tiffanytcole's review against another edition
4.0
*Giveaway Bonus*
If you enjoy the review below and would like to win a free print or e-book copy of Cinders, go here (http://fuisti.blogspot.com/2011/09/cinders-by-michelle-davidson-argyle.html) for a chance to enter just by commenting (ends 9/23)!
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Once upon a time, there was a servant who went by the name of Cinderella. She had two wicked step sisters and a stepmother who liked to put her to an unfair amount of work, and her only friends were the kind birds and mice. In response to her distress, a fairy godmother granted Cinderella the magical assistance to trade her life for a much better one - a life beside a prince head over heels for her.
And, as thus, Cinderella lived happily ever after...right?
Whether you're familiar with the happier Disney version, the darker Brother Grimms version, or perhaps other versions entirely, the story still begs the question most fairy tale endings do. Was the ever after really happily? Author Michelle Davidson Argyle tackles this question in Cinders.
Cinderella, or princess Christine, isn't as content with her new life as she assumed she'd be. What with her fairy godmother imprisoned, Cinderella can't help worrying - not just about whether the godmother will live, but how far the godmother's magic stretches. How much of the prince's love is true, if any of it is true at all? How much of her new life is true, if any of it is true at all? Beside those concerns about her present, thoughts of her past still lingers. She can't totally drop old habits, like feeling comfortable in the kitchen.
More importantly, the memory of a guy from her past - a magical guy both real and unreal, a guy whose kiss had a different power than that of the prince's - won't let go. And Cinderella can't let go either. She has to wonder herself how far she will go, how much she is willing to sacrifice, to see him again.
A person's life is really just a series of story arcs. Will this arc of Cinderella's life end just as happily ever after as her previous one?
Argyle is a master at using the power of language to show a range of emotions. Sentences, like the following, said a lot even though it was short: 'She would look like porcelain for her prince tonight. He liked her made up like that.' When I peaked at the book months ago, that sentence stayed in my mind. I loved how she explored the magical aspects of the tale that weren't explored at all originally, like the godmother's power, and expanded on the magical world. What I loved the most, by far, was how morally ambiguous Argyle made Cinderella.
I can honestly admit that, at certain points of the story, I didn't like Cinderella. At some points, I questioned her motives and didn't truly understand how much depth went into her decisions...BUT that's not a bad thing. In this story, Cinderella was more human, more realistic, than I've ever read her. It's not bad that I didn't think she was the most awesome heroine ever. Not all heroines should and can be the most awesome heroines ever. I'm okay with that.
The only thing that concerned me was the story with Cinderella's previous mystery lover. I really wanted to know more about him, more about their past relationship. How'd they find each other? How exactly does his culture work? Questions like that consistently arose in my mind, and I was a tad bit disappointed that I didn't find out. I'm aware that this may have been purposeful. He is characterized as an elusive man.
As it is, though, I enjoyed the novella overall. Michelle Argyle is a talented author readers should definitely keep an eye on!
If you enjoy the review below and would like to win a free print or e-book copy of Cinders, go here (http://fuisti.blogspot.com/2011/09/cinders-by-michelle-davidson-argyle.html) for a chance to enter just by commenting (ends 9/23)!
*********
Once upon a time, there was a servant who went by the name of Cinderella. She had two wicked step sisters and a stepmother who liked to put her to an unfair amount of work, and her only friends were the kind birds and mice. In response to her distress, a fairy godmother granted Cinderella the magical assistance to trade her life for a much better one - a life beside a prince head over heels for her.
And, as thus, Cinderella lived happily ever after...right?
Whether you're familiar with the happier Disney version, the darker Brother Grimms version, or perhaps other versions entirely, the story still begs the question most fairy tale endings do. Was the ever after really happily? Author Michelle Davidson Argyle tackles this question in Cinders.
Cinderella, or princess Christine, isn't as content with her new life as she assumed she'd be. What with her fairy godmother imprisoned, Cinderella can't help worrying - not just about whether the godmother will live, but how far the godmother's magic stretches. How much of the prince's love is true, if any of it is true at all? How much of her new life is true, if any of it is true at all? Beside those concerns about her present, thoughts of her past still lingers. She can't totally drop old habits, like feeling comfortable in the kitchen.
More importantly, the memory of a guy from her past - a magical guy both real and unreal, a guy whose kiss had a different power than that of the prince's - won't let go. And Cinderella can't let go either. She has to wonder herself how far she will go, how much she is willing to sacrifice, to see him again.
A person's life is really just a series of story arcs. Will this arc of Cinderella's life end just as happily ever after as her previous one?
