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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
The Rise of the Cinder Fae is an outstanding debut for this new fantasy series. Whitney creates a whimsical world of magic, royalty and plenty of pumpkins.
Despite technically being a Cinderella retelling much of the story is unique that no elements feel repetitive nor predictable.
The romance and relationship between our main characters is equally relatable ( so much bickering) as it is spicy. The live the characters share is more heartwarming than it is sickening.
The overarching plot isn't too simple l, yes we have to defeat the evil king. However we have to also free the fae, recruit the rebels, protect the town and did someone say hidden shadow daddy?!
I need the next book pronto!
Despite technically being a Cinderella retelling much of the story is unique that no elements feel repetitive nor predictable.
The romance and relationship between our main characters is equally relatable ( so much bickering) as it is spicy. The live the characters share is more heartwarming than it is sickening.
The overarching plot isn't too simple l, yes we have to defeat the evil king. However we have to also free the fae, recruit the rebels, protect the town and did someone say hidden shadow daddy?!
I need the next book pronto!
I really wanted to like this book, but it was very confusing and needed direction. Lots of good ideas but not focused enough! I enjoyed the slow burn at times and once the characters got on the same page, their teamwork + spice was appreciated (lots of spice), but then the story just had lots of unnecessary twists/dead ends.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-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
I received an ARC from the author. My opinions are my own.
I am reeling! I was sucked into the magnificent world building. Ashbury was a former kingdom has been overtaken by the king of Pumpkin Hollow, Jasper. The cinder fae have been enslaved to create coal, which is in short supply to keep homes warm. King Jasper wants sole control over all land and resources. He rules by fear and violence.
Elora was a former princess of Ashbury who lives under her stepmothers rule after her father passed. She has befriended the fae and they adore her, so to get more control over the fae, Jasper set up an arranged marriage between Elora and his son Prince Finnian. Nothing is ever that simple with Jasper, there are always strings attached.
They navigate court life, trying to stay alive, and attempt to stay one step ahead of Jasper. They always havld support from Irina, Finnian's sister, and his mother, Honora. Jasper's cruel, but also extremely intelligent. A truely terrifying villain who's written so well. He will use anything they care for and love against them.
It's an enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, one horse, slow burn, romantic fantasy that is full of angst, extra hot spice, unexpected twists, and a blend of the fairy tales we know of love. It's a phenomenal read and I cannot recommend this enough!
I am reeling! I was sucked into the magnificent world building. Ashbury was a former kingdom has been overtaken by the king of Pumpkin Hollow, Jasper. The cinder fae have been enslaved to create coal, which is in short supply to keep homes warm. King Jasper wants sole control over all land and resources. He rules by fear and violence.
Elora was a former princess of Ashbury who lives under her stepmothers rule after her father passed. She has befriended the fae and they adore her, so to get more control over the fae, Jasper set up an arranged marriage between Elora and his son Prince Finnian. Nothing is ever that simple with Jasper, there are always strings attached.
They navigate court life, trying to stay alive, and attempt to stay one step ahead of Jasper. They always havld support from Irina, Finnian's sister, and his mother, Honora. Jasper's cruel, but also extremely intelligent. A truely terrifying villain who's written so well. He will use anything they care for and love against them.
It's an enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, one horse, slow burn, romantic fantasy that is full of angst, extra hot spice, unexpected twists, and a blend of the fairy tales we know of love. It's a phenomenal read and I cannot recommend this enough!
If I had a shelf called "did I read a different book than everyone else" this would have to go in it. But I am genuinely baffled by the amount of 5 star reviews for this one.
I struggled through the first 100 pages. I REALLY struggled with the writing style, most notably changing back and forth between present and past tense at the start (mid sentence or same paragraph, the tense would change!), sentences that just weren't necessary or making any sense, the MASSIVE info dump, and unstable world building where things just don't make sense on a common sense level.
The story seems to settle in on two human characters, one who is friends with the cinder fae. So, I was kinda like - where are the cinder fae and when are they rising up? while I was reading. And what's the deal with the pumpkins??! (But really - I didn't finish reading, do the cinder fae have have roll later on in the book?). Honestly, there could have been no fae in what I read and it would read the same.
Overall, I feel like this book could have used a LOT more editing to cut out a lot of unnecessary things and keep the story on track, because this should not be 700 pages omg.
I'm sorry for this review, but these are my thoughts based on what I read.
I struggled through the first 100 pages. I REALLY struggled with the writing style, most notably changing back and forth between present and past tense at the start (mid sentence or same paragraph, the tense would change!), sentences that just weren't necessary or making any sense, the MASSIVE info dump, and unstable world building where things just don't make sense on a common sense level.
The story seems to settle in on two human characters, one who is friends with the cinder fae. So, I was kinda like - where are the cinder fae and when are they rising up? while I was reading. And what's the deal with the pumpkins??! (But really - I didn't finish reading, do the cinder fae have have roll later on in the book?). Honestly, there could have been no fae in what I read and it would read the same.
Overall, I feel like this book could have used a LOT more editing to cut out a lot of unnecessary things and keep the story on track, because this should not be 700 pages omg.
I'm sorry for this review, but these are my thoughts based on what I read.
Cinderella is such a classic and Dean brings a fresh perspective to the tale by adding enemies to lovers and fae!
There is intricate world building at the beginning that takes several chapters to explain, but after that the story moves at a faster pace.
Ellie has all of the sass of the original character we know and love and an added grit to her. She carries the weight of the kingdom on her shoulders at a young age and navigates all of the treacherous tendencies of court.
Finn is the perfect grumpy male main character. He doesn’t take kindly to his princely pressures to find a wife which is the crux of his frustration. The banter he has with Ellie is top tier and really addd to the slow burn.
I really enjoyed the side characters in this story and felt they added to move things along.
Thank you Whitney Dean and Book of Matches Media for the copy! The thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
THAT ENDING. Perfection. It was SO satisfying yet surprising and I did not see any of that coming. I loved Finnian and Elora’s banter and sacrifices. I loved learning about the kingdoms and I felt fear when they did. I hate Jasper, love Irina and Honora, and feel so sad that their story is over, but it’s complete and wrapped up so nicely! Truly looking forward to the rest of this series!!!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This was my first Whitney Dean book - a Cinderella retelling, but add fae, super spicy scenes, and a combative princess. The author was able to keep the main points of the Cinderella fairytale while also throwing in new world building.
Watching the story between Elora and Finnian bloom made my eyes water and my heart break with their suffering.
In addition, it had some of the best characters. I absolutely adored Irina and her sassy spitfire attitude, I hated Jasper, loved Honora, and felt so sad that their story is over.
5 stars
~ I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book received via NetGalley ~
Watching the story between Elora and Finnian bloom made my eyes water and my heart break with their suffering.
In addition, it had some of the best characters. I absolutely adored Irina and her sassy spitfire attitude, I hated Jasper, loved Honora, and felt so sad that their story is over.
5 stars
~ I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book received via NetGalley ~
As an Arc reader, I love this book. This ever changing dynamic between Finn and Ellie is my favorite. Also I want Inira as a sister and Honora as a mother. Regina and Jasper and go die with the pumpkins for all I care. They deserve it. I will fall in love with this book forever and ever. I can’t wait for it to come out so more people can read it.