Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this was a retelling, not a prequel... which means that all my hopes and dreams were crushed! Utterly crushed!
This is my own fault. It says right in the description, "Award-winning author Robin Benway explores the complex sibling rivalry between the two wicked stepsisters from Cinderella that turned them into the characters we know today."
But since I didn't realize it was a prequel, I ended up extremely disappointed. I really wanted Anatasia and Drizella to have their happy endings.
That doesn't make this a bad book... but if you want a happy ending, know you're not going to get one.
This is my own fault. It says right in the description, "Award-winning author Robin Benway explores the complex sibling rivalry between the two wicked stepsisters from Cinderella that turned them into the characters we know today."
But since I didn't realize it was a prequel, I ended up extremely disappointed. I really wanted Anatasia and Drizella to have their happy endings.
That doesn't make this a bad book... but if you want a happy ending, know you're not going to get one.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like Lady Tremaine is a Disney antagonist no one feels strongly about either way — but after this book? Lemme commit elder abuse. I’m gonna lock HER in the damn tower! Throw the key in the river. Let her rot.
Anastasia has had a couple of arcs that humanize her in the films, but what initially lured me into this book was the plot of Drizella. She’s never had a spotlight so, I had to give it a go.
…She wanted to be a scientist! Her biggest fear is losing her baby sister. (Anastasia’s biggest fear initially seems to be loneliness as well, but it’s actually Drizella turning into their mother.) Her storyline actually killed me. You wonder how much of the wickedness is a defense mechanism and how much is just them being ridiculous, sassy and overcompensating. They have their escape, they have their dreams within arms reach, and they have it stolen from them.
I don’t think the book *entirely* excuses them being cruel to Cinderella, but it definitely gives more depth. They want to treat her decently, but they’re canonically victims just as much as she is.
Happy ending, Drizella and Anastasia get no such thing.
That said?
I love underappreciated characters getting a storyline that suits them. I had fun. It was a cozy, quick read.
Anastasia has had a couple of arcs that humanize her in the films, but what initially lured me into this book was the plot of Drizella. She’s never had a spotlight so, I had to give it a go.
…She wanted to be a scientist! Her biggest fear is losing her baby sister. (Anastasia’s biggest fear initially seems to be loneliness as well, but it’s actually Drizella turning into their mother.) Her storyline actually killed me. You wonder how much of the wickedness is a defense mechanism and how much is just them being ridiculous, sassy and overcompensating. They have their escape, they have their dreams within arms reach, and they have it stolen from them.
I don’t think the book *entirely* excuses them being cruel to Cinderella, but it definitely gives more depth. They want to treat her decently, but they’re canonically victims just as much as she is.
Happy ending, Drizella and Anastasia get no such thing.
That said?
I love underappreciated characters getting a storyline that suits them. I had fun. It was a cozy, quick read.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a retelling/prequel to Cinderella, telling the story of the stepsisters and how they became evil. It was fairly sad and I kept hoping for a different outcome, even though I obviously know the story of Cinderella!
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I went into this not really knowing what to expect but what I got was a really interesting novel that really delved into the stepsisters’ abuse and very complicated relationships with their mother. I really wanted Anastasia and Drizella to get their happy endings and was deeply saddened when the novel revealed it’s true hand as an origin story for the stepsisters that would lay the groundwork for Cinderella.
Wow - this was pretty dark for a Disney book. I struggled to finish it because it was so boring and depressing. I also didn't realize this was a prequel, so I was confused as the story progressed since I kept trying to make it fit the Cinderella timeline.
I do enjoy stories told from another perspective! This did not disappoint.