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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
I love Cinderella. I know that some people call it an old fashioned tale, but I think it's one of the few tales where kindness gets the prince in the end. Not that Cinderella is asking for one. Go read the original tale. She absolutely doesn't! However, since it's so famous and so often retold it's quite hard to be original when retelling her story again. The epilogue of the previous book in the series, a little mermaid retelling, promised a very exciting story though, so I was really looking forward to this!
Let me start my review with telling that this is not really a Cinderella retelling. And I don't mean that as a bad thing. Like I said, retelling her story in an original way is not easy anymore after so many people already did it. I'm glad the authors of this series decided to focus on the original aspects of her story and her connections with the other characters in this fairytale world. And hey, they at least did include the glass slippers and the ball with the prince!
One of my favorite things about this series is how all fairytales are connected to each other. Although this is Ella's story, we're also meeting Hades and Persephone, Rapunzel, Aurora, Rumplestiltskin and of course the characters we already met in the previous book, like Wendy and our little mermaid. Their stories intertwine, they share friendships and therefore it really feels like all these tales do exist in one big magical fairytale world.
I also really loved the romance in this book and the character growth of both characters. It's clear that at the start of the story they're two clearly different people with clearly different goals. Throughout the story they get to know each other, have some very meaningful conversations and slowly grow attached to each other. And I love how in the finale they show each other, and the world, exactly how strong their love truly is.
I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Let me start my review with telling that this is not really a Cinderella retelling. And I don't mean that as a bad thing. Like I said, retelling her story in an original way is not easy anymore after so many people already did it. I'm glad the authors of this series decided to focus on the original aspects of her story and her connections with the other characters in this fairytale world. And hey, they at least did include the glass slippers and the ball with the prince!
One of my favorite things about this series is how all fairytales are connected to each other. Although this is Ella's story, we're also meeting Hades and Persephone, Rapunzel, Aurora, Rumplestiltskin and of course the characters we already met in the previous book, like Wendy and our little mermaid. Their stories intertwine, they share friendships and therefore it really feels like all these tales do exist in one big magical fairytale world.
I also really loved the romance in this book and the character growth of both characters. It's clear that at the start of the story they're two clearly different people with clearly different goals. Throughout the story they get to know each other, have some very meaningful conversations and slowly grow attached to each other. And I love how in the finale they show each other, and the world, exactly how strong their love truly is.
I can't wait for the next book in the series!
hannahworsham12's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was easily the best book of the series so far. It could be because I LOVE am enemies to lovers story, but this was so good.
sj_green's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kay_bea24's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I loved the plot but the romantic scenes were a little strange some times.
dani_ela27's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tdsg06's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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? No
2.5
slmbrowning's review
5.0
Somehow I missed this! I gobbled up the rest in the series and was happily awaiting this installment. I was so glad to be swept back into the Chanted Forest. Ella and Killian’s story was not what I was expecting at all. And I absolutely loved it. I loved how both were willing to sacrifice for one another.
I will say, having read the other books is helpful in reading this series. And they all appeal to anyone who enjoyed fairy tales growing up. Each book, while has their own story, gives information about the next installment and has items that were discussed in previous books.
I will say, having read the other books is helpful in reading this series. And they all appeal to anyone who enjoyed fairy tales growing up. Each book, while has their own story, gives information about the next installment and has items that were discussed in previous books.