Mira, Mirror

Mira, Mirror retells aspects of "Snow White" from the perspective of the magic mirror itself. The mirror was once a girl named Mira who served as an apprentice to a witch alongside another apprentice named Amanda. After Amanda transforms Mira into a mirror, she goes on to become the evil queen from the classic fairy tale. Years after being abandoned, Mira encounters a peasant girl named Ivana who is fleeing her abusive father. Mira uses her magical abilities to alter Ivana's appearance to match that of a merchant's daughter named Talia. The two girls form an unlikely alliance as they each attempt to escape their current circumstances. The book explores themes of identity, transformation, and the consequences of betrayal through its reimagining of a classic fairy tale. The story examines how appearances can deceive and how past choices continue to shape the present.

Most readers found this reimagining of Snow White from a mirror's perspective to be a creative concept that fell short in execution. The slow pacing and lack of action frustrated many readers, with several noting they struggled to finish the book. Readers appreciated: - The unique narrative perspective - Complex moral themes about beauty and aging - Strong descriptive writing Common criticisms: - Plot moves too slowly with limited character development - The mirror's voice comes across as whiny and repetitive - Many found the ending unsatisfying - Young readers had trouble connecting with themes Ratings: Goodreads: 3.3/5 (1,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.5/5 (40+ reviews) "The premise drew me in but the execution dragged," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "The mirror spends too much time internally monologuing instead of advancing the story." Several reviewers recommended it for older YA readers interested in fairy tale retellings, while cautioning about the slow pace.

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🔮 The author holds a Ph.D. in Germanic Literature from Princeton University, bringing deep knowledge of European folklore to her fairy tale retellings. 📚 Mette Ivie Harrison's writing journey began at age five, and she completed her first novel manuscript by age eleven. 🪞 The concept of enchanted mirrors appears in folklore worldwide, from Chinese legends to Celtic mythology, often symbolizing truth and self-reflection. 🏰 The original Brothers Grimm version of "Snow White" (1812) features a much darker tone than modern adaptations, with the evil queen being forced to dance in red-hot iron shoes until her death. ✨ Harrison wrote this novel while dealing with severe depression, and she has spoken openly about how writing fantasy helped her process complex emotions and personal struggles.