Review - Mirrored by Alex Flinn

Mirrored by Alex Flinn
Publisher: HarperTeen (15th Sept 2015)

Blurb:
Celine's life is the stuff fairy tales are made of. She's beautiful, talented, and brave. Unfortunately, her tale comes complete with a wicked stepmother! When Violet steps into Celine's life, everything changes and weird things begin to happen to her—bizarre accidents, strange illnesses, and rabid animal attacks. Celine doesn't feel safe anywhere. It's almost as if some hateful witch is out to get her.

And there is. Violet has been waiting all her life to have Celine's father to herself. Getting rid of his gorgeous daughter is child's play for a witch as powerful as she is. Happy-ever-after isn't enough for Violet. She wants to be the fairest of them all, and Celine is in the way . . . but not for long.

Forced to take refuge with her friend Goose and his family, Celine gives up everything she loves and goes deep undercover. But will it be enough to fool Violet, or will Celine's fate be decided by a reflection in a magic mirror? And where do you find Prince Charming in Miami anyway?

I have always loved fairy tales, especially Disney films. Mirrored is a modern-retelling of Snow White and I could immediately identify beauty and jealousy as the main themes in the book. Mirrored is the first book I've read my Alex Flinn and it certainly won't be last, I hope!

Mirrored focuses on three different characters - Violet, Celine and Goose - through out the book. In Violet's story, it starts off in the 80s where Violet is a young teenage girl who is definitely not blessed in the looks department but instead, she's clever. One day, she discovers that she is a witch! And she can finally make herself look beautiful in order to make the guy she likes fall in love with her. Fast forward 30 or so years, the story focuses on Celine, a natural beauty who has an evil stepmother. Yes, you've guessed it. It's Violet. A part of the book is told from Goose's point of view. Who is Goose, you might wonder. Well, he's all kinds of wonderful and charming. He might be short but this little guy is the sweetest and most effervescent character in the book.

Although Mirrored might seem to be just a present-day fairy tale, it also speaks volumes. It tackles the issue of bullying and even stereotyping based on appearances. Violet was severely bullied by the popular kids in school for being different and I really felt for her. By giving Violet a back story, I felt that Alex Flinn did explore the dimensions of the character as readers would hate her for her vanity and wicked ways when she dabbles into magic to turn herself into the beautiful villainess of the book, but at the same time, readers would sympathise with her.

Celine is a wonderful protagonist as she carries herself really well throughout the entire book and her relationship with Goose is just so adorable. The romance is sweet, addictive and swoon-worthy. I adored her relationship with Goose and Goose. Oh my, he is a stunning little pocket rocket. He may be small in size, but he is one hell of a charmer.

Mirrored is a magical and spellbinding tale of love and friendship. I was hooked from the first page and I really enjoyed being swept away in this modern fairy tale with a twist.

I'd like to thank HarperCollins US for sending me a proof copy for review. Mirrored is out on hardcover and eBook on 15th Sept 2015.