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atrailofpages's review
4.0
I love this Cinderella retelling! It’s definitely on the darker side than I was expecting, this is no walk in the park. There is maybe small spoilers ahead.
Evelyn has always been in love with her childhood friend Liam. He gets taken away from her to work for the king promising her he would be back, but he doesn’t come back until many years later. Until then, Evelyn loses a lot, and suffers a lot. She loses her mother, and basically her father, who turns into a monster(or just shows his true colors after his wife dies), and suffers from verbal and physical abuse from her father and her stepmother and stepsisters. One day, Liam does return, and they are reunited briefly and Liam plans to return again. In the meantime, a ball is thrown at the castle, and Evelyn gets to go thanks to her mysterious magical grandmother, where she gets to meet Prince Ryker. When she flees at midnight, Prince Ryker is determined to find his mystery woman to bring her back and court her. She is found out, and brought back, but much to the detriment to Liam and Ryker, it’s Evelyn who Liam loves and now who Ryker is quite taken by. And it’s up to Evelyn to decide what to do about the boys, but also learn how to be her own person after all the abuse and anxiety she’s endured all the past years.
I really liked this retelling of Cinderella. It’s darker, which I actually enjoy darker stories, it has a lovely hint of magic, and of course, romance. Now I’m not one for love triangles, like at all! But I will admit the romance in this book stressed me out so much
Evelyn has always been in love with her childhood friend Liam. He gets taken away from her to work for the king promising her he would be back, but he doesn’t come back until many years later. Until then, Evelyn loses a lot, and suffers a lot. She loses her mother, and basically her father, who turns into a monster(or just shows his true colors after his wife dies), and suffers from verbal and physical abuse from her father and her stepmother and stepsisters. One day, Liam does return, and they are reunited briefly and Liam plans to return again. In the meantime, a ball is thrown at the castle, and Evelyn gets to go thanks to her mysterious magical grandmother, where she gets to meet Prince Ryker. When she flees at midnight, Prince Ryker is determined to find his mystery woman to bring her back and court her. She is found out, and brought back, but much to the detriment to Liam and Ryker, it’s Evelyn who Liam loves and now who Ryker is quite taken by. And it’s up to Evelyn to decide what to do about the boys, but also learn how to be her own person after all the abuse and anxiety she’s endured all the past years.
I really liked this retelling of Cinderella. It’s darker, which I actually enjoy darker stories, it has a lovely hint of magic, and of course, romance. Now I’m not one for love triangles, like at all! But I will admit the romance in this book stressed me out so much
greenteabookme's review against another edition
5.0
What a cozy and enchanting retelling!
4.5 stars rounded up! I absolutely loved everything about the first 50% of the book and felt the last 50% slowed down a bit / dragged on in some parts hence the 4.5 stars, but overall this book completely hit the spot and satisfied my craving for a cozy retelling.
It had all the elements I love about ‘Cinderella’, plus some FANTASTIC and unexpected twists and it’s sure to be an exciting trilogy as the story has been set up well.
trigger warnings - the abuse in this story was very vivid and real compared to some versions and very adult, and the lead goes through some real PTSD and trauma moments that were well written. For the most part the book feels like an older YA story, but the abuse made me pause and think it might be better off for adults.
Overall really loved it and can’t wait for the sequel!
4.5 stars rounded up! I absolutely loved everything about the first 50% of the book and felt the last 50% slowed down a bit / dragged on in some parts hence the 4.5 stars, but overall this book completely hit the spot and satisfied my craving for a cozy retelling.
It had all the elements I love about ‘Cinderella’, plus some FANTASTIC and unexpected twists and it’s sure to be an exciting trilogy as the story has been set up well.
trigger warnings - the abuse in this story was very vivid and real compared to some versions and very adult, and the lead goes through some real PTSD and trauma moments that were well written. For the most part the book feels like an older YA story, but the abuse made me pause and think it might be better off for adults.
Overall really loved it and can’t wait for the sequel!
reaganshoe's review against another edition
4.0
WHAT?! THAT'S HOW IT ENDS?! A CLIFFHANGER?! ok ok. Initial outburst aside, I liked this book. I think it's a solid 4 stars. It could be 5 stars because I really liked it...but I spent most of the book angry at the author over the love triangle. It's my least favorite version of the love triangle trope but that's just my preference and not the author's fault.
I loved how this gave off Ever After vibes (if you haven't seen it, please do so) with a side of magic but I wish we had delved at least a little deeper into the true fantasy side of things. That side of magic was REALLY small. That said, I fully expect book 2 to dive into it headfirst.
I also loved how descriptive the author was and the multiple POVs. Overall, it was well done and a solid read if you don't have to put the book down and breathe to avoid throwing your kindle against a wall. I will probably be reading book 2 because I have to see what happens with the magic stuff.
Content Warning: Evy is physically and verbally abused (but not sexually). Panic attacks are described in detail. Be sure you're ok with all that before reading. There's no sexual content besides a passionate kiss, a few jokes, and the prince's reputation (only spoken of and never shown).
