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Black as Night: A Fairy Tale Retold
Over the summer in New York City, seven friars who work with the homeless find a runaway girl named Nora, while Bear Denniston searches for his missing girlfriend, Blanche, in a suspenseful retelling of the Snow White story.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 30, 2004
31 people are currently reading
1000 people want to read
About the author
Regina Doman
30 books506 followersRegina Doman is a Catholic wife, mother, author and editor. Currently she runs her own company, Chesterton Press, which publishes and distributes quality Catholic fiction. When she worked as the editor of Sophia Institute Press' fiction line, she launched the popular John Paul 2 High series for teens, and Rachel's Contrition became a #1 Best Seller in Amazon's Women's Fiction category, and winner of the 2011 Catholic Arts and Letters Award for best adult fiction. As an author, she has written the Fairy Tale Novels, a series of books for teens and adults that places fairy tales in modern settings with Christian themes interwoven. The fifth book in that series, Alex O'Donnell and the 40 CyberThieves, won the 2011 Catholic Arts and Letters Award for best young adult fiction. In 2013, she published her longest and most challenging fairy tale novel yet, Rapunzel Let Down. Her only picture book Angel in the Waters has sold over 120,000 copies. In 2010 she was presented with the "In Defense of Sanity" award from the American Chesterton Society. Regina and her husband Andrew live in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley on a farmstead with their children. To the question, “How do you manage to get it all done?” Regina responds, “What makes you think I get it all done?”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
October 19, 2009
Full disclosure: I wrote this book. It's possibly my best-written one. Oh, my books are like my kids - I can't say which one I really like best! Hope you enjoy it!
February 24, 2022
4.5 stars. So thrilled to be back into this series, A FAIRY TALE RETOLD by Regina Doman! Black as Night was perhaps a little darker than the first book, but probably the same amount of suspense. It didn't have as much of a fairytale-ish feel, but I still did pick out several nods to the classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, which was so delightful and fun! ^_^
The main characters are Catholic. There were a few comments about Mary and such that I didn't agree with, but overall, it had a thoughtful Christian theme.
Strong caution: nearing the end of the book, there's some fairly intense, frightening, dark scenes. Some very gruesome things are mentioned. I definitely could have done without it; but most of the book was just fine.
And THAT ENDING!!!! *cries and giggles wildly* *swoons* It definitely earned an extra half star! I just loved it so, so much! *huggles book and dear characters and just everything* ^_^
Loved getting to be back with Blanche, Rose, Bear, and Fish! They're so great, and it was so exciting to continue Blanche's story! Now I can't wait to read the rest of Rose's story in Waking Rose! Eep! So excited for all the rest of the books! Yay for fairy tales! Even if they're modern-day tales, as in this case! *smiles*
The main characters are Catholic. There were a few comments about Mary and such that I didn't agree with, but overall, it had a thoughtful Christian theme.
Strong caution: nearing the end of the book, there's some fairly intense, frightening, dark scenes. Some very gruesome things are mentioned. I definitely could have done without it; but most of the book was just fine.
And THAT ENDING!!!! *cries and giggles wildly* *swoons* It definitely earned an extra half star! I just loved it so, so much! *huggles book and dear characters and just everything* ^_^
Loved getting to be back with Blanche, Rose, Bear, and Fish! They're so great, and it was so exciting to continue Blanche's story! Now I can't wait to read the rest of Rose's story in Waking Rose! Eep! So excited for all the rest of the books! Yay for fairy tales! Even if they're modern-day tales, as in this case! *smiles*
January 14, 2011
Well, where to start! This is the second of Regina Doman's Fairytale novels. I read this one several months after finishing the first book - The Shadow of the Bear. In hindsight, this was probably a good thing. The two books are considerably different, and having the gap between reading them allowed me to enjoy each book for what it was, without making comparisons or being jarred by the change in pace and style.
Black as Night is faster, darker, more tightly-written, and more suspenseful. Whereas SOTB felt like more of a gentle read, building to a climax near the end, with BAN the suspense grabs you from the start and doesn't let up until the final page.
