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jo_d's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Cinderella retelling: imagine if Ella Enchanted met Oliver Twist and was written by Mary Shelley. The book does a really good job of reverse character growth, and really ropes you into cheering for someone
Had me at the edge of my seat the entire time and could hardly put it down. Excellent reworking of the classic tale in a completely different light. The themes of the corruption of power and the justification of horrid actions by someone who believes they deserve better is just *chefs kiss*
Graphic: Vomit, Abortion, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Injury/Injury detail
amalyndb's review against another edition
3.5
This is very much a Gothic novel, the slow descent from reality into unraveling. It is well done, just not my cup of tea
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Classism
rogue_sheep_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Gore and Blood
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Miscarriage, Vomit, Grief, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
dontwritedown's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It's a nice retelling of Cinderella, except the Fairy Godmother is evil, the stepfather is evil, and there are no stepsisters, just a stepbrother that knocks Ella up, and a couple of lesbian maids.
Honestly this book works both as a standalone or the first books in a series of retellings.
Definitely worth a read.
Graphic: Child death, Deadnaming, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Rape and Gaslighting
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
soundlysmitten's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Although this is listed as a fantasy, to me the story felt more like a cross between a historical novel with Gothic elements and a psychological thriller with supernatural factors at play. It’s more harrowing than thrilling, though. While I’d say it’s medium paced, long sections and spots where the writing gets dense can actually make it feel pretty slow.
Told in third-person from Eleanor’s point of view, it isn’t always clear what is or isn’t real. She’s experienced quite a bit of trauma by the time we meet her and the limitations of her life have her feeling claustrophobic. Some people might interpret Eleanor as an entitled character, but I don’t think it’s fair to imply she doesn’t deserve better. Of course she does. No one deserves to endure the twisted conditions she and her co-workers must. So personally, I’d say Eleanor starts out with good reason to feel bitter. If not for the life she almost had, for all the other loss she’s experienced, and for the torment of working in Mr. Pembroke’s household. It can surely be said that Eleanor goes on to make some selfishly cruel, misguided decisions. But as I mentioned, she’s a desperate and deluded protagonist… and each wish she makes corrupts her character further.
While I understand the dire environment the author sought to create, it was difficult to read through all of the instances of physical and sexual abuse. Women turning against women is also not something I enjoy reading about. Honestly, I think violence might taint every part of this story. Even the romance, as the love interest is oh so distraught to find Eleanor being abused in a position he arranged, but all he does is get her in trouble and leave her there…
As you might have guessed, this is not a book with a neat, feel good resolution. Although I mostly prefer to read HEAs, I don’t think I would have minded the conclusion if it had been fleshed out further. But towards the end, some of the events that play out seem a bit too convenient. And worse, we are left with a number of essential questions.
The only other criticism I have is about Eleanor’s self-talk regarding the wishes. Her decision making process is so repetitive. Every time, she starts by says she’s not going to make another wish—she is NOT—because the last time she did, something terrible happened. Then she flips her position and says no, that wasn’t really a consequence of the wish—it can't be. And she needs to make another wish right now because: insert justification. Maybe that’s a more realistic thought process than I’d like to believe. But I found it rather annoying…
All the same, with themes of desire, greed, power, and revenge, this is an intriguing read on the consequences of flirting with evil. It’s a much darker narrative than I typically like to get lost in, so I can’t say I loved it. And I probably won’t be giving it a re-read. But it is captivating and I’m sure it’s *the* book for somebody else out there.
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal death, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent