Burning Snow: A Retelling of The Little Match Girl & The Snow Queen

Displaced Fairytales

by Abigail Manning

Princess Safara wanted nothing more than to marry the prince of Averglas and secure protection for her suffering kingdom—until her fiancé left her to freeze to death.

Til death do us part comes early for Safara when a brutal winter sweeps through her betrothed’s kingdom, forcing everyone to evacuate or be buried by the snow. To make matters worse, toxic trees have been burned in fireplaces in a desperate attempt for warmth, infecting Safara and many others with a slow-acting paralysis. Abandoned and alone, Safara uses the last flick of her fingers to light a match, wishing for a chance to have been a better queen.

By some miracle, life returns to Safara as she wakes up months in the past. No longer diseased or trapped by snow, she decides to make good on her wish and do everything in her power to be the queen she should have been in the first place—the snow queen. Now knowing what the future holds, she’s not aligning herself with the losing side. The only way to stop this winter is to win over the snow king who created it. Can Safara claim his frozen heart? Or is her life destined to always burn away?

Torn from one fairytale and trapped in The Displaced Fairytales series is a collection of standalones from your favorite no-spice, young adult romance authors. Burning Snow is a Little Match Girl meets The Snow Queen reimagining with the perfect blend of marriage of revenge, grumpy x sunshine, and a pet rock named Douglas.

Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retellings, Retellings

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2026

Reviews

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ⭐️ Clean Fiction - Fairytale Retelling (with magic)

I just have to say that as a Texan, I completely picture Canada to look like all of the snowy, cold, icy parts of the kingdom in this book. I was definitely cuddled with a fuzzy blanket while reading, haha!

This was a very enjoyable book even though the two fairytales aren’t my usual ones I gravitate towards—The Snow Queen and The Little Match Girl—but I think I really enjoyed it for a handful of reasons. One of those being that it reminded me of one of my favorite movies, Frozen. (Yes, it’s a favorite movie of mine and no, I’m not a six year little girl—it’s a great movie, thankyouverymuch!) It definitely wasn’t a copy of the movie at all—it had a lot more elements of The Snow Queen than Anna and Elsa’s story, after all. But there were parts that felt like nods to the movie and I loved seeing that.

Another reason I greatly enjoyed this book was because the plotline reminded me of many Korean Manhwas (comics/manga) I’ve read over the years because of the important plot point: someone on their deathbed wishing for another chance or to have been a better person. And then they wake up in the past with the time to change everything that went wrong. While I might not be a believer in “past lives” or anything like that, I find this idea fascinating as it can completely change the game and the main character’s personality and perspective on life. So, needless to say, I was a little giddy at this happening for justice for Safara and sooo curious to see what would happen!

There was a serious element to this book because of, well, dying and deaths which could make the book feel heavy if focused on too much, but the author added in humor through a pet rock (more about him in a minute) and cute children in the town. This greatly helped and were highlights of the book for me.

So, on Douglas the pet rock. He’s the true MVP of this book. When I first saw him listed in the back-cover blurb, I was confused but also intrigued by that mention. I can now confirm: he was great. 🪨

My only complaint is that I wish it was a little longer (so we could have seen more of Safara and Cassian together) and that there was an epilogue. But, I suppose it wasn’t really needed and this is me being a greedy grub. The ending that was there was pretty great overall. 🥹

As a note: This book is connected to the book “A Goblet of Guises and Gooseberries” with it being about Safara’s older sister and is releasing in the summer. I’ll definitely be reading that one—and hope we get to see the sisters together in an epilogue! 😁



Main Content-
Seeing magic, using magical wishes (*Spoilers* Safara is given three matches and when she lights each of them, they grant her a wish; She uses one before her death, wishing that she could have been a better queen, and is sent back in time to prevent her and others’ deaths; *Major Spoilers* Towards the end, she uses another match to get rid of the poison that Blamore has spread and goes back in time again *End of Spoilers*.

Safara wonders if she’s in heaven at one point, but notices something about her surroundings and takes it back, saying that it must be hell; Safara thinks that she’s been through colder hells than a silent room; Safara gives a glare “hotter than the depths of the underworld”.

