m3l89's review
3.0
It took me ages to get into Charm as it felt like a carbon copy of the Selection series by Kiera Cass. Literal carbon copy. I did enjoy the plot but couldn’t work out how it was a reversal of Cinderella…
beth_holman's review
4.0
I found this book on Kindle Unlimited and honestly did not have much hope for it as most books I have found on there have not been great at all, but this one surprised me and kept me captivated. Although it says a "Cinderella Reverse Fairytale" I did not find many similarities to the original story besides the names, the ball and of course the glass slippers (I don't think you could have any Cinderella story without the shoes!) But I actually really liked that it was completely different. I have since downloaded the rest of the books in the series and cannot wait to find out what happens next
bookwormbunny's review
5.0
Charm by J.A. Armitage is the first book in her Cinderella reverse fairytale series and this book does not disappoint. We are quickly introduced to Charmaine, the princess heir to the throne. Her elder sister has just recently died and now she is the one who must step in and take the role her sister was to play - come out at a ball, meet a hundred men, pick a suitor and get married in six months time. It's all so sudden but as a young kingdom her parents believe that it must be done and quickly to cement alliances and establish themselves to prevent trouble. The problem is though that the Magi, the magic wielders of the kingdom, want change. They feel that one of their own should be ruling instead of non-magical, so trouble is brewing. Charm meets a young mage named Cynder down in the kitchens one night and begins to find herself falling for him. She sees some of the problems of the magic users as she witnesses his cooking talents but learns of his struggle to just have the job that he holds.
While this book is a twist on the Cinderella fairy tale we all know and love, it mostly holds to the idea of the story and goes much deeper. The roles aren't just simply reversed there is so much more. This book engaged me right from the beginning with the author giving us a taste of the kingdom in mourning for a royal too early departed. There are suspicions of ill-dealing but it swept away with a diagnosis most find acceptable. The seed of doubt is planted none of the less for me because it seems like there is more going on. Which of course, there is more going on. Charm doesn't want to step in and do all the things her sister was about to do but she finds that she must. Gradually she begins to take on the roles she needs to but it's not an easy thing for her.
This book is very engaging and interesting. It draws you in and makes you want to know more about the characters and where their paths will lead not just them but the kingdom as well. If you are looking for a unique retelling on a classic fairytale then I definitely recommend this book. I love retellings with twists and this book does not disappoint.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. Job well done to the author and I look forward to reading more in this series in the near future.
While this book is a twist on the Cinderella fairy tale we all know and love, it mostly holds to the idea of the story and goes much deeper. The roles aren't just simply reversed there is so much more. This book engaged me right from the beginning with the author giving us a taste of the kingdom in mourning for a royal too early departed. There are suspicions of ill-dealing but it swept away with a diagnosis most find acceptable. The seed of doubt is planted none of the less for me because it seems like there is more going on. Which of course, there is more going on. Charm doesn't want to step in and do all the things her sister was about to do but she finds that she must. Gradually she begins to take on the roles she needs to but it's not an easy thing for her.
This book is very engaging and interesting. It draws you in and makes you want to know more about the characters and where their paths will lead not just them but the kingdom as well. If you are looking for a unique retelling on a classic fairytale then I definitely recommend this book. I love retellings with twists and this book does not disappoint.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. Job well done to the author and I look forward to reading more in this series in the near future.
passionatelycurious's review
4.0
Very cute reverse Cinderella story but it was basically the bachelorette. Liked the characters, although like others have said I felt like the relationships lacked depth.
gracekalli's review
5.0
I loved this book!! In this interesting and compelling take on the Disney classic Cinderella, the roles are reversed. Cynder is a kitchen servant who wants to be a top chef one day, unfortunately he is a maji and so he is barred from moving up from dishwasher. And Charmaine is Princess of the kingdom. She doesn't agree with the current laws on Maji, most of which she is just now learning about. She believes in equal rights for all. Unfortunately, those equal rights don't extend to her since her sister Grace has died. Now Charm is the next in line for the throne and has 6 months to find a husband. They are hosting a ball and inviting 100 men, of which she will choose 5 to get to know. Can she pick a husband when there's so much hate in her kingdom? Can she choose someone she doesn't love, especially when she might already love a Maji? This is a compelling and darker, twist on the Disney fairy tale and I wholly recommend it!! I have already pre-ordered the 2nd in the series, Lucky Charm.
galact1cfox's review
4.0
A good story, with subtle ties to the original Cinderella story. Enjoyed it while reading but not necessarily something to seek out afterwards though.
wondermajica's review
4.0
Branded as a reverse retelling of the classic Cinderella story, I found the only obvious ties to be the names of Princess Charmaine and Cynder. The rest of the story feels heavily influenced by other very successful young adult books. In most cases, I would consider this to be a bad thing, but in Charm, all of these influences combine with the Cinderella base to create a truly refreshing and interesting tale. The characters (for the most part) are enjoyable and I found myself wanting to know more about all of them (thank goodness it is a series!). The leading lady is strong and intelligent, but not perfect. I did find a few of the "woe is me" moments to be annoying, especially since these moments seemed to just be repeating the same things over and over again and the digital ARC that I received was full of grammatical and spelling errors (hopefully these are fixed now). However, those are my only complaints and it seems I now have yet another series to keep up with.
