Reviews

Dance: Cinderella Retold by Demelza Carlton

zabeishumanish's review

adventurous fast-paced

3.25

This is a solid story, but not a very good book. The world-building is all but non-existent, the characters are 2D, and the fairytale retelling is way more Mulan than Cinderella. The pacing of the plot is swift enough that the story read well, it just isn’t something that will stick with you long term. 

dani1012's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

firefox's review against another edition

2.0

I'm gutted. I was even more excited for this one but it felt strange. Some areas felt like a perfect retelling of Cinderella but then it mingled with Mulan?? Execution felt poor and I'm gutted because Carlton does have a lovely writing style.

mlcreads's review against another edition

4.0

While I enjoyed this story I have to say that I think it was closer to a retelling of Mulan than Cinderella. There are some of the elements of Cinderella - the stepmother, the sisters, her father's death - there is more of Mulan the girl who goes off to fight the war in her father's place.

alejandra_guerrero's review against another edition

2.0

I just couldn't finish It ... The whole business with the Lotus feet was a huge trigger for me... And the Mulan- Cinderella mash-up wasn't working for me.

mystikai's review against another edition

4.0

Dance is a Cinderella retelling and I really liked the twists in this version. It was like a cross between Cinderella and Mulan, Set in medieval China. Mai the main character is skilled in martial arts and to get away from her stepmother signs up to the Emperor’s army. Being a skilled swordswoman is not what happened in those days though, so a spell is cast and everyone thinks she is a man.
This was a fantastic retelling because there were so many differences, but at the same time there were so many similarities too.
It was written well, the plot was good and the world building made this all come together.
I would definitely recommend it for Cinderella and Mulan fans.

kittyofdarkness's review

slow-paced

2.0

abbie_al2001's review against another edition

3.75

Without a doubt one of my favourite retellings of this iconic fairytale

tonks332's review

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

lavendermarch's review

5.0

Beautiful

This was the book that I bought because it looked amazing...and then surpassed all of my expectations to become a beautiful, funny fairytale retelling of Cinderella and Mulan. 5 stars.