The Color of Snow

Aug 08, 2012 Giselle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, ebook, dystopia-or-post-apocalyptic

" […]no matter how much I prayed, what I did, or how I changed, I would never be treated like everyone else. I would always be the girl who was raised in a cage."
-Quoted from the uncorrected proof

While I'm not sure what I truly expected, The Color of Snow far exceeded what I was hoping for. A tale of love, loss, and self discovery, we get the highs and lows of Sophie's story: Kidnapped as a baby, she's now 17 and entering a world far more complicated than she could ever have imagined.

Not only do...more " […]no matter how much I prayed, what I did, or how I changed, I would never be treated like everyone else. I would always be the girl who was raised in a cage."
-Quoted from the uncorrected proof

While I'm not sure what I truly expected, The Color of Snow far exceeded what I was hoping for. A tale of love, loss, and self discovery, we get the highs and lows of Sophie's story: Kidnapped as a baby, she's now 17 and entering a world far more complicated than she could ever have imagined.

Not only do we get alternating point-of-views from Sophie and her kidnapper (who she knows as Papa), we learn the story systematically going to and fro, her past and present. This builds curiosity, creating anticipation for the eventual disclosure of her complicated life. It lets us understand the sequences of events and their circumstances that eventually brought on her distraught situation, as well as her beliefs. Scattered throughout, we also get a few pieces of the story told from subsidiary characters that, except for Carpo whose manuscript story felt out of place, manage to really fuse the chain of events together. Out of the two main POVs, however, it's hard to pick a favorite. Papa's is the past, the unraveling of the story that is impossible to not capture your full attention and leave you thirsting for more. Then Sophie's present; her reentering society after living secluded her whole life is incredibly enticing with emotional ups and downs that leave you saddened, but hopeful, with humorous moments to lighten the air. Though not having an effect on the story, I did find the time period of the book felt off. A setting of the 1990's to almost present-day, rather feels decades old. I'm placing most of the blame on the story's location of a small Mormon town where its residents live an old-fashioned lifestyle. In any case, it's just a matter of adjusting your mind's eye.

Curses, religious differences, mental illness, old-fashioned beliefs and ways of life, abduction, abuse; layer after layer, we're thrown into this tale that has so much going on, though not overwhelmingly so, that it becomes truly extensive and fascinating. Consequently, it's hard to predict how it's all going to tie together, as well as what is real, and what's not. Is Sophie really cursed, or is her grandmother simply crazy? One part of the novel that I was a bit iffy about, was the talk of religion as it often breaks the deal for me. Dealing with tough subjects, set in a very old fashioned small town, God and Faith surrounds this plot quite a bit. Fortunately, the way Brenda goes about incorporating it is actually welcoming. The perspectives we get are from people who are skeptics, making it very open arms. It fits so seamlessly in the plot that my initial concerns were left unfounded.

Overall, I found myself wholly consumed by this novel. It's heartbreaking, yet strangely beautiful. I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who enjoys books that deal with strong subject matters and unraveling secrets.

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Aug 15, 2012 Lizzy Lessard rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, reviewed

I adore dark fiction. The Color of Snow is about Sofie, who believes that she is cursed. Those who love her die. And the reason I loved this book is that until the very last chapter, I wasn’t sure whether or not the curse was real. This is a non-linear book. It flip-flops between the current story of Sophie and the past with Sophie’s father, Luke, prior to her birth. Both Sophie and Luke are easy to sympathize with, and although Luke kidnapped his daughter at birth, as the story progresses nothi...more I adore dark fiction. The Color of Snow is about Sofie, who believes that she is cursed. Those who love her die. And the reason I loved this book is that until the very last chapter, I wasn’t sure whether or not the curse was real. This is a non-linear book. It flip-flops between the current story of Sophie and the past with Sophie’s father, Luke, prior to her birth. Both Sophie and Luke are easy to sympathize with, and although Luke kidnapped his daughter at birth, as the story progresses nothing is black and white.

It felt like I was playing Russian roulette with each chapter, wondering if Sophie and the other characters would survive to the next chapter, particularly towards the end. Call me morbid, but I like the possibly of the star of the book dying. Extra props for possibility of murder or suicide. Although I loved the ending, there are quite a few unanswered questions. Without revealing any spoilers: I know what happens to Sofie and Stephanie, but all the other characters seem to be in limbo in the final chapter. I’m not sure if this is a setup for a sequel, but I’m really left wondering.

This book is labeled at YA contemporary but don’t expect the traditional romance. In fact, romance really takes a back-seat in this novel. There’s more development between Luke’s romances than Sophie’s. As someone who doesn’t enjoy romances much, its a plus. If you like your romances, you may be disappointed in that department.

I liked how the many of the characters evolved from past (Luke’s POV) to present (Sophie’s POV). Also, the grandparents were really fleshed out, as Luke and Sophie had very different perspectives on them. I also likes Stephanie – she was a great friend to Sophie and her past was nearly as messed up. My jaw dropped when I figured out what had happened to her. I totally wasn’t expecting anything like that, but it definitely helped the story. I liked the morals of The Color of Snow: Things aren’t always what people tell you they are. Bad things happen to everyone. You can either give up or keep going.

Overall, I really liked this book. But as a stand-alone, I wish some of the minor plot lines were tied up before the story concluded.

*I received a copy of this book as part of the Tribute Books book tour.(less)

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Jul 30, 2012 Claire rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Color of Snow is a heart-wrenching book about love, loss and all the things in between. Sophie has spent her life living in a cage, away from the world, locked up to protect the people around her. Her Papa says she is cursed, and if she isn't careful, she will destroy the people around her. Damien is the boy that tries to rescue her. He says he loves her, but she is cursed. Now the police have taken her away and thrust her into the arms of a family she doesn't know, in a world she doesn't qu...more

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Jun 29, 2012 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Secrets, lies and a hint of the supernatural had me unable to put down The Color of Snow until it had revealed the depths of its mysteries. The constant change in both time and PoV made for great pacing and kept me eager for more!

Told from two different PoVs, from both Sophie and her father Luke, gave The Color of Snow the opportunity to flesh out a truly all-encompasing history surrounding Sophie's kidnapping and subsequent sequestering. Luke's PoV was written from when he was a teenager dealin...more Secrets, lies and a hint of the supernatural had me unable to put down The Color of Snow until it had revealed the depths of its mysteries. The constant change in both time and PoV made for great pacing and kept me eager for more!

Told from two different PoVs, from both Sophie and her father Luke, gave The Color of Snow the opportunity to flesh out a truly all-encompasing history surrounding Sophie's kidnapping and subsequent sequestering. Luke's PoV was written from when he was a teenager dealing with the death of his father and the guilt of being blamed with causing the fatal fire which took his life. It was captivating to be leaked details at a slow and steady pace and his chapters always ended just short of revealing even more - which, of course, caused me to read further! I really sympathized with Luke, up until he kidnapped Sophie. I didn't fully understand why he didn't just exercise his right as the father in order to gain custody.

As for Sophie, she is probably the most innocent protagonist I have ever read about. A life spent without consistent human interaction has made her naive and slightly fearful of the world past her front yard. I was confused at first, over why she wasn't more sullen or withdrawn, but I quickly realized that while her father may have kidnapped her and kept her from society, he did love her and that was never something she doubted. His belief that he was merely protecting her from causing others harm did take it's toil on Sophie though - she's a delicate protagonist and a lifetime of beliefs was not something she was able to overcome easily. Her growth, however, is exponential in the grand scheme of things even if it seems minuscule compared to most YA heroines.

I absolutely loved Stephanie's analogy of the colour of snow, and how well it tied in to the title of the novel. It also went full-circle, come the end of The Color of Snow with Sophie's final discoveries and I really appreciated Stanley's forethought with this imagery.

There were a few things that bothered me in The Color of Snow though. For example, even though the time was clearly identified at the beginning of each PoV switch, I had a hard time picturing The Color of Snow as being set during the late 90s and into the late 2000s. I'm not sure if it was the multitude of religious propaganda and references to small town Mormonism or Sophie's slightly outdated manner of speaking, but I was caught off guard every time something current - like Facebook or a cell phone - was mentioned. I didn't believe in Sophie's love for Damien, as other then the time they spent together as children, I didn't get to see them interact much. She also didn't seem overly concerned about his health after being shot, or about seeing him now that she had the freedom to do it. I also had a hard time believing Sophie's fears of being cursed - like Stephanie points out, if she were truly worried about being cursed, about causing harm to those who love her, she wouldn't let her new-found family (or anyone, for that matter) get close to her for fear of hurting them. Actually, the whole curse theme in general lacked credibility when every example as to how Sophie was cursed was able to be explained away by logic. There was also a LOT going on. Besides Sophie's personal issues, there are references to mental illness, questions of faith, molestation and pedophilia.

Those few issues aside however, I really enjoyed The Color of Snow. The constant shroud of mystery made for great pacing, as there was always something else to uncover. I didn't necessarily relate to Sophie, but I enjoyed following her on her journey of self-discovery.

Find this review on my blog, Radiant Shadows (less)

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Sep 24, 2012 Marie DeLaRosa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Sophie has always lived with her father, isolated from everyone else, she was accustomed to not having any contact with anyone in fear that the curse that haunts her would hurt the ones that got close to her, or at least that is what her father tells her…But after Damien, a boy she has gotten close to, tries to take her away and is shot by her father, she is introduced to a family she had been told did not love her and blamed her for her mother’s death. The Color of Snow is a book about self dis...more Sophie has always lived with her father, isolated from everyone else, she was accustomed to not having any contact with anyone in fear that the curse that haunts her would hurt the ones that got close to her, or at least that is what her father tells her…But after Damien, a boy she has gotten close to, tries to take her away and is shot by her father, she is introduced to a family she had been told did not love her and blamed her for her mother’s death. The Color of Snow is a book about self discovery and making your own future.

First I want to say that most of the books I read are mainly that of the Paranormal, Scifi, Fantasy genre, but I love to come across books that can grab my attention and drag me in just as easily. The Color of Snow did just that for me. Brenda Stanley has engulfed me by her writing, as throughout the book I felt as if I was right aside Sophie, feeling what she felt and encountering everything through her eyes. For those who watch Lifetime, I am sure you know how some of their movies can have you awing and tearing up easily, I felt as if a Lifetime movie was unraveling before my own eyes.

Sophie is introduced to a family she didn’t think would want her, but slowly and surely starts to connect with them in a way that she hasn’t been able to before. Though, like some of the girls from many books, Sophie is so stuck in what she had been raised to believe that she starts to push Damien, the boy that loves her away in fear of getting him hurt. Sophie had been told that anyone that loves her and kisses her will die, and because of that she has kept to herself so that she does not feel the burden of their death on her. I am happy to say that towards the end we see a much more mature Sophie who realizes that she is the one in control of her life and the “curse” does not control it.

The emotions and characters from the book are incredible as each draws you in more closely, like I said its as if you are right there with them, the emotions come clear across from the pages and you have no trouble connecting to them. I especially loved Stephanie, she was the voice of reason and the only one that really told Sophie how it is.

This book will have you astonished, wide eyed with tears as you go on the journey with Sophie about discovering the truth, coming into the realization of your future and love, love of family, friends and the one who you can’t live without. 5/5 Bats.

~Marie(less)

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Oct 23, 2012 Arlena rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-stars, ebooks, excellent-book, fiction-reviews, my-reviews, young-adult

Author: Brenda Stanley
Published By: Tribute Books
Age Recommended: YA
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For GMTA
Rating: 5

Review:

"The Color of Snow" by Brenda Stanley was a real very interesting fiction and even though it was a long read, I found it hard to put down until I had finished it. There are just three words that describe this wonderful read and that would beabsolutely beautiful written...of a girl name Sophie that had been locked up from the world. Why would any father do this to his chil...more Author: Brenda Stanley
Published By: Tribute Books
Age Recommended: YA
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For GMTA
Rating: 5

Review:

"The Color of Snow" by Brenda Stanley was a real very interesting fiction and even though it was a long read, I found it hard to put down until I had finished it. There are just three words that describe this wonderful read and that would beabsolutely beautiful written...of a girl name Sophie that had been locked up from the world. Why would any father do this to his child? What is this curse and just where did it come from? You will find that this story will go back and forth from present day to past events...that will give you a really good story.

This author really worked her magic in her descriptions in this read and the title..."Color of Snow".... just what color was this snow that only starts at the beginning and goes until the last word? Sophie's journey which was very heart-breaking story that started at the beginning on this emotional roller coaster ride and discovering everything about her life....her dad (Luke) , mom, grandparents, a cousin...Stephanie...Danny, Damien...her friends...only naming a few because there are more that will simply keep you on this journey until the end. You will find that in this novel... love, loss, secrets, self discovery, social class issues, and a difference in religious beliefs. With Sophie being kidnapped as a baby ...now seventeen entering a very complicated world that will have you asking the question will Sophie be able to endure and just why did Sophie's dad Luke think she was cursed? There will be a lots of lies and secrets...a lots with many twist and turns that will be revealed in this novel. All of these questions that need to be answered will only be if you pick up this good read and find out what, why, and how.

After you finish with this read of "The Color of Snow" you will get the jolt of raw emotions that will leave you saying wow and the big question answered to Will Sophie be able in the end with she find the strength to lead a rich and full life? I enjoyed this read and I would recommend "The Color of Snow"d to you as a excellent read.
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Sep 28, 2012 Cecilia Robert rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'd like to thank Tribute Tours for giving me a chance to read this wonderful story.

The title of this book plays a significant part in this story. The beginning starts with "It had snowed over five inches the day I was born, and it wasn't until the day I was saved that the snow was as deep or as blue."

The end: As I stood taking in the view lie a rebirth, I couldn't help but notice the snow. I marveled at how deep it was, how endless it seemed... and how blue."

Absolutely beautiful.

After Sophi...more I'd like to thank Tribute Tours for giving me a chance to read this wonderful story.

The title of this book plays a significant part in this story. The beginning starts with "It had snowed over five inches the day I was born, and it wasn't until the day I was saved that the snow was as deep or as blue."

The end: As I stood taking in the view lie a rebirth, I couldn't help but notice the snow. I marveled at how deep it was, how endless it seemed... and how blue."

Absolutely beautiful.

After Sophie is found by the police after 16 years living with her father, she is taken to live with her grandparents. Not only is she gawked at, but there are people who are waiting just to take advantage of her innocence. In the course of the two years she learns to trust her instincts, and learns who to trust.
It was really great to read how the writer alternated different POVs. The main views were Sophie and her father's, but in between sparsed with other characters. Just when I read,thinking I knew what the story was all about, it took a sudden twist left me wondering why I hadn't seen that coming.

Every one of the character thought what they were doing was to protect their loved ones, and like a chain reaction each of those reasons ended up unknowingly hurting them, or other people they cared or didn't care about. It was good to read about Sophie's journey, finally discovering everything about her life. I enjoyed reading about the characters in the story, but the ones who touched my heart most - other than Sophie - was Stephanie, and of course, Sophie's father. Stephanie is a survivor despite what happened to her. Her friendship, advice and encouragment wowed me. So wise for a girl so young. Luke, Sophie's father. He'd lost so much, survived it all despite everything else that stood in his way. I really liked his stubborn nature. I was shocked at his twisted logic about his idea of protecting everyone against his daughter. As I said, lots unexpected turn of events in this great story. Ms Stanley did a good job of creating characters with individual flaws, pasts, and problems just like every other person.

I look forward to read more works from the author.(less)

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Sep 05, 2012 Dawn Vanniman rated it 2 of 5 stars

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The publisher's summary: When a beautiful 16-year-old girl named Sophie is found sequestered in a cage-like room in a rundown house in the desolate hills of Arbon Valley, Idaho, the entire community is shocked to learn she is the legendary Callidora--a baby girl who was kidnapped from her crib almost seventeen years ago and canonized in missing posters with portraits of what the fabled girl might resemble. Authorities soon...more

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Sep 01, 2012 Diana (Offbeat Vagabond) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, romance, emotional, contemporary

Original post here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-color-of-snow-blog-tour-indie.html

Wow! To say this book took me by surprise is an understatement. The level of tragedy is heartwrenching, but so profound. From the first page, you are immediately sucked in. How deep this story goes is amazing and will leave you breathless.

The Color of Snow follows a young girl named Sophie whose lived a very sheltered life. She has been brought up differently. All she does is read, draw and do...more Original post here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-color-of-snow-blog-tour-indie.html

Wow! To say this book took me by surprise is an understatement. The level of tragedy is heartwrenching, but so profound. From the first page, you are immediately sucked in. How deep this story goes is amazing and will leave you breathless.

The Color of Snow follows a young girl named Sophie whose lived a very sheltered life. She has been brought up differently. All she does is read, draw and do chores around the house when her father isn't home. Her father keeps her in their home away from people because he warns her that they could hurt people. He says they are both cursed. But Sophie is always daydreaming about having human interactions with others especially the boy she has been in love with since she was eleven. Of course, dad never knew, but things change one day that could stop her from seeing him forever when it seems the curse has made an appearance. But Sophie doesn't know the true extent of who she is and whether her father or the people who claim to be her lost family are lying to her.

Goodness, this book was hard to read, but in a good way. It is so heartbreaking, you do need to stop and catch your breath a few times. I love Sophie and the emotional rollercoaster she puts us on. A girl who has been told one thing all her life, kept isolated most of her life thinking she is cursed. I love that even though she is told these things, she wants to be more. She is brave and strong, but she doesn't know it. You relate to her a lot and root for her to find her own answers and herself. She learns how to do more of that though through her "kind of" cousin Stephanie. Meeting her is one of the best things that happens to Sophie. You will love her, trust me.

I love how the book alternates between Sophie's POV and her father's. It really builds up the mystery of the story more. You really can't stop trying to get to the bottom of it all. We see Sophie flashback to when she first met Damien and all that has happened to them to this point which lead to strange people knocking at her door. She is definitely scared and all she wants is to go home. Just imagining a girl being sheltered and then thrust into another family in less than a day is just overwhelming. You share those feelings with her. I love following her journey to discover the truth. It is such a significant part of the story and her life as a whole. Then her dad's story of his love for a girl he shouldn't be with because her dad saw him as nothing but a mule. The pain they both share is intense, but more so with her dad. His story is where the actual romance comes in, not much with Sophie. But the things that follow are just...goodness, I can't say it.

Another review that is difficult to write because it is so good and I don't want to reveal too much. Stanley has done such a beautiful job with this book. She handles topics in this book that most avoid and does it in a way that feels real and not like propaganda. This is one of the freshest YA books I have read. It packs a punch and the fact that this is Contemporary is surprising given that this book isn't as paranormal as it sounds. You are good Stanley. Seriously, this book feels so real, but you wouldn't have guessed that it wasn't paranormal. But even with my unconditional love for all things paranormal and fantasy, this book managed to feed into that without actually having it (that made sense, right?) The Color Of Snow is one of those reads that when you finish it, it will stick with you for a while and probably have you crying for sometime too. This is a very thought-provoking read that I believe everyone should be reading. Okay, I am stopping here, spoiling is becoming too tempting. Read this pronto!(less)

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Aug 24, 2012 Lissette rated it 5 of 5 stars

Sophie Theotokis has led a very sheltered life. Her father has kept her out of the public eye from a very young age and has done everything in his power to make sure no one knows where they live or who they truly are. She's made do with what little she has and has never questioned her father whenever he's issued her an order. Yet she cannot deny that she yearns for something more.

Her solitary existence has taught her that she's not supposed to co-mingle with others. Yet when she's introduced to...more Sophie Theotokis has led a very sheltered life. Her father has kept her out of the public eye from a very young age and has done everything in his power to make sure no one knows where they live or who they truly are. She's made do with what little she has and has never questioned her father whenever he's issued her an order. Yet she cannot deny that she yearns for something more.

Her solitary existence has taught her that she's not supposed to co-mingle with others. Yet when she's introduced to her neighbor's sons, she realizes she's missed out on quite a bit. She begins to yearn for company and does everything she can to spend as much time with her new friends, never knowing that there will be consequences for her doing so. Her father has always told her that she's cursed. That she can never truly let anyone else to come in contact with her. Part of her considers that fact as some sort of lie, one he told her to keep her near him at all times. Yet when one of her friends disappears unexpectedly, she can no longer deny that her father might have been right. She's cursed and anyone she kisses or comes in contact with eventually dies.

When it's discovered that she's the baby girl that was kidnapped seventeen years ago, Sophie's not sure as to what to make of the revelations that have come to light. In her mind, everything her father has done has been for her own protection and she can't quite fathom that she's who people now say she is. The appearance of a family she never knew makes her feel as if she's on the outside looking in. They're strangers to her and she doesn't know a thing about this new family. Never-the-less, she's willing to give things a shot in order to get to know these people she must now live with.

Sophie does her best to adjust to her new life, although that's easier said than done. Despite the fact that the secrets about her past have surfaced, there's quite a bit she doesn't understand. Her new family is willing to give her the time to come to terms with everything and have even gone as far as helping her make friends and go to school. While all of it has been quite daunting, she's come to the realization that sometimes having someone around when everything seems so hopeless is actually quite reassuring. Yet even that has its disadvantages.

She does her best to overcome her doubts and insecurities despite the fact that she yearns to return to the way things were before. Throughout her entire ordeal, there's one constant she's never truly gotten rid. Her love for Damien follows her every wake. She'll do anything to know whether the two of them can ever have a chance at happiness. Part of her wants to explore that option, while another keeps her tied to the shadows she's always lived in. Her entire world has been turned upside-down and she's no longer sure of what is right and what is wrong. She also knows she'll need to place trust her in someone else's hands if she's to succeed in moving forward. Unfortunately, the ghosts of her past are intent on keeping her from doing just that.

Chock-full of topics that aren't normally covered all at once in books these days, The Color of Snow is a thought-provoking book that touches upon subjects like that of religion, incest, and mental illness. The author has done an incredible job in creating a world that is sure to pull the reader in from the moment they begin reading. The amount of research that went into this book is greatly apparent as we dive into the life of Sophie Theotokis, her father, her new family, and the history surrounding their existence.

This is a book that's definitely worth reading. Granted, it's not romance, exactly, but there are elements of it throughout the entire book. The Color of Snow gives us a glimpse into the circumstances surrounding several lives that weren't of the characters' choosing. These lives have been tightly intertwined throughout the passing of time, culminating in an end that none of them ever saw coming. Engrossing and truly intriguing, I truly recommend this book for reading. (less)

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Aug 23, 2012 Cheryl C. rated it 5 of 5 stars

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this novel, but the official synopsis fascinated me. Who would willingly lock their daughter away from the world and why? What is this curse and where did it come from? Is Papa good or evil?

All these questions and more were answered in this moving, beautifully told story. Told from two point of views, The Color of Snow captures the reader quickly and doesn’t let go until the last word. The present day story is told by Sophie, as she tries to come to terms with b...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Kathleen Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Color of Snow by Brenda Stanley is a story about a young woman coming of age amidst a strange childhood. Secrets and lies are what she finds out her young life has been. Her mother has died, her father has kept her hidden from a normal life to protect her. The story is told in two different time frames, one of Sophia telling us of her life with her father, the other is of her father as a young man and his love affair with Sophia's mother. Through these two different narratives we find that b...more

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Aug 16, 2012 Andrea rated it 4 of 5 stars

[This review appears on Andi's Young Adult Books. I received a complimentary ebook in exchange for my honest review.]

Sophie's story is a tough one to read. She suffers from what is called "Stockholm Syndrome." Yes, she should love her father, but what he has done to her is unforgivable. She doesn't know any better, though, and is quick to defend him. At the same time, she is torn because she senses something isn't right. She deserves love but is brainwashed to think otherwise. She doesn't unders...more [This review appears on Andi's Young Adult Books. I received a complimentary ebook in exchange for my honest review.]

Sophie's story is a tough one to read. She suffers from what is called "Stockholm Syndrome." Yes, she should love her father, but what he has done to her is unforgivable. She doesn't know any better, though, and is quick to defend him. At the same time, she is torn because she senses something isn't right. She deserves love but is brainwashed to think otherwise. She doesn't understand that people can love her. She doesn't understand what a normal teen's life is like. She has no idea what beauty is. I think one of the most heartwrenching parts is when her cousin finds a self-portrait that Sophie drew. It is all distorted, because the only reflection of herself she has ever seen is the one in the toaster. You just want to reach in and beat the man she calls "Papa." The more you get to know, though, you also start to feel a little sorry for him. It's heartbreaking.

Living with her grandparents, it is like the cycle begins all over again, only by different means and from multiple directions. Thank God for her cousin Stephanie, who is the source of truth and light in her life now.

Three stories are being told at the same time. One is present-day, told by Sophie in the first person, as she gets used to her new life with her family and away from Papa. A second one is set a few years before, also told by Sophie, about her growing relationship with Damien. The third is told in third-person about a man named Luke and the love of his life, Vee. Their story is also a tragic one. At first, when the story shifts to this first flashback about Luke, you're thrown off for a bit. As the book progresses, you begin to see how the stories eventually merge together.

What is frightening about this story is how plausible it could be. Think of the high profile kidnapping cases we have seen over the last several years. It doesn't even have to be a kidnapping case for some girls to be abused in this way. It's really sad, and unfortunately, that is what makes it so intriguing to read. I felt protective of Sophie, just like I would for any of my own "kids."(less)

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Aug 15, 2012 Betlehem Fekade rated it 5 of 5 stars

"It had snowed over five inches the day I was born, and it wasn’t until the day I was saved that the snow was as deep or as blue."

Synopsis

16 year old Sophie is rescued from when she has been locked away by the man she called papa but is he really the abuser seen by all outsiders or is he a man trying to protect the world from the daughter he loves very much.
After being discovered by the police Sophie is sent to live with her grandparents, will she settle for life on the outside world or will she...more

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Aug 09, 2012 Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, contemporary, received-to-review, young-adult

The book begins with Sophie living through the arrest of her father. She has been living with him in isolation. She has had two friends and has never gone to school. This does not meet that she is uneducated or backwards, she is a resilient young lady who has never know her life to be different.

She remembers events from her life and how she started to learn that her life is different and there is more that she is missing. Her flashbacks to her younger life occur as she is being questioned at the...more

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Aug 03, 2012 Carmen Jenner rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Color of Snow was an intriguing read for me. I thought the concept was fabulous and very rarely do we see such adult themes of abduction, mental illness, teen pregnancy, religious guilt and sexual abuse handled quite so delicately in YA fiction. There were parts of this book that ensnared me from the very beginning, for instance, I loved the story line between Luke Theotoktis, a poor Greek Ranch worker, and the Rancher's perfect Mormon Daughter Vee, who Luke has been warded away from, by dea...more

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Aug 02, 2012 Sara rated it 4 of 5 stars

To be honest, this book started out kind of slow for me. It flips back and forth from present day events and then the past events surrounding Sophie's disappearance. Here's the weird thing- after I finished the book I literally slapped myself in the head because all of the signs were there pointing to the ending. Had I thought a little longer about everything you're reading in the book- I would have figured it out. I went from sympathizing with Sophie's father because he never got a fair chance...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Sana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012, sarc-2012

"It had snowed over five inches the day I was born, and it wasn’t until the day I was saved that the snow was as deep or as blue."

When I began reading The Color of Snow it never occurred to me that the first line of the book will sound so beautiful at the end. It also never occurred to me that Brenda Stanley would overwhelm me to the point of feeling and empathizing with the characters as though they were real and breathing. That their happiness, their sorrow, their dreams will hum a tune I will...more "It had snowed over five inches the day I was born, and it wasn’t until the day I was saved that the snow was as deep or as blue."

When I began reading The Color of Snow it never occurred to me that the first line of the book will sound so beautiful at the end. It also never occurred to me that Brenda Stanley would overwhelm me to the point of feeling and empathizing with the characters as though they were real and breathing. That their happiness, their sorrow, their dreams will hum a tune I will recognize as my own.

The Color of Snow is longer than a typical contemporary book but it is different than any other book I have ever read. It reminded me that indeed, it is always darkest before dawn and that pain and suffering is not the end of the world. I was intrigued that despite being contemporary, how could it be that the mystery does not have any paranormal element in it. Needless to say, I ended up admiring the mystery part of the story.

Sophie has lived in isolation all her life because of the belief that people need to be protected from her. She doesn't know why this needs to be but she understands it and had adjusted to her life. Sophie's upbringing is done in a very unusual way with some very strange religious concepts. They do not have a mirror in their home for instance, because it takes away the focus from God to vanity. Luke Theotokis, her father, is rumoured to have kidnapped his own daughter from her mother's home after she died during childbirth.

In all its entirety, The Color of Snow is paced perfectly and the alternating chapters of Brenda's story, the events leading up to her birth (Luke's story) and a part of Brenda's younger version all blend together to form a very emotive and thought-provoking tale. I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the story Luke had to tell and what changed him from being an atheist to such a religious person. How Sophie adjusts to her life in her grandparents' home and with Stephanie after her father is taken away to jail for attempted murder of Damien. And just how Damien entered Sophie's life.

The Color of Snow is a heartbreaking story of Sophie adjusting to a normal life, letting go of her beliefs and finally, discovering herself. The title is very significant to her story and I admired how Stephanie played a significant role in saving Sophie. The Color of Snow is a gem of a book and I admire Brenda Stanley for writing such an intense book.(less)

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Jul 24, 2012 Hilda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, arc, mundane-world-normal-people

3.5 stars

“What color is the snow?”

“White,” I said, sharply.

Stephanie squinted and took a deep breath as she looked out at the field. “How do you know it’s white? Who taught you that snow is white?”

Sophie is the girl who lived in a cage. For seventeen years of her life, she has lived in isolation with her father. Her father told her that this is for their own good. The outside world is bad, and this is his way of protecting her. Bars in her windows and tall chain-linked gate are supposed to be So...more 3.5 stars

“What color is the snow?”

“White,” I said, sharply.

Stephanie squinted and took a deep breath as she looked out at the field. “How do you know it’s white? Who taught you that snow is white?”

Sophie is the girl who lived in a cage. For seventeen years of her life, she has lived in isolation with her father. Her father told her that this is for their own good. The outside world is bad, and this is his way of protecting her. Bars in her windows and tall chain-linked gate are supposed to be Sophie’s barrier to the outside world. Her father did all these things to protect Sophie… wasn’t he?

Papa didn’t mean to kill Damien. He shot him because he wants to scare Damien… not because he wants Damien dead. There is no mirror in their house because it takes away from focusing on God. Sophie is a curse and she has to keep hidden, because anyone who loved her would die. Sophie’s mother is dead because of her. Sophie has always believed her father, but when things happen and she has to live with family she believes hating her, secrets start to come out. Now it’s time for Sophie to choose which side she has to believe.

I’m not very fond of drama on every page, but I’ll make exception for this book. This book is full of raw emotions and surprising twists. It’s a very complex story when a girl has to suffer because of what generation before her did. The characters in this book are vivid and very realistic. I’m so relieved that Sophie meets Stephanie, her step cousin. Stephanie helps Sophie questioning about the life she has always known. She’s truly a best friend to Sophie.

The curse is not something that I expected. Brenda Stanley did an amazing job of showing us parts when Sophie’s parents met. The author leads us to believe that the curse might really exist. I was taken to a journey with Sophie to unravel the secret behind her birth and the curse that was said put upon her. The ending is full of hope and I’m really glad how it turns out. Sophie may always be the girl who lived in a cage, but in the end she learns how to free herself.

I knew it was for the best and tried to accept why it was necessary. But even though I had never been to another person’s house or seen another girl’s bedroom, I knew in my heart that this wasn’t right…that I wasn’t normal. My isolation was even more apparent, and for the first time in my life, it mattered.(less)

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Jul 04, 2012 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-summer-must-reads, july-2012, blog-tour-review

First I would like to thank Tribute Books for allowing me to be a part of this tour. When I first read the blurb for this book I was intrigued by it. It is not a normal YA read and I would actually consider it a NA or New Adult book because of the issues it deals with. With that being said I have to say this story captured my heart and caused me to go threw a box of tissues. It tore at my heart and left me reeling with raw emotion.

Sophie does not know what the outside world is like. She is kept...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Beverly rated it 3 of 5 stars

My thoughts:
Twisted, heartbreaking... this is the story of a girl who has lived her life believing in everything that her father has told her, but realizes that it is not reality. It is a story of what lengths people go to in the name of faith or their personal belief system.

Brenda Stanley has created a world where a father has gone over the edge in his effort to save his child. Her characters are tragic and believable. All the characters are firmly embedded in a world where they live and breath...more

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Aug 07, 2012 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Super fun book to read, excitement and drama on every page. I think young girls would really love this book. The author does a great job of painting pictures with her words. Making the characters feel vulnerable and real. Hitting on many emotions young girls go through, yet from a perspective of innocence which appeals to all. In the end Sophie finds her strength, and you know she will go on to lead a rich and full life. Enjoyed the book very much, and would recommend it to others.

