It was kind of boring. There was nothing terrible about this book, but like the snow and ice imagery so prevalent throughout the book, it left me cold. This book portrays itself as a feminist fantasy, modeled after Frozen and The Bloody Chamber. I have not watched Frozen, and I don't know what The Bloody Chamber is. What it did remind me of was Snow White and the Huntsman with a magical twist. We get to see things from the not-so-evil stepmother/queen (Mina), and the princess (Lynet). Both are beautiful in their own way, both defined by their beauty by the world. 
 If they love you for anything, it will be for your beauty. 
 Both portrayed as sympathetic women, defined by the fact that neither are truly human, not quite alive (Mina lacks a heart, and Lynet is made from snow) and searching for love. 
 When I say searching for love, I do not mean to imply that this book is very romantic. It is not. At times, I wish there were more romance in it, actually, particularly between the king (Nicholas) and queen Mina. Mina is 32 in the book (rather unusual of an YA novel), Lynet 16, but we get to see how Mina grew up from her flashbacks of her youth. 
 There is a hint of a lesbian romance, and the characters are described to have olive-golden-light brown skin. I appreciate the nod towards diversity. 
 I can't pinpoint anything outrightly wrong with this book except for the fact that it just didn't draw my attention, and it didn't make me feel for the characters. The writing is adequate, but emotionless. Perhaps that's what it was meant to convey, given the tone of the book.