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But One Life
1776. Tory vs. Patriot. British vs. American.
The Revolutionary War divides each of the thirteen colonies, but worse, it divides individual families. As the crucible of war burns red-hot all around them, 16-year-old Ginny Phillips and her wealthy stepmother find themselves on opposite sides of an inexorably growing rift. Her father’s death in battle for the American cause only pulls them farther apart. When a young, handsome American soldier enlists Ginny's help as a spy, will she have the courage to honor her late father's Patriot convictions . . . even if it means risking her stepmother's wrath? Even if it means risking her own life? And what about endangering the gang of lonely orphaned boys hiding in the woods who’ve opened their hearts to her?
Does the shadow of the hangman’s noose dangle over them all?
The Revolutionary War divides each of the thirteen colonies, but worse, it divides individual families. As the crucible of war burns red-hot all around them, 16-year-old Ginny Phillips and her wealthy stepmother find themselves on opposite sides of an inexorably growing rift. Her father’s death in battle for the American cause only pulls them farther apart. When a young, handsome American soldier enlists Ginny's help as a spy, will she have the courage to honor her late father's Patriot convictions . . . even if it means risking her stepmother's wrath? Even if it means risking her own life? And what about endangering the gang of lonely orphaned boys hiding in the woods who’ve opened their hearts to her?
Does the shadow of the hangman’s noose dangle over them all?
Unknown Binding
Published October 30, 2018
40 people want to read
About the author
Wyn Estelle Owens
8 books24 followersWyn Estelle Owens is the penname of a young woman who’s still figuring out what this whole ‘adult’ thing is all about. She lives in a big, old house in Maryland by a Hundred Acre Wood (dubbed Neldoreth) with her parents, three occasionally obnoxious brothers, her dog Jackie, and her personal plot bunny, Joker.
She is fond of reading, writing, drawing, speaking in dead or imaginary languages, playing videogames, quoting classic or obscure literature, being randomly dramatic, and generally making things out of yarn. Her dream is to write stories that inspire people to chase after the wonderful world of storytelling.
Her favorite all-time author is J.R.R. Tolkien, who first inspired her to pursuing novel writing when she read the Hobbit at the age of seven.
She is fond of reading, writing, drawing, speaking in dead or imaginary languages, playing videogames, quoting classic or obscure literature, being randomly dramatic, and generally making things out of yarn. Her dream is to write stories that inspire people to chase after the wonderful world of storytelling.
Her favorite all-time author is J.R.R. Tolkien, who first inspired her to pursuing novel writing when she read the Hobbit at the age of seven.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 30, 2018
AWESOME SAUCE FROM MY BEST WRITER PAL.
Full review on my blog! :D
https://iamcharlesbakerharris.wordpre...
Full review on my blog! :D
https://iamcharlesbakerharris.wordpre...
July 21, 2021
4.5 stars rounded to 5!
What I liked:
-Just enough historical detail without getting totally bogged down
-The characters are so sweet and adorable and tough, I loved them all <3
-The heroine is clever without it seeming like a plot contrivance
-Spying!
-Quick afternoon read (primary reason for rounding up; it was amazing for the type of story and length)
What I didn’t like so much:
-Well…how sparse the historical detail is. XD I mean, it was great for a story of this type and length, but I totally wouldn’t mind seeing this expanded into a novel with more room for detail.
-The spying portions were over too quickly. There was only one detailed spying scene where the tension was “there”, but it was more “hehe they have no idea” than “aaaaahhhh is her cover going to be blown?!”
What I liked:
-Just enough historical detail without getting totally bogged down
-The characters are so sweet and adorable and tough, I loved them all <3
-The heroine is clever without it seeming like a plot contrivance
-Spying!
-Quick afternoon read (primary reason for rounding up; it was amazing for the type of story and length)
What I didn’t like so much:
-Well…how sparse the historical detail is. XD I mean, it was great for a story of this type and length, but I totally wouldn’t mind seeing this expanded into a novel with more room for detail.
