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jamazing44's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
raenijoy's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite of the series so far. My previous favorite was Fairest of All, and I think the reason I find these two so good is that they slot so perfectly into the movies we already know without changing the core of the story. It adds depth and understanding to the villain without so much as touching the original. But this one was even better, because it didn’t feature The Odd Sisters (truly, I didn’t mind them in Fairest, but they did feel out of place and clearly leading up to more, and that more in future books was nothing short of aggravating and laborious. Which makes the memory of them in the first book somewhat tainted).
I hope the next 3 (soon to be 4) books are more like this one vs the more convoluted style of books 2-6.
I hope the next 3 (soon to be 4) books are more like this one vs the more convoluted style of books 2-6.
dawnwyatt121314's review against another edition
4.0
This may be 1 of my favorite books in the Villains series. I enjoy reading this rendition of what made Cruella...Cruella.
mirinconlector_'s review against another edition
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
artful_el's review against another edition
2.0
This was so difficult to get through because not only do you know how it inevitably has to end but you can see so obviously how it gets there.
With that said though, I think this is a take on Cruella De Vil's story that I can get behind. It depicts a woman's decent into madness due to a series if events and circumstances in her life. It doesn't try to change the villian that she is or even excuse her actions but rather it provides an explanation for why someone might act the way she did.
For that reason this is an acceptable read.
With that said though, I think this is a take on Cruella De Vil's story that I can get behind. It depicts a woman's decent into madness due to a series if events and circumstances in her life. It doesn't try to change the villian that she is or even excuse her actions but rather it provides an explanation for why someone might act the way she did.
For that reason this is an acceptable read.
krpinbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Susanne Blakeslee does a fantastic Cruella voice! It appears she did all the voices for this and they are all great!
The story is very Disney. This is not the same origin story line as the Cruella movie that just came out and that is perfectly fine. Serena did a great job of making you feel like you were in 1920's London and managed to make Cruella likable. The story is fairly simple and I think will do great with middle graders.
The story is very Disney. This is not the same origin story line as the Cruella movie that just came out and that is perfectly fine. Serena did a great job of making you feel like you were in 1920's London and managed to make Cruella likable. The story is fairly simple and I think will do great with middle graders.
mkaib81's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
imola_bob33's review against another edition
5.0
Ich war am Anfang nicht so an Cruellas Geschichte interessiert, jedoch als ich immer mehr und mehr gelesen habe, habe ich sie auch immer besser verstanden! Ich bin froh, dass Serena Valentino und Disney sich so eine wunderbare Geschichte ausgedacht haben!!❤️❤️
guenevol's review against another edition
3.0
Trigger warnings: death of a parent, death of a spouse
Cruella De Vil’s tale is a sad story; as a child she is raised by servants and is constantly striving for her mother’s love. Because the book is written in the first person, it reads like a diary or oral history of Cruella's life.
Why Cruella became obsessed with Dalmatians and fur coats is explained through her relationship (or lack thereof) with her cold and unloving mother. Her mother’s gifts of fur coats make the young Cruella believe that money buys love.
Cruella is driven mad by her grief and loneliness in the end because she has ostracized the few people who really cared about her. Her friend Anita is removed from her life because Cruella's mother doesn't approve of her. Her puppy Perdita (yes, that Perdita), a final gift from her deceased father, is given to Anita when Cruella's mother disapproves of animals.
While the other books in the series may need to be read in order, this novel is a standalone that can be read without knowledge of the rest of the series. Fans of the Disney movie Cruella will have a much different story here, which may disappoint some readers.
Susanne Blakeslee is the perfect narrator for this book. She captures Cruella's drama and preoccupation with fashion and wealth.
Recommended for Disney fans and readers who like stories from the villain's perspective.
I received an electronic audio recording of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/evil-thing
Cruella De Vil’s tale is a sad story; as a child she is raised by servants and is constantly striving for her mother’s love. Because the book is written in the first person, it reads like a diary or oral history of Cruella's life.
Why Cruella became obsessed with Dalmatians and fur coats is explained through her relationship (or lack thereof) with her cold and unloving mother. Her mother’s gifts of fur coats make the young Cruella believe that money buys love.
Cruella is driven mad by her grief and loneliness in the end because she has ostracized the few people who really cared about her. Her friend Anita is removed from her life because Cruella's mother doesn't approve of her. Her puppy Perdita (yes, that Perdita), a final gift from her deceased father, is given to Anita when Cruella's mother disapproves of animals.
While the other books in the series may need to be read in order, this novel is a standalone that can be read without knowledge of the rest of the series. Fans of the Disney movie Cruella will have a much different story here, which may disappoint some readers.
Susanne Blakeslee is the perfect narrator for this book. She captures Cruella's drama and preoccupation with fashion and wealth.
Recommended for Disney fans and readers who like stories from the villain's perspective.
I received an electronic audio recording of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read the review here: https://guenevol.wixsite.com/novelmaven/post/evil-thing
rosaliereese's review against another edition
3.0
I have loved books in this series and had mixed feelings about others. This one for me falls into the mixed feelings. My biggest issue was the fact that Cruella just seemed so naive to her mother just wanting her money. It was obvious and frustrating to me that she could not see it. I understand that everything she did was for her mother's approval but her downfall seemed avoidable. I did enjoy the moments that were not about her pleasing her mother and to see the softer side of her. I am looking forward to finding out if those earrings are cursed. I am hoping that answer will come up in a future book.