Why exactly is the wicked Queen so nasty, particularly to Snow White? Perhaps it has something to do with the creepy-looking man in the magic mirror who’s not just some random spooky visage…
Morbidly appealing– The dark Disney aesthetic is so kick-ass.
Have you ever wondered what past hurts have caused villains to be the way they are why they act the way they do? If you are intrigued, you may enjoy this book.
This is a darker retelling of Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and it is one of my favorite books from beginning to end. There are not many books giving complete empathy to villains, plus Disney elements, like come on, this is just glorious! Let me rave about one of my favorite books for you because the book blurb does not do it justice, and honestly contained a few words I didn’t even know the meaning to… embarrassing!
I was delighted with how many original elements were included in this retelling. I loved all the rhyming, spells, and incantations!
“Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?”
The details and general set up were so adorable. The scenery was also very vivid for me. I really could envision the characters, landscape, decor, and even the food! Mmmm! The characters were my favorite part. They were so rich and lively! I absolutely loved watching them develop and change. I wish I could expand upon all my favorite ones but I don’t like to give away those spoilers, but I will leave a favorite quote of mine from the text:
“You mentioned the battlefield earlier. You were correct, it does change you. It turns you into something more than a man…and at the same time something less.”
I sat and thought about this quote for a long time.
If you like villains and root for them, chances are you will adore Serena Valentino’s Villain Series. I just got the first three for Christmas and couldn’t be more delighted. I highly enjoyed Disney as a child and this slightly darker retelling was a nice spin for the adult me still wanting to love that type of thing.
For children who want to root for villains, I would recommend each parent deciding for themselves what age is best, if wanting to read this. I honestly can’t say an appropriate age I would recommend, but what I can say is there is death, war, blood, and magic. And I loved every bit of it.
The cover is so clever, I absolutely loved the cover reveal when the jacket is taken off. Hint- there is a little surprise! I am total fangirl over the covers and feels (in all ways) of these books! They feel so soft and velvety! As I said earlier the dark Disney aesthetic couldn’t be more different, more loveable. Villains deserve to have their story told too and I’m so glad an author has been so successful with her unique storytelling. I cannot wait to own and read the rest of the collection!
Author
mrschelle36
3 years ago
Read 9.2.2021
Even though I usually stay far far away from them, I should have listened to the review. What a bland story, even the sad parts [and that ending is VERY sad] are bland and predictable. I have decided to not read the rest. Life is too short. Meh.
Author
albaarango
3 years ago
I remember seeing this book at Disneyland when it first came out twelve years ago and thinking how clever the idea was. Now that I have actually read it, I have to say, it was as clever as I hoped it would be.
Fairest of All tells the story of how the Queen goes from being the meek, full of self-doubt daughter of a village mirror maker, to the evil, ultra-vain Queen of the land.
What I liked: pretty much everything. I loved the weaving of the Disney animated movie into the story, right down to the dialogue. The Queen’s character is well-developed, and the reader feels empathy toward the Queen as the tale unfolds, which makes for a wonderful villain.
What I didn’t like: not much. There was a bit of repetition as the Queen descends into evil, but it wasn’t enough to distract from the story.
A great read! I would recommend watching the original Snow White animated movie first before reading this book.
5 out of 5 stars
Author
ashleegoode
3 years ago
You will never be able to watch the movie the same ever again.
Author
auburn
3 years ago
Hear her side of the story. You might just change your mind, if she’s really that evil.
Author
mbenzz
3 years ago
I may be in the minority here, but I really enjoyed this book. It reads like a cross between a Grimm Fairy Tale and an old school Disney Fairy Tale…a combination I found to be perfect. It’s a little darker than Disney gets but not as gruesome and grisly as a Grimm tale.
The Queen (her name is never revealed) starts out as a loving new wife to the King and step-mother to Snow White, her Little Bird. However, as the years’ pass, loss and paranoia turn her into the evil Queen and step-mother we know her to be.
