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Gold from Literary Titan!

“Snow: Cursed takes a classic fairytale and shatters it like glass underfoot. We start with a familiar image: Snow White, pale as snow, hair black as night. But instead of dwarves singing in the mines, we get blood, betrayal, and wolves with names like Big Bad and Dummy. This story spins out into something entirely new, grittier, darker, and painfully human. At its heart, it’s about identity and control. Who are you when the world decides you’re evil before you even take your first breath?

What stood out most to me was the prologue. Finnegan immediately immerses the reader in a morally ambiguous space, blurring the lines between good and evil. The opening passage reads like a blend of philosophical reflection and personal testimony. Statements such as “no one is truly good, and no one is truly evil” are particularly striking, establishing the thematic foundation for the rest of the novel. Rather than presenting a simple fantasy, the prologue invites deeper reflection on the assumptions we make about people and the lasting impact of the roles society assigns them.

Snow herself is fascinating. She starts out fragile and frightened, learning that her own father plans to burn her alive because of a curse. That scene involving Merlin and the journal was particularly impactful and emotionally resonant. When she finds out about her supposed destiny and how her father lied to her for fifteen years, it’s devastating. And then she breaks out of the castle, climbs the wall, and everything flips. There’s this moment where she takes down Big Bad, the alpha wolf, and suddenly she’s “Red Riding Hood,” drenched in blood, leading a pack. That moment was striking, intense, and deeply affecting. It vividly conveyed her transformation, which felt palpable through the page.

While Finnegan’s writing occasionally leans toward directness in the dialogue, it’s balanced by a refreshingly original voice that brings a distinctive energy to the narrative. It’s dramatic and fast-paced, but it never takes itself too seriously, and I appreciated that. There’s a kind of campy magic in how she blends fairytale with modern sarcasm. When Snow throws a dagger near Dummy’s neck to shut everyone up, it’s brutal and hilarious. That blend of horror and humor works surprisingly well. The side characters are uniquely compelling, with Midnight the wolf standing out in particular. Her character arc is both surprising and dramatic, culminating in a plot twist that is as unexpected as it is effective.

The ideas in this book stick with you. Finnegan messes with traditional fantasy in a way that made me uncomfortable, but in a good way. There’s a recurring theme of rewriting your story instead of letting it be written for you. Snow literally goes from princess to fugitive to alpha to maybe something even darker. And that evolving identity is central to the whole thing. It’s not always clean or elegant, but it’s full of grit and soul.

Snow: Cursed is a fairytale for anyone who’s tired of black-and-white stories. It’s for readers who like a little bite with their magic. Readers are likely to find this story thoroughly engaging. It is intense, emotionally charged, and at times brutal, yet undeniably compelling. I found it difficult to put down.”

Thank you for having me on your blog yet again, Mary!

My experience on the Cozy Book Nook podcast was wonderful and so eye-opening. The individuals who spoke on the podcast really peeled back the curtain to show me what the writing world is really like with all of its threads and connections. I’ll never forget the amazing advice they shared, and how happy they were that I am pursuing my dreams. 

I hope they will welcome me onto their marvelous podcast sometime soon for the second time so that I can expand my knowledge further. Their kindness has been unbelievable, and now that I know the gist of how this podcast on X works, perhaps I can contribute some of my knowledge as well. Learning from each other is one of the best things that authors can do in my humble opinion. With perseverance and lots of hard work, we can help each other soar as much as we have, maybe more. Authors helping authors is a powerful mindset.

Talking to people from other countries was enlightening and again, very eye-opening too. It’s been very cool to continue conversations with some of the individuals, and knowing that my book is located in countries like Trinidad and Tobago, Russia, and Germany (among others) is unreal. I never would have thought that it would reach that far across the globe. It’s almost like a Snow: Cursed revolution spreading around the world. I’ll never forget how much some of those people have helped me in the literary world. 

The knowledge that all of these wonderful individuals have shared will continue to inspire, help, and shape me as I ensue in my long and enduring career as an upcoming esteemed author. And Mary, a stellar award-winning author, thank you so much for taking me under your wing and showing me the intricate workings of what it’s like to be a writer. You will inspire me for the rest of my years. As a word of advice from me, if you have written a book and have not published it, go for it and just believe in yourself! You are worth much more than you know, and so are the magical words you place effortlessly—and sometimes painstakingly—on the page.

Snow: Cursed Link

Review Snippets:

“This is a remarkable debut from a new, young author. It is full of familiar characters, but with a fresh and new perspective. I wanted to read it all at once, just to see who would come along next! It’s almost as though you’ve run into some old friends and get to spend pages and pages getting to know them again, but with a deeper understanding that would never have come from a children’s picture book. I highly recommend giving this book a read.”

“This isn’t your average fairytale! Snow’s journey from perfect princess to questioning everything she’s ever known is full of secrets, magic, and moral twists. Fast-paced and full of heart, it’s a thrilling read that keeps you guessing till the very end!”

“You would never know this book was written by a teen. So many twists, lots of excitement! Very well written!”

“After reading Snow: Cursed, I was struck by the icy tension, the emotional depth of the characters, and the way Willa R. FInnegan blended supernatural intrigue with lyrical storytelling. Her ability to craft atmosphere and mood, places her among the rising voices in modern fantasy fiction. Snow: Cursed has all the makings of a breakout success.”

I was in our states’ competition Spelling Bee last month! It was a great experience!

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