Cassian (the snow king) was born with ice magic; The snow king lives in reflections from mirrors and ice due to a curse & his emotions affect the weather; *Spoilers* The prince that Safara was going to marry (Blamore) is the snow king’s brother and he hired a sorcerer to curse him, keep their country’s people from remembering his brother existed so he could rule, and shared rumors of the snow king being a monster *End of Spoilers*.

Many mentions of magic, a character being born with ice magic, & sorcerers/wizards (some are said to be harmless but another side character on-page uses her magic to drug someone); Mentions of luck & being lucky; A few mentions of praying (but not towards Whom).



No language stronger than “stupid” and “shut up”; The phrase “what in the kingdoms” is exclaimed; “Heavens” and “Thank heavens/thank the heavens” are also exclaimed; A mention of a curse being said by Safara but not written out; Some eye rolling; A bit of lying (for safety).



Dying and being near death due to poison and freezing to death (x2), Almost drowning, Being chained up, Being grabbed, Being held at sword- (and icicle-)point, Being chased, Being drugged, Being poisoned, (up to a handful of sentences each).

Cassian threatens to cause an avalanche and bury people to protect Safara (which she stops him from doing).

All about & many mentions of a poison causing paralysis and eventual death, symptoms (blackened fingertips, coughing, and stiff limbs), & deaths (including a young girl’s whole family and also Safara’s father due to a different illness, up to a few sentences); Mentions of a near-drowning; Mentions of thieves & stealing; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; A few mentions of a war; A few mentions of a murderer; A few mentions of hatred; A few mentions of eavesdropping.



1 fingers to lips touch,
1 kiss with no details,
1 kiss lasting a couple sentences,
1 kiss lasting a few sentences.

Touches, Embraces, Flutters, & Warmth (up to a few sentences); Wanting to touch & embrace (up to a couple sentences); Blushes; Noticing (up to a couple sentences).

A mention of a man ogling Safara.

[Celestria · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting plot, but I wish the book was a little longer. I would have liked more time to see the romance develope so that it seemed more realistic.

content: sorcerers (some of them are said to be harmless but some are bad), the snow king is called a sorcerer and a wizard by others but he says he was born with his powers, he doesnt cast spells or anything.

[Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope] · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Surely the snow king could use a wife."

This was great! A perfect winter read and retelling of the Snow Queen and the Little Match Girl. Both of these fairytale worked very well together and I loved the Frozen vibes that I got from it! Safara was a tough lady who did not give up. She was great! Her boldness and determination was awesome! Cassian was the perfect snow king! I loved the way that they met! They both fit so well together and I was rooting them on from the start. Their love story was super sweet! I didn’t think I was going to like Douglas, but he had me cracking up! I only wish it was longer and more drawn out. It flipped back and forth between time periods very fast. I didn’t love how it bounced between times, but the ending made it all worth it!

[Kortnee - The Closed Door Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love!! Did I stay up till 2:30am finishing yes I did and don’t regret it haha more of a review to come!

[Bess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book. By no means was I expected to give this read a positive rating. The review is my honest feelings about the book.

Think Groundhog Day meets the Match Girl meets to Snow/Ice King.

Averglas is not what it seems. There's a prince but no king. At least not that anyone remembers. With the Ice King living on the mountain and furious at the world, the Averglasians are forced to endure a brutal winter where even the fire wood is deadly.
Can the princess save herself, her home kingdom, and the Averglasians from a fate colder than death?

I fear if I write more, I'll give it away. It really is a wonderful tale! And in Abigail-fashion, it's snarky, romantic, and cold enough you'll want to bundle up to keep warm!

I'm honored to have been a part of the early-reading group. Thank you for the opportunity, Abigail!

Just as good as the first read through!! Happy release day!!

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect a Fairytale Retelling to make me tear up multiple times, but this one did. The clever writing, enchanting characters, and gripping story crafted a brilliant reading experience that kept me glued to the page.

My heart ached for the losses the characters faced as the hardships molded their growth and strengthened their depth. I fell in love with Safara's dedication and sacrifice for the kingdom, reflecting the heart of a true queen. Douglas, Lea, Harvey, and Gilly were the best. And Cassian is the perfect King for Safara.

This story is masterfully written and one that will stay with me for a while. It's the best retelling I've ever read.

[Lisa Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Safara has no idea what she's in for when she enters a marriage alliance with Prince Blamore. One broken mirror later, their kingdoms are cursed with an endless winter and a deadly disease plaguing the land by burning a special type of wood. Trapped in a hopeless situation, Safara is betrayed and only has moments to live. Her one salvation is the box of matches she was gifted, which she soon realizes are far from ordinary. In a desperate attempt to fix her mistakes, she uses one of the matches to be reborn in the past for a chance to try to be a better queen. She immediately breaks off her engagement with the traitorous Blamore. This time, she seeks the hand of Cassian, the Snow King, to break his icy curse.

In many ways, this book feels like a modern anime brought to life. It follows several recent trends in a breathtaking fairy tale setting. The descriptions of the ice palace and Cassian's appearances in reflections are cinematic and whimsical. Abigail's story takes both beloved Hans Christian Andersen tales in a completely new direction with enough twists and turns to make it her own. It borrows elements from both Disney's Frozen and the original "Snow Queen" fairy tale, making it feel like no stone was left unturned. Speaking of stones, an honorary mention is necessary for Douglas, the pet rock that provided plenty of much-needed humor in such a bleak setting.

In addition to the descriptive visual elements, this book does a great job making its characters both sympathetic and believable. Safara's near-death experiences increase her determination to undo Blamore's damage and break through Cassian's icy shell. Cassian is a layered character who comes off as intimidating at first, but his obsession with cleanliness reveals his true motive for avoiding others. Though his curse makes it challenging for Safara to get close to him, it is a challenge she is ready to take on with open arms and an open heart.

Burning Snow masterfully weaves together elements from "The Little Match Girl" and "The Snow Queen" into a unique and inspiring tale. Its balance between darker elements like the blackwood plague and humorous elements like Douglas, the pet rock, make the book an emotional roller coaster that's impossible to put down. Abigail Manning's vivid world-building and complex characters make for a compelling read that's both heartbreaking and hopeful. With its perfect blend of whimsy, romance, and adventure, this book is a must-read for fans of fairy tale retellings and a terrific entry in the Displaced Fairytales series.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️4.5

Fire and ice…will they play nice?😉 I’m feeling a little clever today, so pardon my poor rhyme 😝

An icy death is sure to kill, but what happens when you light one small match with a burning wish ready to be granted and have a hopeful vision impossible to snuff out?

This was such a clever story—and Abigail Manning always manages to be one step ahead of me with her plot twists! Truly a gift! I felt like I was reading Frozen, but in a whole new light…Prince Blamore might be even worse than Hans. Bro takes evil to a new level. And for what? Power? His name might be the true evil…idk how anyone would want to marry a Blamore 😭🤣 I thought it was such an interesting twist to combine the Little Match Girl and the Snow Queen (or shall we say Snow King) together.

Safara’s drive was inspiring and her ability to withstand the cold as she did was quite the feat. Even when all hope is lost, she still manages to fight despair. Her perseverance was just what Cassian needed to free himself from his curse and his evil brother. I do wish we had more of a villain backstory for Blamore, as I feel it would make his reasoning behind his crazy actions even more compelling.

If you are looking for a unique retelling of the Little Match Girl and the Snow Queen, a rock making quite a memorable hero, an easy-to-hate villain, plot twists to explode your brain, and seemingly impossible odds to beat, pick up this book now!

*I received an ARC copy of this book*

[Thoroughly Clean Indies · Rating 5 out of 5]

{233 print pages}

Genre: Fantasy, fairy tale retelling [of The Little Match Girl and gender-flipped The Snow Queen]
Tropes: Mistaken identity, forced proximity, unexpected love
Setting: Castles, cottage
Writing style: Multiple POV, 3rd person, past tense
Tone: Desperate, tense, occasionally warmly humerous and sweet
Character- or plot-driven: Both

Romance: Yes
Clean level:
• 1 mouth kiss minimally described, including stroking face and brushing noses
• 2 mouth kisses barely described, 1 including brushing thumb against her lips
• 1 finger kiss, no description
*See caveat below

Sensitive aspect: Cassian’s seeing through reflective surfaces means he can (inadvertently) see people bathing

Favorite aspects of the book:
• The spin on the magic of the matches from the original tale
• The last wish
• The courage and pure goodness displayed by so many of the characters, major and minor

*This entry is not strictly on the theme of a character from one fairy tale literally finding themselves in another. One character merely travels to where the other is.*

This reminded me of a middle-grade, realistic fantasy book, A Year Without Autumn, in that a character is able to go back in time to save someone — or in this case, many someones. This one is much less heavy of a read with a more certain resolution, but what I most appreciated in both is that there isn’t the standard time-travel lesson of “you can’t change the past.” The characters truly get to make the future brighter.

There’s a stark juxtaposition between Safara and Cassian as benevolent rulers and Blamore as a malevolent one. There are essentially two types of rulers, those who see themselves as in service to the people and those who see the people as in service to themselves. Safara’s aim from the outset is to ensure her subjects, both in her new kingdom and that of her birth, thrive. From her dedicated care during the storms when she herself is dying, to her dying wish that she could have been a better queen, to her quest in marrying the snow king. She understands the responsibility she is privileged to hold and is fearless in fulfilling it. Cassian’s despair specifically at being trapped out of his rightful position is not about power or prestige, but the inability to take care of the kingdom in their most dire need, and the way that his emotions make the storms endangering them worse. By contrast, everything Blamore does is to control everything and everyone for his own egocentric aggrandizement. He is a most worthy and believable villain.

At the heart of the narrative is Safira’s indomitable will. Over and over she is faced with what should be insurmountable odds and she never falters until she can literally go no further. And that’s when she uses the one thing she has left to start all over again. She braves the deadly frostbite not once, but twice, and fortifies herself with the thought that if she has to die after all that, at least she did everything possible for those left behind. She faces down Blamore multiple times and proposes to the snow king without knowing anything certain about him, all without flinching despite any fear. Her determined spirit is ultimately the key to not only saving the kingdom but redeeming the ice king in more ways than one.

Favorite Quotations:
• The cheerful servants who had welcomed me now looked as lifeless as marionettes with their strings cut.
• his confidence the only thing still left burning in all of Averglas
• It was so satisfying to watch him boil after he left me to freeze.
• “I see.” His image shifted closer to the rock, his curiosity piqued. “I suppose in many ways this Douglas is similar to my ice. I, too, seek companionship and aid from stiff sources.”
• “You could always ask Douglas’s permission if you’d like,” I suggested with a sly smile. “Do you think of him as a paternal figure?” he inquired quite seriously. “No,” I said. “But he’s never said no to anyone before.” “Ah!” He grinned. “Great point! Leave him behind then. I’ll have a chat with the gentleman while you’re out.”
• I carried on, forcing my body to move by sheer willpower as I attempted to look strong for the king’s sake. I had to be strong for him, so he could be strong when I left him.
• I could feel the entire sea of men shift, the snow feeling warm compared to the chill that ran through them. The entire mountain seemed to go quiet just at the mention of the snow king, their eyes all glassy like I was only speaking to a reflection of the people who used to know him.
• I could hear my heart beating, the soft soothing sound ticking down the final minutes of my clock.
• A powerful voice boomed behind me, creeping up on me like a warm shadow that I had to resist the urge to turn around and squeeze.
• his lips parting ever so slowly as a sentence offered to step outside and join us, but tripped on its way out.


(I received a free copy of this book from the author and am gratefully—voluntarily—leaving a review.)

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Goodness! Can Abigail Manning make a bad book? I don’t think so. Burning Snow is officially a cold weather reread. To make matters even better, it snowed here the entire time I was reading. The mood was immaculate. The Little Match Girl and The Snow Queen were a fabulous combination. Like, yes, I do want a time-warping romance set in a frozen castle where the main character fights to get the correct future!

Moving on to the Characters. Safara was definitely born to be Queen. The desire to help is visible in her actions. I love her perseverance. The Snow King is… Well he’s cranky at first but it’s completely understandable and I quickly grew to love him. By the climax, he was near and dear. The villain in this book is such a nuisance. Seriously. I wanted to shake my fist at him. And we can’t forget Douglas! He was such a funny addition and the Snow King’s almost rivalry or distaste with him cracked me up. He’s the best pet rock ever!

The plot line in Burning Snow was amazing. I have a severe weakness for multiple timelines and this story filled that void. That trope comes with so many possibilities. I loved getting to see if Safara could get it right this time around and worried about memories and changes. I was worried until the very end (for reasons that cannot be expanded upon without spoilers) but I am extremely happy with how everything turned out. I am tempted to do an immediate reread!

Thank you to Abigail Manning for an ARC of Burning Snow! All opinions are my own.

No-Spice Level: 1 - light kissing
Language: Clean
Faith-Elements: None

[Heather Inez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to be an Arc reader for this book, and I honestly loved it.
While I am familiar with the Ice Queen because of watching frozen on repeat with toddlers, I was completely unfamiliar with the Match Girl.
The story hooks you right away with a proposal on the first page. What could possibly go wrong? Imagine Frozen... but the sisters are brothers, and Anna is basically Hans. Add in a rock companion who may or may not double as a therapist, and you've got the tone perfectly.

Princess Safara is betrothed to the prince of Averglas. But once she arrives, an epic winter storm erupts, she’s betrayed by the person who should love her most, and she’s left dying with only matches for warmth. With her final match, she wishes to become a better queen, and suddenly wakes up months earlier, with a chance to change everything. The question becomes: can she save her future and the kingdom, or is she destined to die in every timeline?


Very mild violence. Someone is hit with a rock and people are threatened with swords couple of times.
Several deaths from the cold and or illness
Mild kissing that is barely described.

If you enjoy fairy‑tale retellings with heart, adventure, and just a touch of danger, without heavy violence or spice, this is absolutely one to pick up.

[Kenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was the most interesting take on The Little Match Girl retelling that I’ve read so far. Magical matches and time travel? Such a cool concept! I especially liked how the author blended elements of both the Frozen movie and the original tale when developing the Snow Queen aspect. I will admit, though, that the mention of a pet rock in the blurb confused me at first. However, after reading the book, I am fully team Douglas. The book’s pacing felt a bit off to me, but since it is a novella, it’s understandable that certain parts felt slightly rushed. Also, there was a little inconsistency with one of the aspects of the poisoning that bothered me some, but it wasn't anything major and didn't take away from the story.

Even though I wish Cassian had appeared more in certain scenes, I still liked him a lot. I just don’t feel like I fully got to know him as well as I would have liked. I loved that the romance was completely no-spice while still being genuinely sweet. It stayed well within my squeaky-clean standard.

Just a note that the main character dies twice from a sickness that slowly paralyzes her. The scenes are not described in much detail though.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick read with sweet romance and a hefty dash of danger and angst. Because of the romance and other content, I’d suggest it for ages 11–12 and up, depending on the reader.

[Cassidy Nye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I am OBSESSED with this book! It was such a roller coaster in the best way (and I may have shed a tear or two at certain parts).

The author manages to strike a fascinating balance of lore from the original Little Match Girl and the Snow Queen tales... without being horrendously sad. While there are low points, there are many great moments that overall balance the book out perfectly.

Safara, the FMC, is fiery in all the best ways, and her determination in the face of so many adversities is admirable. Her chemistry with the MMC is heartwarming, and their ending is completely satisfying. While there were elements I suspected were coming, I was left guessing on how it would happen, and the plot twists absolutely did not disappoint!!

The pacing and writing quality are fantastic, which I find to be a trend in all of the Abigail Manning books I've read so far, and the world-building is rich and explored piece by piece as the story proceeds. I wasn't expecting where this book was going, but I was one hundred percent here for it, and I am thrilled that I got the chance to give it a read!

[Danie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER FIVE STAR READ.

This might be my favorite book by Abigail Manning. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED this book.

This story gives all the Frozen vibes (and I really did enjoy that movie, even if I didn't like the second one). Abigail was able to weave these two tales together flawlessly! I was hooked!

I would love to rave about this book in the review, but I don't want to give anything away! I feel like even the tiniest little comment could be too much, the book is that seamless!

The FMC was both sweet and strong without being brash; which I enjoy in a FMC (I don't like when FMCs are too assertive and come off as rude or nasty).

I adored our MMC, he a bit uptight and gruff at first, but as the story progressed you were shown a different side of him.

I think it was clever how Abigial chose to include the matches for the little match girl story. I didn't think there was a big "twist" like there usually is in Abigail's books... which is fine! I LOVED how everything fit together flawlessly.

I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys fairytale retellings (and the Disney movie Frozen).

Arranged Marriage
Ice Magic
Magical Winter Storm
Protective MMC
Generous FMC
Pet Rock Companion
Time Loop
Closed Door Romance

[Jennalee Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I started reading this book during the snow/ice storm of Jan 2026. To say it set the mood is an understatement. While I was reading this book, I saw the snow falling outside and felt the temperature drop. As I read through the book, I got colder and truly felt as if I was in the book with Safara. It was amazing! 🤩

The characters in this story were wonderful and either truly loved or truly hated. I even found myself smiling at the personality of an inanimate object. Do objects have personalities? This one did. 🪨

The plot was extremely satisfying, because the ending wrapped everything up so wonderfully. Safara had to endure so much in order to have her happy ending. But, reader beware… you might end up with shards of glass/snow in your eyes causing you to tear up in order to clear your vision and finish this enchanting story. ❄️

I received this as an ARC book, but would have purchased it anyway. Simply wonderful. 😌

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burning Snow by Abigail Manning 

Even deadlier than the winter outside, toxic trees have been burned in fireplaces in a desperate attempt for warmth, infecting Safara and many others with a slow-acting paralysis...

This one is a mixture of the Little Match Girl combined with the Snow Queen. It definitely has some of those sad Match Girl vibes so just be warned if sickness or death are triggering at the moment (but there is a HEA!). The setting is very chilly which I definitely connected with as we haven't been turning on the heater at my house. The villain gives lots of Prince Hans vibes. I especially liked all the Snow Queen nods with the little robber girl and the old flower woman and such. Would recommend!

Genre: Fairytale retelling 

Standalone in the Displaced Fairytales series

Favorite character: Safara (FMC)

Favorite scene: the final confrontation 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


ARC (published Feb 24, all opinions are my own)

[Jennie Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was a sweet and interesting take on The Snow Queen (king) and The Little Match Girl. It had plenty of heart, humor, and fantastical magic and curses. A great read for anyone who enjoys fairytale retellings or just a good, clean fantasy adventure with a bit of intrigue and romance.

Things I Loved:
-The unique time-travel magic of the matches
-The real villain of the story was a shock and actually made me gasp (I liked the misdirection and surprise of the reveal)
-The heroine stayed strong, yet sweet and caring despite her circumstances
-Douglas!
-The sweet slow burn romance (enemies to lovers)
-King Cassian was actually such a caring and thoughtful man and my heart broke for how his efforts to be a good king were weaponized against him

I received this ebook as an ARC from the author. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given willingly, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to have read it!

[Lj · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Burning Snow' is just incredible from start to finish. I would never have expected the 'Little Match Girl' to make a good basis for a fun story, but it works so well in this story and adds a gender flipped 'Snow Queen', another story that's not a favourite, yet works so very well in this re-telling mash up. While there are serious and sad moments, the overall feel of the book is still quite light and entertaining with some wonderful humorous moments (often provided by the absolute star character of the book, Douglas). As you would expect from Ms Manning, there are unforeseen twists, cleverly incorporated elements from the original stories and lots of sweet romance.

I received an ARC and voluntarily leave an honest review.

[Bethany Aich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burning Snow is one of the best The Little Match Girl retellings I’ve read, if not the best. I have to admit I was nearly doubtful a couple of times that the happily ever after would happen the way I wanted it to, but it was so good.

I also have a new favourite character! His name is Douglas and he is simply hilarious. Can’t wait for you to meet him. ; )

I don’t think this is a dark book, per se, but here a few elements to watch out for:
A. Reading it made me COLD
B. It does have some darker things in line with The Little Match Girl. For a sensitive soul, those might be difficult scenes

While I did receive an advanced copy of the book, this review is completely my own, and left because I wanted to. Everyone needs to be warned to read it with a blanket and hot beverage! ;)

[Mandy Prather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for the Displaced Fairytale series. This one is Burning Snow.
Omg!! Abigail is the Queen of plot twists. Just when I think i know what will happen. Im still shocked. This was a perfect mix of The Little Match Girl and The Snow Queen.
Safara is sent to a new Kingdom for a political marriage but the Kingdom is suffering from a brutal winter and a strange sickness. When her betrothed leaves her for dead. She is shocked when she wakes up with a second chance. She starts to look for the snow king to get him to marry her. poor Cassian went through so much. Such a amazing story of true love. I cant wait for the next book in this series. I also cant wait for Safara's sisters book.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting fairy tale retelling. This no spice romantic fantasy is a mash up between The Snow Queen and The Little Match Girl. When our heroine dies, she resents her fiancée and sets out to find his enemy, the Snow King, to have her revenge. This was definitely an interesting read with her having some magical matches, there being poison, and her dying and then going back in time. There was a lot of action, suffering, and some sweet romantic moments. It was a unique read. The romance is just kisses, intimacy level 1.

Content warnings: death, poison, suffering

I received an eARC of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Rachel Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Brilliant! I love how closely this story lined up with the original Little Match Girl and Snow Queen, yet had such a beautifully unique twist of its own! An evil royal, a princess wanting to do right by her kingdom and the kingdom she’s marrying into, a snow king making life unbearable for the people, death, villainous acts… what more can you ask for? If you love no spice, thrilling stories with a mostly happy ending, you will love this one! Author Abigail Manning does not disappoint!

[Kat Crowder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story!

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a fun retelling of The Little Match Girl and The Snow Queen. It’s told from the POV of the Princess, Safara.

The story takes place in a world similar to ours but in the past. The magic that is used in the story is subtle but powerful and fun. I adored the side characters!

I wouldn’t have been able to imagine the twists that the author puts on the story and it kept me intrigued and I had a difficult time putting the book down. I had to see how she was going to get out of the problems she always ended up in! Definitely a book I recommend.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: Abigail Manning has done it again!! She is known as the Plot Twist Queen for a reason!! Every time I thought, well, this is how it ends, WHAM! Here we go again on the roller coaster ride!! I so enjoyed this story and hope to see more from this world in the future! Clean romance, no language, villain, heroine, epic battle for the throne, just all the things!! You won’t be disappointed!!

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was SO GOOD! Abigail Manning is the master of adding plot twists and details you don't expect, with enough foreshadowing that you don't feel blindsided. The beginning is a bit confusing, but the further you read the more it makes sense. It's the type of book you start reading and end up binging because of how interesting the twists are, framed in a desperate hope that keeps you emotionally attached 😁

[emeraldragonlady (Maddie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fascinating! Thanks to many authors I'm gradually becoming more aware of some of the lesser known tales & stories. Mashing The Little match girl with a gender reversed Snow Queen is so perfect! Safara is the right amount of empathy, investigator, guts & sass. After the betrayal of Blamore she realizes she gets an opportunity that she never would have had before. When she finally stands up for herself she is a force to be reckoned with. Her tenacity and caring heart paves the way for her to save not only her kingdom but the Snow Kings as well. I loved every moment of this story. I could not put it down. The mystery, intrigue, & problem solving is fascinating to watch unfold. The ending is also perfect! I was so giddy reading the joy and Love between Safara & the Snow King. As you read this book always remember to " Taste Douglas"!!!

[Sabrina Leon]

I have been waiting for a Snow Queen retelling from this author since she revealed on Facebook she originally had planned to include in one of her realm collections books. It took over two years but she finally did and so far this the best retelling of the classic winter tale that I have read so far. Combined with the magic tale of The Little Magic Girl this story is a combination of fantasy and romance. Plus, it has a few Frozen vibes! Trust me you don’t want to pass on this read!

[Theplacesihavebeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun Mashup of the little match girl and the Snow Queen. It took me a little bit to get into it and there were some spots I wish had been a little more developed. But overall I enjoyed this book and am glad I read it! I enjoyed the different challenges that Safara faced as she went through this journey. I also really enjoyed the sweetness of the love and tension. This is a clean book and a fun retelling! I did receive an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Adrianja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this mashup of the Little Match Girl and Snow Queen!

Safara grows so much as she realizes her fiance is not great too late the first time. When she is given a second chance, she decides to be bold and go for being the snow queen to help the people better! It is fun to see her take risks and interact with the mysterious snow king.

Also, Douglas is the best side character. Trust me! You will love Douglas :)

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an interesting story! I couldn’t see from the outset how Abigail Manning would combine the Little Match Girl and The Snow Queen, but she wove the two stories beautifully! I loved the nods to the original stories. Samara was such a strong and interesting character. I loved watching her grow into the queen she was meant to be!

Content: clean (a few kisses, a medical plague)