Reviews

A Spark in the Cinders by Jenny Elder Moke

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holleybee2's review

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dark funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

cashorcheque's review

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adventurous challenging emotional reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

This is a book that would likely appeal to younger YA audiences. It's a quick read with an interesting take on the Cinderella story. It's a sapphic enemies (ish) to lovers romance as the two characters go on a quest to save the kingdom. That characters were interesting, especially our heroine, one of Cinderella's evil step sisters. The plot and worldbuilding were light and didn't generally capture my attention.

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for an early copy for review.

auora1484's review

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

argrenier's review

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

thevmoody's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

jessyhayward's review

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There’s nothing wrong with it, I just didn’t like the writing style at all! Not my thing, apparently.

bri4484's review

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I was given this book by the publisher in return for an honest review.

An after the event telling of Cinderella (Ella Rose) with a magical LGBTQ twist.

I really liked this retelling. Our MC or Evil Step Sister struggles with that inner negative voice that sounds like her Evil Mother. Something quite a few people can identify with. Our MC learns how to cut her puppet strings and think for herself. Realizing the life she was fighting so hard for wasn't what she wanted. There's a lot of charter development despite the occasional backslide.

Our story takes us on a cursed journey to save the kingdom and as a result our MC and many others. The story is fast paced, the characters are loveable and inclusive. There's nothing like getting an old story with a modern twist. 4⭐