| Title | : | Snowflakes |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 31 |
| Publication | : | First published July 30, 2020 |
Leah has spent her formative years isolated on a remote island with her family. But their quiet existence, far from the devastated mainland, is cracking. Father, sensing a coming threat, demands that a wall be built. As the stone blockade rises, Father’s paranoia escalates. So does Leah’s dread that the violence the family left behind has found its way to their sanctuary.
Ruth Ware’s Snowflakes is part of Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
Snowflakes Reviews
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3.5 ⭐ .....I guess.
I don't like when authors blatantly force a political opinion in a book but for what this story is, I think it's well done. It's so depressing though. -
Snowflakes was just too sad, too depressing, and I had a feeling I knew what was going on in the story and that led me back to the sad and depressing. Not that anything could have made the story a happy one because no matter what the father of these children was trying to do, he was going about it the wrong way. I won't say more because this story is so short that to say more would be to give it all away.
This story is part of Hush, a collection of 6 stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death.
This was a Kindle Unlimited selection. -
I thought I needed “snowflakes” in my life today..it’s 118 degrees in Phoenix!
But, this CLEVER short story hit TOO close to home.
It didn’t seem like something RUTH WARE had written.
Is it Dystopian?
Horror?
It’s worse.
Truth vs. Illusion
And, it doesn’t seem that far fetched anymore with the things I have witnessed lately.
Part of Amazon’s new HUSH collection-6 stories-6 deceptions!
Just 36 minutes to read!
These are original short stories by some of our favorite authors-Ruth Ware, Lisa Unger, Alison Gaylin, Jeffrey Denver, Laura Lippman, and Oyinkan Braithwaite. -
I accomplished my reading challenge with this book and already read 250 books!🎈🥂🥳🤓🧐
OMG! Did you remember “Ernt”character from Kristin Hannah’s Great Alone, forcing them move to Alaska, a town in the middle of nowhere, building a big wall around their house to protect his family. Is the synopsis familiar to you? Yes, this book has too many similarities take place a deserted island in the present time. Four children and father tried to survive against the apocalyptic war threat:maybe they may be under threat of something more thrilling!
As I mentioned before this lovely father takes his kids, hiding in a house located at a desolated island, forcing them sharpen their farming, animal breeding, fishing skills. If they don’t show enough performance to contribute the daily chores, he punish them with his slaps.
But this year of the father only does this to protect them because there is a dangerous, apocalyptic war out there, bombs blast, the outrageous uniformed men with weapons killed their mother and nobody can stop them if they learn where they’re hiding.
So their father keep on building a wall to protect them even though it means they won’t make this winter and they may starve to death!
So guess what will happen? Of course there is a big twist and Great Alone readers already know it! Nope, don’t worry, it’s not related with PTSD or Vietnam syndrome.
I found the story idea a little predictable but as a die hard fan of the author, I’m rounding up 3.5 star to 4!
It’s fast paced, action packed, psychological thriller short story! I’m looking forward to read the other ones of Hush series! -
Of the six stories in the Hush collection, this was the one I was most excited about...but BLAH.
This very distasteful short story is nothing more than a political diatribe. I mean, come on...snowflakes and building walls to keep people out?
But hey, if you like all the left vs. right bullshit on social media, you'll likely love this story. I, however, do not...and I thought this story absolutely sucked. More than anything, I feel angry after reading it. Authors, you can do better than hit and run politics, no matter the side.
Oh yea, and a dog dies too. So disappointing,
Ruth Ware.
I'd suggest reading Lisa Unger's
Let Her Be, Laura Lippman's
Slow Burner, or Jeffery Deaver's
Buried, if you're interested in a selection from this group of stories.
