The Mirror: Fairytales with a Twist, #2

By Fizza Younis

Snow White has lived all her life hoping that someday she will find a way out of her evil stepmother's clutches. Now it seems her dream of freedom is within her reach. But will she extend her hand and take what's hers? Or does fate intervene again, shattering all her hopes?
They call her the Evil Queen, but it's not her fault that the mirror demands to be fed. She has tried her best to keep Snow safe. Unfortunately, she might not be able to help her wayward stepdaughter anymore. Things are rarely the way they seem. And Snow might have to learn this lesson the hard way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fizza Younis
• Release date: Jun 25, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224111824

Fizza Younis

Dr. Fizza Younis resides in the vibrant city of Lahore, Pakistan, where her journey through life has been as diverse as the tapestry of her country. With a Ph.D. in economics, she has delved deep into the intricate webs of financial theory, but it's the enchanting realms of fiction and poetry that have captured her heart. As a dedicated indie author and ardent reader, she revels in the art of storytelling, crafting narratives that transcend the boundaries of her academic pursuits. Rooted in the principles of minimalism, equality, and harmony, her writing reflects her steadfast beliefs. Her stories are both mirrors of her philosophy and windows into the lives of intriguing characters navigating the labyrinth of existence. In her world, characters come alive, and their misadventures resonate with the shared joys and tribulations of humanity. With every word, she sprinkles love and encouragement, creating a cocoon of empathy and connection that envelops her readers. Though she might describe herself as an average person leading a mundane existence, in the world of fiction, Fizza is nothing short of spectacular. Join her on a journey through the written word, where ordinary lives take on extraordinary hues, and the essence of humanity is distilled into every sentence.

Book preview

Prelude: True Love’s Kiss

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY,

It’s something familiar,

About true love’s glory.

Once upon a kingdom,

Somewhere far, far away,

There ruled an evil queen,

The cruelest woman you had seen.

The story has only just begun,

You can sing along,

Dancing would be fun.

The queen had a step-daughter,

She grew up to be the fairest of all,

Not something evil queen could overlook,

After all, she was a crook.

Every tale must have a savior,

Someone to fight for what’s right,

Who will come out a victor?

The evil step-mother decided to kill,

She couldn’t tolerate someone prettier,

And wanted to be the only one to rule,

An apple became her murderous tool.

There is nothing worse than taking a life,

What a tragic tale of a sweet girl dying!

Oh, but wait, she should have used a knife.

Snow White didn’t die, only fell asleep,

To be awakened by a true love’s kiss,

Her Prince found her soon,

They walked away hand-in-hand, one afternoon.

But that’s not the end,

Stepmother has something to say,

She, too, needs a friend.

They painted her as the villain,

Not knowing her side of the story,

All wasn’t as it had seemed,

Even the worst could be redeemed.

The story must continue,

Let’s not stop before it’s time,

This side of the tale is known by few.

She didn’t want the kingdom,

Tired of being the prettiest in the room,

She wished to find some peace,

And longed to be called nice.

Now, it’s the twist we have been waiting for,

The truth is hidden between the lines,

If you dare, open that door.

She was defeated by Snow,

But she would find her true love soon,

A reason to smile and a home of her own,

For that, she didn’t need a throne.

Prologue: Stranger in the Mirror

WHEN SHE LOOKED INTO the mirror, she was unprepared to find a different face gazing back at her, and then it vanished. Making her believe that the fleeting moment was her imagination. She stared at her face reflected in the mirror as if trying to solve a puzzle.

Why are you standing in front of the mirror?

Deep in thoughts, she didn’t notice when the Queen entered the room. No wonder her voice startled Snow White. I thought I saw something, she said, shrugging.

Yes, yourself, the Queen mocked. "When you look in the mirror, what else will you