The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
daleydale's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
talesandtreatswithtay's review against another edition
3.0
A YA Cinderella retelling where the Cinderella character meets her prince before the ball as a scullery maid in the castle, in a world where magic is outlawed and considered dangerous.
I would consider this book a palate cleanser, for if you are looking for a light, cute read with romance and a bit more magic than in the original fairy tale.
I like how the author added something for depth into the Cinderella character: a passion for sewing and dreams of becoming a seamstress. We see Ashlin marvel over the qualities of fabric, design dresses in a sketch book, and make a custom ball gown for her step sister. This quality gave the character more substance than the original, who merely seemed to clean and cook for her step-family, dreaming to be free one day.
One aspect of the Cinderella character I've always struggled with is how she lets her step family walk all over her without ever seeming to have a backbone. In this story, Ashlin blames herself for her father's death and her step family heaps that guilt upon her as well. As such, Ashlin feels the need to make up for her role in her father's death and wants to feel a part of the only family she has left--but what she goes through is way too much to be in any way justified. Ashlin makes excuses for them and is apparently accepting of how they treat her-- I can almost forgive this if she had grown up being treated this way but Ashlin was an older teen when her father died and is now I believe 20, so she's had the life experience to know what a loving family really is. It takes Ashlin a whiiilllleeee to finally see the truth, but not before she blames the prince ironically of the deceit and two-facedness that her step family was truly doing to her--that part of the story was pretty frustrating.
I thought some of the dialog between Onric and Ashlin was a bit awkward/cheesy/unrealistic, but perhaps that is the YA element coming through. I wish there had been more worldbuilding and I felt like a few things were left hanging without explanations, which I doubt will be present in the next books (i.e. Ashlin never finished the tapestry that explains the past with the magis and it is never explained how Ashlins mother came to own a magis creation.)
But overall, it was a cute read and satisfies the urge to read a Cinderella retelling!
Christian faith rating: 0/3
I would consider this book a palate cleanser, for if you are looking for a light, cute read with romance and a bit more magic than in the original fairy tale.
I like how the author added something for depth into the Cinderella character: a passion for sewing and dreams of becoming a seamstress. We see Ashlin marvel over the qualities of fabric, design dresses in a sketch book, and make a custom ball gown for her step sister. This quality gave the character more substance than the original, who merely seemed to clean and cook for her step-family, dreaming to be free one day.
One aspect of the Cinderella character I've always struggled with is how she lets her step family walk all over her without ever seeming to have a backbone. In this story, Ashlin blames herself for her father's death and her step family heaps that guilt upon her as well. As such, Ashlin feels the need to make up for her role in her father's death and wants to feel a part of the only family she has left--but what she goes through is way too much to be in any way justified. Ashlin makes excuses for them and is apparently accepting of how they treat her-- I can almost forgive this if she had grown up being treated this way but Ashlin was an older teen when her father died and is now I believe 20, so she's had the life experience to know what a loving family really is. It takes Ashlin a whiiilllleeee to finally see the truth, but not before she blames the prince ironically of the deceit and two-facedness that her step family was truly doing to her--that part of the story was pretty frustrating.
I thought some of the dialog between Onric and Ashlin was a bit awkward/cheesy/unrealistic, but perhaps that is the YA element coming through. I wish there had been more worldbuilding and I felt like a few things were left hanging without explanations, which I doubt will be present in the next books (i.e. Ashlin never finished the tapestry that explains the past with the magis and it is never explained how Ashlins mother came to own a magis creation.)
But overall, it was a cute read and satisfies the urge to read a Cinderella retelling!
Christian faith rating: 0/3
kelseybea's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this! I borrowed this on KindleUnlimited, text only, no audio available (at least right now). I knew going into this that it was a Cinderella retelling, but it wasn't totally obvious at the start. Ashlin, no form of "Ella". Stepmother, and one stepsister. The prince is the second son (five siblings?)
I wasn't quite sure about the setting, the magical people who had been banished but it was now feared were coming back. That provided a bit of a set-up for the "godmother" magic, and set-up for the sequel with a "beast". I am interested in continuing on... my KU subscription just expired though. Next time I get KU, I'll be coming back to this series.
I wasn't quite sure about the setting, the magical people who had been banished but it was now feared were coming back. That provided a bit of a set-up for the "godmother" magic, and set-up for the sequel with a "beast". I am interested in continuing on... my KU subscription just expired though. Next time I get KU, I'll be coming back to this series.
books2graham's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very well done retelling of Cinderella! I loved how manipulative the evil stepmother was and how there was only one step sister. I thought that was a nice touch on the authors part as it let the Ashlin's home life really shine through and added so much to the storyline. Onrich was a likeable character and his romance with Ashlin was sweet. I loved the aspect of Ashlin's love for sewing and how it played into the tapestry. I also loved how clever she was. Overall this was a very sweet retelling.
constant2m's review against another edition
5.0
Shard of Glass was a beautiful new take on a very familiar story. Ashlin and her prince didn't meet at the dance. Instead, they meet when Prince Onric and his brother are caught in the storm and need to spend the night in her barn. Hiding his identity, Ashlin feels comfortable talking with him, but forgets to ask his name and doesn't expect to see him again. When she takes a job as a palace servant, she is embarrassed to find out who he is and also to constantly see him everywhere. Could it be that he is as drawn to her as she is to him?
