libraryofretellingsandstars's review against another edition
1.0
"Five Glass Slippers" by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, Elisabeth Brown, Emma Clifton, Rachel Heffington, Stephanie Ricker, and Clara Diane Thompson is a collection of Cinderella retellings.
I would give "Five Glass Slippers" by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, Elisabeth Brown, Emma Clifton, Rachel Heffington, Stephanie Ricker, and Clara Diane Thompson a 1-star review because, while I love fairytale retellings, I couldn't get into this one.
I would give "Five Glass Slippers" by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, Elisabeth Brown, Emma Clifton, Rachel Heffington, Stephanie Ricker, and Clara Diane Thompson a 1-star review because, while I love fairytale retellings, I couldn't get into this one.
allison_r's review against another edition
3.0
This is where I make a fairytale pun about how this collection is 'magical' or 'enchanting'. I can't think of anything clever right now, so do me a favor and pretend like I did.
What Eyes Can See:
Pros- Easily the most classical story in the collection, What Eyes Can See enchanted me with its perspectives on love at first sight. But equally lovely was what was not said. Am I alone in thinking that the unnamed fourth woman on Frederick's list of possible brides was the other stepsister, Anastasia?
Cons- I had an issue with the main character of this story. You see, it's not Cinderella. It's not even her stepsister. It's the ball. Everything in this story focuses in on that one event and its aftermath, so I never had an opportunity to see the characters when they weren't being subjected to emotional upheaval.
Broken Glass:
Pros- This story had the best descriptions of the collection. It also juggled more storylines than the others and did so with grace. I adored Rosalind and Evelyn as foils to each other, and the stepsisters cast as the two princes had me in giggles.
Cons- Like WECS, the characters were under pressure throughout the whole story. Because of that, although Henry and Rosalind had serious relationship issues, I had no way of knowing their relationship wasn't this rocky until the issues were resolved. I also could not suspend my disbelief on the cart-to-steam-carriage sequences of inventions, although that barely affected the story.
The Windy Side of Care:
Pros- This had the strongest beginning of the stories and was the only one to use first person, which it handled nicely. The author also did British-speak beautifully, in addition to multiple other languages! It had my favorite version of the fairy godmother.
Cons- The main conflict here is that Alisandra wants the throne and Auguste doesn't. The ideal solution would be for them to marry and her to rule, but both usually clever characters overlook this.This might've been resolved if, instead of pretending to drop it, Auguste deliberately broke the glass slipper, thus proving to the court, himself, his parents, and Alisandra that he is forceful enough to rule. I can't help but feel that either the main issue is not resolved by the end of the story or that there never was an issue to begin with, and the two main characters must complicated things for themselves.
A Cinder's Tale:
Pros- Are you sure this author isn't a science major? Elsa and her friends speak flawless scientific jargon, sounding completely knowledgeable and unapproachable while simultaneously inviting me to follow their explanations. I believe this is the best-written short story, so my cons might be exceedingly minute.
Cons- At the beginning of the story, Elsa, with no real prompting, remembers seeing her overseer with a mysterious case, looking furtive. I logically came to the conclusion that the overseer was planting a bomb somewhere on the station, although I assume that, in the future, such devices will likely be smaller than a cello. It was not until later, when the 'stepsisters' complained of the overseer excessively listening to cello music that it occurred to me that the mysterious instrument case-shaped object might be... an instrument case. (This also would've been a natural occasion for Elsa to remember seeing the case.) In other news, I thought some events needed a bit more dwelling on; namely, when Elsa believes she can't attend the ball, and then later when she must take command.
The Moon Master's Ball:
Pros- This book brought me the cool crispness of autumn on a disgusting summer day in North Carolina. I tend to dislike using this word in the context of literature, but this story was delicious. The tone reminded me greatly of the spooky opening music of the Cinderella ballet.
Cons- I have read in other reviews that people find the climax of this short story rushed. I am inclined to only partially agree with that; instead of rushed, I found it disconnected from the rest of the story. It is unclear why Mrs. Carlisle targets Tilly at the end (or even the initial time, resulting in Tilly's scar) when her goal has always been to snatch up the Moon Master. In this regard MMB did remind me of Diana Wynne Jones; some things, like the title Moon Master, are never explained and seem more fairytale because of that. On a smaller note, I felt that Tilly tried too hard to be a realistically-flawed character; instead of proceeding nature, she fretted about times when she felt jealousy or other small, common emotions.
