Once Upon a Time... discussion

Hello Fellow Fairy Tales Readers,


Welcome to our discussion about A Dream of Ebony and White (Beyond the Four Kingdoms #4) by Melanie Cellier.
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about spoilers

Please note: If you have not finished reading the book spoilers are permitted in this discussion from the start. If you would like to use the spoiler formatting it can be found on the top right of the comment box in the "(some html is ok)" menu.
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Summary

Snow has always lived under the shadow of her cruel stepmother, with only her beloved father and her childhood friend--the huntsman, Alexander--to make life bearable. When her father dies, she should be crowned queen, but instead she finds herself fleeing for her life. With no allies, no skills, and no food, her future could be over before it has truly begun.

But there's more at stake than just one life. If Snow can't claim her throne, her kingdom faces destruction. Snow has to make a choice: focus on her own salvation or put everything on the line--even those she loves the most. And if she's going to succeed, Snow must fight the hardest battle of all, against her own doubt and weakness, and gain new skills and strength she never imagined possessing.

Alexander is ready to help her. But if she lets him, the consequences might be more than she can bear--because her heart is in as much jeopardy as the kingdom.

In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale, Snow must find her inner strength in time to fight for her throne before it's too late.

1. Fairy Tale Foundations - How does this retelling of Snow White differ from both the Grimm original and the more familiar versions (like Disney’s)? Which fairy tale elements did you enjoy seeing reimagined, and which felt unnecessary or overused?

2. Princess Selena’s Character Arc - How does Selena grow throughout the novel? Did you find her inner transformation believable and satisfying? What qualities make Selena a compelling heroine—or not?

3. Themes of Beauty and Power - The story explores how appearances can affect power and perception. How does this theme play out with Selena and the queen? How do beauty, magic, and influence intersect in the royal court?

4. The Role of Magic - How is magic used in this world—both politically and personally? Do you think the magical system is consistent and well-developed? Did the magic serve the plot or distract from the character development?

5. Court Politics and Intrigue - How does the story portray political alliances and court manipulation? What commentary might the author be making about trust and deception? Were you surprised by any of the betrayals or plot twists?

6. Female Rivalry and Solidarity - Much of the story centers on the tension between Selena and her stepmother. How does this compare to traditional stepmother/stepdaughter dynamics in fairy tales? Are there other meaningful female relationships in the novel, positive or negative?

7. Romance and Agency - What did you think of the romance in the book? Did it feel earned and emotionally resonant? How does Selena’s agency in the romance compare to other fairy tale heroines?

8. The Dwarfs Reimagined - In this retelling, how are the traditional “seven dwarfs” motif and characters adapted? Did you enjoy the reinterpretation? Why or why not?

9. Moral Complexity - The antagonist(s) in this story have layers of motivation. Did you find any of them sympathetic? Do you think the story offers moral gray areas, or is it more black-and-white?

10. Faith, Hope, and Healing - Many of Melanie Cellier’s books include underlying themes of hope and emotional healing. How are those themes explored in this story? Was there a moment that particularly stood out to you as redemptive or inspiring?

11. Worldbuilding and Series Continuity - How well does this story stand on its own for those new to the Beyond the Four Kingdoms series? If you've read other books in the series, how does it connect and expand the world? Would you want to continue reading other books in the series based on this one?

12. The Ending and Its Impact - Were you satisfied with the ending? Did it wrap up the story and character arcs in a fulfilling way? What would you want to see happen next for these characters?

Golly, I'm pretty sure I read this version, but my recollections are misty. I'll have to see if it's in my ereader....

I thought I had it on my kindle, but seems I don't, so this one will have to be an audiobook on Hoopla. Won't be listening to that until next week for sure.

I just finished last night and found it delightful. I loved how the dwarfs were not actually dwarfs at all, but changed in a way that totally added to instead of taking away from the tale. I also appreciated how the items used to kill Snow were the same as the original (laces, comb, apple) but with different results.
In this retelling Snow is the age that we usually expect her to be, 16 instead of a child like in the original. I much prefer her as a teen or young adult. I really like the way that she doubts her own strengths and wisdom, but still insists on learning ways to overcome those weaknesses.