story craft

Genre: YA Fantasy

Format: Hardcover

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Cautions: violence: With our characters battling a dictatorial majority and spirits and forces beyond their understanding, as well as just plain evil men, there are a lot of fights. Some are bloodier than others. Some result in death. The book also implies a woman who worked as a prostitute and a man who visited her attempted to assault a minor; romance: no romance in this book in the typical, physical sense, but there the tension is building . . .

Main themes: Redemption, freedom, relationships

Main characters: Sylver (Sylvi) Quine, Lenore (Leni) Trestman, The Majority, Sola,Begynd, Mars Dresden, Old Man Drypp, Hyla, Kyndel (Kyn), Shyne, Crysel, Dakk, Maree Vale

Favorite quote: “Kindness does not make me weak. It allows others to be strong as well.”

Review:

One of my other favorite authors, C. J. Redwine, described Winter White and Wicked in such an appropriate way: “I didn’t know I needed a story that was half Mad-Max Fury Road and half Frozen-meets-Ice Road Truckers, but I did, and so did you.”

Now, I’ve never seen Mad Max, but I’ve been a fan of Frozen and its soundtrack since seeing it in theaters. And being married to a former trucker, I loved seeing a young woman absolutely killing it on those icy roads, delivering precious cargo, debatable new friends, and battling her ideas about life and Winter—once the only one who understand her—along the way.

I adored this book. I don’t toss around the word “favorite” lightly, but this book bears that designation easily. Along with Sylvi (Sylver) Quinne, I go from hating to understanding Mars Dresden’s battery heart and wounded soul and daunting mission. Hyla’s fierce loyalty and soldier’s heart are quite the juxtapositions to her sunny soul and positive disposition. And Kyn—don’t get me started on him. The loyal goofball with a heart of gold. He longs to do the right thing and brings so much humor and levity amid the darkness of Winter’s swell. 

Sylvi’s growth is slow and sure, just like it would be for any one of us—it’s not sped up for the sake of a neat happy ending. She’s not a perfect heroine, not even close. But she’s not whiney or annoyingly stupid as some heroines can be on their growth journey. She takes risks, but they’re calculated—at least somewhat. 

Although Shannon included stunning maps at the beginning of both books, I easily painted a picture of Layce, Shiv Road, High Pass, Hex Landing, and the Whistletop. My mind conjured images of everything white and gray, with no sunshine peeking through, which was the perfect “mood” for this book. Seeing our feelings, and even our very lives, accurately on the gray and dreary days feels impossible, and it seems that’s where Sylvi finds herself too. I could relate to that. I could relate to so many things about Sylvi. She has my heart.

The words painted a picture of important pieces of the story too, like Old Man Drypp’s house and tavern, and of course, the Sylver Dragon. This book has become a movie reel, imprinted on my brain and my heart. And I’m not mad about it.

Shannon spun a fast-paced, wild, and whimsical tale that I couldn’t put down. And I (almost, basically) cried with relief when I found out the next book would be out just two months after I finished this one. (Preorder? Check!) I can’t wait to see where Shannon takes Sylvi and her strange crew in book two, Rebel Brave and Brutal.

When our knowledge dares to be expanded and our beliefs are challenged, we must look at them with open eyes as well as God’s wisdom and our own life experience. Sometimes things are not as clear as they first seem.