Review By: Lindsey Parker
Publisher/Year: Paragon Publishing, 2009
Series: Villains Series, Book 1
Genre(s): Fantasy, Fiction
Audience: Grades 7–9
Content Warnings: Emotional abuse, gaslighting, toxic relationships, grief, death of a parent, violence, suicide references, child abuse, domestic abuse
Reviewer’s Note: “I was interested in the idea of a backstory for the famous Disney Villain and hearing the story from the villain’s perspective.”
Goodreads Link: Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen
Summary:
Fairest of All gives readers a rare glimpse into the untold story of the Evil Queen before she became the villain of Snow White. The novel traces her journey from a young woman struggling with the shadow of her abusive father to a ruler consumed by vanity and grief. As mysterious witches weave their influence over her, readers witness her slow descent into darkness, offering an emotional, sometimes tragic, look at how love and loss can twist into obsession.
Review:
Serena Valentino’s Fairest of All offers a fresh, sympathetic take on one of Disney’s most iconic villains. While the premise promises emotional depth and psychological complexity, the storytelling leans heavily on external magic and fate rather than internal conflict, leaving the Queen’s transformation somewhat surface-level. The inclusion of the three witches adds intrigue but detracts from personal character development. The simple, repetitive language may make this accessible to younger readers, though the dark themes make it better suited for older middle or early high school students. Despite pacing issues, it succeeds in reimagining the Evil Queen with nuance and sorrow.
