Fantastic Fairytales - Nameless by Lili St Crow

Published: April 4th, 2013

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 304

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

When Camille was six years old, she was discovered alone in the snow by Enrico Vultusino, godfather of the Seven—the powerful Families that rule magic-ridden New Haven. Papa Vultusino adopted the mute, scarred child, naming her after his dead wife and raising her in luxury on Haven Hill alongside his own son, Nico.

Now Cami is turning sixteen. She’s no longer mute, though she keeps her faded scars hidden under her school uniform, and though she opens up only to her two best friends, Ruby and Ellie, and to Nico, who has become more than a brother to her. But even though Cami is a pampered Vultusino heiress, she knows that she is not really Family. Unlike them, she is a mortal with a past that lies buried in trauma. And it’s not until she meets the mysterious Tor, who reveals scars of his own, that Cami begins to uncover the secrets of her birth…to find out where she comes from and why her past is threatening her now.

New York Times bestselling author Lili St. Crow thrilled legions of fans with her dark paranormal series Strange Angels. Now she has crafted an evocative update of Snow White, set in a vividly imagined world and populated by unforgettable new characters.

Nameless was a surprising, dark and very gritty  retelling of the perennial favourite, Snow White.  This time around the seven dwarves are represented by 'The Seven', families that have a striking resemblance to the mafia, but in fact are vampire families, with all the inherent politics.

Cami is deeply scarred, both physically and metaphorically from her life before the Seven.  The mystery of what happened to her previously is what drives the story.  Cami's relationship with Nico, her adoptive brother is somewhat strange and unusual.  Nico is not a particulary likeable character, but he is very protective of Cami.  I don't want to give any spoilers so I'll just say their relationship might surprise you. The introduction of a 2nd male character adds an interesting twist to the story but anything else would be a major spoiler, so I'll leave it at that. 

There are some rather confusing dreams about apples, which I never fully understood, but which add significantly to the darkness in the story and Cami's constant nightmares about her time before are not pleasant.  I was so glad to find out eventually why Cami is so scared of stairs - that was very unique and not at all what I expected. 

There is definitely nothing Disney'ish about this Snow White.  It's creepy and cold, very dark, and rather alarming at times.  Had my heart racing on a couple of occasions.  A quick but very worthwhile read.  I loved it.