Title: Mirrored
Author: Alex Flinn
First published September 15, 2015
384 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780062134516 (ISBN10: 0062134515)
Rating: 3.67
Overview
In Mirrored by Alex Flinn, the age-old story of beauty and envy takes on a new twist. Violet has always believed that beauty is the key to happiness and power, and with the help of a witch named Kendra, she learns how to wield her magic to achieve her heart’s desires.
But while Violet struggles to fit in, Celine has always been stunningly beautiful – and it’s caused her nothing but trouble. Her stepmother, Violet, is determined to be the fairest of them all, and will stop at nothing to keep Celine from stealing her attention.
As the two girls discover that there’s more to life than just appearances, they begin to realize that their lives are more intertwined than they ever could have imagined.
About the Author
I spent my childhood on Salem Court, and it’s possible that this sparked my fascination with witches. My mother encouraged me to become an author when I was just five years old.
At eight, I received my first rejection letter from Highlights Magazine.
I was an early reader, but I refused to read the school’s programmed readers, preferring to read at my own pace. As a result, my teacher, Mrs.
Zeiser, described me as “marching to my own drummer.” I’m not sure if that was meant to be a compliment.
My family moved to Miami when I was in middle school, and I struggled to make friends. I turned to reading and writing to fill my time.
By high school, I had found my niche in various “gifted and talented” performing arts programs. In college, I studied opera and later attended law school.
My first novel, which deals with dating violence, was inspired by my work with battered women and the State Attorney’s Office. I felt it was an important topic to address, as 27 percent of teenage girls have reported being hit by a boyfriend.
I’m proud that the book has gained popularity, and I’m also happy if it’s being used in schools.
I write for young adults because, in my mind, I never really left that age behind. I still feel like the 13-year-old girl running laps on the athletic field in her baggy white gym suit.
It’s hard to believe that I now have a mortgage and a checking account. But writing young adult novels allows me to tap into that part of myself and write stories that girls like me would enjoy.
These days, I live in Palmetto Bay, a Miami suburb just half a mile from my old middle school. I’m surrounded by my husband, daughters, dogs, and cats.
Editoral Review
In Mirrored, the renowned author Alex Flinn weaves a spellbinding tale that promises to leave an indelible impression on every reader. Published on September 15, 2015, Mirrored is a modern retelling of Snow White that breathes fresh life into the classic fairy tale genre.
Flinn’s writing style is lyrical and captivating, with evocative descriptions that transport the reader to the enchanted forests and glittering castles of Snow White’s world. But the novel is not just a retelling of the original story.
Flinn expands on the classic tale, adding new characters, subplots, and themes that make it feel modern and relevant to our times. The main character in the story is a girl named Violet, who loses her mother and is sent to live with her father and cruel new stepmother.
Violet’s stepmother, Miranda, is obsessed with her own beauty and wants to be the fairest of them all. When Violet uncovers a magic mirror that reveals Miranda’s true character, she must flee into the forest to escape her stepmother’s wrath.
Flinn’s portrayal of Violet is complex and nuanced, and the reader can’t help but root for this strong, resilient heroine who fights for her own survival. Miranda is also a well-crafted villain, whose transformation from a vain and selfish woman to a truly evil force is both terrifying and captivating.
The novel’s themes of self-discovery, identity, and love are woven seamlessly into the story, making it a powerful coming-of-age tale with universal appeal. Flinn’s attention to detail and world-building is impeccable, and readers will be swept away by the lush descriptions of the enchanted forest setting.
If there is one weakness in the novel, it is the slightly uneven pacing at some points, which can detract from the overall reading experience. However, Flinn’s ability to create vivid, well-rounded characters more than compensates for this minor flaw.
Overall, Mirrored is a triumph of modern fairy tale storytelling from a master of the genre. Fans of classic fairy tales and young adult fiction will adore this book, while anyone looking for a richly imaginative and immersive reading experience should add it to their must-read list.
I highly recommend this book and give it a score of 4.8 out of 5.
