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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
I'm an absolute and total sucker for Cinderella retellings. Add some supernatural elements, a world of Fae, Vampires and magic, and there's not much that can possible go wrong. So, when it was too wet or dark to read physical books last week, I dove into this story on my Ipad and I wasn't expecting to enjoy it this much and to end up checking how to get the sequels as soon as possible.
Although the elements of the Cinderella story are clearly there, they are certainly not making this story. Yes, the main character in this story is called Ella. Yes, she lives with her stepmother and two stepsisters. Yes, she's working for them, doing chores and has to obey and follow strict rules all the time. And yes, there are mentions of a handsome prince who has to marry and a ball he's gonna host to meet his future wife.
But, it are the elements Morgan came up with that truly make the story. Even though we haven't seen everything this world has to offer, we are presented with quite some magical species, a political system based on what you are instead of who you are and we are thrown right into the action when we see how Elle does what she can to earn enough to buy herself a wish that could break her free of the slave charm binding her to her stepmom.
The mythology, the lovely character of Elle, who is a little fiercer than your average Cinderella, combined with a really nice writing style that makes the story flow and makes this book a quick and easy read, leads to a book that almost gets addictive.
I've already added the paperback collection with all the books and the entire story to my wishlist and I'll make sure to get it as soon as I can! I want to read more, because this was a very interesting mix of the well known fairytale and interesting mythology.
Although the elements of the Cinderella story are clearly there, they are certainly not making this story. Yes, the main character in this story is called Ella. Yes, she lives with her stepmother and two stepsisters. Yes, she's working for them, doing chores and has to obey and follow strict rules all the time. And yes, there are mentions of a handsome prince who has to marry and a ball he's gonna host to meet his future wife.
But, it are the elements Morgan came up with that truly make the story. Even though we haven't seen everything this world has to offer, we are presented with quite some magical species, a political system based on what you are instead of who you are and we are thrown right into the action when we see how Elle does what she can to earn enough to buy herself a wish that could break her free of the slave charm binding her to her stepmom.
The mythology, the lovely character of Elle, who is a little fiercer than your average Cinderella, combined with a really nice writing style that makes the story flow and makes this book a quick and easy read, leads to a book that almost gets addictive.
I've already added the paperback collection with all the books and the entire story to my wishlist and I'll make sure to get it as soon as I can! I want to read more, because this was a very interesting mix of the well known fairytale and interesting mythology.
reader3000's review against another edition
4.0
*Please make sure your post has the **book title and author in the title** and that you have **selected your house** from the available tags.*
4/5 ⭐
0/5 🌶️
## Tropes
- Slow burn
-Fairy tale retelling
## 📖 My Thoughts
I wasn't sure if this would be my kinda thing but I really enjoyed it. The FMC is a human Cinderella character with her step mother, one kind step-sister and one mean. However, it is based in a world of fae and magic. Humans are the lowest tier and are seen as slaves. Cinderella is a branded slave of her step mother and must earn enough essence to buy her freedom. I thought this was a nice take and made it different enough from the original story to keep my attention. She meets a mysterious fae whose identity is unknown (but easy to guess). This was only the start of the story, I will be reading the next one to find out what happens next.
## ⚠️ Triggers
-Slavery
-Threat to life
-Drugging
-Scamming
-Discrimination
## <:0_flag_progress_pride:1077471157575491594> Representation
n/a
## 🌶️ Spice
n/a in this but I think we are building up towards, potentially in the next story?
## 📝 Special Notes
n/a
## 🌐 Link to Book
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/9f705be1-a911-4d34-adeb-17d78be6fbc8
4/5 ⭐
0/5 🌶️
## Tropes
- Slow burn
-Fairy tale retelling
## 📖 My Thoughts
I wasn't sure if this would be my kinda thing but I really enjoyed it. The FMC is a human Cinderella character with her step mother, one kind step-sister and one mean. However, it is based in a world of fae and magic. Humans are the lowest tier and are seen as slaves. Cinderella is a branded slave of her step mother and must earn enough essence to buy her freedom. I thought this was a nice take and made it different enough from the original story to keep my attention. She meets a mysterious fae whose identity is unknown (but easy to guess). This was only the start of the story, I will be reading the next one to find out what happens next.
## ⚠️ Triggers
-Slavery
-Threat to life
-Drugging
-Scamming
-Discrimination
## <:0_flag_progress_pride:1077471157575491594> Representation
n/a
## 🌶️ Spice
n/a in this but I think we are building up towards, potentially in the next story?
## 📝 Special Notes
n/a
## 🌐 Link to Book
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/9f705be1-a911-4d34-adeb-17d78be6fbc8
charlotteg0a807's review
4.0
I actually really enjoyed this. Unfortunately it was only the first part in a series of books it's a different take on the classic tale of cinders and who doesn't like cinders
amanda_rodrigues's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
vewokie's review
5.0
Wow! I am in love with this series and I cannot wait for the second installment.
You tend to fly through the chapters because they're short and gripping! I must know more!
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoy fantasy novels with a fun, fresh and different take on old classics, like Cinderella.
Rachel can do no wrong with her writing!
You tend to fly through the chapters because they're short and gripping! I must know more!
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoy fantasy novels with a fun, fresh and different take on old classics, like Cinderella.
Rachel can do no wrong with her writing!
evanbaker's review
4.0
Audiobook
*** SPOILERS ***
Spin off of Cinderella. Girl name Ella is human and lives with her two step sisters (one evil, one kind) and evil step mom who are all Fae. There is a law in this realm where humans can be slaves.