I flew through this book and upon finishing it, immediately downloaded Book 2, ‘The Beast Within’. If you’re a fan of fairy tales or the Grimm stories, then I would absolutely recommend this book. Don’t over-think it. Just read it and enjoy it for the fairy tale that it is.
Author
amanda
3 years ago
such an interesting perspective on the Queen. I enjoyed the read, though the close reality to today’s mental health does make it a bit uncomfortable to read. In the end i am left with hope that the queen was able to break the cycle of hate that her father built.
Author
lynrothenheber
3 years ago
What made her wicked? Was she always so horrid? This is a wonderful telling of the life of the Wicked Step-mother. A very insightfully told story that focuses not on the happily-ever-after but how things came to be for the Queen. A haunting story that will give you understanding and a smidge of sympathy.
Author
erinmcknight
3 years ago
I’ve often enjoyed behind the scenes and alternative views of well lived stories. While this one may not have been as fascinating as some, the ending had my eyes going wide with shock.
Author
bookdragon
3 years ago
I really enjoyed reading this unique insight into the Queen’s mind. The slow transformation of a person driven by the pain of her past and grief to be twisted and manipulated against those she held dear.
The writing was well done to convey this shift and the inner struggle of the Queen.
Author
jocaroline
3 years ago
Different.
Author
lilhoneydipr
3 years ago
Loved the direction of the book
Author
pameleviv1
3 years ago
A whole new look at the wicked stepmother! Easy to understand her issues when they were explained.
Author
jogamble87
3 years ago
A brand new insight into the relationship between Snow White and her stepmother. The little men are not even mentioned by their names. It’s the stepmother’s story.
Author
nataliaskeep719
3 years ago
I have always been interested the how a villain become who we meet. This book was a great introduction to the evil queen before she was evil
Author
kporsch1
3 years ago
A fun retelling with a twist. Quick bit of escape from our current unfun world.
Author
thebeeskneesbookblog
3 years ago
GREAT QUICK READ BOOK!
Fairest of All is the First book in the Villains Series! As of now, there are 5 books in the series.
***I will leave a reading order at the very bottom of this review.***
The Evil Queen has married the King, becoming Stepmother to Snow White. The Queen loves Snow White just as their own and have a wonder relationship. The King give The Evil Queen a mirror just before he died in battle. The mirror was made by the Queens father before his death. The mirror starts transforming The Queen into someone she is not. In this book we are also introduced to Snow White’s evil cousins…yes they are somewhat relative to the story as you read more books, you will get a better understanding of the Odd Sisters.
I loved this Villain backstory. It gave wonderful insight as to why the queen was so evil and why she hated Snow White. I saw the book covers for this series while browsing on Amazon. They were so beautiful that I just had to buy them. I do not regret this book at all.
*****READING ORDER*****
1. Fairest Of All
2. The Beast Within
3. Poor Unfortunate Soul
4. Mistress Of All Evil
5. Mother Knows Best
Author
jess
3 years ago
Fairest of All is one version of the story of the Wicked Queen from Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Though the Queen was not always wicked, Valentino’s plot beautifully illustrates how the Queen became “so contemptuously vile.” The story is indeed a tale of love, loss and magic, but it is also one of vice, temptation and addiction. A fairytale story set in the trenches of reality.
From the very first chapter, the story engages the senses. You can see the lavish tapestries depicting images of knights in battle and lovely maidens gazing at their beauty in reflective ponds (a charming hint to sinister themes). You can smell the dinner of baked rosemary bread, sweet butter, hearty cheeses, roasted pork and sweet potatoes as the family enters one of the smaller dining halls. You can feel the coziness of the morning room; the cushions and warm furs laid before the fire.
The events of the story align with those of Disney’s classic film and they are so well-paced that they give you a coherent sense of the bigger picture. We learn that Snow’s meeting with her prince by the well originally captured in the film is not their first meeting, nor the first time the Queen learns of their relationship. We learn that the pierced-heart box is much more than an intended home for Snow’s heart. We learn that the significance of an apple does not just come from a dusty old spell book. We learn that the Magic Mirror is so much more than one who reports on the fairest maiden in the land.
