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The Snow Queen

By: Joan D. Vinge
Narrated by: Ellen Archer
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Publisher's summary

The imperious Winter colonists have ruled the planet Tiamat for 150 years, deriving wealth from the slaughter of the sea mers. But soon the galactic stargate will close, isolating Tiamat, and the 150-year reign of the Summer primitives will begin. All is not lost if Arienrhod, the ageless, corrupt Snow Queen, can destroy destiny with an act of genocide. Arienrhod is not without competition as Moon, a young Summer-tribe sibyl, and the nemesis of the Snow Queen, battles to break a conspiracy that spans space.

©1980 Joan D. Vinge (P)2012 Audible, Inc.
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Critic reviews

  • Hugo Award, Best Novel, 1981

What listeners say about The Snow Queen

Average customer ratings
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Still Wonderful!

First read this in 1982. As enchanting now 40 years later as it was then!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Startlingly good book

I read this when I was a kid, but I didn't remember it very well. I went into it fully expecting that I'd find issues with it, perhaps it would feel dated (although I do love old books, so, that wasn't hugely likely).

Nope. I found it extremely compelling, easy to understand, and the narrator very pleasant to listen to for both male and female characters. Love this book and this is definitely one of my favorites.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Couldn’t turn it off!

Characters I enjoyed getting to know, a world I could believe in. A story I did not want to end! Loved it!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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This is my favorite book series!!!

Really great performance of the book. All the characters were brought to life by the narrator. Can you please do the other ones now?!!!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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excellent reader, good at accents

This book is probably more enjoyable if you are not familiar with the Hans Christian Anderson tale. I wasn't, and thought the world building and plot were fantastic. great reader. The ending got a little too flowery and drawn out, but by then I was well invested.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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good read

it was a good story once it started to make sense. It was definitely dated. It Was Written In 1980 and it had that feel about it. But it was good.

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2 people found this helpful

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Where is Sumer queen?

It's been 10 years Audible! Where is Summer Queen???? You need to do it with the same narrator too.

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1 person found this helpful

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One of my favorite books of all time

I read this book when it first came out in 1979. I must have read it a dozen times since. This is Hugo and Nebula winner. Overlooked by the general public. I'm surprised it hasn't been made into a movie yet, especially since the author has done numerous movie scripts.
I can't recommend it highly enough. do yourself a favor, and give it a listen.

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Best quote (out of context)

Indifference is the strongest force in the universe. It makes everything it touches meaningless. Love and hate don't stand a chance against it. It lets neglect and decay and monstrous injustice go unchecked. It doesn't act, it allows. And that's what gives it so much power .

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story and excellent audio experience

Thoroughly enjoyed the audio experience. I had read The Snow Queen years ago and was only vaguely familiar with the storyline and characters, of which there are many. The narrator did an excellent job with each character’s voice and disposition. The plot is thick and there is a lot to keep track of. Difficult for audio but also entertaining. All around great experience.

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