Reviewed by Cheryl
TITLE: After the Snow Melts
AUTHOR: Maggie Blackbird
PUBLISHER: eXtasy Books
LENGTH: 60 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 13, 2020
BLURB:
He’s got to find a way to tell his best friend that he wants him—or lose him forever.
Rich, popular, and gorgeous Bryan DeChamps pines from afar for his best friend. He loathes the idea of helping Elliot score a date for the snow dance. With his time running out, Bryan must find a way to capture his buddy’s attention—and that means boldly leaving an anonymous card in his main man’s locker.
Grateful for Bryan’s friendship ever since he moved from his Ojibway community to Thunder Bay to attend high school, Elliot Wasacase can’t disclose his true feelings, or he’ll lose the one true friend he has. Upon discovering an unsigned card in his locker from an admiring dude, he’s terrified someone knows his secret but suspects the person might be Bryan.
When Bryan’s car breaks down, stranding them on top of the mountain during a snowstorm, the two must either take a leap of faith or let fear and clashing beliefs cost them what they truly desire.
REVIEW:
This book is an extremely sweet YA with an overlay of rich cultural detail regarding the Ojibway way of life.
There is a particular charm in getting inside both of these young people’s heads and watching their stumbling steps toward each other. Everything flows so naturally and the sense of hope warring with fear is beautifully mastered.
I was rooting for both these young men right from the start and I experienced actual anxiety at times when they were teetering on the brink.
Even after they had taken that step there was a real tension, from bringing together their cultures, spilling their fears and learning to negotiate a way ahead.
As far as the writing is concerned, it was mainly fluid and technically well presented, other than a few little niggles here and there. The flow is excellent and the character development almost perfect. Really, my only real complaint about this book is that it’s way too short. That’s not to say there were any loose ends or too much story for the word count—that was beautifully crafted—but because I really want to hear more of these two lovely young men and their onward journey.
I particularly enjoyed the little snippets of Eliott’s culture and the way he felt about it. I dearly hope the author will write the summer visit to the reserve and if she does I will be at the front of the queue to acquire it.
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
Hi again, Cheryl. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and review Two Princes. I enjoyed reading what you had to say about the story. Thank you very much. 🙂