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lolocole's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book had me in a thrall- it was like the impulse to stare at a car crash. You know something horrible has happened, you know equally with the pit in your stomach that you don't actually want to see destruction, and you find your eyes glued to it anyway.
I am fascinated by the loose ends of this story.
The fact that Ella was an unreliable narrator didn't really hit home until half of the book had flashed by. We were so deep in her head, feeling the injustices piled upon her and the girls she worked with that the increasing wild nature of her justifications for her actions felt like a startling revelation.
Being a woman is so scary.
Moderate: Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Physical abuse
pointeshoebookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.5
Moderate: Murder, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Death, Sexual harassment, Drug use, Classism, Sexism, Physical abuse, Animal death, Child death, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: Homophobia
user8432's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual harassment, and Death
Moderate: Abortion, Pregnancy, and Child death
jo_d's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Cinderella retelling: imagine if Ella Enchanted met Oliver Twist and was written by Mary Shelley. The book does a really good job of reverse character growth, and really ropes you into cheering for someone
Had me at the edge of my seat the entire time and could hardly put it down. Excellent reworking of the classic tale in a completely different light. The themes of the corruption of power and the justification of horrid actions by someone who believes they deserve better is just *chefs kiss*
Graphic: Murder, Vomit, and Abortion
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Injury/Injury detail
crystalsparkles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Was somewhat frustrated by the ending, but I suppose it’s because we’re all used to things tied off neatly in a bow at the end of our stories, and it’s not happening here.
It was dark & twisted and messy.
I’d put this in the murder mystery or psychological thriller section if it didn’t have a fairy godmother.
Graphic: Abortion, Blood, Death of parent, Violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, and Rape
Minor: Religious bigotry and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
rachaelvo4's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Abortion, Car accident, Death of parent, Rape, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Animal death, Body horror, Violence, Blood, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, and Classism
wordswitwonder's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Classism, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Abortion, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Pedophilia
Minor: Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Pregnancy
lauramcc7's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Pregnancy, Rape, and Abortion
dontwritedown's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It's a nice retelling of Cinderella, except the Fairy Godmother is evil, the stepfather is evil, and there are no stepsisters, just a stepbrother that knocks Ella up, and a couple of lesbian maids.
Honestly this book works both as a standalone or the first books in a series of retellings.
Definitely worth a read.
Graphic: Miscarriage, Child death, Blood, Death of parent, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Murder, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Rape and Gaslighting
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
thecraftybookworm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Murder, Pregnancy, and Rape
Moderate: Death of parent