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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, what a debut novel! I would love to read more from this author. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and received this as an ebook on Kindle. I am really happy I did win (this is the first giveaway I have won on here) because I am not sure if I would have tried to pick this one up next and I loved it! It was so nice to have two 5 star reads back to back. It was also pretty cool to go from not being sure about continuing the story due to the character and then coming around and really enjoying the book as the plot goes on and the character develops more.
Favorite scenes/quotes:
Prince Duncan, dismayed that his mysterious true love has fled the palace, immediately set out to find her. He’d been dancing with her for hours, so of course there had been no time to ask even the most basic of conversation started such as <i>What is your name?</i>or <i>Where are you from?</i> And certainly no time for more in-depth questions like <i>Is that your natural hair color—so if I’m asked to describe you later I can say “blond” with confidence? </i>
…………….
The fox made no move to get off the chair, so for a few moments they did nothing but stare at each other. How did a fox even get into her music room? Either the housekeeping had gotten so poor that animals were now moving in, or the fox arrived magically.
……………..
Theo is really clever and she is witty. The following line is an example of that cleverness:
“Cheer up Lady Isadora. You should be glad to get exactly what you wanted. But just one quick question for you to think on. If your idea of a fun time is making me feel worthless, are you really that different from the person you think I am?”
Warning, spoiler for next quote of who a love interest is in this book:
Lock: “I knew there was something special about you. When you play the harp, when you dance with that look of pure joy, your beauty outshines everyone around you. I know I don’t know you well, but I can see that your smiles and laughs are few and far between, so when I get to see them I consider it a gift as rare and precious as the first bloom of Spring.
“And it is a tragedy, Theo, that anyone has ever made you feel that you are not beautiful. Because you are. More beautiful than you could possibly know. But your beauty is not soft or quiet. It is not charming or delicate. And the others belittled you and tore you down not because they couldn’t see you, but because they were afraid to. Your beauty is fierce and untamed. You are the wilderness at twilight. The period between the bolt of lighting and the thunder. Between the swing of the whip and the crack. Between the slice of the sword and the sting of the blade. Your beauty exists in the moments when the world stops and anything is possible. And to look at you is to experience it in all its terrifying glory, knowing that the rest of us can only belong in the insignificant moment when the world begins again.”
This moment when Theo stands up for herself was pretty satisfying:
But Theo was not prey. So she stood her ground. “I cannot be a life raft for your bad decisions when all you’ve ever done is poke holes in your own boat. I know you well. Even with your own ship sunk, you will just drill new holes in mine and row us father out to sea.” Lady Balfour was shaking with rage as Theo trotted to Cecily and Phineas. “I can’t save you,” Theo continued. “I don’t think I’m capable of that. Goodbye, Mother.”
…………..
Theo couldn’t help her own tears that started to fall. “Bea, I don’t think we’ll ever love each other the way sisters should. There’s just too much history there. But we can forgive each other. We can make it right, and I think that’s plenty. So, let’s be done with this. Cecily, I know what I’m saying. I’ll pay what she owes.” Beatrice came over to Theo, kneeling in front of her and taking her hands. “Thank you,” she sobbed over and over again. Theo slid down off the chair and wrapped her arms around Beatrice. Theo held her and cried with her as she trembled in her arms.
The above scene caused me to find myself tearing up/wiping a tear from my eye.
I like that the chapter titles were interesting or entertaining (or both.) For example, I love the chapter 6 title “Where If The Worst Idea Is The Only Idea, It Is Now The Best Idea”
Throughout this whole book I found myself laughing out loud. I definitely don’t get that with every book that is trying to have some amusing or funny moments so that is notable to me. This is a story with impecible descriptions which I loved. This book is pretty unique at least in that I haven’t read a book yet from one of the wicked stepsister’s points of view and the events in this book occur after the events of Cinderella. Another note of appreciation; All of the characters in this book were round characters and felt very much alive. Bea felt fleshed out.
Closing thoughts: I am a little confused as to why Theo is so upset at Lock and Cecily. She doesn’t seem upset at Phineas and Kaz. Yes a bit more was revealed about the “trick” but it had already been made known what most of it was so I just don’t really understand how we got from feeling okay about things to now feeling pretty betrayed. I think it is warranted but I believe Lock about things not being fake on his end so then I feel a bit confused about Theo I guess choosing not to believe him or something and still feeling hurt. I don’t know. Beyond that, I was surprised about her not ending up with anyone in the end.
I have been wanting to see a love triangle in a book for a while as that as a trope I enjoy and it was fun to see one come up here. I like the surprise of not knowing who the main character will end up with and sometimes can find it a bit more boring and predictable when there is only one potential love interest. As long as the story is good often that doesn’t matter so much to me but yeah. Also concerning the romance, I really like that there is no spice in this (not including kissing if you count that.) That is what I am looking for with a book with some romance as a subplot or even as a main part of the plot so I appreciated that.
I am excited for book two but I also think I would have been happy for this to be a nicely wrapped up standalone. It was still wrapped up just with not the most happiest ending, more like the start of happiness with some hurt still lingering. I am really curious to see where the story goes from here though, so in that respect, book 2 is even more exciting! I just knew after ending this regardless of if it was a series or not I wanted to read the next fantasy book that the author would write. I am a fan! In conclusion, highly recommend if you like twists on fairy tales, great writing and interesting characters.