What I love (ahem, one of the things I love) about Regina's books is the way they're steeped in literature, with so many layers to unravel and enjoy! BAN is a modern retelling of Snow White (the Grimm version, not the Disney version), but there are also echoes of Lewis Carroll and references to many other authors and poets - all of the four main characters are booklovers, so books are a constant theme within this book. :-)
I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so I won't say much about the plot. Just start reading and enjoy the ride! I'll just mention a couple of things - the parallels with the original Snow White story that Regina conceives here are truly ingenious - particularly the seven Franciscan friars in place of the Seven Dwarfs! And the love story is beautifully told - the author did a great job in sustaining and building the romantic suspense throughout the entire book - especially considering that the hero and heroine are kept apart until the last couple of pages!
Regina Doman is a Catholic, and there are many references to Catholic beliefs throughout the book; but speaking as a Protestant, I found it so refreshing to find a book this well-written that is also written from a Christian perspective, with Biblical morals upheld! Highly recommended reading for Christian teens of all denominations. :-)
Black as Night is faster, darker, more tightly-written, and more suspenseful. Whereas SOTB felt like more of a gentle read, building to a climax near the end, with BAN the suspense grabs you from the start and doesn't let up until the final page.
What I love (ahem, one of the things I love) about Regina's books is the way they're steeped in literature, with so many layers to unravel and enjoy! BAN is a modern retelling of Snow White (the Grimm version, not the Disney version), but there are also echoes of Lewis Carroll and references to many other authors and poets - all of the four main characters are booklovers, so books are a constant theme within this book. :-)
I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so I won't say much about the plot. Just start reading and enjoy the ride! I'll just mention a couple of things - the parallels with the original Snow White story that Regina conceives here are truly ingenious - particularly the seven Franciscan friars in place of the Seven Dwarfs! And the love story is beautifully told - the author did a great job in sustaining and building the romantic suspense throughout the entire book - especially considering that the hero and heroine are kept apart until the last couple of pages!
Regina Doman is a Catholic, and there are many references to Catholic beliefs throughout the book; but speaking as a Protestant, I found it so refreshing to find a book this well-written that is also written from a Christian perspective, with Biblical morals upheld! Highly recommended reading for Christian teens of all denominations. :-)
February 8, 2021
What a great book to start the month off with! I enjoyed this one a bit more than the first in the series, Shadow of the Bear. Over the years I have found myself enjoying fast paced novels with lots of suspense and action. I liked how this one was told in third person point of view, as well as the different plot lines. Each chapter led to something new and suspenseful and I kept hoping Bear and Fish would solve the mystery. Nope, Regina Doman leaves you on the edge of your seat until the last couple of pages!
Although this book is a modern retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, it can be read without knowing the story. I've never read or seen Disney's version of Snow White and I still enjoyed it. I also enjoyed getting to know the seven friars throughout the book, as Doman's descriptions made me feel like I had actually met the friars.
Lastly, my favorite part about this book is all of the Catholicism! The characters are devout Catholics, which allows Doman to spread Catholic symbols throughout the book. Additionally, because the characters have recently graduated from high school, she is able to make it a story about vocations and following God's will. As a side note: from the beginning this book was a bit scary and towards the end there is a lot of fighting, violence, and things related to death. It all turns out good though! Because of this, I'd only recommend it if you're not a sensitive reader. And one last note: DO NOT start this before bed. I may or may not have done that. :)
Although this book is a modern retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, it can be read without knowing the story. I've never read or seen Disney's version of Snow White and I still enjoyed it. I also enjoyed getting to know the seven friars throughout the book, as Doman's descriptions made me feel like I had actually met the friars.
Lastly, my favorite part about this book is all of the Catholicism! The characters are devout Catholics, which allows Doman to spread Catholic symbols throughout the book. Additionally, because the characters have recently graduated from high school, she is able to make it a story about vocations and following God's will. As a side note: from the beginning this book was a bit scary and towards the end there is a lot of fighting, violence, and things related to death. It all turns out good though! Because of this, I'd only recommend it if you're not a sensitive reader. And one last note: DO NOT start this before bed. I may or may not have done that. :)
January 4, 2023
Regina Doman is a master story teller. Her books that I have read are like an amazing mug of tea - I take my time and sip them slowly savouring each paragraph, each page. The nuances in her writings are tremendous. Many books that I read I race through because I want to find out what happens next. With Regina's books I tend to take my time and meander through them, picking them up and reading them in sections over a few days or even weeks. I do not want to miss anything while reading the stories. I also find that based on the Catholic content, they also often drive me to prayer. While reading, friends and family or situations I know about will come to mind and I will pray.