-The spying portions were over too quickly. There was only one detailed spying scene where the tension was “there”, but it was more “hehe they have no idea” than “aaaaahhhh is her cover going to be blown?!”
September 12, 2019
What an enjoyable historical read from the revolutionary era! This is a fairy tale retelling, and while I'm not into fairy tale retellings, or even familiar with the original fairy tale itself, I am familiar with many of the objects/elements/icons of the tale, and I found But One Life to be an enjoyable historical fiction story in its own right. If you're a fairy tale lover, I'm sure you'll enjoy picking out elements of the original story in this brilliant retelling, but if you're not, I'm sure you'll love this story for its own merits. Spies, danger, orphans, convictions, loyalty, duty, and hints of clean romance: this book has them all. The characters are spunky, lively, and lovable, and I LOVE how the author named the orphans in this tale! If you enjoy historical fiction, don't miss this book!
October 25, 2018
Owens seamlessly interwove history with every possible Snow White element and made it realistic and engaging and had fascinating characters and a sweet romance and little castaway boys and THE POISONED APPLE WAS SO CREATIVELY DONE and basically this whole novella was amazing. Go read it. Also I loved how you know what the title is referencing and you're waiting and waiting and then it's used and it's perfect.
(I've been reading so many Snow White retellings that I was dreaming one before I woke up this morning, but that's beside the point xD)
(I've been reading so many Snow White retellings that I was dreaming one before I woke up this morning, but that's beside the point xD)
December 18, 2020
4.5 stars
Somehow completely missed the fact this is a fairytale retelling when I started reading, so that was a fun surprise! Really enjoyed how the different elements were incorporated into the historical setting.
I know this is super nitpicky, but one thing that really bugged me was that Ginny kept referring to her stepmother as her mother-in-law. Maybe historically that was common, but it kinda threw me off.
Content: none!
Somehow completely missed the fact this is a fairytale retelling when I started reading, so that was a fun surprise! Really enjoyed how the different elements were incorporated into the historical setting.
I know this is super nitpicky, but one thing that really bugged me was that Ginny kept referring to her stepmother as her mother-in-law. Maybe historically that was common, but it kinda threw me off.
Content: none!
July 2, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4.5 star
Wonderful plot and well written. Reading this after going to historical revolution battle sights I could connect a lot easier.
It seemed like a bit of a spin off on
What keeps this from getting a 5 star rating is the fact that there are multiple typos and that
4.5 star
Wonderful plot and well written. Reading this after going to historical revolution battle sights I could connect a lot easier.
It seemed like a bit of a spin off on
What keeps this from getting a 5 star rating is the fact that there are multiple typos and that
January 24, 2022
I didn't hate this book. I just am really not the target audience for it. I prefer books that let me dig into the characters and the world. This book skimmed over everything, leaving me unsatisfied.
There was one big thing that frustrated me: But One Life is a Snow White retelling, or at least, a story with strong Snow White elements in it. The problem for me is that the book's description made no mention of Snow White, so I wasn't expecting that. If I'd known, I might not have started it in the first place. It's not that I won't read fairytale retellings. I'm just very choosy with them.
If you like Snow White retellings or a very light read, you might enjoy this one more than I did!
There was one big thing that frustrated me: But One Life is a Snow White retelling, or at least, a story with strong Snow White elements in it. The problem for me is that the book's description made no mention of Snow White, so I wasn't expecting that. If I'd known, I might not have started it in the first place. It's not that I won't read fairytale retellings. I'm just very choosy with them.
If you like Snow White retellings or a very light read, you might enjoy this one more than I did!
November 1, 2018
Ginny grabbed the nearest thing to hand and brandished it. “Not a step closer, sir!” she demanded.
The man stared at her weapon and blinked. “And what is that, miss?”
Ginny glanced down at what she held, then lifted her chin. “The Holy Scriptures, sir.”
He quirked an eyebrow, a faint half-grin flitting across his face. “You’re threatening me with the Holy Scriptures, miss?”