OVERALL:
Cons first, so as not to leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth- The only thing I truly disliked in this collection was the order of the stories, which went by authors' last names. Because of this, BG and TWSOC, the two most similar stories in the collection, came one after the other. Ideally, I would've liked the order to be Broken Glass (the strongest beginning), What Eyes Can See (the most classical), The Windy Side of Care (the most amusing), The Moon Master's Ball (the most unique tone), and A Cinder's Tale (the strongest end). (Of course, BG does open up next year's contest, so the collection could easily finish as well.)
I only spotted one editing error: an ellipsis in MMB trailed over two lines. Not a big deal.
I found the repetitious names another small issue. Two separate Anastasias are referenced in different stories. Similarly, Lady Alisandra Carlisle from TWSOC felt greatly at odds with the despicable Mrs. Carlisle from MMB.
Pros- This is a gorgeous collection, and I cannot urge you strongly enough to read it. As someone who participated in the Five Glass Slippers contest but was not chosen, reading it soothed any lingering discontent I had over the matter. I cannot picture any versions of Cinderella that I would rather see in this collection, and I am so very proud of the marvelous authors and editor who collaborated to make this happen.
Now I have to get back to studying ancient slavery and the making of scrolls if my entry is ever going to be ready for next year's contest. Best of luck to other aspiring competitors! : )
What Eyes Can See:
Pros- Easily the most classical story in the collection, What Eyes Can See enchanted me with its perspectives on love at first sight. But equally lovely was what was not said. Am I alone in thinking that the unnamed fourth woman on Frederick's list of possible brides was the other stepsister, Anastasia?
Cons- I had an issue with the main character of this story. You see, it's not Cinderella. It's not even her stepsister. It's the ball. Everything in this story focuses in on that one event and its aftermath, so I never had an opportunity to see the characters when they weren't being subjected to emotional upheaval.
Broken Glass:
Pros- This story had the best descriptions of the collection. It also juggled more storylines than the others and did so with grace. I adored Rosalind and Evelyn as foils to each other, and the stepsisters cast as the two princes had me in giggles.
Cons- Like WECS, the characters were under pressure throughout the whole story. Because of that, although Henry and Rosalind had serious relationship issues, I had no way of knowing their relationship wasn't this rocky until the issues were resolved. I also could not suspend my disbelief on the cart-to-steam-carriage sequences of inventions, although that barely affected the story.
The Windy Side of Care:
Pros- This had the strongest beginning of the stories and was the only one to use first person, which it handled nicely. The author also did British-speak beautifully, in addition to multiple other languages! It had my favorite version of the fairy godmother.
Cons- The main conflict here is that Alisandra wants the throne and Auguste doesn't. The ideal solution would be for them to marry and her to rule, but both usually clever characters overlook this.
A Cinder's Tale:
Pros- Are you sure this author isn't a science major? Elsa and her friends speak flawless scientific jargon, sounding completely knowledgeable and unapproachable while simultaneously inviting me to follow their explanations. I believe this is the best-written short story, so my cons might be exceedingly minute.
Cons- At the beginning of the story, Elsa, with no real prompting, remembers seeing her overseer with a mysterious case, looking furtive. I logically came to the conclusion that the overseer was planting a bomb somewhere on the station, although I assume that, in the future, such devices will likely be smaller than a cello. It was not until later, when the 'stepsisters' complained of the overseer excessively listening to cello music that it occurred to me that the mysterious instrument case-shaped object might be... an instrument case. (This also would've been a natural occasion for Elsa to remember seeing the case.) In other news, I thought some events needed a bit more dwelling on; namely, when Elsa believes she can't attend the ball, and then later when she must take command.
The Moon Master's Ball:
Pros- This book brought me the cool crispness of autumn on a disgusting summer day in North Carolina. I tend to dislike using this word in the context of literature, but this story was delicious. The tone reminded me greatly of the spooky opening music of the Cinderella ballet.
Cons- I have read in other reviews that people find the climax of this short story rushed. I am inclined to only partially agree with that; instead of rushed, I found it disconnected from the rest of the story. It is unclear why Mrs. Carlisle targets Tilly at the end (or even the initial time, resulting in Tilly's scar) when her goal has always been to snatch up the Moon Master. In this regard MMB did remind me of Diana Wynne Jones; some things, like the title Moon Master, are never explained and seem more fairytale because of that. On a smaller note, I felt that Tilly tried too hard to be a realistically-flawed character; instead of proceeding nature, she fretted about times when she felt jealousy or other small, common emotions.
