Heart of Ice (Snow Queen) (Tangled Tales Series Book 7)


HISTORICAL:  MacKay de Bar has been cursed by the evil witch Hecuba. The glass shard in his chest from Hecuba’s broken mirror compels him to covet a woman who wants nothing to do with him. That woman is Lady Eira Koldottir the ruler of the island kingdom of Skol. Eira, “The Ice Queen,” has been betrayed in the past and rejects MacKay’s love. MacKay is unsure of whether his love for Eira is a part of the curse or the truth of his heart.

“Heart of Ice” is a retelling of the classic tale “The Snow Queen”. The problem with rewriting a classic is that it is difficult to measure up to the timeless original. Ms. Rose makes a game attempt to infuse the story with some new elements but falls short. Plot elements such as Hecuba’s curse on MacKay are vague and not well defined. In an attempt to stick with the fairytale theme, the characters are not able to develop and take the story into new directions. The dialogue is stilted and at times awkward as if the characters are reading a script instead of expressing their own emotions. 

Ms. Rose does, however, do an excellent job of world building in “Heart of Ice”. Her descriptive prose evokes vivid images in the reader’s mind. Lady Eira is an especially interesting character as she struggles with societal expectations, her own desires, and her need to fulfill her own destiny. She is a compelling character with a lot of potential. More of this type of character please!

Gwenellen Tarbet