UPDATE
Now that I've completed the series, here is my ranking of the six stories:
1. Buried
2/3. Let Her Be & Slow Burner tied for second place
4. The Gift
5. Treasure
6. Snowflakes -
Bro I'm actually laughing because everyone's like omg what a political thriller and it totally went over my head LMAOOOO. I just thought it was your standard doomsday prepper stuff that has been around for decades. I didn't clock the snowflakes (ode to Donny Trump era) reference at all. I thought it was because may cut out those lil snowflake chains. I'm laughing at myself for being a certified dummy on this one. It was kinda like After We Were Stolen by Brooke Beyfuss (not as good though). Anyways, I rather liked it. Also it's my first time reading Ruth ware, which I was hesitant about, but I found the prose enjoyable. I think short stories force heavy handed authors to cut out the winding metaphors and similes and get to the fking point.
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Leah's father keeps him and his children isolated on an island away from the main land. He says war is coming. They have to build a wall. Allegedly their mother was shot by a soldier. But what is really going on here? Did Leah's mother really die and what about the true reasons for the father's strange behavior? A very compelling and depressing story from the point of view of a small girl. You feel with the characters and hope for a good ending. The twist in the story is fine. What can I say, an intriguing piece of fiction you can't put down. Ruth Ware knows how to tell a punchy story. Highly recommended!
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Very much like “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah.
It was a good story full of mystery, intrigue and small twists. I enjoyed reading this and trying to figure out exactly what was happening to this family who is trying to escape the Nazi’s.
It kept me entertained and was an effortless read for the most part, some areas I felt needed improvement in the storyline (which is why I detracted a star). -
End of the World?
One night the world ended for little Leah and her siblings. Father had been preparing them for the apocalypse.
He said the government was going crazy and that they were at war. So, he grabbed the children and took them away to an island, as he had been preparing to do.
Ten years later they are still on the island, but “they” are coming to get them, so they must build a wall to protect themselves.
But from whom, Leah wants to know? Who’s after them? Why are they building the wall? Why is father giving them guns? Just what is going on?
A short story full of mystery. 🤔
Four fabulous stars. ✨ -
Short stories are always tough to rate because of course anyone can say ‘I didn’t feel like I knew the characters enough to connect with them.’ Or ‘The story would have been so much better if it were longer.’ I’ve read some fantastic short stories and have left feeling better for reading them. This wasn’t necessarily one of those times. The story WAS great in theory, but felt a bit forced.
Politically speaking, I don’t mind referencing to political views, but this was so blatantly obvious what the agenda was. I’m a smart woman and I gather that those who read books are too. In my personal opinion, let the message speak for itself. It’s like when someone explains why a joke is funny and then it isn’t funny anymore. Good analogy, right? 😂
3⭐️
If you want a politically charged book, read it! ✅
If you want a mystery/thriller, don’t. ❌ -
I thought this was a very clever short story about truth versus illusion or is that delusion? A war in someone’s head? Danger if that person is disobeyed? Fake news? Media propaganda? I’ll say no more but I’m sure someone will spring to mind .....
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Well that was sad as hell and not what I expected!! 😕
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 -
OK, the title caught my attention. I wondered if this quick 26-page short story was somehow connected to her upcoming book
One by One, but it definitely is not. It's really not like anything I've read of hers before, but heck, I really liked it. Honestly while reading it, the tone gave me a Shirley Jackson vibe. Ruth Ware packed a lot into just a few pages. The subject matter is sad and distressing, yet a couple of lines put a smirky smile on my face. Read for free on Kindle Unlimited. -
Snowflakes is one of six short stories in the Amazon Hush Collection.
Do you like a big heaping pile of political opinion with your pseudo-dystopian short story? Then this one is for you!
When I saw the title, I had my fingers crossed that this wasn't a *wink wink nod nod* usage of this word that is so casually tossed around to name-call those who hold an opposing viewpoint. But alas, here we are.
UPDATE: Final rankings for all Hush short stories:
1. Buried
2. Slow Burner
3. Let Her Be
4. The Gift
5. Treasure
6. Snowflakes -
Part of Amazon's "hush" collection this was a different dark and twisted story for the author. Our female protagonist , Leah, lives on an island with her father and three siblings. Their mother dead and the world they knew going down in flames, the children are now helping to build a wall. "They're coming" says their father but what exactly is happening? Intriguing premise but I had too much of an inkling about what was happening.
