Inkspot Fancy

Snow White, if Snow White were twisted around almost beyond recognition - that's the best way I can think of to explain this story.The book follows the experiences of a young man looking for a love he lost a long time ago. He tracks her down to the village she came from, but things take a turn for the unexpected from there as he faces a number of creepy or downright awful obstacles as he seeks the titular Delphine.If I were rating this based on atmosphere, it would be a complete five. The bits of the book where we're going through his present-day steps of trying to find and save Delphine are frantic and harried, scenes where he's trying to remain undetected can work to breath-holding effect and there are a few legitimately scary panels and scenes, as well as some just deeply creepy scenes and passages. Symbolism is on full display throughout this, taking and twisting the familiar elements of the original story to new and usually effective use.If there was one place this book kind of lost me, it was probably with the relationship between Delphine and her Prince Charming. He wasn't... eh, how best to put this. He wasn't CHARMING. He comes across as kind of needy and deeply insecure, shown repeatedly in flashbacks to be almost demanding validation from Delphine that he's special and they belong together. I wish I could believe it's related to the what-the-prince-wants end of the original, but I don't think that's the case. Instead, I sort of feel like we're meant to find it cute or romantic, but to me, it came across as overbearing.