This book could have easily been called Snow White and the Seven Friars. It is a modern fairy tale, and yet also a fairy tale retold. Doman has mastered the art of modernizing the classic fairy tales. The main characters in this story overlap with her earlier book The Shadow of the Bear: Blanche and Rose, two sisters from the Briar family, and Bear and Fish, brothers whose lives have changed drastically since the first book. The brothers, and this time Blanche as well, are being framed for drug possession. Blanche is in hiding and believes she is alone, Bear and Fish are in Europe and her Sister and Mother are visiting family in California. She is staying at the new Friary which was her old school and the next door church. She is helping the 7 friars get organized as they repair the church and school, minister to those around them and she is trying to figure out God's plan, who is after her and why.
This story is an amazing adventure, with action, romance, and faith all rolled into one tight package. Regina Doman is my favourite contemporary religious author. Her Catholic Fairy Tales Retold is full of amazing stories, that will be great reads for teens, young adults or even adults with an adventuresome heart. Give them a try you will not be disappointed.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the author on my blog Book Reviews and More. And also an author profile and interview with Regina Doman.
This book could have easily been called Snow White and the Seven Friars. It is a modern fairy tale, and yet also a fairy tale retold. Doman has mastered the art of modernizing the classic fairy tales. The main characters in this story overlap with her earlier book The Shadow of the Bear: Blanche and Rose, two sisters from the Briar family, and Bear and Fish, brothers whose lives have changed drastically since the first book. The brothers, and this time Blanche as well, are being framed for drug possession. Blanche is in hiding and believes she is alone, Bear and Fish are in Europe and her Sister and Mother are visiting family in California. She is staying at the new Friary which was her old school and the next door church. She is helping the 7 friars get organized as they repair the church and school, minister to those around them and she is trying to figure out God's plan, who is after her and why.
This story is an amazing adventure, with action, romance, and faith all rolled into one tight package. Regina Doman is my favourite contemporary religious author. Her Catholic Fairy Tales Retold is full of amazing stories, that will be great reads for teens, young adults or even adults with an adventuresome heart. Give them a try you will not be disappointed.
Read the review and with links to other reviews of books by the author on my blog Book Reviews and More. And also an author profile and interview with Regina Doman.
October 16, 2016
I wasn’t a huge fan of this one. This was mostly just boring. It's kind of a retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs set in modern day and with very heavy religious overtones. More than a fairy tale retelling it's a mystery about a young woman being framed as a drug dealer.
The young woman, Blanche, seeks shelter with a bunch of Friars (the dwarfs in this retelling) who are trying to rebuild a community. There is quite a bit of "God will provide" and "This is happening for a reason determined by God" throughout the story. Waaayyy too religiously heavy for me.
The writing style is a bit awkward and unfinished feeling. The conversations between characters don't flow very well. The whole thing feels kind of choppy and was hard to stay engaged in.
I didn't read the first book in this series so that may be part of why I couldn't engage in the story very well.
Overall I didn't enjoy this and almost stopped reading it a number of times. I ended up finishing it because it's a pretty short read and it's be on my to be read pile for awhile...I wanted it to count towards my to be read pile reading challenge so I finished it.
I won't be reading anymore of these Fairy Tale Retold books; there are much much better fairy tale retellings out there. I definitely would not recommend this to fantasy fans or fans of fairy tale retellings. If you enjoy light romance with a drug-based mystery and lots of preaching then this is for you.
May 19, 2021
2021: Reread the series during the recent snow storms in February. Still really enjoyed them. Not the first reread.. and definitely not the last (I would bet :) ).
November 22, 2018
It was great! The most contemplative and deep version of Snow White I've ever read, but still uplifting and interesting.
March 1, 2019
A few years after reading The Shadow of the Bear, I finally got around to reading the sequel. It is a modern retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. I was glad to read more about Blanche and Bear's character growth as well as their developing relationship. It is more violent than the first one and has darker themes, but I don't think it would be too much for most YA readers. Justice comes in the end with a happy ending. I definitely recommend it to those who enjoyed the first one.
April 23, 2009
I enjoyed Regina Doman's retelling of Snow White Silver Anniversary Edition even more than her first book, The Shadow Of The Bear. Perhaps it was because I was familiar with this story about Snow White whereas I'd not read Rose Red and Snow White A Grimm's Fairy Tale before coming across the first book in this series.
Black as Night is an excellent rendering of the classic fairy tale in a modern setting. All the characters are there: Snow White, the Prince, the Wicked Queen (Step-mother) and of course, the wonderfully protective Seven Dwarfs. Most of the fun in reading it came from seeing how the author would be able to remain true to the essentials of the original tale all the while she was telling a brand new story. Ms. Doman succeeds brilliantly—to the delight of readers and believers in fairy tales! But what am I saying? Aren’t they one and the same…?!
Black as Night is an excellent rendering of the classic fairy tale in a modern setting. All the characters are there: Snow White, the Prince, the Wicked Queen (Step-mother) and of course, the wonderfully protective Seven Dwarfs. Most of the fun in reading it came from seeing how the author would be able to remain true to the essentials of the original tale all the while she was telling a brand new story. Ms. Doman succeeds brilliantly—to the delight of readers and believers in fairy tales! But what am I saying? Aren’t they one and the same…?!
July 14, 2014
The Shadow of the Bear: A Fairy Tale Retold took a while to grow on me. But by the time I got this book through interlibrary loan (weeks later than i wanted it) i was anxious to check in on Bear, Blanche, Fish and Rose.
Doman did an excellent job modernizing this fairy tale. The 7 dwarves remade into 7 franciscan friars was inspired. It took a while but i even started to pick up on the little clue of was happy, grumpy, sleepy, and that's as far as I got. maybe i'll figure out the rest in the next few days. I especially liked how she worked in the huntsman.
And her incorporation of Catholic beliefs and culture was excellent. I liked how she made the tale about discerning vocations.
Hopefully it won't take to long for Waking Rose: A Fairy Tale Retold to come in through ILL.
Doman did an excellent job modernizing this fairy tale. The 7 dwarves remade into 7 franciscan friars was inspired. It took a while but i even started to pick up on the little clue of was happy, grumpy, sleepy, and that's as far as I got. maybe i'll figure out the rest in the next few days. I especially liked how she worked in the huntsman.
And her incorporation of Catholic beliefs and culture was excellent. I liked how she made the tale about discerning vocations.
Hopefully it won't take to long for Waking Rose: A Fairy Tale Retold to come in through ILL.
January 25, 2025
Very nice Catholic thriller-romance pulp. I think this is more accurately three stars but these books are special to me and I thoroughly enjoy them. The friars are the best—I really wish we had a Brother Leon cameo in some of the other novels.
I think it’s really really funny the way Ms Doman writes about “drugs.” Like “yeah those people from the Mirror Corporation are pretty crazy—I think some of them might even be Doing Drugs.” Or someone being like, “it’s the worst thing we could have expected. Drugs.” There are maybe two or three points in the book where the pills being used are specifically denoted as Ectasy. The rest of the time it’s just “drugs.” Really reminds me of my unfinished dystopian novel I tried to write in high school where cigarettes were the main indicator that an individual was a rather rough character.
I think it’s really really funny the way Ms Doman writes about “drugs.” Like “yeah those people from the Mirror Corporation are pretty crazy—I think some of them might even be Doing Drugs.” Or someone being like, “it’s the worst thing we could have expected. Drugs.” There are maybe two or three points in the book where the pills being used are specifically denoted as Ectasy. The rest of the time it’s just “drugs.” Really reminds me of my unfinished dystopian novel I tried to write in high school where cigarettes were the main indicator that an individual was a rather rough character.
December 17, 2009
What a lovely book! This author was reccomended by a friend who loaned me the first three books. I can't wait to read the last one. I hear it's the best of the three! Doman does such a good job of keeping the original story line going while making it an entirely new story at the same time! The fairy tale feel is still there even though it takes place in the middle of New York City. Quite good!
January 15, 2014
I loved this book. I loved the mystery, the emotion, the trust, the adventure, and the excitement. (Not to mention Fish is the funniest lad ever.)
Highly reccomended. Lots of surprised between the covers.
Highly reccomended. Lots of surprised between the covers.
April 22, 2016
This was a fantastic book! It was much, much better than the first one! I really loved how Regina choose to retell the story of Snow White. Full spoiler free review here: http://lifeofamirkwoodelf.blogspot.ca...