Goodreads review published 07/08/20 -
This story isn’t standard Ruth Ware. It’s a dystopian tale that seemingly comes close to some of the things going on in our world today. It’s depressing, but clever (especially the title). I can’t say I enjoyed reading this, but it’s an interesting and thought provoking read.
This is part of Amazon’s new Hush Collection, 6 stories each written by a different author. -
I really enjoy Ruth Ware novels so I decided to read this short story, although I have to admit I often find shorter stories lack the detail and depth I look for in a book. This book was a total surprise to me, I hadn’t read anything about the book prior to starting it so given the subject and writing style completely threw me. In fact I had to check it was a Ruth Ware story.
Leah Reynolds and her family are living an isolated life on a remote island and are fighting to survive. When their home is raided by the police they are forced to flee from their quiet existence with their paranoid father. Leah’s father is now insisting that the family build a stone wall blockade around their cottage for safety. Family tensions mount and conflict is inevitable.
This is a very good short story, totally unexpected and strangely packs so much into so few pages. -
I really wanted to like this book, and it kept my attention until the very end. First, it was too short, and I didn't have enough time to care about the characters. Some authors excel with writing short stories, while others struggle. This is the second scenario. I thought the finale was rushed and, in some ways, unrealistic. The writing was excellent, but I didn't feel as strongly about the story as I had hoped..
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Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
http://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/rev...
Having not yet read any of Ruth Ware’s work, I thought this short story, part of the HUSH Collection, might be the ideal launching point. Brief and to the point, Ware is able to weave in some powerful messages as the pieces soon fall into place. Leah Reynolds and her family are fighting to survive, living in a war zone and forced to protect themselves when no one else will. Tasked with building a stone wall around their isolated home, Leah and her siblings work their hands to the bone in order to appease a father who loves them very much. His constant counselling about safety does not go unnoticed as he shows the children proof of the bombed-out cities and schools on television. When the Reynolds home is rushed by the police, Leah and her family flee through the back door, worried what might happen to them. The confrontation is harrowing and a few are lost along the way, but Leah stands firm, hoping to help her father however he needs. When things take a significant turn for the worse, Leah makes the ultimate sacrifice, knowing that it will be the only way to save herself and honour the father who has placed his trust in her. A chilling story that forces the reader to second-guess much of what they know. Recommended to those who love a story with multiple plot lines not always seen throughout, as well as the reader who needs a little time filler between larger reading projects.
As this is my first experience with Ruth Ware, I hoped for a positive experience. I have heard of her and seen many of the books she’s published, but never got around to reading them. Ware sets this piece in a nondescript community, but layers on the dread of what is taking place. Leah Reynolds serves as the protagonist, ushering the reader through a panic-filled experience while the world seems to be crumbling around her. Seeking to stay safe, Leah accepts whatever is asked of her without questioning it. There is little time for backstory or growth, though one can only imagine how Ware might do it, given the time. The group of secondary characters serve as blips on the map in this piece. They are essential parts, but little impact is made with any of them, save Mr. Reynolds. The story reveals itself fully in the final pages, as the reader pops their head up from the narrative Leah has offered throughout. It’s then that Ware’s themes and underlying message come to light. How a belief in something with blind faith can not only be dangerous, but tell a completely different story from reality. Tossing around words like ‘fake news’ and ‘tunnel vision’ prove sobering, which forces the reader to reevaluate everything they hold dear. Released just in time (and with enough subtlety so as not to make it seem relevant) for people to consider their choice in America ahead of November 3, 2020. Brilliant, if I do say so myself.
Kudos, Madam Ware, for a great short piece. I will have to check out some of your longer work to see if it pulls me in with as much ease.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... -
An intriguing and clever short story.
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Snowflakes is a short story, one of six parts in the Hush Collection from Amazon (free with Prime or Kindle Unlimited subscription).
The story grabbed my attention and has a twist. My first reaction was this is a dystopian story with father and his children on an island. In the end I am not sure what to make of it. I'm sure there's a hidden message that is thought provoking that's not getting through to me. -
I love these Amazon collections, it's a great way to try out new authors. This was my first Ruth Ware and won't be my last, I very much enjoyed her writing style.
