Despite summer fast approaching, I've picked up a novel called "Girls Made of Snow and Glass" by Melissa Bashardoust, set in the ever-snowing castle grounds of Whitespring. I didn't pick it up expecting it to be one of my favorite books of 2018, but it's quickly becoming that way.

This book is a snow white retelling, but it's very clever and spins a lot of the classic tropes on their head. It's a dual narrative following the stepmother, Mina, and the princess, Lynet. In the fairytale, the two characters are destined to be rivals, but this story makes their relationship more complicated than a stepmother jealous of her stepdaughter's beauty.

As readers, we're able to see Mina's past as she works her way up from the exiled daughter of a dark wizard, to the queen. We're also able to see Lynet's growth as she tries not to live in the shadow of her dead mother. Most importantly, we get to see their relationship and the struggles they feel between each other, with Lynet longing for Mina's motherly love, while Mina longs to be able to feel love.

Not only is the focus of this story on the bond between Mina and Lynet, Lynet also meets a girl who catches her eye. This book tackles a lot aspects of life and relationships that aren't usually touched upon in YA, and the magic and action behind it all only add to the story.

This book is quickly becoming one of my favorite books, and it's exciting for me to see such a meaningful story in a fantasy book. It's rare for books like this to make such an impact on me and tug at my heartstrings. I'm definitely going to rate this five stars, even if the ending isn't as strong as the rest of the book. It reads super quick and is a huge success in my eyes! I hope that I can one day write a book similar to "Girls Made of Snow and Glass."