Poisoned Apple

Snow White’s a goth and Prince Charming’s a jerk.

On Neve’s eighteenth birthday, her stepmother kicks her out. A group of diner rats offer her refuge—including Brendan, who offers his couch for her to crash on. But the more time she spends with him, the more he confuses her. One second, he’s kissing her. The next he’s pushing her away.

Believing her life has reached rock bottom, Neve struggles to ditch her “damaged girl” label. But when she uncovers the truth about her life, she’s rocked to her very foundation. Will Neve be able to hold on to the good things coming her way, or will her bad luck poison everything?

*May Contain Spoilers*

 

Sometimes life seems like a fairy tale. And other times, it tries to turn you into the villain. It's an old cliché, but it still resonates: life is hard. For Neve, it's almost impossible. Poisoned Apple, a novella by Katherine McIntyre, shares the story of an abandoned, orphaned girl and how she tries to overcome the bad luck that follows her.

 

Neve knows that there is no love between her and her stepmother. Evil doesn't even begin to describe the witch, but Neve still hoped that after her 18th birthday she would still offer Neve a place to live. Alas, no. The novella begins with Neve celebrating her special day by packing her suitcase and leaving her home. From the beginning, readers see both Neve's bravery and her vulnerability. An instant connection is made as the author appeals to the pathos of the readers. The connection deepens with each obstacle that Neve encounters. The writing style helps to sway the reader onto Neve's side by showcasing the nature of other characters. With all that Neve goes through, it's courageous that she still fights for happiness.

 

The plot begins with Neve's birthday and her stepmother kicking her out of the house since the child support will sequentially stop. Neve packs a suitcase and leaves, finding a 24-hour diner with a group of friends that invite her to sit with them. She doesn't know it, but this group of guys will be her saving grace. Readers will whip through this entertaining and emotional novella. I found Poisoned Apple quite engrossing, but I was a little confused by the title. Though I saw the parallels, I thought that it would more closely follow the story of Snow White ... it did not. I still enjoyed the novella overall. The only real problem I had with the story was the ending. Emotions were high and it looked as if Neve would never overcome the unfortunate hand that life had dealt her. And then Prince Charming appears. Romantic and heroic, but it was a little too corny for my tastes. Neve's promise of happily-ever-after just didn't seem real. Though I emotionally connected with Neve and wanted her to find that elusive happiness, the ending didn't hit home. However, I'm sure some readers will love the ending as it paints the future in a purely positive light. Poisoned Apple it a novella that swells with emotion, loss, and the hope to rise above it all.

 

Rating: 3/5 Cups