4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Rhon's Of Snow tells the story of Deneige Blanchet, a teenaged girl born and raised in Antarctica. Living in a research facility with her scientist mother, Deneige's life has been one of eternal winter and extreme isolation. A turn of events, however, reunites Deneige with her biological father and introduces her to life in "the North," the world beyond Earth's southernmost continent. In sunny California, Deneige is introduced to a new way of living that most people her age take for granted, yet is completely foreign to her. While she strives to adjust to her new life, Deneige is forced to come to terms with just how different she truly is from her peers.
Of Snow is a captivating story with a unique protagonist that stands out within the young adult genre. The author does an excellent job of blending Deneige's exceptional intellect with her naivete that leaves no room for inconsistency (not an easy task), and her status as the "new girl in town" plays well to the reader's sympathy. Most teenagers haven't gone through changes as drastic as Deneige's, but the author artfully blends her unique circumstances with more common ones experienced by people her age, resulting in a well-developed and realistic character.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel are the descriptions of life in Antarctica. The author describes the beauty and perils of the southernmost continent in sharp detail that provides the reader with a vivid picture of Deneige's experiences. Serendipitously, I recently reunited with an old friend who spent some time in Antarctica, and I was impressed with how closely the author's descriptions matched hers. Either the author has experienced Antarctica firsthand, or her research was very thorough.
The writing within this book is of the caliber that one would expect from a traditionally published novel. Virtually free of errors (I found only two extremely minor ones), the writing is excellent and combines with a solid plot for a truly enjoyable read. Of Snow is of the same quality as a book that one would purchase at a brick-and-mortar bookstore.
If it wasn't already obvious, I found reading Of Snow to be a pleasurable experience, and I give it 4 out of 4 stars. This book is a great fit for anyone who enjoys the YA genre, especially young women. However, I would also recommend it to people with an interest in Antarctica or anyone who enjoys learning about faraway places.
******
Of Snow
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like LivreAmour217's review? Post a comment saying so!