Argyle is a master at using the power of language to show a range of emotions. Sentences, like the following, said a lot even though it was short: 'She would look like porcelain for her prince tonight. He liked her made up like that.' When I peaked at the book months ago, that sentence stayed in my mind. I loved how she explored the magical aspects of the tale that weren't explored at all originally, like the godmother's power, and expanded on the magical world. What I loved the most, by far, was how morally ambiguous Argyle made Cinderella.
I can honestly admit that, at certain points of the story, I didn't like Cinderella. At some points, I questioned her motives and didn't truly understand how much depth went into her decisions...BUT that's not a bad thing. In this story, Cinderella was more human, more realistic, than I've ever read her. It's not bad that I didn't think she was the most awesome heroine ever. Not all heroines should and can be the most awesome heroines ever. I'm okay with that.
The only thing that concerned me was the story with Cinderella's previous mystery lover. I really wanted to know more about him, more about their past relationship. How'd they find each other? How exactly does his culture work? Questions like that consistently arose in my mind, and I was a tad bit disappointed that I didn't find out. I'm aware that this may have been purposeful. He is characterized as an elusive man.
As it is, though, I enjoyed the novella overall. Michelle Argyle is a talented author readers should definitely keep an eye on!
jljaina's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting twist to the "Happily Ever After" of Cinderella. This story focuses on Cinderella (also known as Christina) after she is married to the prince. She is now princess to a kingdom. Yet she is not happy. A couple years before she met the prince she met a stranger and has an attachment to him. Rowland the prince chose her as his princess due to a spell that was cast by her fairy godmother. Her fairy godmother was locked in the dungeon for being a witch. Cinderella is given an option to choose to keep the life she has, or cast another spell for a chance with the stranger.
I don't want to give away too much so I will stop there and leave the rest of the story itself. I enjoyed this book. The writing was organized and concise. A nice story line. Cinderella's inner turmoil was well described. I do wish the story was longer however. Especially toward the end. The end seemed a bit cropped off. Besides that, however, I really enjoyed this. It was a good, quick read.
*I received this book free in a Goodreads giveaway.
I don't want to give away too much so I will stop there and leave the rest of the story itself. I enjoyed this book. The writing was organized and concise. A nice story line. Cinderella's inner turmoil was well described. I do wish the story was longer however. Especially toward the end. The end seemed a bit cropped off. Besides that, however, I really enjoyed this. It was a good, quick read.
*I received this book free in a Goodreads giveaway.
unabridgedchick's review against another edition
4.0
Did... I inhale this book in one sitting?: YES.
Did... I develop a tiny crush on Prince Charming: YES. What a goober.
Did... I get teary by the end: YES, in such a good way!
Review: This isn't a reboot or retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale; instead, it's a brief but engrossing take on what might have happened after the story ended. Argyle's writing is simple and straight-forward, in the type of style that fairy tales are told in, but the character motivations and plot are far from simplistic. I was reminded of Emma Donoghue and Angela Carter a bit; while Argyle doesn't twist the story of Cinderella, she offers us a poignant version of what a life based on enchantment and magic would feel like. Cinderella (or Princess Christina, as she is called) lives in the palace with her lovely husband and amazing household, wondering at the authenticity of her prince's feelings and her own feelings in return. The fairy godmother's enchantments, once so welcome, now make everything Cinderella knows suspect and suspicious.
I have to confess, I was sort of bracing myself for some cruel reinvention of the story -- like Prince Charming was really a sadist -- and so I was pleasantly surprised and relieved that Argyle's characterizations are more subtle and deft. The twist of the story isn't that Cinderella's fairy tale life is really a nightmare; it's that nagging feeling that maybe it isn't really what she wanted.
The story is decidedly adult -- not in a XXX sort of way -- but in the mature and bittersweet resolution Argyle offers. I was completely unprepared for the book's conclusion -- in the best way -- and I'm planning a reread soon. I want to savor the story all over again!
Did... I develop a tiny crush on Prince Charming: YES. What a goober.
Did... I get teary by the end: YES, in such a good way!
Review: This isn't a reboot or retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale; instead, it's a brief but engrossing take on what might have happened after the story ended. Argyle's writing is simple and straight-forward, in the type of style that fairy tales are told in, but the character motivations and plot are far from simplistic. I was reminded of Emma Donoghue and Angela Carter a bit; while Argyle doesn't twist the story of Cinderella, she offers us a poignant version of what a life based on enchantment and magic would feel like. Cinderella (or Princess Christina, as she is called) lives in the palace with her lovely husband and amazing household, wondering at the authenticity of her prince's feelings and her own feelings in return. The fairy godmother's enchantments, once so welcome, now make everything Cinderella knows suspect and suspicious.
