Disclaimer: This review is NOT sponsored by or affiliated to Tapas media (or any of the creators). I read this comic/novel on Tapas with Ink bought using my own funds and I am voluntarily writing a review of the same. I do NOT own any of the images related to this comic. All credit goes to the original artist.

Blurb: Fairytale stepmothers are notoriously wicked. But after a children’s clothing designer is reborn as young Princess Blanche’s stepmom, she’s determined to break the mold and shower her daughter with love. Now she just has to convince the girl’s cold-hearted father to do the same. In her quest to make a happier home for Blanche, Abigail begins to uncover secrets and schemes within the palace. Will devious forces tear the Freidkins apart, or can Abigail stitch them back into a family?

Rating: 5 out of 5.

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Mirror, Mirror, on the wall! Who is the best stepmother of all?

What happens when a young woman, who loves designing children’s clothes, gets transmigrated into a fantasy world and wakes up as little Snow-White’s evil Stepmother? Of course, she is not-sew-wicked anymore. She would rather love her pretty little step-daughter and design nice new clothes for her.

This is the kind of story that you rarely get to see in the fantasy genre, especially in comics. A young woman who wants to break out of the age-old, debilitating moulds of an autocratic society and create a revolutionary change that will impact generations to come. A young queen feared for her beauty and arrogance but determined to use her powerful position to do good for the people. A young wife learning to cope with her husband’s estranged attitude – the only man whose affection she truly craves. And a young step-mother who is trying her best to become a good parent and stumbles along the way!

Plus, there’s of course a talking, magic mirror, called Verite, who is undoubtedly the most fun part of the story. He’s not only having a human form, speech and ability to think, but he’s also a most efficient CCTV camera who can connect with any mirror in the palace and bring back recorded videos of all he’s seen. Apart from the debate of destroying individual privacy, I thought it was a superb idea.

And there’s it has all the usual tropes. Fairytale retelling. Enemies-to-lovers. Clean, slow-burn romance. I gave this story 5 stars because I truly enjoyed it.

At first, I thought it was no different from other fairytale retellings and my attention was lukewarm at best. I did not like Abigail because she seemed too stereotypical. It was only when she burst into tears upon seeing her handmade gift to her step-daughter, Blanche, being torn to shreds by her suspicious husband, Sabrian, that I realised this story was truly unique. However, it’s not a tragicomedy. Humour is the top-most element throughout the story and I did laugh out loud a number of times.

The plot begins with Abigail waking up inside her own coffin and understanding her new situation. After the first shock has passed, she decides to take hold of matters into her own hands. She tells Sabrian that she won’t bother to gain his affection anymore. Instead, she would like him to become a better father to Blanche. Her previous diabolical schemes make it hard for Sabrian to believe that she does not hold any more resentment towards Blanche. As a result, he is even more suspicious than before and tears up the bunny doll she sews for Blanche with his own sword. At first, Blanche is also confused with Abigail’s newfound affection. But, like any young child craving motherly affection, she quickly warms up to Abigail and they become the best of friends.

All three characters are wonderful. Each has a natural, relatable personality along with unique traits that make him/her truly endearing to the reader. Of course, I love Blanche the best. For an 11 y/o, whose mother died when she was born, and who has lived under the thumb of her stern and authoritarian grand-aunt all her life, ignored by her father and resented by her stepmother, she has a heart of gold and a mind full of intense courage. Abigail sees this early on and manages to convince the awkward Sabrian to share some family time with his daughter with hilarious results.

While sewing her family together, Abigail is also working on bringing a sea change into the oppressive fashion sense in the kingdom. Using her knowledge from her past life, she is slowly liberating the women and children from their constricting clothing. I don’t exactly hate corsets but I know it’s not something I will allow my teenage daughter to wear since it could stunt her growth.

Meanwhile, as usual, there are foes everywhere in the palace and outside looking to destroy the new Abigail’s life and take control of Blanche once more. To top it all, Sabrian confesses that he is a victim of child sexual abuse. The lingering trauma makes him averse to all physical touch and he is not able to even hold hands with Abigail let alone dance with her. That part was truly heartbreaking! I could sympathize with Sabrian just like Abigail does. It becomes an great twist to a well-known fairytale and brings to the forefront one of the most underrated yet terrifying topics in the world today. I truly applaud the author for handling this part of the story in a remarkable manner.

Season 2 has begun this month and I’m so looking forward to seeing this family come together again and have new exciting adventures.

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