This 30 odd page short story is told from the perspective of Leah. Leah lives on an island with her siblings and Father as there is war on the mainland. They need to build a wall, and fast, war is getting ever closer.
And that's all you need to know.
This is part of the Hush collection, six stories ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
At time of posting this collection is available on Kindle Unlimited. -
Decent enough for a very short story.
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I picked this extremely short story to read during my lunch break.
Ruth Ware fails me every time. I know that she does not need to impress me (hey, she’s got at least 3 movies deal!), but I would like to be impressed. One of these days perhaps.
As for this story, I did not like it, not because it’s sad, but because I was bored and I felt nothing. -
Ruth Ware’s short story SNOWFLAKES is a part of AMAZON’s HUSH collection. I love Ruth Ware, there’s no doubt that she’s one of the authors whose books are auto-buy for me.
Snowflakes is Ruth Ware’s take on the political aspects affecting a family, and it was interesting to see how a father with his children strives to create a life in an island, albeit in a place that is lonely and desolate. But the children have each other and that’s what matters.
The truth once it is unveiled doesn’t surprise a reader much coz it is fairly easy to guess the direction of the story. There’s a sense of despair that hangs over the entire tale which doesn’t let up even at the end so much that I wished for a happier description to lift the mood.
It was Ruth Ware and probably, my fault, but I expected more punch in this short story.
3 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
This review is published in my blog
https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India and Twitter. -
After loving so much “One by one” some months ago, I jumped when I found out Ruth Ware had a short story coming out as part of a collection of six stories. Sadly, I jumped too soon 😕
The synopsis didn’t give away much but I was expecting some psychological suspense/mystery. Instead I got some kind of dystopian tale (at least initially) so far from everything I’ve read from this author I’m not sure I liked it much. The plot was pretty far fetched and the characters were not very well fleshed out, although this, being twenty something pages long, is to be expected.
I’ll just keep in mind how much I enjoyed her last novel and forget I even read this. -
3.5 stars
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One of six short stories on Kindle’s Hush collection and available free from Amazon Prime. Four children are living with their father on an island, hiding from a “war”. Although well written, SNOWFLAKES did not have much of a plot. I guessed what was really occurring very early in the story.
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I received an email from GoodReads this morning announcing a new book by Ruth Ware and I immediately dropped everything and started looking for it – thinking maybe that One by One published early under a new name or earlier in UK under a different name. Well, it turns out that Snowflakes is a longish short story published today in Amazon’s Hush collection. I stopped working and downloaded both Snowflakes and Let Her Be (Lisa Unger) of the series from Kindle Unlimited. Armed with my face mask and telephone I plugged in my earphones and, although I’m having a blast with The End of Her, unceremoniously pushed Lapena aside.
“sigh” What can I say? This is a solid short story that entertained me on my one-hour walk through the neighborhood. There are hints of Ware elements but, on the whole, the story is pretty much meh. It starts out a little like a wartime diary of a young girl, with some depressing portraits of lost childhood, as our young protagonist describes the hardship she and her siblings endure as they try to survive hiding out from the enemy soldiers. There are several heartbreaking descriptions – one in particular, describes how her hands were no longer the hands of prewar child but blistered and calloused, rough, bloodied and splintered. By this time, however, the dubious adult reader has figured out generally what is really going on and although there is a twist, it is a bit obvious. Tara Westover’s, Educated, crossed my mind on occasion while I was listening. The narrator of the book, by the way, does not fill Imogen Church’s shoes. -
3.5 stars. This is one of six novellas by noted authors under the title of the Hush series. They are available from Amazon Prime.
Four children have been hidden away on a small island by their harsh father. He has forced his children to build a rock wall, telling them something bad is coming and that the wall is to protect them from danger. If he feels their chores and wall building are not up to his standards he beats them. He tells them there is a war brewing in the outside world, and instills fear into them.
What is really going on and why the desperation?
