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the_wistful_word_witch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Well, I never anticipated feeling sad for Lady Tremaine, aka Cinderella's evil stepmother, or Anastasia and Drizella, aka the evil stepsisters, but here we are...
Based on this villain origin story, she DEFINITELY got shafted and HARD. It was difficult to finish the book because I knew kind of how it would end, but the getting there was really rough. Lady T was an abused wife trapped in her own personal hell who was just trying to save herself and her daughters. It's enough to drive anyone mad, and she didn't deserve it. I wonder what would have happened if the Odd Sisters had been able to 'help' her......
Based on this villain origin story, she DEFINITELY got shafted and HARD. It was difficult to finish the book because I knew kind of how it would end, but the getting there was really rough. Lady T was an abused wife trapped in her own personal hell who was just trying to save herself and her daughters. It's enough to drive anyone mad, and she didn't deserve it. I wonder what would have happened if the Odd Sisters had been able to 'help' her......
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Dementia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, and Murder
cheyennedenali's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked the pacing of this book a lot more than it's predecessors. I found the stepmother to be relatable until I got to the end of the book. I just feel like there's more character development that could be happening. I wish the author could have gone more into the domestic abuse that was occurring, how strong the stepmother was to go through that, and how the stepsisters were affected. I felt like it was wasted potential.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Gaslighting
shannonvonpesach's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
So idk about this one. I felt very sorry voor Lady Tremaine, disliked sir Richard. But what was wrong all of a sudden with Circe?
I was glad reading about the odd sisters again after Evil thing but I do feel a bit confused rather then enlightened. I also have a feeling Serena goes darker and darker with her books atm.
I was glad reading about the odd sisters again after Evil thing but I do feel a bit confused rather then enlightened. I also have a feeling Serena goes darker and darker with her books atm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent
kateadale's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexism
mydearwatsonbooks's review against another edition
3.5
My son loves watching _Cinderella_, and this has ruined it for me.
Not really, but it definitely makes me view all the characters, especially Lady Tremaine and Cinderella, in a different light.
The novel starts off before Lady Tremaine marries Cinderella’s father. She is a widowed mom raising her children alone (well, in a house full of servants). She meets a man at a grand party, moves to the Many Kingdoms, and if you’ve read any of Valentino’s novels before, you know exactly where this is headed.
The writing style of this series is...interesting. The tone, the vocabulary, and some of the names used makes the books feel like they are for older children, but the subject matter seems to be for teens. However, I will definitely keep reading these because even though some villains are evil just because they are, I like pretending that maybe something caused them to be that way.
I am currently working through a backlog of NetGalley reviews. I am so sorry I am so behind, but I was super overwhelmed for awhile, so I took a break. My apologies to NetGalley and various publishers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for an e-ARC of this book.
Not really, but it definitely makes me view all the characters, especially Lady Tremaine and Cinderella, in a different light.
The novel starts off before Lady Tremaine marries Cinderella’s father. She is a widowed mom raising her children alone (well, in a house full of servants). She meets a man at a grand party, moves to the Many Kingdoms, and if you’ve read any of Valentino’s novels before, you know exactly where this is headed.
The writing style of this series is...interesting. The tone, the vocabulary, and some of the names used makes the books feel like they are for older children, but the subject matter seems to be for teens. However, I will definitely keep reading these because even though some villains are evil just because they are, I like pretending that maybe something caused them to be that way.
I am currently working through a backlog of NetGalley reviews. I am so sorry I am so behind, but I was super overwhelmed for awhile, so I took a break. My apologies to NetGalley and various publishers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for an e-ARC of this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent