The Mirror's Tale

Further Tales Adventures #4

by P.W. Catanese

Everyone has heard the story -- the dwarves, the talking mirror, the evil witch. But this tale doesn't belong to Snow White anymore....

Bert and Will, the twin sons of the baron of Ambercrest, are best friends. They do everything together and can't help it if trouble just seems to...find them. But the baron is fed up and has decided that separation will keep them out of mischief. One twin, he proclaims, will stay in Ambercrest for the summer, while the other will be sent to The Crags -- a foreboding, rocky outpost on the edge of the kingdom.

It is there, hidden in a forbidden black chamber, that one of the boys discovers a bejeweled and mysterious mirror. What is the precious object? And why does it make him feel so...powerful? Soon the twins' kinship is replaced by dark magic and deceit, and a kingdom hangs dangerously in the balance. What becomes of one who is ruled by the forces of evil? And can brotherly love conquer a consuming quest for power?

Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Middle Grade, Adventure, Young Adult, Fiction, Retellings

288 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

About the author

P.W. (Paul) Catanese is the author of fantasy-adventure novels (published by Aladdin/Simon & Schuster). His next novel, DONNY'S INFERNO, a supernatural adventure, will be published in early 2016.

A crisp style, fast pacing, interesting characters and vivid descriptions have made Catanese a favorite with everyone from reluctant readers to teachers to adults seeking a thrilling escape. His books have been turned into acclaimed audiobooks, and translated into many foreign languages.

In its starred review, Publisher's Weekly said “Catanese dazzles in the first of the planned Books of Umber...Catanese packs a lot into the book: rich characterizations, well-choreographed action sequences and genuinely surprising twists at the end. An auspicious start to the series.”

VOYA called The Thief and the Beanstalk "a rollicking adventure meshed with complex characters and an intriguing spin on a familiar tale..."

Paul is always happy to hear from readers.

Reviews

[cynthia ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the only reason this book didn't get a full 5-star rating was because the plot was very predictable. I still really liked it aha

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben and Will are twins who get into a lot of trouble together. This is disappointing to their father, the baron, and their mother, the baroness. When they nearly burn down the map room it sends their parents over the edge, and they come up with a plan to split the boys up. Will is going to live with his uncle in the Crags, while Ben is to stay at home at the castle. The two tricksters decide that plan doesn’t work and they switch places. No one is the wiser until it's too late. Unfortunately, this allows Ben to hear his father say some not so nice things about him because he thinks he's talking to Will. Ben stews about it until he gets to the Crags. Once there, his uncle is not very friendly and the place is just as dark and gloomy as he remembered. Luckily, his aunt is kind to him. But nothing is as exciting as the secret stairwell he finds with a mysterious mirror. It's clear the mirror holds special magic, and it tells Ben things about his twin brother. Should Ben listen to what the mirror says? Will it help him get the power he deserves? What will happen when Will visits? You don't have a magic mirror, so you’ll be turning the pages like I was!

I was very excited to read The Mirror’s Tale by P.W. Catanese. I enjoy fairy tales and twists on them are usually a lot of fun. I knew the story of Snow White, so I was curious to read about her great-great grandchildren. Ben and Will’s characters were developed in a way that I liked them both and felt sorry for them for different reasons. The mirror really worried me! This book was definitely a page turner, and I would recommend it to kids in fourth grade and up who enjoy fantasy stories. The twist on Snow White will appeal to boys and girls. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Erica Flory · Rating 3 out of 5]