Favorite scenes/quotes:
Prince Duncan, dismayed that his mysterious true love has fled the palace, immediately set out to find her. He’d been dancing with her for hours, so of course there had been no time to ask even the most basic of conversation started such as <i>What is your name?</i>or <i>Where are you from?</i> And certainly no time for more in-depth questions like <i>Is that your natural hair color—so if I’m asked to describe you later I can say “blond” with confidence? </i>
…………….
The fox made no move to get off the chair, so for a few moments they did nothing but stare at each other. How did a fox even get into her music room? Either the housekeeping had gotten so poor that animals were now moving in, or the fox arrived magically.
……………..
Theo is really clever and she is witty. The following line is an example of that cleverness:
“Cheer up Lady Isadora. You should be glad to get exactly what you wanted. But just one quick question for you to think on. If your idea of a fun time is making me feel worthless, are you really that different from the person you think I am?”
Warning, spoiler for next quote of who a love interest is in this book:
Lock: “I knew there was something special about you. When you play the harp, when you dance with that look of pure joy, your beauty outshines everyone around you. I know I don’t know you well, but I can see that your smiles and laughs are few and far between, so when I get to see them I consider it a gift as rare and precious as the first bloom of Spring.
“And it is a tragedy, Theo, that anyone has ever made you feel that you are not beautiful. Because you are. More beautiful than you could possibly know. But your beauty is not soft or quiet. It is not charming or delicate. And the others belittled you and tore you down not because they couldn’t see you, but because they were afraid to. Your beauty is fierce and untamed. You are the wilderness at twilight. The period between the bolt of lighting and the thunder. Between the swing of the whip and the crack. Between the slice of the sword and the sting of the blade. Your beauty exists in the moments when the world stops and anything is possible. And to look at you is to experience it in all its terrifying glory, knowing that the rest of us can only belong in the insignificant moment when the world begins again.”
This moment when Theo stands up for herself was pretty satisfying:
But Theo was not prey. So she stood her ground. “I cannot be a life raft for your bad decisions when all you’ve ever done is poke holes in your own boat. I know you well. Even with your own ship sunk, you will just drill new holes in mine and row us father out to sea.” Lady Balfour was shaking with rage as Theo trotted to Cecily and Phineas. “I can’t save you,” Theo continued. “I don’t think I’m capable of that. Goodbye, Mother.”
…………..
The above scene caused me to find myself tearing up/wiping a tear from my eye.
I like that the chapter titles were interesting or entertaining (or both.) For example, I love the chapter 6 title “Where If The Worst Idea Is The Only Idea, It Is Now The Best Idea”
Throughout this whole book I found myself laughing out loud. I definitely don’t get that with every book that is trying to have some amusing or funny moments so that is notable to me. This is a story with impecible descriptions which I loved. This book is pretty unique at least in that I haven’t read a book yet from one of the wicked stepsister’s points of view and the events in this book occur after the events of Cinderella. Another note of appreciation; All of the characters in this book were round characters and felt very much alive. Bea felt fleshed out.
Closing thoughts:
I have been wanting to see a love triangle in a book for a while as that as a trope I enjoy and it was fun to see one come up here. I like the surprise of not knowing who the main character will end up with and sometimes can find it a bit more boring and predictable when there is only one potential love interest. As long as the story is good often that doesn’t matter so much to me but yeah. Also concerning the romance, I really like that there is no spice in this (not including kissing if you count that.) That is what I am looking for with a book with some romance as a subplot or even as a main part of the plot so I appreciated that.
I am excited for book two but I also think I would have been happy for this to be a nicely wrapped up standalone. It was still wrapped up just with not the most happiest ending, more like the start of happiness with some hurt still lingering. I am really curious to see where the story goes from here though, so in that respect, book 2 is even more exciting! I just knew after ending this regardless of if it was a series or not I wanted to read the next fantasy book that the author would write. I am a fan! In conclusion, highly recommend if you like twists on fairy tales, great writing and interesting characters.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5⭐️ How to summon a fairy godmother follows Theodosia one of "Cinderella's" (or Beatrice in this story) wicked stepsisters and what happens after her stepsister gets her happily ever after. When her mother arranges for Theodosia to marry a duke old enough to be her grandfather Theo decides to take her life into her own hands and using a spell she found in her stepsisters belongings she summons a fairy godmother to help her get out of the engagement. But fairy magic always comes with a price.
I'm a huge fan of villain redemption stories so when I came across this book I was super excited to read it. And I was not disappointed. There's just something about a misunderstood bitchy main character that just hits me right in the heart. I enjoyed this story very much and if you are a fan of dark fairy tale re imaginings like I am then you should definitely check this out.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for the E ARC!
I'm a huge fan of villain redemption stories so when I came across this book I was super excited to read it. And I was not disappointed. There's just something about a misunderstood bitchy main character that just hits me right in the heart. I enjoyed this story very much and if you are a fan of dark fairy tale re imaginings like I am then you should definitely check this out.
Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for the E ARC!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-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
adventurous
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t know why there was a love triangle. One of the corners was not well developed. The plot was fun. I think the mc was well written. Overall though I think the story was missing something. Maybe it was too fast paced for me. It did have me invested and I am curious to see where it goes in the next one.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a fun retelling. I love the way the original Cinderella story was turned on it's head in a way I haven't seen before. I did have some trouble keeping track of all the characters at times. Theo was such a fun lead and having a spunky not well liked main character was an interesting twist.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced