"Go body-bag a prince!" Deliciously dark Cinderella.

A librarian warns us that rot has set into his books - be warned! So none should be surprised that the erstwhile sentimental fairy story has now become Gothic Horror.

DEFINITELY one to avoid if you have sensitive children who really wouldn't like mention of death (including a very sad horse death), vampires, severed limbs. I know that sounds rather gruesome as a list, but it's not graphic and adult, think more Roald Dahl. Even David Walliams has killed off child characters before.

This follows the rough structure of the tale, though with marked differences. Cinderella has FAKE sisters and a FAKE stepmother, the prince is a little darker and hungrier than you might expect. The Godmother of Death raises the deceased girl from her eternal slumber to attend three balls, some unfortunately-perished pets provide the coachmen. And there's no glass slipper...

I loved it. Seeing the changes made to fit the theme, it delighted me actually. With autumnal colours, spooky and imagery-laden language, it's a delicious twist on the overdone tale.

The illustrations reminded me of Tim Burton in the characters' lankiness, but remained child-friendly. It was lovely to see Cinderella and 'family' portrayed as women of colour, without mention of it, with modern-style clothes and hair. Dahl-esque cracked feet. A dark story but illustrations that kept it suitable for a young audience.

I'm giving this to my 9-year-old son to try. I suspect it'll be much more palatable to a wider audience than CInderella stories generally are. It isn't as long as it looks, and an independent reader won't have huge issues with it.

One to read aloud on a dark winter's night.

For ages 7-11.

With thanks to Walker Books for providing a sample reading copy.