the most disturbing book in this series

[Brittany Dickinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will and Bert, twin boys who are always getting into trouble. They are the sons of the Baron, who is a descendant of Snow White. One summer when the Baron and his wife couldn't take it anymore. They split the boys up for a summer. Bert ends up at his uncle's place and Will stays home. Will is learning how to fight and be brave from a knight. Bert spends time with his aunt and exploring. Bert discovers a mysterious hideout, deep underground his room. He discovers a mirror, who whispers things to him and plays on his insecurities. Driven by madness, he will go at any length to save his precious mirror. Bert cannot foresee the danger that he has gotten himself into. It is up to Will and his new friends to rescue Bert and destroy the evil mirror.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story about what happened a few generations after Snow White and the Witch-Queen.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about identical twin boys, Will and Bert, who are descendants of Snow White. Bert and Will's grandfather is also the King, and their father is Baron Charmaigne. Charmaigne's boys are always causing trouble. One day, the twins push their parents' limits too far, causing the parents to decide the twins must be separated. Will is supposed to be sent to his evil uncle's house, and Bert is to stay with his parents for the summer. However, Bert and Will switch places, fooling even their parents, and Bert ends up traveling to his uncle's castle. At his uncle's castle, Bert finds the mirror the evil queen who threatened Snow White used. Before he knows it, Bert gets drawn into the evil of the mirror and threatens his brother, his family, and his kingdom. Bert's kingdom is loyal and is of course willing to save him and everyone else involved in this mess. By working with the seven Dwerghs, the kingdom is able to save Charmaigne's boys and destroy the mirror that caused all of this chaos. Destroying the mirror also meant the ghosts of previous mirror users were able to escape the mirror and the mirror can no longer trick anyone into turning evil.
I found the first half of the book to be pretty dry and boring. The second half was better and a little more interesting, but I could not get into this book very well. However, this is a post-modern book that creates a twist to a classic fairy tale, and could be used in a writing unit with my future classroom. The book could be used as a model text for students to discover how they can use some ideas from an original text and create their own spin on it. I would have students read the book, have a literature circle on the content and ideas in the book, then have students write their own new ending or twist to a classic fairytale. I would probably do this activity/unit with sixth graders.

[Tessa McMillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

As punishment for misbehaving, twins Bert and Will are separated for the summer. Bert is sent off to his Uncle Hugh’s mountain fortress while Will stays home to train with Andreas the knight. While exploring his new surroundings, Bert discovers a secret chamber housing the mirror the Witch Queen used to plot against Bert and Will’s descendant, Snow White. Bert reawakens the mirror and soon he is poisoned by it’s power. But before Bert is fully enslaved, he writes a letter to Will telling him about the mirror. Bert's letter sets in motion a war no one was expecting.

Catanese’s book may be based on fairytale, but the problems Bert and Will encounter—addiction, deceit, and low self-esteem—are real issues many face. When Bert finds the mirror, it’s deluding influence makes Bert forget how it ruined the lives of Snow White and the Witch Queen. Like most addictions, the mirror seems harmless and enjoyable at first. Then, slowly, the mirror breaks down Bert’s reason and turns him against his family. When the mirror betrays Bert, he still feels sickly dependent for the mirror’s attention. Only Will’s love and the ugliness behind the mirror helps Bert to destroy it’s addictive hold on him. A rich read for ages 12 and up.

(Review found on Children's Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)

[Tripleguess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lately I've been seeing a lot of "fairy tale re-worked" novels going through my library. Some are decent; others drag out a beloved story and mutilate it via feminazism or some other PC attitude (i.e. demonizing the knight as a dead white male).

This one surprised me beyond my expectations. It was not a reworking, though it refers to the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Rather, it picks up the tale a few generations later... and, as the saying goes, it seems a few things have changed in the telling!

To tell more might spoil the story, so I won't. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and found it creepier than the overrated Mistress of the Art of Death. Highly recommended, but preread it to make sure it won't give your child bad dreams.

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tale of Snow White is now history, and her descendants live at Ambercrest. Bert and Will are twins who are always getting into trouble--until one night they go too far and their fed up parents decide to separate them. The more courageous, devilish twin, Bert, will stay home and learn to be the baron he will one day become, and Will, the quieter one, will be sent to stay with dreaded Uncle Hugh on the barren edge of nowhere. As usual the twins have tricks up their sleeves, and switch places. Catanese, always a treat to read, offers his readers plenty of fantasy elements to revive the fairy tale base. 4th-6th grade.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all of the Further Tales Adventure stories, the reality is that the original fairy tale did happen sometime in the past. The history of how the Wicked Queen became wicked was a fun discovery. This was a nice read that gripped me towards the end as everything raced towards the ending. The closing scene felt a little unfinished to me especially after such a strong story. I did love the characters and the situation they find themselves in and the danger of being a troublemaker.

[Lisa Rathbun]

This was my favorite of the series! Great story! I could see it being a little too scary for sensitive kids on the younger age of the suggested range of 9-13.



I love that this series is for boys not just girls (although girls would enjoy them too). The luring seductiveness of power and the destructiveness of evil would be great topics to discuss with your kids after reading it.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was completely fantastic; everything children's fiction should be. Characters were relatable, text was readable but not simplistic and the plot and action were age appropriate. Catanese has a talent for writing books that appeal to boys and girls, with stories complex enough to engage adults too. I look forward to re-reading this one.