We initially sympathize with the Queen’s intense loneliness and her battles with insecurity. Her desire to be loved and her need for approval can be all too relatable. From being insistent that no one see her without painted face and coiffed hair, to her spiral into paranoia, sickness and all-consuming vanity (aided by her nightmares and those “morbidly appealing” Odd Sisters) you are not sure where and when the Queen reaches the point of no return. You just know that to be terrified, comforted and exhilarated by the heinous deeds she authors is to have a devastating effect on anyone’s sense of humanity. The Queen’s very being showcases a grotesque manifestation of despair and power.
The tale also weaves classic fairytale stories among the original plot. Tales of dragons and knights; family dinners and outings are things many children are familiar with, royalty or not. When storytelling to Snow, the Queen also alludes to Maleficient’s story, which is a subtle but important foreshadowing of Villains stories to come.
Book 1 in the series has always been my favorite and remains so… so far. I give it a solid, unabashed five stars. Here’s to Books 2-7 and hopefully an infinite number more to come!
Author
madelineronneberg
3 years ago
This book was very informative and eye-opening on why the Evil Queen was the way she was. It lead me to feel pity towards her and not see her as filled with just evil. Each event that had occurred was important for the story and some were lightly mentioned later on. There wasn’t a lot of dialogue, the majority being descriptions and internal thoughts. This book is perfect for Disney fans who love the Evil Queen and I am so glad that I read this book.
Author
bellesbooklabyrinth
3 years ago
I am super excited to see a book series for the villains that are approved by Disney so I had to start with the very first book, which is on The Queen from Snow White. I didn’t know what to expect and was a little worried but by the time I finished reading it, I was so happy with the story.
We are given the Queen’s background and I felt the author really gave us a character we could finally understand. I really felt the Queen was an authentic human being, who was very sweet but grew up with the insecurities that were brought on by her father which led to her ultimate demise.
The book details from the time she met the King, to her marriage and family life with him and Snow White, and the fall from her sweet demeanor to the evil and vanity we grew up knowing. It’s not until the last 3-4 chapters we get into what we see in the Disney movie. One thing I did not expect was the ending to this book which actually made me feel for the Queen and I actually was left smiling.
If you’re Disney fan and one of the Queen and would like to know more about her, I would definitely recommend this book. The only thing I can nitpick is that the Queen is never given a name. I wish she had one as I feel it could bring the readers closer to this character than just knowing her as just the Queen.
Morbidly appealing– The dark Disney aesthetic is so kick-ass.
Have you ever wondered what past hurts have caused villains to be the way they are why they act the way they do? If you are intrigued, you may enjoy this book.
This is a darker retelling of Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and it is one of my favorite books from beginning to end. There are not many books giving complete empathy to villains, plus Disney elements, like come on, this is just glorious! Let me rave about one of my favorite books for you because the book blurb does not do it justice, and honestly contained a few words I didn’t even know the meaning to… embarrassing!
I was delighted with how many original elements were included in this retelling. I loved all the rhyming, spells, and incantations!
“Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?”
The details and general set up were so adorable. The scenery was also very vivid for me. I really could envision the characters, landscape, decor, and even the food! Mmmm! The characters were my favorite part. They were so rich and lively! I absolutely loved watching them develop and change. I wish I could expand upon all my favorite ones but I don’t like to give away those spoilers, but I will leave a favorite quote of mine from the text:
“You mentioned the battlefield earlier. You were correct, it does change you. It turns you into something more than a man…and at the same time something less.”
I sat and thought about this quote for a long time.
If you like villains and root for them, chances are you will adore Serena Valentino’s Villain Series. I just got the first three for Christmas and couldn’t be more delighted. I highly enjoyed Disney as a child and this slightly darker retelling was a nice spin for the adult me still wanting to love that type of thing.
For children who want to root for villains, I would recommend each parent deciding for themselves what age is best, if wanting to read this. I honestly can’t say an appropriate age I would recommend, but what I can say is there is death, war, blood, and magic. And I loved every bit of it.
The cover is so clever, I absolutely loved the cover reveal when the jacket is taken off. Hint- there is a little surprise! I am total fangirl over the covers and feels (in all ways) of these books! They feel so soft and velvety! As I said earlier the dark Disney aesthetic couldn’t be more different, more loveable. Villains deserve to have their story told too and I’m so glad an author has been so successful with her unique storytelling. I cannot wait to own and read the rest of the collection!
Read 9.2.2021
Even though I usually stay far far away from them, I should have listened to the review. What a bland story, even the sad parts [and that ending is VERY sad] are bland and predictable. I have decided to not read the rest. Life is too short. Meh.
I remember seeing this book at Disneyland when it first came out twelve years ago and thinking how clever the idea was. Now that I have actually read it, I have to say, it was as clever as I hoped it would be.
Fairest of All tells the story of how the Queen goes from being the meek, full of self-doubt daughter of a village mirror maker, to the evil, ultra-vain Queen of the land.
What I liked: pretty much everything. I loved the weaving of the Disney animated movie into the story, right down to the dialogue. The Queen’s character is well-developed, and the reader feels empathy toward the Queen as the tale unfolds, which makes for a wonderful villain.
What I didn’t like: not much. There was a bit of repetition as the Queen descends into evil, but it wasn’t enough to distract from the story.
A great read! I would recommend watching the original Snow White animated movie first before reading this book.
5 out of 5 stars
You will never be able to watch the movie the same ever again.
Hear her side of the story. You might just change your mind, if she’s really that evil.
I may be in the minority here, but I really enjoyed this book. It reads like a cross between a Grimm Fairy Tale and an old school Disney Fairy Tale…a combination I found to be perfect. It’s a little darker than Disney gets but not as gruesome and grisly as a Grimm tale.
The Queen (her name is never revealed) starts out as a loving new wife to the King and step-mother to Snow White, her Little Bird. However, as the years’ pass, loss and paranoia turn her into the evil Queen and step-mother we know her to be.
I flew through this book and upon finishing it, immediately downloaded Book 2, ‘The Beast Within’. If you’re a fan of fairy tales or the Grimm stories, then I would absolutely recommend this book. Don’t over-think it. Just read it and enjoy it for the fairy tale that it is.
such an interesting perspective on the Queen. I enjoyed the read, though the close reality to today’s mental health does make it a bit uncomfortable to read. In the end i am left with hope that the queen was able to break the cycle of hate that her father built.
What made her wicked? Was she always so horrid? This is a wonderful telling of the life of the Wicked Step-mother. A very insightfully told story that focuses not on the happily-ever-after but how things came to be for the Queen. A haunting story that will give you understanding and a smidge of sympathy.
I’ve often enjoyed behind the scenes and alternative views of well lived stories. While this one may not have been as fascinating as some, the ending had my eyes going wide with shock.
I really enjoyed reading this unique insight into the Queen’s mind. The slow transformation of a person driven by the pain of her past and grief to be twisted and manipulated against those she held dear.
The writing was well done to convey this shift and the inner struggle of the Queen.
Different.
Loved the direction of the book
A whole new look at the wicked stepmother! Easy to understand her issues when they were explained.
A brand new insight into the relationship between Snow White and her stepmother. The little men are not even mentioned by their names. It’s the stepmother’s story.
I have always been interested the how a villain become who we meet. This book was a great introduction to the evil queen before she was evil
A fun retelling with a twist. Quick bit of escape from our current unfun world.
GREAT QUICK READ BOOK!
Fairest of All is the First book in the Villains Series! As of now, there are 5 books in the series.
***I will leave a reading order at the very bottom of this review.***
The Evil Queen has married the King, becoming Stepmother to Snow White. The Queen loves Snow White just as their own and have a wonder relationship. The King give The Evil Queen a mirror just before he died in battle. The mirror was made by the Queens father before his death. The mirror starts transforming The Queen into someone she is not. In this book we are also introduced to Snow White’s evil cousins…yes they are somewhat relative to the story as you read more books, you will get a better understanding of the Odd Sisters.