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Aug 21, 2012 Cocktails and Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Color of Snow is a story that will stay with you well after you finish reading the last page.

Sophie lived with her father in a remote cabin in Arbon Valley. She almost never left the property, had no friends and relied on her father for everything. She believed him when he told her they lived like they did because he was protecting them. At the age of seventeen, her entire world crumbles when her father is arrested for shooting the boy who was trying to save her. Forced to live with a famil...more The Color of Snow is a story that will stay with you well after you finish reading the last page.

Sophie lived with her father in a remote cabin in Arbon Valley. She almost never left the property, had no friends and relied on her father for everything. She believed him when he told her they lived like they did because he was protecting them. At the age of seventeen, her entire world crumbles when her father is arrested for shooting the boy who was trying to save her. Forced to live with a family she knew nothing about, she must learn a whole new way of life while trying to understand what this means for everything she knew before.

The story flips between Luke's (Sophie's father) version of events up until right after her birth, a young Sophie's version of events and Sophie at present day. As we flip from the different points of view, we get an understanding of what drove a young man to do what he did as well as how that decision not only affected himself, but Sophie's life and those of both of their extended family.

Sophie is in a spot that no one would want to be in. On the cusp of being an adult, you suddenly find out that everything you believed in was wrong. She handled these turn of events with a strength that is awe inspiring. She tried to fit into her new life, but she didn't take everything everyone said at face value and instead asked questions to gain understanding. She wanted to know what had led to her father taking her and why he felt it necessary to keep her isolated.

What was even more heartbreaking, to me, is when she discovered that everything with the way she lived seventeen years was due to mental illness. While that discovery destroyed whatever foundation she had left of her old life, it also opened her up to rebuilding a new life, with the man she loves, without worrying about curses.

This was a tough read, but the characters were wonderfully thought out and written, with a storyline that kept you wondering exactly what happened all those years ago.
(less)

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Aug 21, 2012 Tia Bach rated it 5 of 5 stars

Have you ever finished a book and sat breathless, unable to close it?

After reading The Color of Snow in twenty-four hours, I sat and did just that while uttering one single word... wow.

When the story begins, Sophie is being rescued from what appears to be her kidnapper, but who is actually her father. Torn from all she's ever known, Sophie is given back to her mother's family. People she has never met. She's confused, delicate, and afraid.

Sophie's mother and father, Luke and Vee, fell in love...more Have you ever finished a book and sat breathless, unable to close it?

After reading The Color of Snow in twenty-four hours, I sat and did just that while uttering one single word... wow.

When the story begins, Sophie is being rescued from what appears to be her kidnapper, but who is actually her father. Torn from all she's ever known, Sophie is given back to her mother's family. People she has never met. She's confused, delicate, and afraid.

Sophie's mother and father, Luke and Vee, fell in love hard. A tragic event tore them apart and started a chain reaction of dishonesty, dispair, and death. Sophie is now living with the burden of a curse, one that she believes causes people she loves to die. A curse conjured by her own grandmother.

Terrified to lose those dear to her, Sophie struggles to love. Her newfound cousin, Stephanie, fights to get Sophie to see her own power in the choices she makes. Can she love her new family and Damien, the man willing to prove the curse wrong?

With each page turn, I tried to guess what was coming next. I couldn't. The author does an amazing job building an intricate and seamless storyline. Rarely have I seen flashbacks so effectively woven into a story. Never was I confused or disoriented, because each piece was carefully constructed to not give too much away but always keep the reader engaged.

There's so much about this story to love: memorable and haunting characters; a well-paced, intricate storyline; emotionally charged highs and lows; unforgettable story developments; and the desire to know more when it ended. It's stunning, taking the reader on a journey of sadness and salvation. The scene where her father finally admits the truth took my breath away and broke my heart.

If you aren't yet convinced to read The Color of Snow, I'll leave you with the opening sentence. One I believe is an excellent example of hooking the reader from page one: It had snowed over five inches the day I was born, and it wasn't until the day I was saved that the snow was as deep or as blue.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.(less)

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Aug 30, 2012 Ruth Hill rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-books

This is one of the most amazing young adult books I have read in a while. The story was expertly crafted, and the message came across in a very real way. I was drawn in from the first page through the very last sentence.

I connected with this book in a real way since I was married to a possibly schizophrenic man at one time in my life. He also came from a family where mental illness was a problem. Unfortunately, he did not control it through medication like he should have, and my marriage had to...more This is one of the most amazing young adult books I have read in a while. The story was expertly crafted, and the message came across in a very real way. I was drawn in from the first page through the very last sentence.

I connected with this book in a real way since I was married to a possibly schizophrenic man at one time in my life. He also came from a family where mental illness was a problem. Unfortunately, he did not control it through medication like he should have, and my marriage had to be dissolved to protect my daughter and me from living a controlled possibly violent life. The end of the book, when Sophie began to face the truth about her past, resonated with me, and I understood, to a degree, what she was feeling. Even using the Bible and God to justify her father's treatment of her was something that sounded familiar.

The way in which Brenda Stanley wrote the book was truly amazing. The beginning of the book reminded the reader of similar stories in the news, and I felt that I had to keep reading so I could put all the pieces together. The author jumped back and forth between various years in the character's lives, and so the reader is often left hanging and wondering why something happened or what was going on. But in the end, all the questions were answered--I was certainly glad of that!

