rebeccazh's review
4.0
Made my way through the Timeless Fairy Tales series and this was great!!! I loved how the romance unfolded. It was so cute.
lucindapearson's review against another edition
4.0
Characters: 4/5
Multiple interesting mains and side characters. Very good dialogue. The female lead perhaps could have had more aspect to her character, rather than just pure determination.
Plot: 4/5
Predictable but very enjoyable.
Pacing: 4/5
Nicely paced.
Setting: 4/5
A range of well described locations.
Romance: 3.5/5
Excellent banter, however very little sexual chemistry.
Writing style: 5/5
Beautiful re-imagining of a classic tale.
Multiple interesting mains and side characters. Very good dialogue. The female lead perhaps could have had more aspect to her character, rather than just pure determination.
Plot: 4/5
Predictable but very enjoyable.
Pacing: 4/5
Nicely paced.
Setting: 4/5
A range of well described locations.
Romance: 3.5/5
Excellent banter, however very little sexual chemistry.
Writing style: 5/5
Beautiful re-imagining of a classic tale.
shaekin's review against another edition
5.0
I love fairy tales, and I love that this Cinderella version didn't try too hard to stick to the original outline, and went outside the lines a bit. One of the better Cinderella versions I've read.
sunniek's review against another edition
5.0
Unique
I am impressed with this telling of Cinderella. I like that the evil in her life wasn’t her step-family but only a half-sided story. There are always three sides to every story and this book, shows us that we must learn the full story before judgement should be made.
I am impressed with this telling of Cinderella. I like that the evil in her life wasn’t her step-family but only a half-sided story. There are always three sides to every story and this book, shows us that we must learn the full story before judgement should be made.
liliezbet's review against another edition
5.0
Let’s be clear; I first read this book in 2020, twice in ‘21, and now ‘23 (I told myself to chill in ‘22).
To be succinct, this book is adorable. This entire series is very cute, but also well done. I’ve read fairy tale retellings that start to feel… formulaic, too sweet, and very 2D. KM Shea’s, however, always feels like it has a certain spice in it that is almost like a palate cleanser.
Don’t ask me which of hers are my favorite—the only thing I can tell you are which ones aren’t. Thankfully, this one is not one of those (as evidenced by the fact I’ve read it four times).
In this book, Cinderella is a duchess whose country (Trieux) has been overtaken by another country (Erlauf). The people are harboring anger and hate against each other, and the queen is taxing the citizens relentlessly, out of spite. Cinderella has perhaps suffered the worst of this—her estate has been taxed so much that she’s had to sell off anything worth value just to keep her estate running. Which is why she’s the one helping her stall at the market when a young Erlauf officer begins to strike up conversation.
Stuff happens.
My favorite thing about this book is perhaps some people’s least favorite thing—Friedrich. His personality is endearing to me, although others are annoyed by it. I understand why; I just don’t feel the same. He bucks traditions and might have a player streak in him, but he’s also extremely caring and honestly trying to find someone who can match that and help the country.
This book is not a literary masterpiece or super dense or even with high stakes. This book is a light and fluffy read that makes you smile and has a bit more substance than other light and fluffy reads.
Plot: 3/5 (it’s romance, that’s the plot)
Setting: 4/5 (well described, unique)
Character: 4/5 (strong personality in the mains)
Theme: 4/5 (delivered well, a bit on the nose)
Prose: 4/5 (nothing wrong, nothing stellar)
Adult content: N/A
Extra: 10/5 (purely my own enjoyment)
To be succinct, this book is adorable. This entire series is very cute, but also well done. I’ve read fairy tale retellings that start to feel… formulaic, too sweet, and very 2D. KM Shea’s, however, always feels like it has a certain spice in it that is almost like a palate cleanser.
Don’t ask me which of hers are my favorite—the only thing I can tell you are which ones aren’t. Thankfully, this one is not one of those (as evidenced by the fact I’ve read it four times).
In this book, Cinderella is a duchess whose country (Trieux) has been overtaken by another country (Erlauf). The people are harboring anger and hate against each other, and the queen is taxing the citizens relentlessly, out of spite. Cinderella has perhaps suffered the worst of this—her estate has been taxed so much that she’s had to sell off anything worth value just to keep her estate running. Which is why she’s the one helping her stall at the market when a young Erlauf officer begins to strike up conversation.
