The Snow Song by Sally Gardner

Synopsis: 'Women imprisoned by superstition, chained by guilt. Perched on a mountain in a land of ancient forests is a village, rife with secrets. Cut off from the outside world it is run by the elders, men to whom tradition is all. Edith lives alone with her alcoholic father who is forcing her to marry the village butcher. But she is in love with a shepherd who promised to return to her. As the village becomes isolated in a sea of snow, Edith loses her power of speech. And it is this enchantment that will have far-reaching consequences, not only for Edith but for the whole village.'

REVIEW

It has been quite a long time since I have read anything by Sally Gardner, around six years if I am trying to keep some sort of record. However, nothing was going to be able to prepare me for what was in store for me when reading 'The Snow Song'.

The Snow Song is one of those books which you can clearly see the message behind it and for this occasion it is crystal clear. To the point that it screams in your ear, pointing out what is clearly wrong in this society. It is heart wrenching and powerful and it is amazing to see how women are able to come together when they know something is wrong.

This is not in any shape of form for anyone younger than eighteen years-old as it deals with mature themes which can be quite hard for anyone. However, it is clear that sometimes in order to spread the message, there must be first some home truths about what society is to us and how it can be toxic.

The protagonist, Edith, is one character you can see develop from a naïve woman to a indestructible feminist who stands up for all of the women in her society. Her story is interesting and somehow you can't seem to look away from the horrors that she has to overcome and conquer. Truly she is an amazing character and Gardner does incredible work to make sure she gets the best character arc that she truly deserves.

Because of the nature of this book, the Butcher, the main antagonist throughout the story is one who Gardner paints to be terrifying not only for the characters in the book, but also the reader, where unfortunately, the Butcher's moral code can still be seen in the world today. Never have I read a book quite like this, almost singing like a tale of what used to be, what could happen and what shouldn't happen. This is a book that makes you want to read all through the night, where it tears at your soul and rebuilds it back together all in the same night.

So if I was to give any advice about this book and whether you decide to take the plunge to read it in the future all I can say is this: be prepared, you'll never be the same again.

RATING: **** (4 STARS)

WHERE TO BUY

Amazon: The Snow Song: The spellbinding fable and magical love story, perfect for Christmas 2020!: Amazon.co.uk: Gardner, Sally: 9780008217402: Books

Waterstones: The Snow Song by Sally Gardner | Waterstones

Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3917/9780008217402

Disclosure: If you buy books linked to this site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.

Just the Two of Us (Book 2) by Ryu Hyang

SYNOPSIS Soohyuk, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist, came to Korea in search of his birth parents, wanting to sort through the muddled darkness of his past. When he met Yuna, an anxious cook, he didn't expect to fall in love. Yuna has struggled all her life to trust men after an incident in her past and spends all her time doting upon her nephew and pursuing her one true love: cooking. The last thing she expected when she met Soohyuk was that she would want to move in with him. Both took a leap of faith and found happiness. Now, it seems certain they were meant for each other. Yet, navigating the twists and turns of a real relationship proves more difficult than either of them expected. Yuna fears what her brother will say when he finds out she's living with Soohyuk. and she grapples with the changes brought on by her young nephew's recent medical diagnosis. Meanwhile, Soohyuk is tied up working hours on end at S University Hospital, fending off the hospital direc...

Blog Tour: The Beast Hunters Dark Sovereign by Christer Lende

REVIEW So we are back in the world of the Beast Hunters for a sophomore instalment where we see Ara, Khendric and Topper back on another adventure. But this time with a difference. Instead of the world building from the previous book, we get to delve into a mystery with darkness starting to make pace in the background. We meet new characters, some good and some not so much. Not only do we have the overarching themes of beasts but also political intrigue and secretive plots. It is far more intricate than the previous instalment where the characters are making decisive and confident choices. Especially for our fave apprentice, Ara. If you want to get away from the current world affairs, this book will serve as an escape from reality. What these last two books do remind me of however, is a tv show. Why I say this is because it felt kind of episodic but they both have reinvented themselves with different themes. I found this to be quite good actually. This is because it feels l...

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

I know that this has been a review which has been a long time in the making. Especially when I received the books back in August last year. So I guess, that is quite a long time. But as some of you may already know, they all pack a punch as to how big they all are in pages! So, to put you all out of your misery, here is the long-awaited review for 'The Lost Symbol'. YAY! The main plotline is based around the organisation called the Freemasons, which throughout the years have had quite a bit of controversy. Not because they may have done something immoral, but rather that no one really knows what they actually do - except for Freemasons of course. People say that they are a secret organisation. But, that is completely and utterly incorrect. They are simply an organisation with secrets. Otherwise if they are a secret organisation, why do people know that Freemasonry actually exists, rather than a conspiracy? Anyway, onto the review I go! The omniscient narrator had a m...