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emeraldrose809's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
jblock321's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Fire/Fire injury
maymoo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
5.0
Very brutal but I could not put it down!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Cursing, Police brutality, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexism, and Grief
wcked's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This reads like a typical YA fairytale retelling, but the author still manages to make it entertaining. I liked the way feminism is portrayed in the novel, because there was no shaming of characters who preferred more feminine aspects of life. (Cinder)Ella’s inherent beauty isn’t shamed, nor is she criticized for using her softness and femininity to gain sympathy and to make her life easier. Rather, the author makes it clear that it is jealousy born from the different ways society treats women that is the true poison. Also, Hugo’s preference for feminine women who would want to depend on him in a relationship isn’t made out to be a big deal, which I appreciated a lot. Everybody is allowed to have a type.
While the premise and the conflict between the different parties hooked me, the writing felt a little bit cheesy at times. I also didn’t like the formatting of the book because I found that many of the chapter separations were done without a narrative purpose; a lot of the chapters were cut short, but the continuation of that chapter’s storyline spilled over to the next chapter (which was printed on the same page), making the cut unnecessary. However, I do think that the lack of blank spaces between each chapter helps the story flow faster, since the reader isn’t given a visual pause. Thus, I recommend this book to anyone who is stuck in a reading slump, and who is looking for an easy, feel-good, feminist Ugly Ducking retelling (except that the ugliness comes from within).
While the premise and the conflict between the different parties hooked me, the writing felt a little bit cheesy at times. I also didn’t like the formatting of the book because I found that many of the chapter separations were done without a narrative purpose; a lot of the chapters were cut short, but the continuation of that chapter’s storyline spilled over to the next chapter (which was printed on the same page), making the cut unnecessary. However, I do think that the lack of blank spaces between each chapter helps the story flow faster, since the reader isn’t given a visual pause. Thus, I recommend this book to anyone who is stuck in a reading slump, and who is looking for an easy, feel-good, feminist Ugly Ducking retelling (except that the ugliness comes from within).
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Death
spinkysaurus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The beginning of the book was hard because the main character was so bitter. Donnelly did a good job of showing what Isabelle had become. As the plot progressed the story and the all of the characters became understandable and far more interesting and likable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, War, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Self harm
This is a darker retelling and the beginning describes a lot of the more graphic portions of the original Grimm telling of Cinderella. In addition it has a lot of perceived gender roles being forced upon people who do not want them.
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