OVERALL:
Cons first, so as not to leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth- The only thing I truly disliked in this collection was the order of the stories, which went by authors' last names. Because of this, BG and TWSOC, the two most similar stories in the collection, came one after the other. Ideally, I would've liked the order to be Broken Glass (the strongest beginning), What Eyes Can See (the most classical), The Windy Side of Care (the most amusing), The Moon Master's Ball (the most unique tone), and A Cinder's Tale (the strongest end). (Of course, BG does open up next year's contest, so the collection could easily finish as well.)
I only spotted one editing error: an ellipsis in MMB trailed over two lines. Not a big deal.
I found the repetitious names another small issue. Two separate Anastasias are referenced in different stories. Similarly, Lady Alisandra Carlisle from TWSOC felt greatly at odds with the despicable Mrs. Carlisle from MMB.
Pros- This is a gorgeous collection, and I cannot urge you strongly enough to read it. As someone who participated in the Five Glass Slippers contest but was not chosen, reading it soothed any lingering discontent I had over the matter. I cannot picture any versions of Cinderella that I would rather see in this collection, and I am so very proud of the marvelous authors and editor who collaborated to make this happen.
Now I have to get back to studying ancient slavery and the making of scrolls if my entry is ever going to be ready for next year's contest. Best of luck to other aspiring competitors! : )
lasamviela's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first retelling of a fairy tale. In general I liked the book. All the five versions were different and I was not bored by reading the same story line all over again.
Maybe I expected more intrigue, maybe some funny situations and depth. In my experience the most stories were flat. The last one kept my attention till the end. The writing was good. I enjoyed the story. I hesitated between 3 an 4 stars.
Maybe I expected more intrigue, maybe some funny situations and depth. In my experience the most stories were flat. The last one kept my attention till the end. The writing was good. I enjoyed the story. I hesitated between 3 an 4 stars.
chelseaj91's review against another edition
4.0
~3.5 Stars!What Eyes Can See by Elisabeth Brown3 Stars!
This was an interesting take on Cinderella. I did like the way that Duchess Germaine and Drusilla tried to help Arella. Neither of them flat out said "there's nothing wrong", instead they took an "I know that this is difficult but please try" approach. Granted, the duchess was a little pushy about it, but she wasn't necessarily doing anything on purpose. I did like the fact that Drusilla told Fredrick off and how that of course led to her HEA.
Broken Glass by Emma Clifton 4 Stars!
I liked this take! Really liked the steampunk aspects that were thrown in. Loved Rosalind's desire to not marry just because she supposedly fit the slipper (even though it was hers in the first place, but that's besides the point). I did like the fact that she and Marius were trying to get around the promise that Marius had made and that they did agree to an even temporary truce. Even though Rosalind claimed love from the beginning, it felt like she and Henry were better off as friends. I liked that Henry actually stood up to Darcy; it felt like he'd been a lot more passive about things previously that he maybe shouldn't have been (even if he wasn't 100% about feelings, it still felt like he just shrugged and went "oh well" when the slipper was discovered). I also really liked the hint of Beauty and the Beast that was slipped in there at the end! It would be interesting to see Darcy's story play out!
The Windy Side of Care by Rachel Heffington 3 Stars!
I liked the idea of Cinderella trying to take back her throne. I did kind of roll my eyes at Alis; yes, she knew that things weren't all that they were supposed to be, but it felt like she was doing a lot of charging in unarmed. Laureldina and her daughters were just...ugh! I liked the way Alis and Auguste met and I will admit to liking how their relationship grew. Mostly, I liked the fact that Alis realized she wanted Auguste, even if it meant that maybe the throne wouldn't be hers. I did feel like the William thing was just randomly dropped; like when he was first introduced, it felt like he was trying to be the smarmy git who was hitting on Alis just because but then it suddenly developed that they had a weird/semi friendship and he was asking her to help him find a wife. I can't quite determine if I was just reading it weird or what...
A Cinder's Tale by Stephanie Ricker 4 Stars!
Oh, wow! Really liked this take on Cinderella too! The aspect of the cendrillion mining and how the miners got the cinder nickname was intriguing. I liked the way Elsa had her own little family and the way they cared for each other. Marianne quickly fit in there as well, and I loved how she rescued Jaq and stuck around. I did like how Karl got the idea to offer the miners space on the voyage. Granted, it was in a slightly selfish attempt to get to spend more time with Elsa, but still
The Moon Master's Ball by Clara Diane Thompson 4 Stars!