Ashlin is not a typical Cinderella in the way she loves her step-mother and step-sister and truly believes they care for her as well. She also feels partly responsible for the death of her father and the suffering his death has caused her family, so she feels no resentment toward either of her remaining family members. However, that makes the domestic abuse worse. And several people, including Onric, call it out. Over the course of the story, Ashlin learns what is and what is not her responsibility and begins to stand up for herself. Several people in the story offer her a way out at various points, but it is up to her to choose to take it.
Onric is a darling of a prince, not perfect, but not snotty either. He likes Ashlin and even though he thinks she is just a servant, he doesn't treat her differently in any way. He even asks his mother for the ball to include commoners because he wants Ashlin to attend (and the queen agrees, knowing that's why he wants her to)! Onric also chooses to trust Ashlin when people lie about her, which is unlike royalty in many fairy tales.
Ashlin's step-mother and step-sister were weak villains, powerless apart from the power Ashlin gave them. So when she decided she was done, so were they. The true villains of the story have yet to make an appearance. They are the Majis, magic users who once wreaked havoc on the land and are returning. For the majority of the story, we hear only rumors of their abilities. But magic is seen as evil and anyone researching it will be severely punished. Of course, that also makes it fun the few times we see magic at work. And yes, there is still a fairy godmother of sorts.
Shard of Glass was beautiful story with fabulous characters. The end clearly pointed to the next fairy tale retelling which I hope Emily will be writing very, very soon.
I received an ARC from the author and have reviewed it because I stayed up all night reading it and wanted to share how amazing it was.
Ashlin is not a typical Cinderella in the way she loves her step-mother and step-sister and truly believes they care for her as well. She also feels partly responsible for the death of her father and the suffering his death has caused her family, so she feels no resentment toward either of her remaining family members. However, that makes the domestic abuse worse. And several people, including Onric, call it out. Over the course of the story, Ashlin learns what is and what is not her responsibility and begins to stand up for herself. Several people in the story offer her a way out at various points, but it is up to her to choose to take it.
Onric is a darling of a prince, not perfect, but not snotty either. He likes Ashlin and even though he thinks she is just a servant, he doesn't treat her differently in any way. He even asks his mother for the ball to include commoners because he wants Ashlin to attend (and the queen agrees, knowing that's why he wants her to)! Onric also chooses to trust Ashlin when people lie about her, which is unlike royalty in many fairy tales.
Ashlin's step-mother and step-sister were weak villains, powerless apart from the power Ashlin gave them. So when she decided she was done, so were they. The true villains of the story have yet to make an appearance. They are the Majis, magic users who once wreaked havoc on the land and are returning. For the majority of the story, we hear only rumors of their abilities. But magic is seen as evil and anyone researching it will be severely punished. Of course, that also makes it fun the few times we see magic at work. And yes, there is still a fairy godmother of sorts.
Shard of Glass was beautiful story with fabulous characters. The end clearly pointed to the next fairy tale retelling which I hope Emily will be writing very, very soon.
I received an ARC from the author and have reviewed it because I stayed up all night reading it and wanted to share how amazing it was.
violetrosemary's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
cindeereads's review against another edition
5.0
An Amazing Fairy Tale retelling
I loved this book it was an amazing quick read. I really loved the characters especially Ashlin she is a bit unsure of herself and her place in the world I am glad this is fixed by the end. The romance was amazing I loved that it was slow burn and Ashlin did not rush into anything by the end. I loved the plot it started with an altered Cinderella story I hated her step mother and sister they did not deserve her I am happy with how things ended. So overall I loved this book and will be continuing the series soon.
I loved this book it was an amazing quick read. I really loved the characters especially Ashlin she is a bit unsure of herself and her place in the world I am glad this is fixed by the end. The romance was amazing I loved that it was slow burn and Ashlin did not rush into anything by the end. I loved the plot it started with an altered Cinderella story I hated her step mother and sister they did not deserve her I am happy with how things ended. So overall I loved this book and will be continuing the series soon.
pi_maker's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this Cinderella retelling! Ashlin was such a dear girl, and she had a strong character growth arc. The author really illustrates how someone can be trapped by emotional abuse: it was painful to watch Ashlin keep rationalizing and excusing things, choosing to put up with her stepmother and stepsister's cruelty in order to be a part of the family, but it made it the more meaningful when she finally realized for herself that what they were doing was wrong and she didn't have to continue letting them treat her like that.
And the world building! Set at the brink of a major societal change, Shard of Glass introduces the concept of magic-users as a race of Others to be feared and hated, but clearly sets the stage for the countries to experience magic first-hand as more stories unfold on this continent and the thousand-season exile of the Majis comes to an end. The interaction between the five Kingdoms will be interesting to watch; I have a few suspicions, and can't wait to see whether there's anything to support or undermine them in the next book in the series!
I received an ARC from the author, but enjoyed it so much that I bought a copy as soon as it released.
And the world building! Set at the brink of a major societal change, Shard of Glass introduces the concept of magic-users as a race of Others to be feared and hated, but clearly sets the stage for the countries to experience magic first-hand as more stories unfold on this continent and the thousand-season exile of the Majis comes to an end. The interaction between the five Kingdoms will be interesting to watch; I have a few suspicions, and can't wait to see whether there's anything to support or undermine them in the next book in the series!
I received an ARC from the author, but enjoyed it so much that I bought a copy as soon as it released.