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The Curse-Breaker Series #2
Glass: Retelling the Snow Queen
Rose has lived in a mountain fortress with curse-breakers almost all her life, never venturing out in to the wilds. But now, her masters have sent her on a mission to free a lost kingdom that crafts unbreakable glass. But this task may prove impossible, for the prince has a heart of stone, and the kingdom is frozen under the hand of the Snow Queen.
224 pages, Paperback
Published March 25, 2024
18 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Alydia Rackham
131 books145 followersYou don’t have to be afraid when you read my books. Well—you might be terrified for the hero, because his arch-nemesis has him at gunpoint with his back to the river Thames, demanding that he hand over the code that could spell the downfall of Europe…
But you’ll never have to squint, worrying that the romantic scene is about to get FAR too steamy—or that, in a tirade, someone is about to spew a stream of obscenities that will make you want to shut the book and go take a shower.
I don’t write sexual scenes in my books. EVER. And I do not use profanity. EVER. And yes, God lives in my stories. He is the deep foundation—you can FEEL Him.
Yet, I can prove without a shadow of a doubt that WITHOUT ANYTHING risqué, you can still have the adventure of a lifetime between these pages. You’ll hold your breath, you’ll laugh, you’ll sit on the edge of your chair, you’ll stay up till two in the morning pinned to the page—and you might even cry. In fact, I’ll bet on that. And I HATE it when writers are lazy and tacky and beat you over the head with some philosophical or theological point they’re trying to make, instead of just TELLING THE STORY. So, I avoid that at all costs. Still not sold? Well, give one of these books a try. Go ahead—any of them! Whether we’re speeding through space, breaking through the ice on a frozen river, galloping on a chariot across the desert or running up the Asbru bridge chased by wolves…you’re still safe with me.
But you’ll never have to squint, worrying that the romantic scene is about to get FAR too steamy—or that, in a tirade, someone is about to spew a stream of obscenities that will make you want to shut the book and go take a shower.
I don’t write sexual scenes in my books. EVER. And I do not use profanity. EVER. And yes, God lives in my stories. He is the deep foundation—you can FEEL Him.
Yet, I can prove without a shadow of a doubt that WITHOUT ANYTHING risqué, you can still have the adventure of a lifetime between these pages. You’ll hold your breath, you’ll laugh, you’ll sit on the edge of your chair, you’ll stay up till two in the morning pinned to the page—and you might even cry. In fact, I’ll bet on that. And I HATE it when writers are lazy and tacky and beat you over the head with some philosophical or theological point they’re trying to make, instead of just TELLING THE STORY. So, I avoid that at all costs. Still not sold? Well, give one of these books a try. Go ahead—any of them! Whether we’re speeding through space, breaking through the ice on a frozen river, galloping on a chariot across the desert or running up the Asbru bridge chased by wolves…you’re still safe with me.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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June 7, 2021🎁 Books 1 & 2 in the Series are FREE on Amazon today (6/7/2021)! 🎁
November 3, 2021
Original and captivating
Enjoyed the story immensely. The descriptions made for a beautiful visualization of the fictitious world. Pleased with the originality of the story even though it’s based on a fairytale. Wished the author would tie up less-important loose ends better (such as the long-term solution for the evil mirror remnants - there’s more but I don’t want to add spoilers)
Enjoyed the story immensely. The descriptions made for a beautiful visualization of the fictitious world. Pleased with the originality of the story even though it’s based on a fairytale. Wished the author would tie up less-important loose ends better (such as the long-term solution for the evil mirror remnants - there’s more but I don’t want to add spoilers)
August 29, 2025
Content:
Profanity: None.
Violence: High mild. Character gets slammed around, bloody/bruised, and choked. Death threats are thrown around. Mild burns.
Sexual: Mild. Two kisses. One mild, the other more enthusiastic, but still not spicy/steamy. Hands in hair/around waist, etc. Not descriptive in a steamy way.
Triggers: Severe self-esteem issues to the point of an attempted suicide (unsuccessful and the result of a curse).
A 3.5, but I couldn't rate it a 4.
This was a short and interesting read, but it didn't ever capture me on a character level like I felt it could have if the main characters were more developed. I think this is an early work by Rackham, as I know she can do character arcs reaaallly well.
There was too much description of that glass castle. It was cool at first, but she kept over-doing explaining the colors and designs of every. single. room. My final thoughts were usually...wow that sounds like a rainbow threw up on it. At first I thought, 'oh, pretty', but the more she described each room the more of an eyesore I thought it would be, which was definitely not the vibe she was shooting for.
I felt like the castle got more thought put into it than the cursed prince too. Which, sad. And the romance was incredibly sudden. I saw the moment it changed for Rose, even though she didn't understand it for a bit longer. But I couldn't figure out why she fell in love with the prince. He really didn't do much of anything to deserve it.
While this book had a lot of little bits and pieces I enjoyed, like the magic letter and Mary-Poppins bag, it just lacked the character depth that makes me truly love reading.
This gave me more Beauty and the Beast vibes than Snow Queen vibes most of the time, though they were there. I guess it all just seemed pretty average? Meh? I mean, I was entertained but not invested. Hence the lower rating. I liked "Scales" (the first book in the series) a lot more than this one.
Profanity: None.
Violence: High mild. Character gets slammed around, bloody/bruised, and choked. Death threats are thrown around. Mild burns.
Sexual: Mild. Two kisses. One mild, the other more enthusiastic, but still not spicy/steamy. Hands in hair/around waist, etc. Not descriptive in a steamy way.
Triggers: Severe self-esteem issues to the point of an attempted suicide (unsuccessful and the result of a curse).
A 3.5, but I couldn't rate it a 4.
This was a short and interesting read, but it didn't ever capture me on a character level like I felt it could have if the main characters were more developed. I think this is an early work by Rackham, as I know she can do character arcs reaaallly well.
There was too much description of that glass castle. It was cool at first, but she kept over-doing explaining the colors and designs of every. single. room. My final thoughts were usually...wow that sounds like a rainbow threw up on it. At first I thought, 'oh, pretty', but the more she described each room the more of an eyesore I thought it would be, which was definitely not the vibe she was shooting for.
I felt like the castle got more thought put into it than the cursed prince too. Which, sad. And the romance was incredibly sudden. I saw the moment it changed for Rose, even though she didn't understand it for a bit longer. But I couldn't figure out why she fell in love with the prince. He really didn't do much of anything to deserve it.
While this book had a lot of little bits and pieces I enjoyed, like the magic letter and Mary-Poppins bag, it just lacked the character depth that makes me truly love reading.
This gave me more Beauty and the Beast vibes than Snow Queen vibes most of the time, though they were there. I guess it all just seemed pretty average? Meh? I mean, I was entertained but not invested. Hence the lower rating. I liked "Scales" (the first book in the series) a lot more than this one.
February 26, 2019
It’s a good little read
I love retellings and haven’t read a lot of them about the Snow Queen. I liked the idea of this book but i wished the characters had more emotions than angry and overly happy. I also wish that the author had developed the characters back stories more and that the ending wasn’t so predictable. I’m not a huge feminist but is the MC really going to give up her life work just to marry a prince? And how did the king get frozen but the prince thought he left him? It was confusing really but I read the whole thing so it’s not totally a DNF.
I love retellings and haven’t read a lot of them about the Snow Queen. I liked the idea of this book but i wished the characters had more emotions than angry and overly happy. I also wish that the author had developed the characters back stories more and that the ending wasn’t so predictable. I’m not a huge feminist but is the MC really going to give up her life work just to marry a prince? And how did the king get frozen but the prince thought he left him? It was confusing really but I read the whole thing so it’s not totally a DNF.
January 8, 2026
I wish I could read it again, and again, and again.
The descriptions in this story were truly breathtaking. Rose is a character I wish was my sister, and I just want to wrap the prince in a hug.
There is something uniquely alive and vibrant in this lady's writings, and I wish more people would see that.
This Snow Queen retelling really sparkles—light, laughter, and clean romance. What else can you ask for? Oh, and some Christian themes that I wish had been more overt.
Still, this was perfect.
The descriptions in this story were truly breathtaking. Rose is a character I wish was my sister, and I just want to wrap the prince in a hug.
There is something uniquely alive and vibrant in this lady's writings, and I wish more people would see that.
This Snow Queen retelling really sparkles—light, laughter, and clean romance. What else can you ask for? Oh, and some Christian themes that I wish had been more overt.
Still, this was perfect.
February 22, 2021
Cute
That was adorable. The descriptions were very beautiful. Easy and enjoyable fairytale. I really liked this book. Well done
Christa
That was adorable. The descriptions were very beautiful. Easy and enjoyable fairytale. I really liked this book. Well done
Christa
November 8, 2021
So good!
This was such a refreshing take on the snow queen. I really enjoyed her characters and I would definitely recommend it!
This was such a refreshing take on the snow queen. I really enjoyed her characters and I would definitely recommend it!
February 6, 2024
Content:
Usually I’m not a big fan of the snow queen retellings. This one surprised me. I liked the never fatigable Rose in her quest to de-thaw Nikolas and his kingdom. This world and kingdom are beautiful, and I loved diving into the imagery.
Rose is someone who knows who she is, what her purpose is, and who she represents and serves. Because of this, even though everything is going against her, she can hold on and persevere with strength.
Her influence on Nikolas is slow and steady. She works to break through barriers that have built up since Nikolas's birth. It takes time but Nikolas begins to see the truth that has been in front of him his whole life but that has been covered over by what the ice queen wants him to believe and see.
Another unique and fresh retelling of a classic tale.
Usually I’m not a big fan of the snow queen retellings. This one surprised me. I liked the never fatigable Rose in her quest to de-thaw Nikolas and his kingdom. This world and kingdom are beautiful, and I loved diving into the imagery.
Rose is someone who knows who she is, what her purpose is, and who she represents and serves. Because of this, even though everything is going against her, she can hold on and persevere with strength.
Her influence on Nikolas is slow and steady. She works to break through barriers that have built up since Nikolas's birth. It takes time but Nikolas begins to see the truth that has been in front of him his whole life but that has been covered over by what the ice queen wants him to believe and see.
Another unique and fresh retelling of a classic tale.
March 19, 2019
I want to go to Glas!!
This was a wonderful Medieval style story in the incredible land of Glas. A land of always winter and magic and curse-breakers. Vividly described, taking you right into the most fantastically incredible castle ever. A story of deceit cleverly defeated through ... Well, I don't want to spoil the ending for you, but I will say that Alydia came through with yet another perfect ending!!
This was a wonderful Medieval style story in the incredible land of Glas. A land of always winter and magic and curse-breakers. Vividly described, taking you right into the most fantastically incredible castle ever. A story of deceit cleverly defeated through ... Well, I don't want to spoil the ending for you, but I will say that Alydia came through with yet another perfect ending!!
January 1, 2021
I have never been a big fan of the snow queen story but this book changed my mind. I loved the imagery and Rose's selfless and steadfast character. This story was both powerful and poignant. The romance was slow but what a beautiful ending.
Content:
Sexual: kissing
Violence: mild
Language: none
Content:
Sexual: kissing
Violence: mild
Language: none
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews