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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mainio ja aika yllättäväkin satuversiointi Tuhkimosta. Välillä kirja oli aika arvattavaa kuumat, väkivaltaiset haltiat-trooppia, mutta lopulta koko tarinassa oli kyse päähenkilön sisäisestä kasvusta ja sukupolvia jatkuneesta henkisestä ja fyysisestä väkivallasta lapsia kohtaan. Kiinnostava lähestymistapa!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
I'm not sure how I can go back to reading fluffy filler books after being hit square in the chest by this beautifully crafted Cinderella inspired fairy tale. The prose was stunning, the narration for the audio was perfection, the twists and turns kept me engaged, and in suspense and Theo was the kind of female protagonist we do not get to see enough of. She is hard and prickly on the surface. Her tongue is sharp as an obsidian blade. She is literally the wicked step-sister of every childhood story, but her complex emotions, her tenacity and quick wit have you rooting for her from the very start.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An interesting perspective of how the evil stepsister views Cinderella and what happens after the royal wedding. I liked the twist and turns the book took, as well as the staying true to the trickiness that is fairies. I do wish that it had a more solid happy ending but that could just be me as a hopeless romantic
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I get it, we are supposed to feel bad for Theo. But she has few redeeming qualities, and is ultimately not redeemed or redeemable. Kaz falling for her so wholly and completely is unrealistic based on what we saw in the story. The more interesting elements of fairy lore and getting to the real twisted parts of their scheming ways would have been a better story...but instead we just get Theo. For a Cinderella retelling, nothing too new I brought to the table, and no one is a good person in any way.
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
An opening very much like Cinderella’s step sisters getting ready to go to the ball but with more cheeky humor coming from Theodesia, Theo, self described as the ugly sister of the two attending the ball. If you like fantasy retellings with a different perspective, pick this one up. But was “Cinderella” really the pure and good woman, that a fairy god mother wanted to save; or was it all just a spell? Theo is doomed into an arranged marriage until she discovers her sister’s secret- she summoned the fairy- which you should have figured out from the title.
There’s no one to really root for. Theo is the wicked stepsister so you have to decide does she deserve better for her crimes. Does the villain turn deserve a hero story.? Theo was enjoyable but I’m not sure if she does. She would play the victim to certain rumors of wickedness but also would relish living up to them too. But this was a fun retelling. My mind kept picturing a very “Ever After” scenery and I appreciated the imagery of it. The ending was also a smart choice, feeling complete but still leaves you feeling like you can’t wait for more.
This gives you almost every fantasy trope but I didn’t mind it. As this is the first in a series, I’m intrigued to read the next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for access to an early release copy
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for access to an early release copy
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Yes
How to Summon a Fairy Godmother by Laura J. Mayo is a debut novel that follows Theodosia, one of “Cinderella’s” stepsisters as she tries to do what she can to get out of an arranged marriage. When she feels completely stuck, she stumbles upon a spell to summon a fairy godmother. But all magic has a price and this fairy godmother tells Theo she will help her as long as Theo completes three tasks. With the help of some companions, Theo embarks on her mission and hijinks ensue.
I had some preconceived notions about how this book would go based on the cover and synopsis and I’m happy to report that it delivered. Paying homage to the original story, this hilarious story had me stay up past my bedtime to finish. I really enjoyed Theo as a protagonist and really wanted her to succeed.
There were a lot of side characters that really stole the show along the way. I was partial to a certain fox character myself. I know this is a first book in a series and I’m hoping the next book will have some of the same characters.
The way this book ended, I can see it being the end of Theo’s story but I could also see the next book following her as well. I am very interested to see where it goes!
I really enjoyed this book. While it had a lot of funny parts, there were also some heartwarming and heartbreaking scenes along the way. I think if you are a fan of fairy tales getting a new spin, you will enjoy this book!
I had some preconceived notions about how this book would go based on the cover and synopsis and I’m happy to report that it delivered. Paying homage to the original story, this hilarious story had me stay up past my bedtime to finish. I really enjoyed Theo as a protagonist and really wanted her to succeed.
There were a lot of side characters that really stole the show along the way. I was partial to a certain fox character myself. I know this is a first book in a series and I’m hoping the next book will have some of the same characters.
The way this book ended, I can see it being the end of Theo’s story but I could also see the next book following her as well. I am very interested to see where it goes!
I really enjoyed this book. While it had a lot of funny parts, there were also some heartwarming and heartbreaking scenes along the way. I think if you are a fan of fairy tales getting a new spin, you will enjoy this book!
Delightfully chaotic, as anything with fairies should be.
How to Summon a Fairy Godmother! The OTHER side of Cinderella's story.
Turns out ugly/wicked stepsisters aren't always as wicked/ugly as described.
(Well, one of them was pretty awful. The one we're talking about was just convenient for the palace's public relations narrative. The stepmother was definitely a real piece of work, though.)
Anyway, no matter how ugly or wicked the narrative needs you to be, nobody deserves to be married off to a gross elderly joyless jerk. That is where the desperate summonings of fairy godmothers come in.
Of course, fairy bargains rarely go as planned. But yes, they do come with fabulous enchanted gowns.
This book was funny! It was a ROMP. And the author lives in New Hampshire, which I did not know, but now I know, and now I can joyfully bully her into being our friend.
There were no dragons.
How to Summon a Fairy Godmother! The OTHER side of Cinderella's story.
Turns out ugly/wicked stepsisters aren't always as wicked/ugly as described.
(Well, one of them was pretty awful. The one we're talking about was just convenient for the palace's public relations narrative. The stepmother was definitely a real piece of work, though.)
Anyway, no matter how ugly or wicked the narrative needs you to be, nobody deserves to be married off to a gross elderly joyless jerk. That is where the desperate summonings of fairy godmothers come in.
Of course, fairy bargains rarely go as planned. But yes, they do come with fabulous enchanted gowns.
This book was funny! It was a ROMP. And the author lives in New Hampshire, which I did not know, but now I know, and now I can joyfully bully her into being our friend.
There were no dragons.