Stitching Snow by RC Lewis

First and foremost, I was deeply pleased that this book was not the first part of a trilogy. I have read too many trilogies in the past few years and I am overjoyed to be able to enjoy a story from start to finish and not have to wait another year for the next part. Seriously cannot say how much that pleases me. As for the story itself, I was also pleased by just about everything. With elements of fairy tale, fantasy and steampunk, Stitching Snow was an excellent read. Essie, the titular Snow, is an exceptionally strong main character who I had a good time following. The story had many twists and turns, some of which were of course easy to forsee but still satisfying. The story takes place, we find out subtley, 1000 years into our future, in which different planets are under the control of an evil king and queen. The ruling planet is apparently under attack by the Exiles, waging a bloody battle for revolution. But not everything is as it seems and hope lies with Essie. The only flaw I saw at all, if one could call it that, is that the Exiles have a power to Transition, or basically take over the mind of someone else they touch. That detail doesn't do much to further the story other than to reveal a secret, and I felt that could have been accomplished another way. Other than that, however, Stitching Snow was solid and well-written with well-drawn main characters and (cannot be said enough) a real and enjoyable final conclusion.