Oooh! One more interesting take! I did find myself wishing for just a little more background on stuff, but at the same time, it is a novella. I thought the aspect of Bromley's Circus was intriguing and definitely wanted more on that, particularly how Mrs. Carlisle was able to make that work. I was glad that Tilly got to explain to Rodger on feelings and it seems like he's not going to sulk about it at all. You do kind of have to feel for Drosselyn, but only for the fact that she was so spoiled that she never learned you can't always get everything you want.
elevetha's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
What Eyes Can See by Elisabeth Brown: I really liked how Arella (Cinderella) has no interest in the prince and the main character is actually Drusilla, whom I very much liked. However, what brought it way down in my opinion was that thrice-cursed prince. He was pathetic; a selfish weak fop who didn't deserve Drusilla and I couldn't see why on earth she liked him. The writing wasn't especially note-worthy, for better or worse. (2.5 stars)
Broken Glass by Emma Clifton: While I really did enjoy this one, it was extraordinarily silly and utterly predictable. Color coding the villains and heroes is such a trope, and I would have much preferred that the guy who wore black and had bad hair was the hero, rather than the golden haired, blue-eyed hunk. The writing was rather childish and dialogue could be a bit painful, though an occasional snarky phrase popped up and amused me. One particular incident that was warrants comment is the plot to fake Roz's death, which was a bit ridiculous. Faking one's death is never a sure-fire way to fix things and it sure as wasn't here. For all its many flaws though, it was a fun story all the same. And the end is a lead-in to a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, [b:Corroded Thorns|25154097|Corroded Thorns|Emma Clifton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1426515456s/25154097.jpg|44856289], which now I really want to read! (3 stars)
The Windy Side of Care by Rachel Heffington: While I loved the atmosphere of the story and had a lot of fun reading it, it was not without its share of issues. For one thing, the whole idea behind the story is laughable. Alis believes with all her heart she is the princess because, and get this, she looks like the king. She also suspects that she's been lied to about her parentage, but this is somehow even less important than her appearance. I don't know about you, but being royalty is not the first conclusion I would jump to. Maybe as a passing fancy, but not as a deep-seated belief. Also, as concerns the plot, if the whole point of switching Alis and Auguste was to save Laureldina from shame and also give the King an heir, it totally wouldn't work. On the one hand, yep, the King now has an heir. On the other, Laureldina STILL has a baby out-of-wedlock and a small mewling child to prove it. That didn't help her in the slightest. Additionally, the romance was dealt really badly with in this one. Insta-love to the extreme with stupid pet names that came out of nowhere, like Pigeon. Ouch. By far the best part of this story was the incredible (fairy) Godfather, Lord Humphry. (2.5 stars)
A Cinder's Tale by Stephanie Ricker: *heart eyes* It was nearly perfect. There is absolutely not one thing that I can think of that I disliked about it. The characters, the homages to the original fairytale, the sci-fi setting, the prose, the romance, everything was spectacular and so much fun. I will definitely be checking out the companion novellas. Another thing that I loved was that I feared that it would be a rip-off of Cinder, but it wasn't! It was very much its own story. (5 stars.)
The Moon Master's Ball by Clara Diane Thompson: Probably my least favorite of the bunch. I found it to be odd and somewhat befuddling. (What was with all the rats??) It was also the least like a Cinderella retelling, in my opinion. There were a few aspects of the original fairytale that were excellently retold here and I gleefully rejoiced in how they were written, but they were few and far between. (2.5 stars)
What Eyes Can See by Elisabeth Brown: I really liked how Arella (Cinderella) has no interest in the prince and the main character is actually Drusilla, whom I very much liked. However, what brought it way down in my opinion was that thrice-cursed prince. He was pathetic; a selfish weak fop who didn't deserve Drusilla and I couldn't see why on earth she liked him. The writing wasn't especially note-worthy, for better or worse. (2.5 stars)
Broken Glass by Emma Clifton: While I really did enjoy this one, it was extraordinarily silly and utterly predictable. Color coding the villains and heroes is such a trope, and I would have much preferred that the guy who wore black and had bad hair was the hero, rather than the golden haired, blue-eyed hunk. The writing was rather childish and dialogue could be a bit painful, though an occasional snarky phrase popped up and amused me. One particular incident that was warrants comment is the plot to fake Roz's death, which was a bit ridiculous. Faking one's death is never a sure-fire way to fix things and it sure as wasn't here. For all its many flaws though, it was a fun story all the same. And the end is a lead-in to a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, [b:Corroded Thorns|25154097|Corroded Thorns|Emma Clifton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1426515456s/25154097.jpg|44856289], which now I really want to read! (3 stars)
The Windy Side of Care by Rachel Heffington: While I loved the atmosphere of the story and had a lot of fun reading it, it was not without its share of issues. For one thing, the whole idea behind the story is laughable. Alis believes with all her heart she is the princess because, and get this, she looks like the king. She also suspects that she's been lied to about her parentage, but this is somehow even less important than her appearance. I don't know about you, but being royalty is not the first conclusion I would jump to. Maybe as a passing fancy, but not as a deep-seated belief. Also, as concerns the plot, if the whole point of switching Alis and Auguste was to save Laureldina from shame and also give the King an heir, it totally wouldn't work. On the one hand, yep, the King now has an heir. On the other, Laureldina STILL has a baby out-of-wedlock and a small mewling child to prove it. That didn't help her in the slightest. Additionally, the romance was dealt really badly with in this one. Insta-love to the extreme with stupid pet names that came out of nowhere, like Pigeon. Ouch. By far the best part of this story was the incredible (fairy) Godfather, Lord Humphry. (2.5 stars)
A Cinder's Tale by Stephanie Ricker: *heart eyes* It was nearly perfect. There is absolutely not one thing that I can think of that I disliked about it. The characters, the homages to the original fairytale, the sci-fi setting, the prose, the romance, everything was spectacular and so much fun. I will definitely be checking out the companion novellas. Another thing that I loved was that I feared that it would be a rip-off of Cinder, but it wasn't! It was very much its own story. (5 stars.)
