Snow White and the Seven Samurai

Tom Holt

Average Rating 7/10 (2 Reviews)

Once upon a time (or last Thursday as it's known in this matrix) everything was fine: Humpty Dumpty sat on his wall, Jack and Jill went about their lawful business, the Big Bad Wolf did what big bad wolves do, and the wicked queen plotted murder most foul.

But the human hackers cried havoc, shut down the wicked queen's system (Mirrors 3.1) and corrupted her database - and suddenly everything was not fine at all. But at least we know that they'll all live happily ever after. Don't we?

Computers and fairy tales collide to hilarious effect in the latest sparkling cocktail of mayhem, wit and wonder from the master of comic fantasy.

Review by Helen (090905) Rating (8/10)
Review by Nigel (090300) Rating (5/10)

Review by Helen
Rating 8/10
I totally disagree with the review by Nigel on Snow White and the Seven Samurai by Tom Holt. I thought this book was witty and humorous. The way Tom Holt twists the fairy tales is masterful. I love the way that snow white becomes evil and power mad, when the wicked queen is just trying to hold everything together. I felt so sorry for the big bad wolf who has a really hard time of it. The children who have hacked into mirrors 3.1 are slightly annoying but still good characters.

Overall I would give this book 8 out of 10. In my opinion one of Tom Holts best.
Helen (9th September 2005)

Review by Nigel
Rating 5/10
Well, what can I say, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves meets The Matrix, only not as good. The story seems a bit pointless, as do the characters. It all makes some kind of sense at the end but you really don't care. The only thing to recommend it is some funny one liners, which for a 300 page novel is a bit of a cop out. The best is the Three Little Pigs hostage scene:

'YOU IN THE HOUSE!' The bullhorn voice made the windows rattle. 'SURRENDER THE PIG AND NO ONE GETS HURT!'

'EXCEPT THE PIG OF COURSE!' it added 'OR THERE WOULDN'T BE MUCH POINT. YOU HAVE THIRTY SECONDS!'

It's funny in context, honest :)

In summary, mildly funny but not one of Tom Holt's best.
Nigel (9th March 2000)