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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I loved the characters so much! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only thing about it was the fact that the thing with Ruexner was so long and drawn out. I found myself getting upset with the book. But only the travel part. Either way, I loved Valten so much! I am so glad he got a romance of his own. I totally recommend this book.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I bought all this author's books one night after I had taken an Ambien, because the covers were so pretty and I love fairy tell retellings.
However, all her books seem to start well and then peter out.
So, let that be an Ambien lesson for you.
However, all her books seem to start well and then peter out.
So, let that be an Ambien lesson for you.
Fine. Another "I'm not beautiful" but then is described to be the most beautiful lady ever seen. Also, why do so many of Dickerson's main girls have blonde hair (not all of them, but enough to give me pause)? And looking at the man (presumably) Valten in the background of the cover art ... who is that? Like, his face looks so weird when you get close enough to see properly.
But I will gobble down any fairy tale retelling, and I do enjoy the fashion descriptions in this one.
But I will gobble down any fairy tale retelling, and I do enjoy the fashion descriptions in this one.
I got through the prologue and first chapter before putting this down. My main issue was Gisela's response to the big bad. They had a confrontation, and a survivor of abuse would not have reacted to aggression with defiance (which is what Gisela did). I know everyone wants to write strong women, but it just doesn't have the ring of truth to it.
Also, and reading some of the comments has confirmed this, the big bad seemed like a predator. I just wasn't interested in reading about his threats to an already victimized woman.
Lastly, I'm so tired of book woman proving their strong by refusing to ride side-saddle. The whole point of Cinderella is she wants to dress up and go to a ball and have one night of fun. I think it's safe say she'd be ok with riding side-saddle.
Also, and reading some of the comments has confirmed this, the big bad seemed like a predator. I just wasn't interested in reading about his threats to an already victimized woman.
Lastly, I'm so tired of book woman proving their strong by refusing to ride side-saddle. The whole point of Cinderella is she wants to dress up and go to a ball and have one night of fun. I think it's safe say she'd be ok with riding side-saddle.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Sexual harassment
9/10. I would rank this book as one of my favourite in this series so far. I enjoyed the references to the fairytale Cinderella as well as the extra events added in. I liked the characters of Gisela and Valten and the medieval tournament culture. There was plenty of drama and suspense and the romance was entirely clean and suitable for younger teens. I also liked the spiritual content.
These books get worse as the series goes on and get incredibly too preachy for me. I'll read the next one in the series only because I already have it but I'm just not impressed with these princess retellings as a whole.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not my favorite fairytale retelling, but it's definitely not the worst. I disliked how two dimensional most of the characters seemed to be, but I did enjoy the plot and the romance. Very wholesome and overall a pretty decent book. It stays true to the classic Cinderella story.
fast-paced
It’s Melanie Dickerson’s work, it’ll always be amazing