The Princess and the Snowbird by Mette Ivie Harrison
- fantasy, YA -
reviewed by Tara SG
received for review via Around the World Tours
Book Order
- The Princess and the Hound * * *
- The Princess and the Bear
- The Princess and the Snowbird * * 1/2
Links
Author’s Website : www.metteivieharrison.com
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This book in 6 words:
I couldn’t connect with the characters
Why did I read this? And am I glad I did?
I signed up for this book via Around the World Tours after reading the summary and hearing some good things about the series. Unfortunately I couldn’t get into the books. I didn’t really care for the first one and couldn’t finish the second. Each book focuses on a different couple and I didn’t feel like I missed much by skipping to the third. However, I just couldn’t connect with the lead female and felt like the end was way too rushed. Some of this might be caused by Clockwork Angels staring at me from my bookshelf…
Brief Summary
From the author of The Princess and the Hound and The Princess and the Bear comes a companion novel that stands alone, filled with romance and captivating fantasy. Liva is the daughter of the hound and the bear, heir to all her royal parents’ magic and able to transform into any animal she wishes. Jens is an outcast, a boy without magic, determined to make his way in the forest. Though they are as different as night and day, from the time their paths first cross they are irresistibly drawn to each other.
But a terrible threat is stalking all who hold magic: the Hunter, bent on destruction. Aided by a magnificent snowbird, Liva and Jens must figure out how to save the humans and animals terrorized by the Hunter, as well as magic itself. If they fail, all will be lost—but if they succeed, they could finally be together at last.
- via GoodReads.com
Plot/Pacing/Writing Style
I didn’t dislike the plot. I just think it could have been executed much better. The pacing was off. I felt like there was too much build-up and then it was rushed at the end (I felt that way about The Princess and the Hound as well). Overall, I think it was a just a personal dislike of the writing style. The way the names were repeated and the switching of POVs just didn’t work for me.
Characters
I could not for the life of me care about Liva. I wanted to. She wasn’t annoying or petty or selfish. She just wasn’t relatable. Jens, on the the other hand, I liked. I think I could have really enjoyed this story if it was all from his POV.
Recommendations
If you liked the first two books in the series, then I believe you will like this one as well. I believe these are YA because they aren’t complex enough to be adult, however, there are some scenes that seem more violent or gross (for a lack of a better word) than I would want a child to read. So maybe older teens (14+).
Going Deeper – NO spoilers
The overwhelming theme in these books seems to be about how humans are destroying the earth and animals. I think the author lost me when the main character was angry with people taking pets. They said it stole the wilderness from the animals to the point where they could no longer speak their native tongue. While I don’t agree with keeping wild animals as pets, I see no problem with having cats or dogs (which was the pet in the story).
A heavy-handed Message, then? God, I hate it when authors do that. The story should come first.
@ EL Fay : I agree. I hadn’t really thought about it that way, but you’re right. I don’t mind there being a message as long as it doesn’t overpower the story.
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