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kmmk21's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
dinibharadwaj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
4.0
While this book didn't capture me the way Eva's story did, this is a wonderful and diverse Cinderella retelling with a lot of heart.
fafabookcorner's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
hailey_miller's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was so good! It wasn’t quite as Cinderella-like as I expected (no romance or glass slipper), but I LOVED it! Julie Abe is a master at getting emotion across. Really, really, really, REALLY recommend. Great for fans of “Eva Evergreen: Semi-Magical Witch,” Japan, Cinderella, retellings, and (of course) DRAGONS.
One of my favorites!
One of my favorites!
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
littlewit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
the_ghost_penguin_reader's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
clumsyqueenie's review
4.0
“Alliana raised her chin, regal as Queen Natsumi. ‘I may be a girl of dust, but that’s not all there is to me. Remember this: I am a girl of dust and dragons, and I will not let myself be treated like this a moment longer.’”
Rating: 4.5/5.0
★★★★✩
Thank you Netgalley, TBR and Beyond Tours and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me with an advanced copy of the book in exchange of a honest review!
check out my review, along with five reasons to read this book on my blog!
In short, Alliana was everything whimsical. A retelling of the Japanese Cinderella, it wastes no time in pulling you into the story, leaving you gaping at the magical world of witches and dragons.
Like Cinderella, Alliana starts off an ordinary girl, orphaned at a tender young age, now forced to do her stepmother’s endless list of chores to fulfill her “debt”. But her life takes a complete turn when a nightdragon and a young witch enter her life, rendering Alliana and the readers curious for more!
The twist here though, is that our Cinderella here isn’t out for her Prince Charming, but to enrol in the prestigious Royal Academy. I went into this book not expecting to like it very much, but I’m so glad to say that I loved reading this! (No, we will not be blaming it on my recent love for middle grade releases).
So if this isn't reasons enough for you to pick up Alliana, Girl of Dragons, then obviously, check out my blog post linked above that has five reasons you need to pick this up!
nausicaa_requiem's review
Picked it up cuz I was in the mood for some MG Fantasy. Was super excited for it. It sucked. I think this is a lower middle grade book. Like ages below 10. Should have been careful about that.
rodanoar's review against another edition
4.0
This time around, the coziness came from the characters! Seeing them navigate their younger lives was such a delight! Maybe I found this comforting because I already knew them from the "Eva Evergreen" books.
I enjoyed seeing how people work on retellings, and this "Cinderella" retelling was well executed, in my opinion. I was completely invested, and I think this was one of the most dramatic books that Abe has written. I cannot stress enough how much I was rooting for Alliana and her friends. I love the found family trope, and how you choose to love the people who love you back, even if they are not related to you. And if you add dragons to the mix, the recipe can only be successful!
Maybe it was the Grandmother Mari figure, but I think this book had many teachings that felt like a grandma's lesson, to be honest. But in a good, nostalgic, and cozy way. I even noted some quotes that marked me, and this one stands out by far:
"We think we trade in gold and silver, but words are the true currency of our lives."
WOW.
But, ultimately, I didn't give this 5 stars because my blood pressure was too high after reading this. I mean, it's part of the deal, especially with the stepmother and stepsiblings, but oh boy, wasn't I worked up every time I read... But maybe that's what pulled me in in the first place... THE DRAMA!
Despite liking to see how people work on retellings, I think it would be cool not to depend on the base story or even market the book as a retelling. I couldn't stop comparing the narratives, picking what was going along with the original story and what was not... I mean, that's how you differentiate the book from the tale, but why not work on it on its own? Even if people see the resemblances, are the public accusations (and fear of them) heavier so authors sell their stories as retellings to protect themselves? Maybe I am going too deep already, but my point remains: I wasn't reading original content™.
I enjoyed seeing how people work on retellings, and this "Cinderella" retelling was well executed, in my opinion. I was completely invested, and I think this was one of the most dramatic books that Abe has written. I cannot stress enough how much I was rooting for Alliana and her friends. I love the found family trope, and how you choose to love the people who love you back, even if they are not related to you. And if you add dragons to the mix, the recipe can only be successful!
Maybe it was the Grandmother Mari figure, but I think this book had many teachings that felt like a grandma's lesson, to be honest. But in a good, nostalgic, and cozy way. I even noted some quotes that marked me, and this one stands out by far:
"We think we trade in gold and silver, but words are the true currency of our lives."
WOW.
But, ultimately, I didn't give this 5 stars because my blood pressure was too high after reading this. I mean, it's part of the deal, especially with the stepmother and stepsiblings, but oh boy, wasn't I worked up every time I read... But maybe that's what pulled me in in the first place... THE DRAMA!
Despite liking to see how people work on retellings, I think it would be cool not to depend on the base story or even market the book as a retelling. I couldn't stop comparing the narratives, picking what was going along with the original story and what was not... I mean, that's how you differentiate the book from the tale, but why not work on it on its own? Even if people see the resemblances, are the public accusations (and fear of them) heavier so authors sell their stories as retellings to protect themselves? Maybe I am going too deep already, but my point remains: I wasn't reading original content™.