Reviews

Charm by J.A. Armitage

maria_vermisoglou's review

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4.0

A great start to an enchanting tale. Cindewrella is not my favorite fairytale, but this book hooked me. I can't wait for the next one!!

brisbane724's review

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

stella_starstruck's review

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3.0

I quite enjoyed this novel. I'm not sure if I enjoyed it enough to pay for the next part or not however. Reading it just before the Royal Wedding made me think of all of the goings-on behind the scenes that we never see.

Quite enjoyable with some interesting twists on the classic fairytale.

jlaynereads's review

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5.0

Book Review

Tragedy, loss and so much more. A well crafted world and characters.

Well worth the time to read! I liked it ... it was worth the read ... interesting characters, a great world ... a fairy tale retold well!

Check it out ... it releases on 9/26

I read this book as an Advanced reader copy and now I am writing my honest review.

m3l89's review

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3.0

It took me ages to get into Charm as it felt like a carbon copy of the Selection series by Kiera Cass. Literal carbon copy. I did enjoy the plot but couldn’t work out how it was a reversal of Cinderella…

beth_holman's review

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4.0

I found this book on Kindle Unlimited and honestly did not have much hope for it as most books I have found on there have not been great at all, but this one surprised me and kept me captivated. Although it says a "Cinderella Reverse Fairytale" I did not find many similarities to the original story besides the names, the ball and of course the glass slippers (I don't think you could have any Cinderella story without the shoes!) But I actually really liked that it was completely different. I have since downloaded the rest of the books in the series and cannot wait to find out what happens next

bookwormbunny's review

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5.0

Charm by J.A. Armitage is the first book in her Cinderella reverse fairytale series and this book does not disappoint. We are quickly introduced to Charmaine, the princess heir to the throne. Her elder sister has just recently died and now she is the one who must step in and take the role her sister was to play - come out at a ball, meet a hundred men, pick a suitor and get married in six months time. It's all so sudden but as a young kingdom her parents believe that it must be done and quickly to cement alliances and establish themselves to prevent trouble. The problem is though that the Magi, the magic wielders of the kingdom, want change. They feel that one of their own should be ruling instead of non-magical, so trouble is brewing. Charm meets a young mage named Cynder down in the kitchens one night and begins to find herself falling for him. She sees some of the problems of the magic users as she witnesses his cooking talents but learns of his struggle to just have the job that he holds.
While this book is a twist on the Cinderella fairy tale we all know and love, it mostly holds to the idea of the story and goes much deeper. The roles aren't just simply reversed there is so much more. This book engaged me right from the beginning with the author giving us a taste of the kingdom in mourning for a royal too early departed. There are suspicions of ill-dealing but it swept away with a diagnosis most find acceptable. The seed of doubt is planted none of the less for me because it seems like there is more going on. Which of course, there is more going on. Charm doesn't want to step in and do all the things her sister was about to do but she finds that she must. Gradually she begins to take on the roles she needs to but it's not an easy thing for her.
This book is very engaging and interesting. It draws you in and makes you want to know more about the characters and where their paths will lead not just them but the kingdom as well. If you are looking for a unique retelling on a classic fairytale then I definitely recommend this book. I love retellings with twists and this book does not disappoint.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. Job well done to the author and I look forward to reading more in this series in the near future.

passionatelycurious's review

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4.0

Very cute reverse Cinderella story but it was basically the bachelorette. Liked the characters, although like others have said I felt like the relationships lacked depth.

gracekalli's review

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5.0

I loved this book!! In this interesting and compelling take on the Disney classic Cinderella, the roles are reversed. Cynder is a kitchen servant who wants to be a top chef one day, unfortunately he is a maji and so he is barred from moving up from dishwasher. And Charmaine is Princess of the kingdom. She doesn't agree with the current laws on Maji, most of which she is just now learning about. She believes in equal rights for all. Unfortunately, those equal rights don't extend to her since her sister Grace has died. Now Charm is the next in line for the throne and has 6 months to find a husband. They are hosting a ball and inviting 100 men, of which she will choose 5 to get to know. Can she pick a husband when there's so much hate in her kingdom? Can she choose someone she doesn't love, especially when she might already love a Maji? This is a compelling and darker, twist on the Disney fairy tale and I wholly recommend it!! I have already pre-ordered the 2nd in the series, Lucky Charm.

galact1cfox's review

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4.0

A good story, with subtle ties to the original Cinderella story. Enjoyed it while reading but not necessarily something to seek out afterwards though.