I also post reviews at skuggidrago.blogspot.com.
I also post reviews at skuggidrago.blogspot.com.
lavenderspark's review
This was a good read. A flip on Cinderella, the princess hosts a ball looking for a husband. But there is so much more than a need for a husband going on. Lots going on.
Spoiler
The kingdom is fighting with other kingdoms and itself. And the royal family hides a dark secret from the princess.aeculley's review
4.0
For the first two-thirds of the book, it seemed very like The Selection books. But it earned the forth star because it took some turns the last third and was very engaging.
buttercupsobsession's review
4.0
I received an ARC of this book from the author via instafreebie in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this Cinderella retelling, but in reverse. It is like Cinderella meets the Selection, and I really liked the original fairy tale elements that the author wove into the story but with a new twist. Main character Charmaine must find a husband, much like the prince from the original fairy tale we all know. Charmaine isn't interested in getting married, becoming queen, or palace politics like her other sisters. Charmaine wants to read and explore and be comfortable. Tragedy has befallen her family and leaving Charmaine next in line, and duty calls for her to find a husband at the ball and hold a wedding that her parents have already started planning. Never really one to play by the rules, Charmaine finds herself in the kitchens after hours with a kitchen hand named Cynder. Cynder is a mage, who can use magic with the aid of a wand, but magic is highly regulated and pretty much illegal in the kingdom of Silverwood. Cynder and Charmaine become fast friends during their nightly cooking and dishwashing sessions. As the 100 suitors chosen by her parents begin to arrive, Charmaine finds herself wishing she could spend more time with Cynder than anyone else. After narrowing the men down from 100 to 5, Charmaine must decide who stays and who goes. As she gets to know the gentlemen, she also learns the reason the Magi are so restricted in society and why her mother and father have kept that information from her. When more and more strange things start to happen and the palace wrongfully blame the Magi for the violent acts, Charmaine realizes that she can use her royal position and the man she marries to make changes in the world. Things don't exactly go according to plan, and Charmaine finds herself not only fighting for love, but for her people.
I loved this. If you like fairy tales, Cinderella, or the Selection this is the book for you. Cinderella is one of my favorite tales and I loved the Selection. This unique retelling is well written, and kept me on my toes until the end. I can't wait until book 2 to see where things go next.
I really enjoyed this Cinderella retelling, but in reverse. It is like Cinderella meets the Selection, and I really liked the original fairy tale elements that the author wove into the story but with a new twist. Main character Charmaine must find a husband, much like the prince from the original fairy tale we all know. Charmaine isn't interested in getting married, becoming queen, or palace politics like her other sisters. Charmaine wants to read and explore and be comfortable. Tragedy has befallen her family and leaving Charmaine next in line, and duty calls for her to find a husband at the ball and hold a wedding that her parents have already started planning. Never really one to play by the rules, Charmaine finds herself in the kitchens after hours with a kitchen hand named Cynder. Cynder is a mage, who can use magic with the aid of a wand, but magic is highly regulated and pretty much illegal in the kingdom of Silverwood. Cynder and Charmaine become fast friends during their nightly cooking and dishwashing sessions. As the 100 suitors chosen by her parents begin to arrive, Charmaine finds herself wishing she could spend more time with Cynder than anyone else. After narrowing the men down from 100 to 5, Charmaine must decide who stays and who goes. As she gets to know the gentlemen, she also learns the reason the Magi are so restricted in society and why her mother and father have kept that information from her. When more and more strange things start to happen and the palace wrongfully blame the Magi for the violent acts, Charmaine realizes that she can use her royal position and the man she marries to make changes in the world. Things don't exactly go according to plan, and Charmaine finds herself not only fighting for love, but for her people.
I loved this. If you like fairy tales, Cinderella, or the Selection this is the book for you. Cinderella is one of my favorite tales and I loved the Selection. This unique retelling is well written, and kept me on my toes until the end. I can't wait until book 2 to see where things go next.
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