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librarianinperiwinkle's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this retelling of the Cinderella story, particularly the twist that had the stepmother not being evil but rather just weak and lazy--she didn't intend for Ella to become a servant so much as she just wasn't strong enough or paying enough attention to prevent her older daughter, Lucy, from manipulating the situation.
I also really enjoyed Ella's character arc as she transitioned from being nearly as big a snob--albeit a less imperious one--as her stepsisters to becoming a more humble, useful, and self-aware young lady. Cinderella is often portrayed as a saint whose spirit has pretty well been broken, but this version of Ella had flaws, was fairly stubborn and strong-willed, and seemed more realistic.
My only real complaint about the book is that in the end, Ella agrees to marry the prince. (Does that count as a spoiler if we all know the basic story already?) I think it would have been a better ending if she'd agreed to consider it but had insisted on taking more time to get to know each other. I know that's not "a fairytale ending," but it would have worked much better with the story arc and the trajectory of Ella's character development--an hour's conversation with a stranger does not a solid foundation for a marriage make. A good start to a relationship, yes, but jumping straight into marriage? No.
For readers' advisors: character doorway is primary, story secondary. No sex, violence, or bad language. Not quite fantasy, but I'm not precisely sure when or where it's set.
I also really enjoyed Ella's character arc as she transitioned from being nearly as big a snob--albeit a less imperious one--as her stepsisters to becoming a more humble, useful, and self-aware young lady. Cinderella is often portrayed as a saint whose spirit has pretty well been broken, but this version of Ella had flaws, was fairly stubborn and strong-willed, and seemed more realistic.
My only real complaint about the book is that in the end, Ella agrees to marry the prince. (Does that count as a spoiler if we all know the basic story already?) I think it would have been a better ending if she'd agreed to consider it but had insisted on taking more time to get to know each other. I know that's not "a fairytale ending," but it would have worked much better with the story arc and the trajectory of Ella's character development--an hour's conversation with a stranger does not a solid foundation for a marriage make. A good start to a relationship, yes, but jumping straight into marriage? No.
For readers' advisors: character doorway is primary, story secondary. No sex, violence, or bad language. Not quite fantasy, but I'm not precisely sure when or where it's set.
shelvesofsecrets's review against another edition
2.0
I'm a big fan of fairy-tale retellings, but this one left something to be desired. It ws a pretty straightforward retelling, without much to make it unique. That, and Ella was a very unlikable character for the first half of the book.
As mentioned, this retelling was pretty straightforward, other than the lack of magic. So instead of a fairy godmother, Ella's godmother is a dressmaker, which give a plausible way for the story to move forward without the use of magic wands. However, I wish there had been a bit more added in to the story to give a more unique spin to it.
My major issue with this book was that I hated Ella for most of it. She is snooty and spoiled and proud and lacked backbone. When her stepfamily started treating her poorly she should have pushed back or at least allowed her friends to assist her. But no, she just complained about it and did a poor job and was rude to poor Henry. Eventually she came around, but it was too little too late for me.
The other issues I had with the story are the issues I have with the fairy tale in general. By it's very nature, there was a unhealthy dose of instalove. Because talking to someone for a couple hours in the dark is enough to know they are marriage (and throne) material. Right?!
Also, this book is pretty short, with didn't help my reception of it. Anyway, not a winner for me. But give it a try if you are a big fan of retellings and don't mind unlikable characters.
As mentioned, this retelling was pretty straightforward, other than the lack of magic. So instead of a fairy godmother, Ella's godmother is a dressmaker, which give a plausible way for the story to move forward without the use of magic wands. However, I wish there had been a bit more added in to the story to give a more unique spin to it.
My major issue with this book was that I hated Ella for most of it. She is snooty and spoiled and proud and lacked backbone. When her stepfamily started treating her poorly she should have pushed back or at least allowed her friends to assist her. But no, she just complained about it and did a poor job and was rude to poor Henry. Eventually she came around, but it was too little too late for me.
The other issues I had with the story are the issues I have with the fairy tale in general. By it's very nature, there was a unhealthy dose of instalove. Because talking to someone for a couple hours in the dark is enough to know they are marriage (and throne) material. Right?!
Also, this book is pretty short, with didn't help my reception of it. Anyway, not a winner for me. But give it a try if you are a big fan of retellings and don't mind unlikable characters.
gabs_myfullbookshelf's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I have read my fair share of Cinderella retellings (read: I have read so many I can't even remember them all). This is a nice retelling that doesn't stray too far from the main tale, but still manages to add some original ideas, some that I haven't come across in most retellings.
The main difference between this tale and others is that there is no magic in this retelling. But that wasn't what really stood out to me; what I liked best is that the stepmother isn't really evil, she's simply a pushover and does whatever the evil stepsisters, Lucy and Gerta, want. I don't think I've ever come across that before, and I found that fascinating for some reason.
Like I said before, it doesn't deviate from the original plot, but that's not bad. The last retelling I read had tried to put such a new spin on the Cinderella retelling that I wouldn't have known it was a Cinderella story unless it had said on the blurb. So I'm really glad that the author didn't veer off from the traditional storyline.
There's a lot of character growth from Ella. She starts off as a complete brat, but she has changed completely by the end of the story.
If you like retellings, this is a book worth picking up!
I have read my fair share of Cinderella retellings (read: I have read so many I can't even remember them all). This is a nice retelling that doesn't stray too far from the main tale, but still manages to add some original ideas, some that I haven't come across in most retellings.
The main difference between this tale and others is that there is no magic in this retelling. But that wasn't what really stood out to me; what I liked best is that the stepmother isn't really evil, she's simply a pushover and does whatever the evil stepsisters, Lucy and Gerta, want. I don't think I've ever come across that before, and I found that fascinating for some reason.
Like I said before, it doesn't deviate from the original plot, but that's not bad. The last retelling I read had tried to put such a new spin on the Cinderella retelling that I wouldn't have known it was a Cinderella story unless it had said on the blurb. So I'm really glad that the author didn't veer off from the traditional storyline.
There's a lot of character growth from Ella. She starts off as a complete brat, but she has changed completely by the end of the story.
If you like retellings, this is a book worth picking up!