Stuff happens.
My favorite thing about this book is perhaps some people’s least favorite thing—Friedrich. His personality is endearing to me, although others are annoyed by it. I understand why; I just don’t feel the same. He bucks traditions and might have a player streak in him, but he’s also extremely caring and honestly trying to find someone who can match that and help the country.
This book is not a literary masterpiece or super dense or even with high stakes. This book is a light and fluffy read that makes you smile and has a bit more substance than other light and fluffy reads.
Plot: 3/5 (it’s romance, that’s the plot)
Setting: 4/5 (well described, unique)
Character: 4/5 (strong personality in the mains)
Theme: 4/5 (delivered well, a bit on the nose)
Prose: 4/5 (nothing wrong, nothing stellar)
Adult content: N/A
Extra: 10/5 (purely my own enjoyment)
darquedreamer's review against another edition
5.0
Cinderella and the Colonel is a refreshing twist on a classic tale. It has historical charm, humor, romance, and magic. Shea's Timeless Fairy Tales get better and better with each addition!
I really loved the wit and charm that this one had to offer. It reminded me a little of the movie Ever After with its historical world feel and the sense of friendship between Cinderella and her servants. It had several refreshing twists compared to the usual retellings of the tale, and had a few surprising moments that fit in with the predictable faerie tale bits.
I loved the way that this one was written to make me feel the oppression of the people of the kingdom from the Queen's taxes. I was drawn in to the world and the story. I found myself smiling, laughing, and even shedding a tear at a beautiful moment toward the end. The plot was captivating and enchanting, and the writing was elegant and descriptive, as always.
I really loved this version of Cinderella, too. She was very strong and independent, but had a soft, emotional side to her as well. She was fierce and determined to keep her servants employed and keep her household running. She was witty and intelligent, and very caring and kind. I think she paired quite well with her "prince charming."
Colonel Friedrich was very well written. He had a little bit of mystery, but also wore his heart on his sleeve. He was charming, humorous, and intriguing. He definitely strayed from the "normal prince charming," but in an entertaining way.
I fell in love with the underlying moral of forgiveness and empathy that was elegantly laced throughout the tale. I enjoyed the political involvement entwined in the tale and the tie ins to the first two Timeless Fairy Tales. There was even a beautiful twist involving the "step-family" that was so classic Shea.
I really loved the wit and charm that this one had to offer. It reminded me a little of the movie Ever After with its historical world feel and the sense of friendship between Cinderella and her servants. It had several refreshing twists compared to the usual retellings of the tale, and had a few surprising moments that fit in with the predictable faerie tale bits.
I loved the way that this one was written to make me feel the oppression of the people of the kingdom from the Queen's taxes. I was drawn in to the world and the story. I found myself smiling, laughing, and even shedding a tear at a beautiful moment toward the end. The plot was captivating and enchanting, and the writing was elegant and descriptive, as always.
I really loved this version of Cinderella, too. She was very strong and independent, but had a soft, emotional side to her as well. She was fierce and determined to keep her servants employed and keep her household running. She was witty and intelligent, and very caring and kind. I think she paired quite well with her "prince charming."
Colonel Friedrich was very well written. He had a little bit of mystery, but also wore his heart on his sleeve. He was charming, humorous, and intriguing. He definitely strayed from the "normal prince charming," but in an entertaining way.
I fell in love with the underlying moral of forgiveness and empathy that was elegantly laced throughout the tale. I enjoyed the political involvement entwined in the tale and the tie ins to the first two Timeless Fairy Tales. There was even a beautiful twist involving the "step-family" that was so classic Shea.
rachel_loves_2_read's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it
Cinderella is a great character. I loved her. I didn’t love Frederick at first but he certainly grew on me. This is my favorite I. The series so far.
Cinderella is a great character. I loved her. I didn’t love Frederick at first but he certainly grew on me. This is my favorite I. The series so far.
cnicks's review against another edition
5.0
Probably my favorite book in this series and one of the few I reread often. A strong, practical heroine is always a favorite
alexlcriddle's review
5.0
This was a charming retelling of Cinderella. The writing was exceptional and the character depth and development added a great deal to the story. I loved how feisty and independent Cinderella was, and the Colonel, well, you'll just have to fall in love with him yourself. There were several twists and turns and the plot was well paced. I would absolutely recommend this fairytale retelling.