I loved this Villain backstory. It gave wonderful insight as to why the queen was so evil and why she hated Snow White. I saw the book covers for this series while browsing on Amazon. They were so beautiful that I just had to buy them. I do not regret this book at all.
*****READING ORDER*****
1. Fairest Of All
2. The Beast Within
3. Poor Unfortunate Soul
4. Mistress Of All Evil
5. Mother Knows Best
Fairest of All is one version of the story of the Wicked Queen from Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Though the Queen was not always wicked, Valentino’s plot beautifully illustrates how the Queen became “so contemptuously vile.” The story is indeed a tale of love, loss and magic, but it is also one of vice, temptation and addiction. A fairytale story set in the trenches of reality.
From the very first chapter, the story engages the senses. You can see the lavish tapestries depicting images of knights in battle and lovely maidens gazing at their beauty in reflective ponds (a charming hint to sinister themes). You can smell the dinner of baked rosemary bread, sweet butter, hearty cheeses, roasted pork and sweet potatoes as the family enters one of the smaller dining halls. You can feel the coziness of the morning room; the cushions and warm furs laid before the fire.
The events of the story align with those of Disney’s classic film and they are so well-paced that they give you a coherent sense of the bigger picture. We learn that Snow’s meeting with her prince by the well originally captured in the film is not their first meeting, nor the first time the Queen learns of their relationship. We learn that the pierced-heart box is much more than an intended home for Snow’s heart. We learn that the significance of an apple does not just come from a dusty old spell book. We learn that the Magic Mirror is so much more than one who reports on the fairest maiden in the land.
We initially sympathize with the Queen’s intense loneliness and her battles with insecurity. Her desire to be loved and her need for approval can be all too relatable. From being insistent that no one see her without painted face and coiffed hair, to her spiral into paranoia, sickness and all-consuming vanity (aided by her nightmares and those “morbidly appealing” Odd Sisters) you are not sure where and when the Queen reaches the point of no return. You just know that to be terrified, comforted and exhilarated by the heinous deeds she authors is to have a devastating effect on anyone’s sense of humanity. The Queen’s very being showcases a grotesque manifestation of despair and power.
The tale also weaves classic fairytale stories among the original plot. Tales of dragons and knights; family dinners and outings are things many children are familiar with, royalty or not. When storytelling to Snow, the Queen also alludes to Maleficient’s story, which is a subtle but important foreshadowing of Villains stories to come.
Book 1 in the series has always been my favorite and remains so… so far. I give it a solid, unabashed five stars. Here’s to Books 2-7 and hopefully an infinite number more to come!
This book was very informative and eye-opening on why the Evil Queen was the way she was. It lead me to feel pity towards her and not see her as filled with just evil. Each event that had occurred was important for the story and some were lightly mentioned later on. There wasn’t a lot of dialogue, the majority being descriptions and internal thoughts. This book is perfect for Disney fans who love the Evil Queen and I am so glad that I read this book.
I am super excited to see a book series for the villains that are approved by Disney so I had to start with the very first book, which is on The Queen from Snow White. I didn’t know what to expect and was a little worried but by the time I finished reading it, I was so happy with the story.
We are given the Queen’s background and I felt the author really gave us a character we could finally understand. I really felt the Queen was an authentic human being, who was very sweet but grew up with the insecurities that were brought on by her father which led to her ultimate demise.
The book details from the time she met the King, to her marriage and family life with him and Snow White, and the fall from her sweet demeanor to the evil and vanity we grew up knowing. It’s not until the last 3-4 chapters we get into what we see in the Disney movie. One thing I did not expect was the ending to this book which actually made me feel for the Queen and I actually was left smiling.
If you’re Disney fan and one of the Queen and would like to know more about her, I would definitely recommend this book. The only thing I can nitpick is that the Queen is never given a name. I wish she had one as I feel it could bring the readers closer to this character than just knowing her as just the Queen.