Oh, they’re so cute together…
In But One Life Wyn Estelle Owens does something that I think is very brave: she writes a version of Snow White that includes no magic whatsoever. Despite that, it’s pretty magical. The protagonists are funny and true-hearted, and there’s just enough historical detail to give the story a unique feel.
Daughter of a revolutionary captain and an Oneida mother, Ginny Phillips wants only to serve her country. After the death of her father leaves her in her Tory stepmother’s care, a chance encounter with a wounded revolutionary leads to her employment as a spy in the Culper Ring. But when her stepmother finds out about Ginny’s political leanings she decides to get rid of her. Lost in the woods and declared dead by her money-hungry stepmother, can Ginny save herself, save George Washington, and find her way back to the man she cares about?
Ginny and Ethan’s relationship is wonderful. They are so much fun to read about. The scrap of a scene that I quote above is just one of their many funny exchanges. The seven orphans that Ginny finds in the woods are also charming—give them more scenes, please!
The historical setting for this story is very well done—not too much, not too little. I appreciated the ways that the elements of the Snow White story were woven into the history of the Revolution—the spy messages hidden in apples were an especially nice touch. I liked the fact that Wyn’s added plot points drove a large part of the story rather than just being basted on for flavor. (Possibly being hanged as a spy is a lot more exciting than needing a magic kiss to get out of an apple-coma, despite the fact that you end up just as dead both ways.)
I think sometimes the Snow White plot points did drive the story more than they should have. Ginny’s stepmother tells the old servant to take Ginny into the woods and abandon her (yes, not kill, abandon).
I would have loved some more scenes showing Ginny spying. We are told that she is a spy, and we learn some of the things that she found out and reported, but we don’t know how she finds them out. I think expanding that part of the story would have made the climax (where she is threatened with hanging) more convincing. And maybe it would also have allowed for a less ex machina way for her stepmother to discover what she was doing.
I really enjoyed this story, especially the central romance and the spying. If you enjoyed the retellings by Melanie Dickerson, you’ll like this one too.
The man stared at her weapon and blinked. “And what is that, miss?”
Ginny glanced down at what she held, then lifted her chin. “The Holy Scriptures, sir.”
He quirked an eyebrow, a faint half-grin flitting across his face. “You’re threatening me with the Holy Scriptures, miss?”
Oh, they’re so cute together…
In But One Life Wyn Estelle Owens does something that I think is very brave: she writes a version of Snow White that includes no magic whatsoever. Despite that, it’s pretty magical. The protagonists are funny and true-hearted, and there’s just enough historical detail to give the story a unique feel.
Daughter of a revolutionary captain and an Oneida mother, Ginny Phillips wants only to serve her country. After the death of her father leaves her in her Tory stepmother’s care, a chance encounter with a wounded revolutionary leads to her employment as a spy in the Culper Ring. But when her stepmother finds out about Ginny’s political leanings she decides to get rid of her. Lost in the woods and declared dead by her money-hungry stepmother, can Ginny save herself, save George Washington, and find her way back to the man she cares about?
Ginny and Ethan’s relationship is wonderful. They are so much fun to read about. The scrap of a scene that I quote above is just one of their many funny exchanges. The seven orphans that Ginny finds in the woods are also charming—give them more scenes, please!
The historical setting for this story is very well done—not too much, not too little. I appreciated the ways that the elements of the Snow White story were woven into the history of the Revolution—the spy messages hidden in apples were an especially nice touch. I liked the fact that Wyn’s added plot points drove a large part of the story rather than just being basted on for flavor. (Possibly being hanged as a spy is a lot more exciting than needing a magic kiss to get out of an apple-coma, despite the fact that you end up just as dead both ways.)
I think sometimes the Snow White plot points did drive the story more than they should have. Ginny’s stepmother tells the old servant to take Ginny into the woods and abandon her (yes, not kill, abandon).
I would have loved some more scenes showing Ginny spying. We are told that she is a spy, and we learn some of the things that she found out and reported, but we don’t know how she finds them out. I think expanding that part of the story would have made the climax (where she is threatened with hanging) more convincing. And maybe it would also have allowed for a less ex machina way for her stepmother to discover what she was doing.
