Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Review: The Color of Snow by Brenda Stanley


3.5 stars

“What color is the snow?”

“White,” I said, sharply.

Stephanie squinted and took a deep breath as she looked out at the field. “How do you know it’s white? Who taught you that snow is white?”


Sophie is the girl who lived in a cage. For seventeen years of her life, she has lived in isolation with her father. Her father told her that this is for their own good. The outside world is bad, and this is his way of protecting her. Bars in her windows and tall chain-linked gate are supposed to be Sophie’s barrier to the outside world. Her father did all these things to protect Sophie… wasn’t he?

Papa didn’t mean to kill Damien. He shot him because he wants to scare Damien… not because he wants Damien dead. There is no mirror in their house because it takes away from focusing on God. Sophie is a curse and she has to keep hidden, because anyone who loved her would die. Sophie’s mother is dead because of her. Sophie has always believed her father, but when things happen and she has to live with family she believes hating her, secrets start to come out. Now it’s time for Sophie to choose which side she has to believe.

I’m not very fond of drama on every page, but I’ll make exception for this book. This book is full of raw emotions and surprising twists. It’s a very complex story when a girl has to suffer because of what generation before her did. The characters in this book are vivid and very realistic. I’m so relieved that Sophie meets Stephanie, her step cousin. Stephanie helps Sophie questioning about the life she has always known. She’s truly a best friend to Sophie.

The curse is not something that I expected. Brenda Stanley did an amazing job of showing us parts when Sophie’s parents met. The author leads us to believe that the curse might really exist. I was taken to a journey with Sophie to unravel the secret behind her birth and the curse that was said put upon her. The ending is full of hope and I’m really glad how it turns out. Sophie may always be the girl who lived in a cage, but in the end she learns how to free herself.

I knew it was for the best and tried to accept why it was necessary. But even though I had never been to another person’s house or seen another girl’s bedroom, I knew in my heart that this wasn’t right…that I wasn’t normal. My isolation was even more apparent, and for the first time in my life, it mattered.






I rate this book:
Four cups of tea. Amazing! Love the book, it’s simply awesome. I love the tea flavor!  A strong recommendation.


Many thanks to Tribute book for kindly providing me the review copy! :)

 

21 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you enjoyed this book, Hilda. I'm not very fond of too much drama either, but this one was absolutely brilliant. :)
    I felt really bad for Sophie too. She had to go through so much because of the past generation. :(
    Lovely review, Hilda ! :)

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  2. Oh wow, really great review, Hilda! O_O This looks like a rather grim or intense read, but it sounds like you enjoyed it nevertheless ^_^ It is good that Sophie and Stephanie met, because like you said, she had a friend. I find that in books with tons of drama like that, having a friend by the main character really eases the raw feelings a bit and gives the reader a bit of peace. Thanks for sharing this review with us, Hilda! <3

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  3. The opening quote really hit home because I always question knowledge and social conventions. How do we know that what we know is true? But nevermind my rambling. Anyway, at first glance, I didn't expect this to be such a complex story, more like full of clichés and tropes, but I'm glad you thought otherwise. I always trust your judgement and you've really made me want to give this one a chance. It sounds awfully interesting.
    Lovely review, hon.

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  4. Lovely review. I really like that you include quotes from the book! Sounds like a book that keeps you turning the pages, which I always enjoy. And the title is just really cool. :)

    -Lauren

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  5. Wow! Wonderful review. the quotes are so perfect! I really want to read this story about finding freedom. And I'm glad that this story goes into the parent's relationship and makes you wonder if the curse is real or not. I love finding out about this book for the first time from you Hilda! Truly remarkable review!

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  6. Wow, this sounds super unique!! It kinds of reminds me of that one princess story... Rapunzel! That's it. ;) Anyways, this sounds like such an emotional type read! I think I'll definitely fall in love with Sophie, she seems like a character I would really like. =)

    Fabulous review, Hilda! <3

    -Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life

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  7. Hilda, thanks for the beautiful review. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and we appreciate your introducing the book to your blog readers. The comments are just lovely. (Hello, Nick!)

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  8. I agree with Maja's point about the opening quote. I'm glad you picked that one to start your review with as it really makes me want to try this author's work now. The premise for this never quite appealed to me at first but you have changed my mind about it with your review. Raw emotions and surprising twists? I'll definitely have to give this a shot one day. Fantastic review, Hilda! :)

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  9. Vivi's back! I've tagged you in a really fun tag <3
    "Would You Rather" Tag

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  10. This like a very creepy story, Hilda. It gave me chills just reading your review. The father seems like he absolute control. Great review. :)

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  11. Oh this sounds very creepy and intense and I straight away felt for poor Sophie! Wonderful review, Hilda!

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  12. Oh wow, that final quote is powerful. I've never encountered this book before, but it does sound raw and realistic and complex and altogether wonderful (certainly my sort of novel!) Lovely, lovely review Hilda. :) You articulate your thoughts so beautifully.

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  13. Like Sam, the premise didn't appeal to me much, when I first heard about this book, but it sounds like this book gives so much more than you would expect. So glad you had fun reading it! Lovely review hun :)

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  14. Wow, Hilda! You really know how to choose your quotes, sweets! The two quotes you included really gave me the chills. Like Maja, I tend to obsess about the ways of the universe. Why allows you to perceive that a rose is red? What is the definition of beauty? hOW do you know that snow is, in fact, white??? LOL Sorry. :P But GREAT, amazing, mind-blowingly beautiful review, Hilda!!! I really, really want to read this book ASAP!! <333 I am always up for a book full of surprising twists and turns and raw emotions!! Serve it to me on a platter, please?? :P LOVELY, AMAZING REVIEW, HILDA SWEETIE!! xx

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  15. The synopsis of this story makes me shudder. It reminds me of a book I read at school about a cult and how they work. Sounds like a really thought provoking read. I'm really interested in what Sophie's dad is like. Very creepy!

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  16. This sounds so raw and intense, Hilda! The quotes (especially the one about the color of snow) made me shudder! Wow! This is a book I will probably be hesitant to read but I'm sure that when I do, I will appreciate the intensity and rawness too. Beautiful review, Hilda <33

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  17. I feel like this book would make me cry! I haven't heard of it....Great review!

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  18. beautiful cover, so eerie! sounds like a good read.
    Great review!

    http://thecrossbreeds.blogspot.com/

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  19. And Hilda has done it again... Given a 3.5 star rating and made me want to MARRY the book without hearing of it before reading her review. LOL, but seriously! Your reviews are so beautiful.<3

    Sophie and Stephanie sound so awesome, I'd love to meet them! And those quotes are amazing.<3<3 Thank you for ANOTHER wonderful review, Hilda!(:

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  20. Glad to see you enjoyed this. I have this coming up soon too and your review is making me look forward to reading it. I love the quotes you picked. Great review Hilda :)

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  21. Wow! I'm completely new to this one, but it sounds seriously awesome. I love it the sound of it and will definitely have to check it out! I'm in the mood for something darker and this seems to fit that. Great review!

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