I love this book! This is a fun to read reimagninging of the dwarves who protected Snow White, particularly the one known as Grumpy. While she does make an appearance, Snow White is a minor character in this tale. Instead we follow the life of Borlen (aka Grumpy) as he struggles between his curiosity about the surface and his obligations below ground. Through the process we learn about dwarf culture, relationships, and even cuisine. I enjoyed this story so much that I booktalked the author's earlier works to my 5th grade students since they can't read this until May. I plan to acquire a copy for both my elementary and middle school libraries.

Note: I received this from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. ( )

This was a very cute retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, but this is the story of Grump's part in all of this. I really enjoyed reading this with my son. I like that it shows a different perspective. ( )

This was better than Red, maybe because I was able to identify with the protagonist better — an outcast with a problem. I tend toward those stories more than quests because it allows better complexity of character. Plus it’s always about embracing your weird. And this was especially fun to read after finishing my own dwarf story.

Unlike mine, the dwarves live underground, eat rocks, and never interact with the surface world. Except for Grump who feels unquestionably drawn to it. When he finally breaks ground, he accidentally falls in with the evil queen and becomes her magic mirror. Grump is a better character than Red was. At first it might be hard to tell the difference–both are rather grumpy and acerbic. But something about Grump feels more earnest. It’s better to be grumpy than mean.

There are some stretches to fit the story of Snow White, and that always bothers me — reaching too far to make one story fit into another. The same thing happened with The Dark Knight Rises, which was the reason for its downfall. Both Snow White and Evil Queen get about equivalent screen time in this. The ending is satisfying, and I didn’t feel cheated, not like Red’s quest story (where you can skip all the middle and still find the ending, which is basically the answer to a riddle). And I was suprised at how well it weaves in both the folk tale and the Disney version of Snow White.

It does get a little sludgy in the lead-in to the third act, but the plot is surprisingly tight for a YA novel. There are some deus ex machina movements, but overall, I had a satisfying reader experience. It’s probably the best thing I read in the last two months. ( )

Dwarfs are supposed to be happiest underground, the deeper the better, but Borlen has always been fascinated by the Surface, and hates the depths. When he gets his fate stone - an unusual one, a mirror - and is assigned to be the seventh on a work crew, his chance comes: a cave-in near the surface gives him an opportunity to explore.

Borlen meets Snow White's stepmother, Queen Elfrieda (Elfrieda Veronia Ingrid Lenore - E.V.I.L.), who charms naive Borlen and then seizes his magic for her own by taking him by the beard, which binds him to do her will. It all hinges on a misunderstanding of the word "fairest" - the dwarf means fair as in just, the queen thinks of fair as in pretty. Borlen manages to escape, only to be taken by the beard again - by none other than Snow White, who is fleeing the queen's hunter. Borlen and the rest of his crew shelter Snow White in their hut while they dig a tunnel back to the dwarf caverns, and Borlen gradually comes to like and respect her. But he obeys two masters - what can he do when their interests are opposed?

A creative retelling of the classic tale from an interesting perspective. The world of the dwarfs is thoroughly imagined, from their long lifespans to their food (gems and other stones), their lore, and even their tears (dust, not saltwater). ( )