Let’s start immediately with the necessary thanks to Tora Editions, which allowed us to offer you this review of La Regina delle Nevi (The Snow Queen) by sending us the volume.

The book, part of the Adventure Book series, is available for purchase in Italian here for 14.90 euros.

The product we are presenting to you is a gamebook inspired by the popular fairy tale of Hans Christian Andersen, originally divided into seven interconnected tales. Although Disney drew inspiration from it for Frozen, it is clear that the story is quite different. So don’t expect a children’s tale: as we’ve learned by now, fairy tales of the past were anything but childish.

The Structure of the Gamebook

A genre born around the 1980s, gamebooks feature a story in which the reader can decide the path the protagonist will take throughout the narrative. We’ll be presented with several crossroads that will lead us to specific chapters, significantly altering the outcome of the characters’ actions.

The 275 little chapters in which the volume of La Regina delle Nevi is divided will therefore not have to be read in order and not all of them are mandatory: only if we decide to start the story again (once we have reached its first conclusion) to take new paths, will we be able to access new situations and dialogues.

La Regina delle Nevi Review: Gameplay

In addition to the aforementioned rules, the book includes a character sheet where you can note down useful elements for the adventure. Two of them in particular are important to keep in mind: Determination and Frost.

At the beginning of our journey, we’ll have 10 Determination points. But a journey into a fantasy world filled with threats and fears can be challenging: physical and mental fatigue, and actions requiring special willpower may require you to lower your Determination score. More rarely, you may even gain some. If it drops to zero, your journey will be immediately cut short. You’ll have succumbed to your darker side, or you’ll simply be dead.

The Frost, on the other hand, represents the primal power taking hold in your heart. You’ll start with 5 Frost points, and the higher this number goes, the more distorted your view of the world will be, as you’ll be emphasizing the ugly and terrible in it. So pay close attention to both and keep track of them.

You’ll also find some bold words within the text, called keywords. Note them on your character sheet, as they can be used as special items on certain occasions.

The Story

Many years ago, an evil spirit forged a magic mirror capable of magnifying the flaws of anything reflected in it. One day, however, it had an idea: it would take its creation before God to see its effect. During the journey, the thought of what would happen made it laugh so hard that it lost its grip on the cursed object, which fell from the top of a mountain and shattered into thousands of fragments scattered by the wind. Since then, some people have come into contact with its pieces, losing their way and becoming corrupted. Among them, the Snow Queen benefited wickedly, becoming immortal and increasing her power.

We will play the role of Gerda, a little girl who, while playing in the forest with her friend Kai, was contaminated by the fragments of the cursed mirror.

Will they be able to resist the spell of the Queen, who will do anything to increase her power by lining up the new owners of the shards in her ranks?

Conclusions of the Review of La Regina delle Nevi

With its 196 pages (46 of which are in color) and its semi-hard cover, La Regina delle Nevi presents itself as a very well-finished product.

The illustrations by Ludovica Liera (aka Sc4rys) are exquisitely cartoonish, winking at a younger audience.

The story, narrated by Davide Toccafondi (I recommend you read his biography at the end of the book!), is written clearly, with a stronger emphasis on the fantasy notes of the story.

A perfect book to assign to kids at school during summer or winter break. Perhaps the ability to identify with the protagonist and the opportunity to decide her life will inspire even more readers among the younger generations.

If you enjoyed this review of La Regina delle Nevi, we recommend you keep following us for other exciting gamebooks!