[Ava · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty good, and don't let the cover deceive you. Bertram (twin to will) is sent away because of how much mischief the twins make. And while at his Uncle crags he discovers something that could change
him and will forever.

[Renee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great fairy tale adventure in the Further Adventures series. Spun from the story of Snow White - whose young descendants (several generations later) must battle evil forces. More boy-appeal than most fairy tales. Good for fans of Cornelia Funke's Reckless.

[Melaniemouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like I said in my review of #3, the author has definitely starting hitting his stride in these last two installments of the series. This was another great JV fantasy adventure, with a fun twist on the fairy tale. I've got #5 waiting for me on the couch :)

[Jahh Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

a whole new version of snow white , boys version .. i like this version that of snow white's .. it show pure strong motives of characters, manipulation and prophecies all in one classic story ..

[Avery LuBell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catanese has an immaculate writing style: No words wasted, the characters speak for themselves, and the danger and the intrigue keep your heart in your throat throughout the whole book! Definitely a master class in How to Write a Book!

I was head over heels for the premise: Snow White retold as a sibling rivalry instead of a mother-daughter relationship. The protagonists are 12 year old twins, and all the jealousy, insecurity, desire to impress, budding independence, and struggles with family, are all extremely relatable to a middle grade/teenage audience. I was especially moved by the too-real devolution of two kids who used to be best friends falling out when the world tested them.

I did, however, remove a star because the book got a little bumpy after page 200. The focus wasn't so much on the brothers, but rather on their abusive uncle. Giving them a common supervillain to face meant that the brothers never really had to reconcile with the choices they made earlier on, especially Bert, who gets welcomed back like a hero. And the story wraps up very abruptly and saccharinely, which I felt cheapened what the book had set up.
However, on the flip side, once the story switched its focus to the abusive uncle, Bert's chapters got REALLY dark: His uncle starves him and chains him up; Bert's magic-withdrawal is described like an addict suffering from drug withdrawal and he gets horribly sick; he becomes depressed and fatalistic; and the demon whose magic he craves literally sucks his soul out. Don't do drugs, kiddies! O_O This whoooole chunk of the book was for a much more mature audience than the first half or the finale were.

But compliment sandwich: I could tell that this was the first draft of Happenstance Found. I could see how the demon which can see you wherever you go, or the protagonist who feels disconnected from his feelings, were going to evolve into a book for an older audience. It was nice to see Hap again ^_^. Made me nostalgic, and it makes me want to find more Catanese books!

A worthy read if you love dark fairytale retellings.

[unwantedbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this retelling! Another example to not judge a book by it's cover hahaha. The reason why it didn't get 5 stars is because it's predictable and the ending feels a bit unfinished.

[• Ava G • · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really good but at the ending it got very confusing

[Sadie]

i read this in elementary school. i'm 24 now and I still think about it. super good.

[Nova · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Mirror's Tale, written by P.W. Catanese, is one of the books in the Further Tales Adventure series. The Further Tales Adventures are sequels to classic fairy tales, but are intended for an older age group than that of the classic fairy tale. The Mirror’s Tale is the sequel to the story Snow White. Among the other titles are sequels for Jack and the Beanstalk, The Brave Little Tailor, Hansel and Gretel, and Rumpelstiltskin.
This story begins hundreds of years after the death of Snow White. The main characters, twin brothers Bert and Will, are descendents of Snow White and the infamous Witch Queen. Bert and Will are best friends, but their parents decide to separate them because they are getting into too much trouble at the castle together. It is decided that one of the twins will go live with their Uncle Hugh for the summer at The Crags. The Crags is a place filled with a lot of danger and mystery because it is said that the dwarves, or Dwergh, live near The Crags, and The Crags is the former castle of the Witch Queen.
Bert, the twin sent to The Crags, discovers an ornate mirror hidden inside a secret annex and becomes obsessed with it. The mirror begins to take over his mind and leads him to believe that he must kill his brother so that he does not inherit the barony from their father. He becomes a different and evil person, and it is up to Will and seven Dwergh he meets along the way to save his brother and to destroy the evil mirror.
At first I thought this was an unappealing idea for a story, but it was actually fun to pick up on aspects of the story that came from the original fairy tale. I think students would have a fun time listening to this story and discussing the similarities between the fairy tale and the sequel. This would be a good group read aloud, and it might be a good lesson to discuss compare and contrast. Mostly though, this story is for entertainment. The Mirror’s Tale is intended for students in grades fourth through seventh, and I think that subject matter and reading level are both appropriate. Although the beginning was slow it was very engaging once it got going, and the climax was exciting. This is a great story for students that like fast paced fantasy adventure stories. Students that like fantasy literature will probably enjoy all the Further Tales Adventures. The reviewer of Children’s Literature from The Children Literature Comprehensive Database agreed that the story was “compelling”, and “would be enjoyed as a read aloud”.

[Aelvana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bert and Will have always been trouble. Because they're identical, they can play on their looks for even better pranks. But when they push their parents too far, the twins are separated for the first time in their lives. One of them will be sent to their uncle's fortress. The fortress once housed the evil Witch-Queen, and an evil force lingers there still . . .

This is an interesting twist on Snow White. Set around a hundred and fifty years after Snow White lived and died, the characters from the original story have become faded bits of history to most folk. But one bit of history hasn't died well enough. The mirror that seduced the Witch-Queen to evil is still around, and time has done nothing to diminish its power.

In terms of what it does with the original story, this is spectacular. The Dwergh (dwarves) are a nation at war with men, and these short-but-powerful diggers and warriors little resemble the cheerful Disney fare. The story can't go too far into their culture but even the glimpses it can offer are intriguing. Similarly, the origin of the mirror, the story behind the cottage, and the relationship between Snow White and the dwarves are equally well-spun.

The only downside to the story for me was that it is based on Snow White, so it's pretty obvious the mirror will be bad news, the Dwergh will be heros, etc. The original story was grounded and enhanced, not changed. So most of the characters follow the path you would more or less expect, but there were still surprises along the way.

I confess I read this story first of all the Further Tales because Bertram makes a later cameo in Dragon Games, and since I'd already met him there, I wanted to see his backstory. And it is nice having that bonus future glimpse, though the ending does point you in the same direction.

Overall, I think this is going to appeal most to those who like original takes on familiar stories. The gender-reversal of having a man fall under the mirror's spell helps broaden the story beyond the traditional "jealous of her beauty" motive, the world is well-defined, and the plot keeps a fast pace. I rate this book Recommended.

[Dana Esperanza · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe the reason why I didn’t like the book is that I had different expectations. I got bored and just finished it for the sake of finishing. I love fairy tales and I was excited to see how this book will spring from the famous tale of Snow White. I like that they portrayed the Queen as gentle and kind and not as the “Evil Queen” as mainstream stories represent. But for me, it is for younger readers and is not my taste.

[Nur Syazwana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It takes months to finish this. It's kinda boring at the end but still a good story and happy ending.

[Elevetha · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

It was actually pretty good but my main beef(get ready for some horrible puns) is that it didn't have enough...meat. It felt so lacking. Lackluster and boring. It had such potential. I mean, let's think about this:

Set years after "Snow White", we have two brothers, troublemakers both, one of whom is sent to live with his uncle at the Crags in the hopes that keeping them apart will whip them into shape. Boy finds magic mirror. Boy becomes nice and corrupted. Attempts to send assassins to kill his brother, by which point brother figures out there's something wrong here. Throw in multiple POVs, the fairytale aspect, a little(not nearly enough) backstory on the Wicked Queen and Snow White, and BROTHERS THAT SAVE EACH OTHER to get me excited. And then rip it away by having it be less than it could have been. Alas.

Still, I'm glad I picked it up.

[Brigitte Bednar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great, Harry-Potterish style book. It had enough suspense and surprise to keep me reading. The only complaint I have would be the ending. For one, I didn't understand exactly what happened. The author crammed a lot of information in less than twenty pages, seemingly to quickly end the novel. It was very anticlimatic, as well.

[ghostlibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mirror's Tale is a precautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the quest for power. I found myself drawn in and interested throughout the story as twin brothers battle to help each other and stay alive while fighting their own personal demons.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Kate pick. This was actually pretty entertaining. I think Kate will like it. It is a sort of spin off of Snow White, although years later, and it gives you some idea as to why the Wicked Queen was so wicked.

[Kerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in the car. It may be the best of the series, though I guess there is one more. Some of the writing was over the top as always, but when the mirror is first encountered it was so very creepy in its portrayal. Catanese definitely did well with the mirror character.

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Catanese creates a back story for the Evil Queen's magic mirror.
Twin brothers, Bert and Will are constantly getting into mischief. When one of their pranks goes wrong, Will is sent North to his Uncle.
At times, the plot edges very close to becoming allegorical and a badly written sermon.