I really enjoyed this story, especially the central romance and the spying. If you enjoyed the retellings by Melanie Dickerson, you’ll like this one too.
Want to read
October 8, 2018I give this book 5 stars!
But One Life is a beautiful story of war's capacity to divide families, courage and patriotism. It is a story of the struggle to do what is right when it might be simpler to do what is easy.
Ginny's father has always instilled in her a love for her country. When he is killed in battle, Ginny longs to help the cause to honor his memory and to express her own desire for a free land. But, Martha, Ginny's stepmother, is devoted to the British cause. Ginny's chance meeting with an injured soldier propells her into a dnagerous journey.
The period detail of this historical retelling of Snow White is vivid and delightful. I especially love the way apples played such a significant role in the story. The author skilfully weaves all the elements from the original tale into this historical setting in very clever ways. I love the dwarf stand-in characters. They are adorable! But One Life is a page-turner of a book, one that is truly unforgettable. Thoroughly recommended! God bless you all.
But One Life is a beautiful story of war's capacity to divide families, courage and patriotism. It is a story of the struggle to do what is right when it might be simpler to do what is easy.
Ginny's father has always instilled in her a love for her country. When he is killed in battle, Ginny longs to help the cause to honor his memory and to express her own desire for a free land. But, Martha, Ginny's stepmother, is devoted to the British cause. Ginny's chance meeting with an injured soldier propells her into a dnagerous journey.
The period detail of this historical retelling of Snow White is vivid and delightful. I especially love the way apples played such a significant role in the story. The author skilfully weaves all the elements from the original tale into this historical setting in very clever ways. I love the dwarf stand-in characters. They are adorable! But One Life is a page-turner of a book, one that is truly unforgettable. Thoroughly recommended! God bless you all.
October 30, 2018
As soon as I heard this retelling somehow incorporated the Revolution and spies into Snow White. I knew I had to read it. Historical fiction isn't my preferred genre, but I really enjoyed this story despite any misgivings about the genre. The way Wyn spun this tale to coincide with the trappings of Snow White impressed me. Ginny is a spunky character and I loved the banter between her and Ethan who fit into the role of the Prince quite well. I loved Ginny's willingness to become a spy, despite the risks. The way the apple came into play was especially clever and I loved all the little historical details and people that appeared in the story. The romance was also really sweet. It's everything you could want in a Snow White retelling and then some.
January 13, 2021
I have read several children's books in the past year or two about the Culper Spy Ring, but this is the first adult novel. I was a bit disappointed at the amount of romance in the story. However, if you like romance to be the main forcus of historical novels, you'll enjoy it.
August 31, 2025
I'm always interested in a good fairy tale retelling, and this is the first version of Snow White I've seen to take place during the American Revolutionary War. Told sans-magic, the characters come to life both as ordinary people fighting for independence and as figures in a fable bound to repeat across time and cultures.
I found Ginny's heritage interesting: her father is a former Englishman turned American patriot, but her mother is of the Iroqois Nation, and she inherits her black-as-ebony hair from her. A clever nod to Snow White's classic look.
This book also included some of the more obscure details from the Snow-White story, beyond just apples and eternal sleep. I won't list them here because it tskes us right into spoiler territory, but I appreciate those small, lesser-known nods to the old tales.
This is a short read, but unique among fairy tale retelling, so if you're a geek like me then give it a shot!
I found Ginny's heritage interesting: her father is a former Englishman turned American patriot, but her mother is of the Iroqois Nation, and she inherits her black-as-ebony hair from her. A clever nod to Snow White's classic look.
This book also included some of the more obscure details from the Snow-White story, beyond just apples and eternal sleep. I won't list them here because it tskes us right into spoiler territory, but I appreciate those small, lesser-known nods to the old tales.
This is a short read, but unique among fairy tale retelling, so if you're a geek like me then give it a shot!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews