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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I was bamboozled. This book suffered from the let me throw every plot and trope in as possible. Making this all together too long and making me not enjoy any of the characters.
Elora makes the dumbest decisions. They literally give her advice and she just ignores it. On top of that she is clearly into a fairy and then later acts like jt was nothing. Even though she detailed in her diary dreaming of being with him.
Finnian was this tortured prince who has the reputation of sleeping around but says he doesn’t? Even though after meeting Elora he debated about going into town for a women. On top of that they get locked in a cell and the first thing they do is have sex?? Just poor plot in my opinion.
Overall the premise was interesting. I just didn’t enjoy the characters or their arc. Jasper was supposed to be so terrifying yet we saw one beheading.
Elora makes the dumbest decisions. They literally give her advice and she just ignores it. On top of that she is clearly into a fairy and then later acts like jt was nothing. Even though she detailed in her diary dreaming of being with him.
Finnian was this tortured prince who has the reputation of sleeping around but says he doesn’t? Even though after meeting Elora he debated about going into town for a women. On top of that they get locked in a cell and the first thing they do is have sex?? Just poor plot in my opinion.
Overall the premise was interesting. I just didn’t enjoy the characters or their arc. Jasper was supposed to be so terrifying yet we saw one beheading.
A dark Cinderella retelling with even more more magic than before, beautiful Fae, an alluring magic system, and an addictive plot that makes the story hard to put down!
(MINOR SPOILERS DOWN BELOW)
I love all nods it makes to Cinderella while also having its own creative plot and storyline. The evil stepmother’s plot to have Elora wed the prince makes me think of her as an Evil Cupid as well, Susannah the seamstress reminding Elora of a mouse is a nice nod to Gus and Jaq, and the name of the kingdom is a wonderful nod to the pumpkin carriage.
(MINOR SPOILERS DOWN BELOW)
I love all nods it makes to Cinderella while also having its own creative plot and storyline. The evil stepmother’s plot to have Elora wed the prince makes me think of her as an Evil Cupid as well, Susannah the seamstress reminding Elora of a mouse is a nice nod to Gus and Jaq, and the name of the kingdom is a wonderful nod to the pumpkin carriage.
I absolutely adored this book! The slow burn was worth the wait, and it definitely included some twists I was not expecting. I'm excited to see what comes next in the series. It's long enough that it took me a bit to read, but I was never bored and enjoyed being able to make my way through it slowly.
After her disgraced father condemned a kingdom to be overthrown by the king of Pumpkin
Hollow, Elora spent her childhood growing up with her step mother and step sisters. Forced into early poverty by their frivolous spending Elora's only friendship was with the Cinder Fae. The Cinder Fae who are slaves and captives to the kingdom.
Elora takes it up herself, driven partially from the guilt of her father's mistakes to save her broken kingdom by marrying the playboy prince.
This is an epic enemies to lovers tale, but one thing Whitney has done brilliantly in this book is make each character captivating in their own way.
I was so thrown by the title of the book and what actually unfolded on the book (until the end when it all made sense). The Fae aren't the main focus of this story, as much as they are important it's not solely focused on them. Which I actually felt was refreshing.
The tension between Elora and Finn is captivating, and they genuinely hate each other at the start of this book, and their motivations aren't even focused on each other initially.
Irina, Finn's sister is an MVP for me. I loved her character
Hollow, Elora spent her childhood growing up with her step mother and step sisters. Forced into early poverty by their frivolous spending Elora's only friendship was with the Cinder Fae. The Cinder Fae who are slaves and captives to the kingdom.
Elora takes it up herself, driven partially from the guilt of her father's mistakes to save her broken kingdom by marrying the playboy prince.
This is an epic enemies to lovers tale, but one thing Whitney has done brilliantly in this book is make each character captivating in their own way.
I was so thrown by the title of the book and what actually unfolded on the book (until the end when it all made sense). The Fae aren't the main focus of this story, as much as they are important it's not solely focused on them. Which I actually felt was refreshing.
The tension between Elora and Finn is captivating, and they genuinely hate each other at the start of this book, and their motivations aren't even focused on each other initially.
Irina, Finn's sister is an MVP for me. I loved her character
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I need a whole book to tell me what's to come once she wakes up.
That ending had me mad lol. I need to see how bad ass she is now. I mean ellie was already bad ass but after that ending. Ugh. I love Finn so much.
The side characters were great I want more of the fairies and more of Irena and Massimo
That ending had me mad lol. I need to see how bad ass she is now. I mean ellie was already bad ass but after that ending. Ugh. I love Finn so much.
The side characters were great I want more of the fairies and more of Irena and Massimo
- Fairytale retelling
- Arranged marriage
- Slow burn
- Rivals to lovers
- BANTER!
- Sassy FMC
I just loved this unique take on Cinderella. Adding in the Cinder Fae made this book that much better. I found the concept of the Cinder Fae fascinating and can't wait to learn more about their origin story.
The kingdom of Ashbury was betrayed by its own prince, Elora's father Harry, many years previously. Harry worked with the king of Pumpkin Hollow to take down his own father. In return, Harry was made "keeper" of the Cinder Fae, who must create the coal needed to heat both kingdoms. The Cinder Fae are a closely kept secret and no one outside the two kingdoms knows of their existence. The fae live in harsh conditions with no hope of escape. The only human, other than the guards, allowed near the faes is Elora. She has formed a friendship with a few of the fae.
The kingdom of Ashbury is nearly destitute and rely on King Jasper of Pumpkin Hollow for all of their needs. When Elora's stepmother decides Elora shold marry Prince Finnian of Pumpkin Hollow so she can elevate her status, Elora wants no part of the plan. Finn is not a fan either, especially not to marry the sassy Elora. Thus begins the most delightful banter! I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow.
The book also contains a lot of twists and action. I do not want to spoil anything, but WOW! I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series!
- Arranged marriage
- Slow burn
- Rivals to lovers
- BANTER!
- Sassy FMC
I just loved this unique take on Cinderella. Adding in the Cinder Fae made this book that much better. I found the concept of the Cinder Fae fascinating and can't wait to learn more about their origin story.
The kingdom of Ashbury was betrayed by its own prince, Elora's father Harry, many years previously. Harry worked with the king of Pumpkin Hollow to take down his own father. In return, Harry was made "keeper" of the Cinder Fae, who must create the coal needed to heat both kingdoms. The Cinder Fae are a closely kept secret and no one outside the two kingdoms knows of their existence. The fae live in harsh conditions with no hope of escape. The only human, other than the guards, allowed near the faes is Elora. She has formed a friendship with a few of the fae.
The kingdom of Ashbury is nearly destitute and rely on King Jasper of Pumpkin Hollow for all of their needs. When Elora's stepmother decides Elora shold marry Prince Finnian of Pumpkin Hollow so she can elevate her status, Elora wants no part of the plan. Finn is not a fan either, especially not to marry the sassy Elora. Thus begins the most delightful banter! I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow.
The book also contains a lot of twists and action. I do not want to spoil anything, but WOW! I am eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series!
I received an eARC for my honest review. I loved it, Finnish and Elora are so cute and endearing. The hate to love was funny to read. This was a loose Cinderella retelling and I liked to see the ways that Whitney wove it into the story. I honestly did not expect that ending! I can’t wait for the second one and to see more of the characters return.
A very unique take on the Cinderella story line involving fae and magic. Our FMC is very strong willed and has a bond (frienshipwise) with our Cinder Fae in the story. Our relationship between the MMC and FMC starts out with a hatred for each other and morphs into love/possession with lots of touch her and die vibes.
I was excited to see how the Cinder fae were incorporated into the storyline but unfortunately, they were only in parts of the book just there as a side piece. I was also confused with the dream shadow man Elora (FMC) kept having and how it helped with the plot of the book. While it sets up the storyline for book 2, it doesn't pertain to the current storyline.
I was excited to see how the Cinder fae were incorporated into the storyline but unfortunately, they were only in parts of the book just there as a side piece. I was also confused with the dream shadow man Elora (FMC) kept having and how it helped with the plot of the book. While it sets up the storyline for book 2, it doesn't pertain to the current storyline.
3.5 ⭐️ I thought this was a super unique take on a Cinderella retelling! I truly did love Elora, Finnian, Irina, and Honora! I think the characters were the strongest part of this book. The ending was also great and does a great job at setting up for the rest of the series!
I think one of my biggest things that didn’t make the story as strong was Jasper’s power-obsession with…pumpkins? Idk I just didn’t really buy him as a villain (even though he did some terrible things). I also thought the fae would play a bigger role because of the book’s title, but I kinda forgot they existed for like 60% of the book. Plot was pretty predictable, but I feel like that’s pretty standard with a lot of retellings.
I think one of my biggest things that didn’t make the story as strong was Jasper’s power-obsession with…pumpkins? Idk I just didn’t really buy him as a villain (even though he did some terrible things). I also thought the fae would play a bigger role because of the book’s title, but I kinda forgot they existed for like 60% of the book. Plot was pretty predictable, but I feel like that’s pretty standard with a lot of retellings.