Spoiler
Evy has to choose between two best friends who turned out to be half-brothers. I can appreciate a good love triangle but when it threatens to break up a perfect bromance...I get peeved. Needless to say, I'm #TeamLiam right now but I predict that he will royally (lol I pun) fork everything up and Ryker is endgame.I loved how this gave off Ever After vibes (if you haven't seen it, please do so) with a side of magic but I wish we had delved at least a little deeper into the true fantasy side of things. That side of magic was REALLY small. That said, I fully expect book 2 to dive into it headfirst.
I also loved how descriptive the author was and the multiple POVs. Overall, it was well done and a solid read if you don't have to put the book down and breathe to avoid throwing your kindle against a wall. I will probably be reading book 2 because I have to see what happens with the magic stuff.
Content Warning: Evy is physically and verbally abused (but not sexually). Panic attacks are described in detail. Be sure you're ok with all that before reading. There's no sexual content besides a passionate kiss, a few jokes, and the prince's reputation (only spoken of and never shown).
elisace's review
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The tone of the book felt very inconsistent. At times it felt almost childish/middle grade which felt very at odds with the “spicer” elements (there weren’t much of these, but it was just enough to feel thrown off by). The pacing felt very slow and many scenes felt unimportant, like they did not progress the story at all. For the purpose of maintaining a love triangle, I think the MC was given very little agency/personality. Her POV chapters gave very little insight to how she felt about the romance and she cried in almost every single scene. She felt very flat compared to the rest of the characters. It would have been interesting to see specific flashbacks from Evelyn and Liam’s childhood, as I think this would add a lot of necessary depth to their relationship. We were often told that they spent most of their childhood together so it would have been really nice to actually read specific events from it.
allbarben's review
5.0
Where do I even begin? I was eagerly awaiting the release of One Iridescent Night since the day Brianne announced it and boy did it deliver! Cinderella was always one of my favorite fairy tales so I couldn’t wait to see how she reimagined it. The story took many of the parts of Cinderella we know and love, but flipped it and made it its own unique story. Evy is a main character you can root for and the love triangle left me wanting more! The addition of some magical elements made this a book I couldn’t put down. I cannot wait for the release of the next book in the series!
goodeyreads's review
medium-paced
4.0
INTRIGUED.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I’ll be the first person to say love triangles aren’t really my thing. I have to be in the right mood to deal with the drama that arises inevitably when so many parties are involved. I have had this sitting on my kindle for months and the mood hit and HERE WE ARE. I CAN’T DECIDE WHO I LIKE MORE.
I feel like both of the love interests are balanced well. I’m kind of waiting for one of them to snap (more or less) and to see some differentiation within Ryker and Liam. I’m hoping with the expansion of plot in the next book we’ll see some tough decisions made and that will give both of them larger character dynamics.
Evy was a good FMC. She’s on the softer side (nothing wrong with that! Just a note) and also carries that strength too. Going through hell and back and being able to find hope and mercy too is a pretty incredible feat.
I don’t know the last time I read a Cinderella retelling. With that fact I really liked this one! There’s clear allusions, yet it strays enough to keep things interesting and not a worn down fairy tale. I am very much interested enough to see how book two goes.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses + very light innuendo
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Content Warnings: domestic abuse, child abuse, whipping, loss of loved ones (on and off page)
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I’ll be the first person to say love triangles aren’t really my thing. I have to be in the right mood to deal with the drama that arises inevitably when so many parties are involved. I have had this sitting on my kindle for months and the mood hit and HERE WE ARE. I CAN’T DECIDE WHO I LIKE MORE.
I feel like both of the love interests are balanced well. I’m kind of waiting for one of them to snap (more or less) and to see some differentiation within Ryker and Liam. I’m hoping with the expansion of plot in the next book we’ll see some tough decisions made and that will give both of them larger character dynamics.
Evy was a good FMC. She’s on the softer side (nothing wrong with that! Just a note) and also carries that strength too. Going through hell and back and being able to find hope and mercy too is a pretty incredible feat.
I don’t know the last time I read a Cinderella retelling. With that fact I really liked this one! There’s clear allusions, yet it strays enough to keep things interesting and not a worn down fairy tale. I am very much interested enough to see how book two goes.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses + very light innuendo
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Content Warnings: domestic abuse, child abuse, whipping, loss of loved ones (on and off page)
robinlibra's review
3.0
I love retellings and I did enjoy this book. Enough to at least want to know what happens in the next in the story. Warning that the abuse in this book is hard to take and I’m not a huge fan of a love triangle. Which seems strange for a Cinderella retelling.
book_lover17's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
paige_kellems's review
5.0
I loved this book! I couldn’t put it down. It’s a great twist on a classic. I still can’t decide which part of the (love) triangle I like most! I love the side characters and their intertwining stories. Additionally, the focus on mental health and PTSD was handled delicately and respective fully.