June 27, 2013
4.5 stars
It took me a while to get into the story, but after I did, I flew threw the rest.
It took me a while to get into the story, but after I did, I flew threw the rest.
June 27, 2023
Even though this was my second time reading this book, it was just as gripping and page turning as the first time! So fast paced, so many plot twists! So, so good!
January 26, 2008
This was action-packed, fun, and accessible. So refreshing to find wholesome entertainment!
July 20, 2021
Black as Night
3.5/5
𝘏𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘢, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.
Could a prettier line have be written for this book? I highly doubt it. While the authors writing style didn’t always captivate me and sometimes confused me, there were definitely a few lines that were written very beautifully.
I read the first book over a year ago, so I was confused during the beginning of the book but I get that that was what the author intended the readers to feel.
My thoughts on the characters:
Blanche: While I was definitely the most confused while I was reading from her POV, it was intriguing to try to figure it out. I didn’t understand most of her decision making processes but I’m glad that she at least spoke out about her feelings to a few of the brothers and didn’t close herself off completely. The author did a good job at showing the realness in her relationship with Bear. And speaking of Bear…
Bear: This poor dude needs to take a good long nap and go on a retreat to relax after this whole ordeal!! I liked his POVs and how he went about trying to find Blanche while trying to deal with his own trauma. His poetic outlook on important things was touching to read and the first part that we see him in in Europe was beautifully written. I liked his relationship with Fish…
Fish: The sarcasm, boom quotes and second oldest vibes from him were awesome! I can’t wait to see a chapter from his POV in the future books!
Rose: Sad that we didn’t see a ton of her in this book but knowing that she’s the MC in upcoming writings makes me feel better. I can’t wait to start shipping her with Fish.
Jean: If my daughter was missing there is no way in heck that I would be as calm as she is! God bless this woman! Her strength and trust in God is definitely something to be inspired by.
Hunter: Okay I definitely want to know more about him because I love characters like him.
Elaine: I hope both sides of her pillow are burning hot.
Brother Leon: His point of view was probably my favorite out of his, Blanche and Bear’s, mainly because his thoughts were easier to follow and I could understand his confusion given the circumstances. His banter with his fellow friars was so sweet to read about, especially the trash can scene haha! All of the friars were very interesting to read about.
Overall this book was good and I would/will continue the series
3.5/5
𝘏𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘢, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.
Could a prettier line have be written for this book? I highly doubt it. While the authors writing style didn’t always captivate me and sometimes confused me, there were definitely a few lines that were written very beautifully.
I read the first book over a year ago, so I was confused during the beginning of the book but I get that that was what the author intended the readers to feel.
My thoughts on the characters:
Blanche: While I was definitely the most confused while I was reading from her POV, it was intriguing to try to figure it out. I didn’t understand most of her decision making processes but I’m glad that she at least spoke out about her feelings to a few of the brothers and didn’t close herself off completely. The author did a good job at showing the realness in her relationship with Bear. And speaking of Bear…
Bear: This poor dude needs to take a good long nap and go on a retreat to relax after this whole ordeal!! I liked his POVs and how he went about trying to find Blanche while trying to deal with his own trauma. His poetic outlook on important things was touching to read and the first part that we see him in in Europe was beautifully written. I liked his relationship with Fish…
Fish: The sarcasm, boom quotes and second oldest vibes from him were awesome! I can’t wait to see a chapter from his POV in the future books!
Rose: Sad that we didn’t see a ton of her in this book but knowing that she’s the MC in upcoming writings makes me feel better. I can’t wait to start shipping her with Fish.
Jean: If my daughter was missing there is no way in heck that I would be as calm as she is! God bless this woman! Her strength and trust in God is definitely something to be inspired by.
Hunter: Okay I definitely want to know more about him because I love characters like him.
Elaine: I hope both sides of her pillow are burning hot.
Brother Leon: His point of view was probably my favorite out of his, Blanche and Bear’s, mainly because his thoughts were easier to follow and I could understand his confusion given the circumstances. His banter with his fellow friars was so sweet to read about, especially the trash can scene haha! All of the friars were very interesting to read about.
Overall this book was good and I would/will continue the series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2022
The sequel took me by positive surprise. :)
I didn't expect much from this title. "Snow White" never really appealed to me as a story, and I had qualms about the previous book in the series.
However...
I think that, perhaps, the faults I found with "The Shadow of the Bear" could be ascribed to it being the author's "first book".
"Black as Night" was much better plotted, the characters showed nuance and made me think, and the story lost the naivete which bothered me in the prequel.
I especially appreciate how I could recognize some of my own misgivings in Blanche's and Bear's musings.
Also, I usually pride myself on being an astute reader, so I was surprised when a certain plot point came at me out of left field. :P
Also, even though they're not the focus of this book, the author managed to deepen the relationship between Rose and Fish as the side-couple, setting up the next book in the series quite nicely. Looking forward to that! :)
I didn't expect much from this title. "Snow White" never really appealed to me as a story, and I had qualms about the previous book in the series.
However...
I think that, perhaps, the faults I found with "The Shadow of the Bear" could be ascribed to it being the author's "first book".
"Black as Night" was much better plotted, the characters showed nuance and made me think, and the story lost the naivete which bothered me in the prequel.
I especially appreciate how I could recognize some of my own misgivings in Blanche's and Bear's musings.
Also, I usually pride myself on being an astute reader, so I was surprised when a certain plot point came at me out of left field. :P
Also, even though they're not the focus of this book, the author managed to deepen the relationship between Rose and Fish as the side-couple, setting up the next book in the series quite nicely. Looking forward to that! :)
May 19, 2017
As I said with the first book...I struggled with this series because the characters are interesting and well written but the plots of all of them are really over the top and melodramatic! So, I enjoyed the book but also really couldn't stand the book. It's kind of like watching Once Upon a Time. You know the stories are really quite dumb but you've been caught up in the characters and their background stories so you just keep on going. It's hard for me to not like it when people retell fairy tales.
I mentioned to my brother that if the word "drugs" was mentioned even once in a context that wasn't recalling memories from the first two books I was going to put it down and not continue. It's so frustrating because I just relate to the character's personalities and they seem awesome I just wish the books weren't so much like an episode from a cop show!
I mentioned to my brother that if the word "drugs" was mentioned even once in a context that wasn't recalling memories from the first two books I was going to put it down and not continue. It's so frustrating because I just relate to the character's personalities and they seem awesome I just wish the books weren't so much like an episode from a cop show!
May 13, 2023
This book is a retelling of Snow White. It is the story of Blanche and Bear's romance with Fish and Rose included. I loved reading about the friars that Blanche encounters in the story and imagining their lives. This is based off the author's own experience living and working with the Friars of the Franciscan Renewal in NYC. So cool! I also loved reading the author's notes at the end of this novel and hearing about her personal connection to the story.
I loved this book and was distressed that the series is going out of print, so I bought the entire series for our house. We are normally library people, so this is very rare and high praise from me!
I loved this book and was distressed that the series is going out of print, so I bought the entire series for our house. We are normally library people, so this is very rare and high praise from me!
August 6, 2017
This was my second time reading this book and it was amazing how much more I was able to understand it and appreciate it. The struggles that Blanche and Bear face throughout this story are true to what many people face today and I found the way they worked through them to be inspiring. I love the way Regina Doman writes and how she challenges the characters and tells the story in such a way that the reader can apply good things to their own lives. It's inspiring to read about virtue lived out in someones life. I am very glad that I gave this book another read.
June 29, 2017
loved it even more than the first one! so much suspense and things to think about! I cried at the end... which I did NOT expect to do since this is a teen book... but couldn't help myself! so beautiful! I really wish I had read these books as a teen. I think they would have influenced me for the good!
January 11, 2021
I've been wanting to read one of Regina Doman's Fairy Tale Retold books for a while, and while this wasn't the first book in the series, it was a good one to start with. This is a dark, modern day version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs set in New York City. It took me a bit to get engaged in the story but the once I got pulled into the book, it was hard to put down.
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October 3, 2021I think I strained my eyes from rolling them so much while reading this book....the catholic 'allegory' was extremely overwhelming and I felt limited the characters a lot. This was just...not a great book. Like I grew up evangelical and read some of that fiction and it really was not much different quality wise.
September 30, 2017
Amazing! Love her style of writing... is great at suspense and description.
July 18, 2018
It was really good! I was not expecting the end to be like that, it was great :)
December 26, 2018
Brilliant
July 10, 2019
This one didn't have as much of a fairy tale feel as the first one did, but it was a better book overall! It was intense and had me guessing!
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