I have to confess, I was sort of bracing myself for some cruel reinvention of the story -- like Prince Charming was really a sadist -- and so I was pleasantly surprised and relieved that Argyle's characterizations are more subtle and deft. The twist of the story isn't that Cinderella's fairy tale life is really a nightmare; it's that nagging feeling that maybe it isn't really what she wanted.
The story is decidedly adult -- not in a XXX sort of way -- but in the mature and bittersweet resolution Argyle offers. I was completely unprepared for the book's conclusion -- in the best way -- and I'm planning a reread soon. I want to savor the story all over again!
vebarger's review against another edition
3.0
Cinders is not so much a retelling of Cinderella so much as a continuation. I am a fairy tale addict, so this really appealed to me. The story was good, I enjoyed the stance the author took, making Cinderella question whether the prince loved her for her, or because he HAD to. I loved the inner conflict and the way that Cinderella showed flashes of the Queen she could become if she set her mind to it. What I didn't care for was the addition of a love triangle. The mysterious Kale sometimes seemed like he was merely a foil for the author to use when she showed Cinderella's uncertainty about the prince (who I really was rooting for). I also didn't care for the way Cinderella handled the deaths she caused, especially those at the end. They were a little too easily brushed off. It didn't seem to match her character. The ending was tragic, but had a little hope mixed in. I kept hoping for a happy ending, but that wasn't really the point of the story. A really good read. Three stars!
suzrobinson1's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good short story, not the best I have ever read but by far not the worst. I had never read the author before and saw it on sale for the Nook. I love Cinderella stories so thought I'd give it a chance. The storyline moved along at an appropriate pace. I would have like to see an expansion of the storyline in some places but it didn't detract from the overall book. I would most likely read another story from the author.
saraheolson's review
2.0
I think this was a well-written book, but I just didn't care much for the characters or the plot. I couldn't find a connection with Cinderella and I found it very hard to sympathize with her. The ending felt a little flat to me. It didn't resolve because of the lack of connection I felt with Cinderella.
blodeuedd's review
4.0
I saw this cover and knew I had to read this book. And don't expect some happily ever after, no this is what happens after the HEA.
Cinderella is married to her prince, but she is unhappy and bored. Sure Prince Rowland is wonderful and loving but she knows that he is under a spell, and would he love her without the magic? Her fairy godmother is being accused of witchcraft and is rotting in the dungeon, and Cinderella is feeling the burden of her crown. She is no longer sure that this is what she wants, and then they are the dreams that haunt her. About the man she met and the man who left. The stranger she now dreams about and wants to be with.
As you can see everything is not perfect, she got her prince Charming but at a price, and the magic means that everyone around her likes her. Rowland and she seems to have a lovely time together, and he does seem perfect. But yes, magic. Though it never hit me to feel sorry for him, I guess I was so focused on what Cinderella was doing. I could understand her, but she also ended up doing some things that made me wonder how she later in life thought about those things. I can't say too much so not to spoil things.
All was not well in the kingdom either, now the rule was rather oppressive and the people wants to revolt. Heads will fall in this book, it is a fairytale with a grim truth.
The best part must be the end because I was surprised, and I love being surprised when it comes to books. Argyle did a good job with that.
All in all, you have to pay a price for magic, and this fairytale could sure have been told in the old days, with that bit of advice in it.
Blodeuedd's Cover Corner. Love it. One of my all time fav covers.
Final thoughts: I finished and wanted more, and then I read that there will be other fairytales and that I do look forward to.
Cinderella is married to her prince, but she is unhappy and bored. Sure Prince Rowland is wonderful and loving but she knows that he is under a spell, and would he love her without the magic? Her fairy godmother is being accused of witchcraft and is rotting in the dungeon, and Cinderella is feeling the burden of her crown. She is no longer sure that this is what she wants, and then they are the dreams that haunt her. About the man she met and the man who left. The stranger she now dreams about and wants to be with.
As you can see everything is not perfect, she got her prince Charming but at a price, and the magic means that everyone around her likes her. Rowland and she seems to have a lovely time together, and he does seem perfect. But yes, magic. Though it never hit me to feel sorry for him, I guess I was so focused on what Cinderella was doing. I could understand her, but she also ended up doing some things that made me wonder how she later in life thought about those things. I can't say too much so not to spoil things.
All was not well in the kingdom either, now the rule was rather oppressive and the people wants to revolt. Heads will fall in this book, it is a fairytale with a grim truth.
The best part must be the end because I was surprised, and I love being surprised when it comes to books. Argyle did a good job with that.
All in all, you have to pay a price for magic, and this fairytale could sure have been told in the old days, with that bit of advice in it.
Blodeuedd's Cover Corner. Love it. One of my all time fav covers.
Final thoughts: I finished and wanted more, and then I read that there will be other fairytales and that I do look forward to.
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