Even though Elle is human, she has the ability to erase people’s memories. She sneaks out at night and takes jobs erasing parts of people’s memories that they ask her to and collects essence as payment. She is trying to save up enough essence to buy a third tier wish (the highest tier) to remove the slave bond her step mother put on her. She always has to be back before midnight when the house automatically locks her in.
A vampire is after her, we don’t know why, but a fae man seems to be very interested in her and saves her from the vampire. He and his two friends try to catch the vampire but don’t succeed. He does save elle though and when she comes too she realizes she won’t make it home by midnight. He makes a blood promise to her that he won’t lie to her so that she trusts him to drive her home. The fae man (Dex) and his two friends offer her essence to act as bait to catch the vampire.
They drop her off at home where there are police waiting because the vampire had tried to get into the house to kidnap Elle. The step mother punishes her by locking her in the cellar for sneaking out. While there she remembers the number dex has given her, and she sends him a text saying she agrees to the deal to act as bait to get essence.
*** SPOILERS ***
Spin off of Cinderella. Girl name Ella is human and lives with her two step sisters (one evil, one kind) and evil step mom who are all Fae. There is a law in this realm where humans can be slaves.
Even though Elle is human, she has the ability to erase people’s memories. She sneaks out at night and takes jobs erasing parts of people’s memories that they ask her to and collects essence as payment. She is trying to save up enough essence to buy a third tier wish (the highest tier) to remove the slave bond her step mother put on her. She always has to be back before midnight when the house automatically locks her in.
A vampire is after her, we don’t know why, but a fae man seems to be very interested in her and saves her from the vampire. He and his two friends try to catch the vampire but don’t succeed. He does save elle though and when she comes too she realizes she won’t make it home by midnight. He makes a blood promise to her that he won’t lie to her so that she trusts him to drive her home. The fae man (Dex) and his two friends offer her essence to act as bait to catch the vampire.
They drop her off at home where there are police waiting because the vampire had tried to get into the house to kidnap Elle. The step mother punishes her by locking her in the cellar for sneaking out. While there she remembers the number dex has given her, and she sends him a text saying she agrees to the deal to act as bait to get essence.
bookswithpao's review
4.0
-4.5- um this was sO GOOD?????? i found the free audio book on ibooks, and i just started it on a whim while i cleaned. i seriously do not regret it, and i’m lowkey in love with this series and will continue it.
raggedtoothrat's review
5.0
Wow, what a strong start for City of Wishes! I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, the writing style and world building is much more similar to the Creepy Hollow series than the Ridley Kayne Chronicles. Do other Morgan fans feel that RKC didn't reach the same heights as Creepy Hollow? The Memory Thief feels like coming home to Creepy Hollow.
The City of Wishes is an urban fantasy retelling of Cinderella. The links to the fairy tale are very obvious - Elle is a slave to her stepmother and stepsisters after her father died. She is trying to get a magic wish to earn her freedom. There have been mentions of an elusive Godmother and a ball at the palace so that the Prince can find a wife. Elle meets Dax who I'm assuming is Prince Charming in the first chapter and the reader gets a glimpse into what Dax is doing in the same nightclub.
While the basics of the Cinderella tale are present, the details are fresh. There are racial tensions between the four high races - human, fae, vampire and shapeshifter - which bring in more modern issues of race while adding trendy fantasy creatures. Elle's slave charm answers the age-old question of why Cinderella didn't simply run away. I love the concept of buying wishes in different tiers of value. Elle's special ability is typical of YA fantasy yet still intrigues me and I can see it's going to play a role in Dax and Elle coming together. I don't want to dabble into spoilers but I enjoyed the details that come to light in the engagement scene and hope we learn more about it later in the series.
My only gripe is how short Memory Thief is! Morgan is releasing the books episodically which I understand goes with her writing style of publishing shorter books more often. I hope eventually the books will only be released as a bundle or that it's made clear that The Memory Thief is only part of one book. None of the storylines came to a conclusion so I was left wanting more; it definitely feels like part one of a novel.
First of all, the writing style and world building is much more similar to the Creepy Hollow series than the Ridley Kayne Chronicles. Do other Morgan fans feel that RKC didn't reach the same heights as Creepy Hollow? The Memory Thief feels like coming home to Creepy Hollow.
The City of Wishes is an urban fantasy retelling of Cinderella. The links to the fairy tale are very obvious - Elle is a slave to her stepmother and stepsisters after her father died. She is trying to get a magic wish to earn her freedom. There have been mentions of an elusive Godmother and a ball at the palace so that the Prince can find a wife. Elle meets Dax who I'm assuming is Prince Charming in the first chapter and the reader gets a glimpse into what Dax is doing in the same nightclub.
While the basics of the Cinderella tale are present, the details are fresh. There are racial tensions between the four high races - human, fae, vampire and shapeshifter - which bring in more modern issues of race while adding trendy fantasy creatures. Elle's slave charm answers the age-old question of why Cinderella didn't simply run away. I love the concept of buying wishes in different tiers of value. Elle's special ability is typical of YA fantasy yet still intrigues me and I can see it's going to play a role in Dax and Elle coming together. I don't want to dabble into spoilers but I enjoyed the details that come to light in the engagement scene and hope we learn more about it later in the series.
My only gripe is how short Memory Thief is! Morgan is releasing the books episodically which I understand goes with her writing style of publishing shorter books more often. I hope eventually the books will only be released as a bundle or that it's made clear that The Memory Thief is only part of one book. None of the storylines came to a conclusion so I was left wanting more; it definitely feels like part one of a novel.