REVIEW: White As Snow by Tanith Lee

White As Snow by Tanith Lee
Publisher:  Tor Books
Format:  Tradepaper, 320 pages.
ISBN 10:  0-312-87549-5
ISBN 13:  978-0-312-87549-7
Reviewer:  Victoria

On the back of the book. . .

Once upon a time there was a mirror. . . .


So begins this dark, unusual retelling of the story of Snow White by the writer reviewers have called “the Angela Carter of the fantasy field”—a whole novel based on a beloved story, turning it into a dark and sensual drama full of myth and magic.


Arpazia is the aging queen who paces the halls of a warlord’s palace. Cold as winter, she has only one passion—for the mysterious hunter who courts the outlawed old gods of the woodland. Coira is the princess raised in the shadow of her mother’s hatred. Avoided by both her parents and half forgotten by her father’s court, she grows into womanhood alone . . . until the mirror speaks, and blood is spilled, and the forest claims her.


The tragic myth of the goddess Demeter and her daughter, Persephone, stolen by the king of the underworld, is woven together with the tale of Snow White to create a powerful story of mothers and daughters and the blood that binds them together, for good or ill. Black queen. White maid. Royal huntsman. Seven little folk who live in the forest. Come inside, sit by the fire, and listen to this fairy tale as you’ve never heard it told before.


Once upon a time there was a mirror, and a girl as white as snow. . . .


Tanith Lee has created a dark tale that is more reminiscent of the violent fairy tales of old, before they were tamed for children.  If you're a squeamish reader, especially when it comes to sexual violence, then this book will not be for you.  It can get uncomfortable, and there were times when my eyes opened wide in horror at what was being done and said. 
 
But, it is also beautiful.  Lee's prose drips with honey and tastes like dark chocolate.  She has a way with words that gives her novel a dream-like quality, however macabre it is.  It's always teetering on the edge of nightmare.
 
The wicked queen, Arpazia, is a tragic figure, a victim herself.  Lee brings the figure of the queen new life.  She is not merely a villain, she is a person, with faults and fears and desires.
 
If you like the macabre, than you'll like this novel.  It's beautiful and terrifying.
 
Characterization:  8
Plot:  9
Style:  9
 
Overall Rating:  9