I appreciated the fact that there were no bedroom scenes, and the profanity was extremely minimal. Real issues such as racial prejudice, religious intolerance, pedophilia, and murder were dealt with on a real level. Even the discussion of whether "curses" were real or not was explored. And the message of not having to follow established family patterns and breaking cycles was dealt with in an understandable fashion.

I can't recommend this book enough to everyone. I have never read anything by Brenda Stanley, but she has quickly become one of my favorite young adult books. The book was a very readable book, and its message will resonate with a good share of readers.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.(less)

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Jun 17, 2012 Nick rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc

Read more of my reviews at Nick's Book Blog

The Color Of Snow had an interesting premise that immediately caught my attention upon reading the synopsis. The concept of a kidnapped and caged young woman isn't one that I have seen very often in YA books. I'm really glad I joined the blog tour for this book because I ended up really liking the story.

Sixteen years old Sophie has lived an isolated and caged life with her father since she was a baby. He prevents her from having any contact with the out...more
Read more of my reviews at Nick's Book Blog

The Color Of Snow had an interesting premise that immediately caught my attention upon reading the synopsis. The concept of a kidnapped and caged young woman isn't one that I have seen very often in YA books. I'm really glad I joined the blog tour for this book because I ended up really liking the story.

Sixteen years old Sophie has lived an isolated and caged life with her father since she was a baby. He prevents her from having any contact with the outside world insisting that he's protecting her. Because she loves her dad, she obediently heeds him. When she was younger, she met two boys, Donny and Damien, who secretly came to visit her. Tragedy strikes after she kisses Donny and he finds himself dead. Sophie continues her secret relationship with Damien a few years later eventually falling in love with him. Soon after, her dad finds out and attempts to shoot him. The result ? Police officers swarm their home and Sophie finds herself whisked to her mother's family's, who she didn't know existed, place because it turns out she is the famous missing child, Callidora.

As you can figure out, Sophie was an extremely vulnerable and delicate character. Having lived her entire life caged and not knowing that it was something wrong, she found herself being confused and uncomfortable with what was going on around her. Her dedication and love for her father acted like a definite obstruction to her new life, but I thought the author dealt with it in a believable manner. Discovering the outside life after having lived a life similar to a zoo animal isn't something that's easy to get over. The author did a fabulous job at depicting Sophie's new reactions and feelings to the whole process. It was almost like a culture shock to her since her life with her dad was completely different from the lives of others. She wasn't allowed to have friends, she wasn't allowed to look at herself in a mirror, she wasn't even allowed to watch television. Sophie was brave to have been able to go through something like that knowing that life on the outside was much more happier. Sophie wasn't a character I necessarily identified with, but she was one I sympathized with. You can't help but feel for her after all that she went through in her childhood. Her innocence and vulnerability is what made her character likable for me. She gradually began to mature while learning about everything around her, showing her inner strength. Sophie was a unique, complex and refreshing character whose head I liked being inside.

There was so much going on in the book that you can't help but keep flipping the pages until the very end of the story. Family disputes, religious clashes, curses, kidnapping, new relationships and growing up all formed part of the plot line. This kept me engaged throughout my reading process and ensured that I wasn't bored. The author tackled the issues in the book in a masterful way and I do applaud her for that since this isn't a topic that's easy to write about. Most of all though, I loved the originality and uniqueness of the story line. The growing friendship between Sophie and Stephanie, her step-cousin, was also one aspect I loved in the book. It seemed genuine and I appreciated how Stephanie helped her out. There were also so many questions that kept popping into my head whose answers I was yearning to know and fortunately they were all answered at the end of the book. Also, the author blends the past, which tells the story of Sophie's dad, and the present, to ensure that the reader is well-informed of the history behind Sophie's kidnapping.

The Color Of Snow ended up being an intense book that had me immersed in the plot line. It's a different story from the usual YA books and that's a good thing. We need new and fresh ideas in this genre now and Brenda Stanley provides us with exactly that. To sum up, The Color Of Snow was an intense, highly emotional and breath-taking read.(less)

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Jul 31, 2012 Sandra Stiles rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction, romance, young-adult

I want more! The tension begins on the first page. From the very beginning the author has created a scene that leaves so many questions. I would read and think I had answers to some of them only to find out that I didn't quite have it right. In the beginning I wanted to really dislike the man she had always known as her father. As I read I realized that even he was not black and white. As I was read his past I really disliked Sophie's grandfather. The fact that he really thought that his family...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Gina Butler rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

I read this book for Tribute Book Tours in exchange for an honest and fair review.

This book is one of my favorites. It's fast moving and you get sucked into the story from the very beginning.

I felt so badly for Sophie. She grew up thinking she was cursed, but thats not the worst thing she was told. She was told she was responsible for her mothers death. Can you imagine being told that? I find it unimaginable.

The story goes back and forth between the story of how Sophie's parents met and how she...more

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Aug 26, 2012 Heidi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Three Stars: An enthralling read about old secrets and a girl hidden away for years trying to find her footing in the real world.

The loud banging reverberates through the small house. Sophie’s father hands her the gun and tells her it is up to her now to finish it. The police are at the door. He tells her again that everything he has done was to protect her from the harm that exists in the outside world, and reminds her that he loves her. The police woman barges in and finds seventeen year old S...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was a well written piece of awesomeness. So many themes and issues that kept my attention to the very last word. I found myself going through a wide range of emotions as the story unfolded. It was a great telling from present time then switching to the past to show what led to the events of the present.

As far as characters go, Sophie was a heart breaking character. As the story unravels we see Sophie’s life and all she believes to be true start to fall apart. She has to learn truths f...more

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