ARC Review // Snow White and the Dragon (or, Sleeping Beauty and the Seven Dwarfs) by Kim Bussing

What would happen if Sleeping Beauty had to create a poisoned apple, and Snow White faced off against a dragon? Fairy tales meet Freaky Friday in this series, where there’s a magical mix-up for every princess!

As a baby, Rose was cursed to meet a mysterious fate on her thirteenth birthday . . . but no one bothered to tell Rose that until a week before she turns thirteen. And a week’s not nearly enough time to figure out what to do when she’s suddenly whisked from her Dreamwood cottage to a strange palace—trapped with an evil queen who hands her an apple . . .

Princess Snow is preparing for the ceremony that will prove she’s fit to rule her kingdom. The problem? Her wicked stepmother. The other problem? Without warning, she finds herself in the middle of the Dreamwood, where, on top of all her other problems, she has to worry about . . . a sleeping curse.

Happily-ever-after couldn’t feel farther away. Can Rose escape the curse that’s followed her since birth? And can Snow save her kingdom from her stepmother?

This is the second book in The Princess Swap series. This one features Snow White and Sleeping Beauty as they must find a way to stop a sleeping curse and the evil stepmother who will stop at nothing to be queen.

I loved Kim Bussing's first book in this series about Belle and Cinderella, so I was excited to dive into this one. I never cared much for these two fairytale characters while growing up; the author mentions she felt the same way. However, she was still able to create an intricate narrative filled with intrigue that takes a whole new look at the princesses' stories.

Snow's story focuses on her journey to learn about her kingdom and her efforts to prove to herself that she is worthy of the crown. She befriends a group of huntsmen who she must keep secret. Among them, she grows close to a boy around her age. I wish Snow had more time with the huntsmen, as it would have made the revelation of her secret feel more like a betrayal. I wanted that gasp-inducing moment I experienced in the first book, where I felt the connection with Belle and Cinderella's stepsister.

I appreciated Rose's passion for magic and her upbringing. However, I believe her storyline could have benefited from the development of more meaningful relationships. She was such an intriguing character that I wanted to spend more time with her. I also admired her problem-solving abilities, which were often underestimated.

It's obvious how Rose and Snow are connected, and I loved that interpretation. I think it was a perfect way to tell their story. I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty I wished for more friendships to be explored. Nevertheless, the adventure, magic, and unexpected twists are sure to keep readers hooked. I am thrilled to learn that a third book is set to be released in November, featuring Rapunzel and The Little Mermaid. I can't wait to see how their stories are reimagined. I hope this series continues for as long as possible!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Books for Young Readers for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.