BASHARDOUST, Melissa. Girls Made of Snow and Glass. 384p. Flatiron Bks. Sept. 2017. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781250077738.

Gr 8 Up –When Mina fell ill, her father the magician cut out her dying heart and replaced it with glass. Unable to love or be loved, Mina learns that beauty can be used to manipulate others. At 16, she leaves the South with her father to move North where snow perpetually falls. Her father is being rewarded for curing the king’s daughter, the cover story the king is using for having the magician create a baby replica of the recently deceased queen out of snow and blood. Soon after, Mina marries the king in hopes that being queen will bring her the love she desires. However, she forms a real bond with her stepdaughter Lynet. At 15, when Lynet learns what she really is, the clash for the role of queen begins. While kill or be killed is the only option Mina sees, Lynet believes she can save Mina’s heart and find a happily ever after for everyone. Told in alternating viewpoints, this work uses elements from recognizable fairy tales to create an empowering novel with strong, three-dimensional female protagonists who refuse to let jealousy and power break their bond. Filled with magic, adventure, and interesting characters such as the huntsman created by Mina from glass to cure her loneliness, and Nadia the fearless court surgeon whose friendship with Lynet turns to something more, this debut will keep readers thoroughly engaged. ­VERDICT A ­refreshing and progressive original retelling. Highly recommended.–Marissa ­Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ

This review was published in the School Library Journal September 2017 issue.