The Moon Master's Ball by Clara Diane Thompson: Probably my least favorite of the bunch. I found it to be odd and somewhat befuddling. (What was with all the rats??) It was also the least like a Cinderella retelling, in my opinion. There were a few aspects of the original fairytale that were excellently retold here and I gleefully rejoiced in how they were written, but they were few and far between. (2.5 stars)
paper_queen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
INITIAL RESPONSE
I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH FOR REAL.
I'll review each story separately, because I have SO MANY FEELINGS on all of them...
WHAT EYES CAN SEE
Initial Response
*squeals* So. stinkin'. ADORABLE.
High Lights
- I really love that the step-family is portrayed in a good light. Germaine is kind and considerate, Anastasia and Drusilla also.
- Back when I first read this, I had only rated it 3 stars. Silly me! The reasoning for it, I think, was because I didn't really understand Arella. And I think that was because But she is a sweet character and very endearing to me now. :)
- Drusilla is my favorite character out of this story. She's witty, wise, and
- The writing style was really nice and flowing, and I got a perfect image of what was happening in my mind.
Low Lights
- Sometimes I found Arella's shyness a bit overdone, even though I relate and am a quieter person myself.
- The ending was a bit abrupt for me, but I quickly got over that.
- I found Frederick's shallowness somewhat upsetting.
Conclusion
I ADORED IT. I found myself smiling throughout the pages and though the ending was a bit abrupt for my taste, I was still more or less satisfied.
5/5.
BROKEN GLASS
Initial Response
*hugs story* Me + Broken Glass = LOVE. BUT THE EPILOGUE WHERE'S CORRODED THORN I NEED IT.
High Lights
- THE SASS. Oh, the sass.
- Henry is my favorite and he's just wonderful and nobody can tell me otherwise. *nods*
- Rosalind and Marius are HILARIOUS. There is much banter and wit and yes-ness.
- WORLDBUILDING. Like, how do you have such great worldbuilding in a novella?! It was fabulous.
- The COUPLES!
- Just the story in and of itself pretty much. The whole thing. Everything about it. Yep.
- THE EPILOGUE.
Low Lights
- I...can't really think of anything, honestly.
- How about...IT'S TOO SHORT I NEED MORE. No? Okay.
Conclusion
I simply adore this story. The wit and humor is wondrous and hilarious, especially between Rosalind and Marius. And I just really love the idea behind the story. I thought the twists were done very well, and I was sitting on the edge of my seat by the end. Corroded Thorn is now on my tbr-pile!
5/5.
THE WINDY SIDE OF CARE
Initial Response
...Wow, that was...intense. O_O
High Lights
- The humor in this story is fabulous. Alis is a plucky, hilarious main character.
- Auguste is the best. Period.
- I really liked the other characters as well, especially Ellen-Best and Lord Humphries. At first I had a sneaking suspicion that he was the evil sort, but the more I got to know him, the more I liked him.
- The writing style is very rich in descriptions and metaphors, which I applaud any writer who can write those with ease. Because I certainly cannot! XD
- The ending was witty and wonderful. Just, yes.
Low Lights
- At times, I felt like the original Cinderella story was lost. Which, even though I enjoyed the story, I was still hoping for more of a retelling rather than a whole new story. Just a minor thing.
- I didn't like the king and queen very much. Once I knew what they had done, I disliked them even more.
Conclusion
This was a really enjoyable tale. Though not my favorite in the collection, I still thought it was a really good, well-written story. Even though it slightly veered away from the original tale. But don't let that stop you from reading it!
4/5.
A CINDER'S TALE
Initial Response
That. was. EPIC!
High Lights
- The whole premise! Cinderella...IN SPACE! :D
- Elsa is such a spunky, witty main character who I love very much.
- Also Jaq and Gus and Bruno. <3
- All the hidden references!! Jaq and Gus? And Bruno? Also, Jaq's last name is Perrault. Charles Perrault wrote the original Cinderella story! I love me some hidden references. :)
- Despite being mean and nasty, I really liked Nebraska's character.
- Karl is adorable and Elsa and him need to be a thing. <3
Low Lights
- I...can't think of any, honestly!
- I guess one thing was that the glass slippers, even though they were mentioned, weren't really a part of the story. But that's a totally minor thing to a fantastic story!
Conclusion
I LOVE this story! There's nothing more I can say really. It's just FABULOUS.
5/5.
THE MOON MASTER'S BALL
Initial Response
SO. MANY. MIXED. FEELINGS.
High Lights
- Tilly is just such a great main character. I really love her personality.
- Mystery is my favorite, and I ADORED the suspense. Even though it was killing me. XD
- The Moon Master is awesome. Just, yes.
- SCATTER IS ADORABLE.
- The writing style was really easy to read and I loved the autumnal setting.
- Magical circuses are always fun.
Low Lights
- SCATTER.
- RODGER.
Conclusion
This was a delightful, whimsical tale! I loved the mystery, suspense, and magic. Even though some THINGS happened...I'm still really pleased with the story. A great way to wrap of the collection!
4/5.
FINAL CONCLUSION
This book is AWESOME! If you love Cinderella retellings, or any kinds of retellings, I highly recommend this collection. Now on to Five Enchanted Roses! <3
I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH FOR REAL.
I'll review each story separately, because I have SO MANY FEELINGS on all of them...
WHAT EYES CAN SEE
Initial Response
*squeals* So. stinkin'. ADORABLE.
High Lights
- I really love that the step-family is portrayed in a good light. Germaine is kind and considerate, Anastasia and Drusilla also.
- Back when I first read this, I had only rated it 3 stars. Silly me! The reasoning for it, I think, was because I didn't really understand Arella. And I think that was because
Spoiler
I didn't know she was in love with another man.- Drusilla is my favorite character out of this story. She's witty, wise, and
Spoiler
I'm just really glad she ended up with Frederick. I think they're an adorable couple. <3- The writing style was really nice and flowing, and I got a perfect image of what was happening in my mind.
Low Lights
- Sometimes I found Arella's shyness a bit overdone, even though I relate and am a quieter person myself.
- The ending was a bit abrupt for me, but I quickly got over that.
- I found Frederick's shallowness somewhat upsetting.
Spoiler
How could you love a girl for her beauty only? Though I suppose that is very similar to the original story and I'm glad that it was addressed in a different light.Conclusion
I ADORED IT. I found myself smiling throughout the pages and though the ending was a bit abrupt for my taste, I was still more or less satisfied.
5/5.
BROKEN GLASS
Initial Response
*hugs story* Me + Broken Glass = LOVE. BUT THE EPILOGUE WHERE'S CORRODED THORN I NEED IT.
High Lights
- THE SASS. Oh, the sass.
- Henry is my favorite and he's just wonderful and nobody can tell me otherwise. *nods*
- Rosalind and Marius are HILARIOUS. There is much banter and wit and yes-ness.
- WORLDBUILDING. Like, how do you have such great worldbuilding in a novella?! It was fabulous.
- The COUPLES!
Spoiler
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the whole 'I though I loved you but I don't actually' thing, but I'm muchly satisfied with it now. Mostly because Rosalind and Marius are ADORABLE together. And Henry and Evelyn are cute too. :)- Just the story in and of itself pretty much. The whole thing. Everything about it. Yep.
- THE EPILOGUE.
Spoiler
DARCY. Seriously, 'Mine will be the last face you see for a while...' YOU CAN'T END A STORY ON AN ELLIPSIS HELP. Where's Corroded Thorn. Because I need it DESPERATELY. *dies*Low Lights
- I...can't really think of anything, honestly.
- How about...IT'S TOO SHORT I NEED MORE. No? Okay.
Conclusion
I simply adore this story. The wit and humor is wondrous and hilarious, especially between Rosalind and Marius. And I just really love the idea behind the story. I thought the twists were done very well, and I was sitting on the edge of my seat by the end. Corroded Thorn is now on my tbr-pile!
5/5.
THE WINDY SIDE OF CARE
Initial Response
...Wow, that was...intense. O_O
High Lights
- The humor in this story is fabulous. Alis is a plucky, hilarious main character.
- Auguste is the best. Period.
- I really liked the other characters as well, especially Ellen-Best and Lord Humphries. At first I had a sneaking suspicion that he was the evil sort, but the more I got to know him, the more I liked him.
- The writing style is very rich in descriptions and metaphors, which I applaud any writer who can write those with ease. Because I certainly cannot! XD
- The ending was witty and wonderful. Just, yes.
Low Lights
- At times, I felt like the original Cinderella story was lost. Which, even though I enjoyed the story, I was still hoping for more of a retelling rather than a whole new story. Just a minor thing.
- I didn't like the king and queen very much. Once I knew what they had done, I disliked them even more.
Conclusion
This was a really enjoyable tale. Though not my favorite in the collection, I still thought it was a really good, well-written story. Even though it slightly veered away from the original tale. But don't let that stop you from reading it!
4/5.
A CINDER'S TALE
Initial Response
That. was. EPIC!
High Lights
- The whole premise! Cinderella...IN SPACE! :D
- Elsa is such a spunky, witty main character who I love very much.
- Also Jaq and Gus and Bruno. <3
- All the hidden references!! Jaq and Gus? And Bruno? Also, Jaq's last name is Perrault. Charles Perrault wrote the original Cinderella story! I love me some hidden references. :)
- Despite being mean and nasty, I really liked Nebraska's character.
Spoiler
She's a cyborg! How awesome is that?- Karl is adorable and Elsa and him need to be a thing. <3
Low Lights
- I...can't think of any, honestly!
- I guess one thing was that the glass slippers, even though they were mentioned, weren't really a part of the story. But that's a totally minor thing to a fantastic story!
Conclusion
I LOVE this story! There's nothing more I can say really. It's just FABULOUS.
5/5.
THE MOON MASTER'S BALL
Initial Response
SO. MANY. MIXED. FEELINGS.
High Lights
- Tilly is just such a great main character. I really love her personality.
- Mystery is my favorite, and I ADORED the suspense. Even though it was killing me. XD
- The Moon Master is awesome. Just, yes.
- SCATTER IS ADORABLE.
- The writing style was really easy to read and I loved the autumnal setting.
- Magical
Spoiler
evilLow Lights
- SCATTER.
Spoiler
WHY??? WHY MUST HE DIE??? It's not FAAAAAAAAIRRRR!!! *sniff*- RODGER.
Spoiler
Seriously Tilly? You went for Jasper instead of Rodger? I mean, I'm not saying Jasper isn't awesome and such, but YOU'VE KNOWN RODGER YOUR WHOLE LIFE. I mean, come on. Plus he's just great, period. :\Conclusion
This was a delightful, whimsical tale! I loved the mystery, suspense, and magic. Even though some THINGS happened...I'm still really pleased with the story. A great way to wrap of the collection!
4/5.
FINAL CONCLUSION
This book is AWESOME! If you love Cinderella retellings, or any kinds of retellings, I highly recommend this collection. Now on to Five Enchanted Roses! <3
shelbydm's review
3.0
See my updates on my thoughts regarding the first four stories.
As for the fifth, it was probably my least favorite. It progressed far too quickly, so therefore there wasn't any character development. The main problem faced by the main character wasn't fleshed out entirely, which made it difficult for me to want to root for her. To be honest, I had no idea what was going on throughout most of the story, and even at the end I was left unsatisfied.
I love the idea of combining different interpretations of the same story into one book. It's so cool to see how other writers perceive the same story, and how they would change it to fit their own personal style.
If I had to rank the five stories, for me it would be; 4, 2, 3, 1, 5, from best to worst.
As for the fifth, it was probably my least favorite. It progressed far too quickly, so therefore there wasn't any character development. The main problem faced by the main character wasn't fleshed out entirely, which made it difficult for me to want to root for her. To be honest, I had no idea what was going on throughout most of the story, and even at the end I was left unsatisfied.
I love the idea of combining different interpretations of the same story into one book. It's so cool to see how other writers perceive the same story, and how they would change it to fit their own personal style.
