has added layers of fantasy elements that make it much more exciting and unique. The whimsical writing works well as both a compliment and a contrast to the wicked plot. I love being taken along with the protagonist’s journey as she learns and grows into her power and confidence. This is a beautiful story that touches on very real emotions. It’s a short, fast read and while I liked that about it, I think there is room for expansion, especially with the romantic parts of the plot. I could easily envision a longer, more in-depth version of this book. I do actually like the original name for this book better. I think it fits more with the message and themes in the story, especially considering how strongly developed the main character is. The cover is what originally caught my attention and I love its striking simplicity.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book. My opinions are my own.

I love fairytale retellings and I was so excited to start this one! It's not so much based on the Disney version of Snow White, but on the fairytale of the sisters Snow White and Rose Red. It promises to be a little darker and oh, it was!

Snow White has lived the last seven years hidden away in a small town, after her aunt killed her entire family. Half of her face is burned, so as to better hide who she truly is. But she is done hiding, and looks for revenge.

I loved the darkness throughout this book. I liked Snow as a character and wanted to find out what would happen to her.
However for me, the pacing of the book was a bit off. So many things happened really quickly and I feel this almost could have been a trilogy! There was barely any time to truly feel Snow's anger, and her love. It would have been nice to get to know the characters a little better instead of getting just a few sentences of character development. I think spreading the story out over a few more pages would have been beneficial.

Still, like I said I loved the theme of revenge in this book and there were certainly some elements that creeped me out, in a good way! If you enjoy fairytale retellings without too much romance, definitely check this one out!

I love fairytale retellings, so reading this one was a no brainer for me! This is a snow white retelling!

I absolutely loved the author's writing style. It was beautiful and kept me hooked from the start. The book is full of mythical creatures and dark magic, definitely one of the more enjoyable snow white retellings I've read! It had some unique twists to it that I really liked, but also a few that you could see coming.

Give this one a read if you love the Snow White story! You are bound to enjoy this book!

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing me an ARC copy!

3.5 Stars | A classically rendered fairytale retelling! The book opens on Snow, the rightful Queen of Cresilea, who has been living in hiding in a backwater town for seven years. She escaped the Witch-Queen with one of her father’s guards, but seems to be struggling with her status quo. When an opportunity arises to return to the capital, Snow takes it and we are plunged into the main action of the story. Note that there is a romance plot line, but it is ‘fade to black’ — so, no spice.

I read this book in one sitting - I was hooked into the story and wanted to know what would happen to Snow in each “phase” of the story. It’s well-written, though the plot is somewhat simplistic and there are numerous ‘truths’ Snow states that at times can feel preachy (and a bit too much showing rather than telling), but that ultimately serve the story.

I call this a fairytale retelling rather than a fantasy novel because (1) characters are ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and while Snow acknowledges the darkness in her own heart, she never actually seems that tempted by it; this really gives it a fable quality (there are clear morals). And (2) there isn’t much in the way of world-building — while we encounter these different magical groups and do get to see some of how they live, there aren’t clear ‘rules’ to what is possible in the world. Much like a fairytale, we are along for the ride and you never quite know what will be possible on the next page.

This is a great standalone book to devour if you want a classic good-vs-evil fairytale with a happy ending! It’s a more sophisticated bed time story for (young) adults! :) Thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Buel for the ARC.

I REALLY enjoyed Katherine Buel's take on the tale of Snow White. Much like the original Grimm Brothers fairytale, it's dark, twisted and full of vivid details. I love a fairytale retelling and White as Witching was a real escapism read.

The fast paced plot follows Snow as she seeks to avenge her parents deaths, the King and Queen, ruthlessly killed by her Aunt for the crown and for power - a crown and Kingdom rightfully belonging to Snow White. With the help of her magic, many different mythical beings and with her sister, whom she once believed dead, Snow enters into a battle that she isn't sure she'll even survive.

Both Hero and Villain are rich in character, who bring much to the story with their complex personalities. The magical system is a brilliant addition to the world building, bringing a whole new dimension to the plot - I particularly enjoyed the riddling power of the dwarves and the fight The Hunter put up against the dark magic that was controlling him. Buel did such a great job of taking some well known characters and making them her own!

Like many traditional fairytales, White as Witching highlights the power of hope and love and ultimately ends with good conquering evil but is far from the whimsical tale Disney has engrained in our minds. Be prepared for a far more sinister take on a happily ever after!

The overall story of White as Witching is compelling with a main character that the reader genuinely cares about. While this story has much potential, I feel that it is held back due to issues with pacing and dialogue. The story feels as though it jumps ahead too quickly, leaving the reader to fill in gaps for themselves. Even with this personal issue, many reader will find this story extremely enjoyable. Fans of magic and fairy tales will feel right at home in the world Katherine Buel has created.

Here I am once again to talk about an arc that I read! This time it's Katherine Buel's White as Witching which will be released on October 4th.

Before we started I wanted to thank Netgalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

So let's start by saying that the first thing that made me want to request for this book was the cover. Yes, I am a weak and material person, but when I go to request something on Netgalley, the cover is really the first thing I look at. So, I liked this one, it was simple and with the key colors all in plain sight. And go, requested and approved immediately.

Let's go immediately to see the plot: In short, our protagonist is Show, who has been hiding from the queen (who is also her aunt) for years as she believes she killed both her mother and sister. Every year the queen takes a host of girls under her to make them marry with the most coveted nobles through a selection, and this time Snow volunteers, especially because she believes that in reality her ultimate goal is not that. Here Snow will learn how to use her magic, discover truth and also not hide the part of her face that is not as beautiful as the stories tell.

The book is a retelling of the story of Snow White in a fantasy key. The most interesting part is the fact that we have this fantasy plot and there is much more bloody. The plot revolves a lot around the revenge against the queen, who is a usurper, murderer and manipulator. All the elements of the history of the tradition are there (the hunter, the mirror, the dwarves) but clearly they are all modified and with the addition of others (which I very much appreciated).
The part that I liked the most about this book is clearly the total focus on the lookout, on the life that Snow thought had been ruined forever, on the lookout through which hope, love, a new life can be found again.
The book is super smooth, after 20% I devoured it in two days.
It must be said that I can underline some things. Surely I would have liked a more in-depth study of both the characters and the romance, but above all of Show. There are some moments that the plot goes so fast that it seems that the characters are not developed as much as one would like. This is the only flaw I can point out, that I would have preferred more development for many things, even if this means that the book would have been longer and less fairytale!

All in all it was an interesting and perfect read for the arrival of Spooky Season!

✿ Disability rep: the main character has facial scaring, but... it is magically healed. Do with that information what you will.

This is a Snow White retelling that is heavily influenced by the original Brothers Grim fairytale. Having read a variety of retellings, I was unsure which direction White as Witching was going to take. I love this interpretation. White as Witching is a retelling that draws more from the original text and leaves the Disney retelling in the dust.

This version follows the royal princess Snow who is in hiding after watching her aunt murder her father, the King, when she was 11. In the aftermath, Snow fled with the royal blacksmith, to a remote village in hopes of surviving her aunt's wrath. In order to hide her identity, the blacksmith brands the left side of her face. The facial scarring is all anyone sees and all anyone judges her on. The prejudice Snow suffers because of her disability is used as a way to not get to close to anyone in her village as they are unable to see her beyond it.

Seven years after her fathers murder, the Selection has come to her small remote village, to take a girl for nefarious purposes. Everyone believes these 5 girls from different villages will live in luxury and marry a man of high standing, but none are ever heard from again. Snow decides this is her chance to leave, and get vengeance against her aunt. Hoping her facial scars and the seven year separation are enough to not be recognised, Snow makes herself become the girl chosen and sets out to the royal castle to confront her aunt and end her reign of terror.

White as Witching is an atmospheric delight, with melancholic notes and lyrical writing. It uses one of my favourite elements in books, especially fairytales - riddles. I am always a fan of riddles or lyrics in books. It's like a fun little activity that I can try and solve or lyrics I can try and sing along with. White as Witching has riddles that are masterfully inserted. Some riddles are even predictions.

Its heartbreaking and its bittersweet. It confronts your relationships with people you knew and loved when you were younger and how you fit in with each other now, older with new experiences, new traumas and new worlds views. The idolised, rose-coloured idea of your past and memories do not hold up against the stark reality of the person in front of you. It's hard to reconcile the two and learn to separate the two versions of one person.
Love is not always gentle, nor easy to recognise.

The themes of power, love, strength and vulnerability are present and continuously questioned by Snow and how she interacts with the people in her life. Snow questions the idea of power; the cost, the weight and where it lies and all its forms. Like many young women, and as someone with a disability, she often feels powerless, helpless, hopeless and outmatched. It chafes her that others control and shape things around her, and all she gets in return is pain and suffering. She recognises and understands the pain her aunt feels and sees how her aunt has turned that pain, to harm others. Snow sees herself in her aunt, and sees the two paths that she could take; to turn her pain into the suffering of others or to use it to grow, and heal and as a foundation for her inner strength. It's tempting to inflict the pain you feel but the hardest road is to not continue the cycle of suffering. It's commendable and inspiring to see.
Gold is nothing. Silver is nothing. Jewels are nothing. There is only one currency in life, and that is pain.

Snow struggles to find her voice. All her feelings are shoved down and ignored, forging her to endeavour in finding the courage to voice and express her emotions. Snow finds that the act itself is not a weakness, but a strength. Her idea of vulnerability is challenged. She is accustomed to letting others reach out to her and express their vulnerability before she expresses her own. She is lonely, and lost and simply wishes for human connection and comfort, like everyone else. She comes to recognise this and chooses to defy her natural learned pattern in order to connect and express her love for the people in her life. She is actively healing and it's wonderful to see in a protagonist, especially in YA.
Love does not require return in order to exist. It simply is, and I spent so many years silenced that I will not silence myself.

What White as Witching does really well is the conversation around beauty. All versions of Snow White are centred around beauty. The beauty of Snow White, the beauty of the evil Queen, even the beauty of Rose Red and Snow White's mother. White as Witching starts with Snow White existing with a facial scar that others don't find beautiful or can get past. Her facial scar was not an accident, but a purposeful mark to mask her beauty in the first place. It is seen as pityful, and disdainful. White as Witching explores using your beauty or perceived lack there of to your advantage or detriment, and demonstrates the ultimate illusion of beauty. Something visually attractive doesn't mean it's beautiful, as underneath it can be rotten and in this story demonic.

Personally, I think it was a mistake to magically 'cure' Snow of her facial scarring. It perpetuates a harmful message. The trope of curing disability is reflected in all forms of media, and is harmful to the real people living with disabilities. I think it helps that it wasn't right at the end, after overcoming all her challenges, and that it wasn't framed like a reward. Removing her scar was in service to the end goal, but it felt unnecessary as Snow already gave up so much and it would have been more impactful if she her face didn't change, and that she was a Queen with a disability.

I highly encourage a read through of the original Brothers Grim version as well as the Snow-White Rose-Red version. The darker elements of the original Grim version like cannibalism and multiple attempted assassinations are incorporated into this book, as well as other twists like demons, bargains, illusions and dark witchcraft and that I personally think the Grim Brothers would love.

It's an engrossing story that engages in discussions about family, prejudice, beauty, love vulnerability and strength. It's a great YA that exceeds all expectations that I'll remember for a long time.

Would I recommend this book?
Yes. I recommend it for people who love retellings, but specifically if you liked Luminous, An Enchantment Of Thorns, Thorn and Stain

A wonderful snow white retelling where love and sacrifice conquers all. Snow white wasn't your typical princess in this retelling. She was a scarred magic wielder in hiding from her evil aunt. There are some predictable plot twists and some very flowery words and phrases but overall this was a good read!

This is a retelling of Snow White but there is no room for passive heroines here.

Snow has been in hiding for 7 years from her witch aunt, who she believes murdered her parents and sister. Each year the witch queen takes a ‘selection’ of young girls from the villages in the Kingdom, their families eager to see them married off to court officials but Snow is suspicious that the girls are never heard from again. She volunteers herself when the ‘selection’ comes to her village.

The set up for this premise is promising. We feel the heartache and longing from Snow but the fierce defiance and will to live to seek answers and revenge.

I love fairytale retellings with a strong female lead. This story has echoes of the classic film version as well as the Grimm brother’s tale but Snow is no wet blanket. The characters are complex, the plot unravels at such a fast pace and grows darker with every page. Revenge of an evil queen, fae vs demons and enemies to lovers. This is a story for those who love fantasy.

So much happened in this book, I think it would have worked well as a series. A series would have given more time for character development and for the reader to keep up with the pace. I'm usually one for atmospheric, slow burner gothic thrillers so this dark fantasy made me roll up my sleeves and dive in. If you like fantasy fairytale retellings and in the mood for a fast pace adventure, this is one to try!

Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader copy of this book.

Some books evoke feelings, some others bring back memories, but when one book gives you both you know you have found a gem. I have to admit, this book has been absolutely beautiful and crazy, it is very unique and captivating retelling of Snow White. I will just say that I loved every minute of it.