If I had to rank the five stories, for me it would be; 4, 2, 3, 1, 5, from best to worst.
aleenak's review against another edition
4.0
I have a tendency to stay away from anthologies and short stories because you never know what you're going to get. But I rather liked the idea of five different retellings of the same classic tale, and I was promised a dark, circus-themed retelling at the end, (forever my weakness) so I picked it up.
As always, in an anthology, you get a bit of a mixed bag.
The first story, What Eyes Can See by Elisabeth Brown, was, in my opinion, the weakest. Out of the five, this one stays true to the sugary sweet tone of the original tale the most-- even with its interesting twist of the step-family being quite kind and supportive to Arella, and a stepsister being the main heroine. Everyone-- but particularly the prince, in a most unattractive way-- comes off quite clueless, and the tone is a bit childish. Two stars.
I enjoyed Broken Glass by Emma Clifton much better. This one has a bit of a twist on the initial angle of the tale-- Rosalind (our Cinderella) is mistaken for the woman that the prince is smitten with, and neither of them have any desire to marry each other... at first. It's funny and different, even if it's a tad predictable. And the epilogue sets up the beginning of another fairy tale, which brings my nerdy heart joy. Four stars.
My favorite retelling was The Windy Side of Care by Rachel Heffington. This one was a hilariously clever twist on the tale where the Cinderella character is actually secretly the true heir to the throne, and is plotting to retake the throne from the impostor prince. Which is easier said than done once she realizes that he's kind and good and... she loves him? Also this one has a fairy godfather and he's wonderfully snarky and fabulous. Five stars.
A Cinder's Tale by Stephanie Ricker was a fantastic sci-fi spin on the tale (nothing like Marissa Meyer's Cinder). The pacing was good, worldbuilding was solid and the friendships were prime. The prince becomes Karl, a worlds-renowned space explorer, and Elsa, our Cinderella, an ore miner. The "ball" is a station-wide party thrown for Karl and his famous father when they arrive to refuel. The characters were the best part about this one-- Elsa's friends and crew-- and what drove the story. Four stars.
Lastly, my most anticipated-- The Moon Master's Ball by Clara Diane Thompson. I was so ready to love this one. Give me dark circuses set in October and mysterious, cursed magicians any day... but this story was far too vague to keep me following. The main character-- and by extension, the reader-- didn't have a clue what was going on for 3/4 of the story. Such potential. Three stars.
Overall a pretty solid anthology-- maybe I'll try another.
As always, in an anthology, you get a bit of a mixed bag.
The first story, What Eyes Can See by Elisabeth Brown, was, in my opinion, the weakest. Out of the five, this one stays true to the sugary sweet tone of the original tale the most-- even with its interesting twist of the step-family being quite kind and supportive to Arella, and a stepsister being the main heroine. Everyone-- but particularly the prince, in a most unattractive way-- comes off quite clueless, and the tone is a bit childish. Two stars.
I enjoyed Broken Glass by Emma Clifton much better. This one has a bit of a twist on the initial angle of the tale-- Rosalind (our Cinderella) is mistaken for the woman that the prince is smitten with, and neither of them have any desire to marry each other... at first. It's funny and different, even if it's a tad predictable. And the epilogue sets up the beginning of another fairy tale, which brings my nerdy heart joy. Four stars.
My favorite retelling was The Windy Side of Care by Rachel Heffington. This one was a hilariously clever twist on the tale where the Cinderella character is actually secretly the true heir to the throne, and is plotting to retake the throne from the impostor prince. Which is easier said than done once she realizes that he's kind and good and... she loves him? Also this one has a fairy godfather and he's wonderfully snarky and fabulous. Five stars.
A Cinder's Tale by Stephanie Ricker was a fantastic sci-fi spin on the tale (nothing like Marissa Meyer's Cinder). The pacing was good, worldbuilding was solid and the friendships were prime. The prince becomes Karl, a worlds-renowned space explorer, and Elsa, our Cinderella, an ore miner. The "ball" is a station-wide party thrown for Karl and his famous father when they arrive to refuel. The characters were the best part about this one-- Elsa's friends and crew-- and what drove the story. Four stars.
Lastly, my most anticipated-- The Moon Master's Ball by Clara Diane Thompson. I was so ready to love this one. Give me dark circuses set in October and mysterious, cursed magicians any day... but this story was far too vague to keep me following. The main character-- and by extension, the reader-- didn't have a clue what was going on for 3/4 of the story. Such potential. Three stars.
Overall a pretty solid anthology-- maybe I'll try another.
jmacattack's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a sucker for fairy tale retellings, so I loved looking at so many different Cinderella tales back to back. Some were better than others, but they all kept me guessing. I loved all the twists and turns.