4.21 AVERAGE

adventurous challenging fast-paced
adventurous lighthearted medium-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
runeofstories's profile picture

runeofstories's review

5.0

I absolutely loved the audiobook of *How to Summon a Fairy Godmother*! The audio production was top-notch, and a lot of that credit goes to the fantastic work of the producer. The editing was seamless, with every transition smooth and natural. The production was clean, with no distractions, allowing the story and emotions to shine through.

The narrator did an incredible job differentiating each character’s dialogue, making it easy to follow who was speaking, even in the more fast-paced scenes. The use of silence added just the right amount of suspense, and the clear pronunciation ensured every word came across perfectly. On top of that, the emotion behind each sentence was palpable, pulling me even further into the story.

As for the story itself, it’s a wonderful retelling of *Cinderella* with a unique twist. It was cute, fun, and filled with surprising moments of emotion. I laughed, got excited, and was even moved to tears at unexpected points. This audiobook is a charming and magical journey, and both the story and production deserve high praise!
adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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

A hidden gem. A really interesting spin on Cinderella as told be the “evil” step sister. Very funny with some of the best character development I’ve ever read. Can’t wait to read another installment in this series.
teacupowl's profile picture

teacupowl's review

4.5
adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective 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
adventurous funny medium-paced

millennialhissyfit's review

4.75
funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

chocchip_bread's review

2.0

This was a flat simple fairytale spin-off that never captured me. I wouldn't label it as cozy fantasy in the vein of what's currently trending as I've seen others do. It's more of a straight forward younger YA fairytale where the spin is flipping who the villains in Cinderella truly are. We don't get a lovely town we want to spend more time in or a lovable cast of characters.

The youngest evil stepsister is trying to get out of a bad situation and is put through a series of tasks.
Spoiler I didn't love how all those played out, especially the second one. The romance was a minor role in the story which I don't mind but it also fell flat for me. There wasn't enough time between the two characters to build on.

How to Summon a Fairy Godmother is a twist on the classic fairy tale, blending humor, magic, and romance into a story that challenges traditional notions of happily ever after. Lady Theodosia Balfour, or Theo, is about to be stuck in a life-altering predicament after her stepsister, Princess Beatrice, spreads damaging rumors about their family. Reminiscent of Cinderella, but with a refreshing inversion of the tale's familiar roles. Instead of Cinderella being the center of attention, we hear from Theo, one of the stepsisters. She is seeking help from a fairy godmother to escape an impending forced marriage to the detestable and very, very, very old Duke, who views Theo as nothing more than a vessel for producing heirs, has her in a tailspin and desperate to get out of the nuptials. The desperation of Theo's situation is palpable, and her resolve to find a way out leads her to discover a fairy in her stepsister's old room.

Cecily is far from a wish-granting fairy godmother of popular fairy tales. She's sharp-witted, mischievous, and more interested in gaining favors than doling out free magic. The tasks Cecily sets for Theo are ostensibly to prove Theo's kindness and selflessness, but they also serve as a journey of self-discovery. Through these tasks, Theo begins to connect with the magical world around her, finding unexpected allies in Cecily's familiars—Phineas, a human-turned-mockingbird, and Kasra, an aloof yet strikingly handsome fox shapeshifter. The story's heart lies in Theo's evolving understanding of herself and the world she inhabits. As she navigates the challenges, Theo's character grows surprisingly, revealing her capacity for empathy and courage, perhaps overlooked in her previous life among the human aristocracy.

The novel deftly balances light-hearted moments with deeper themes of self-worth and the search for true happiness. I can't remember the last time I was so in love with a story and all its characters. The awakening of self-awareness is beautiful and creates a pause for readers to look inward. The book blends whimsical and witty dialogue with emotional depth in an adventure without a dull moment. Proving that breaking free from the roles others impose on us and forging a path that feels authentically our own and can lead to unexpected places. Do yourself a favor and read this book!

I received an ARC audiobook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Orbit Books.
starsal's profile picture

starsal's review

4.0

I volunteer at the elementary school's library. I was shelving and a book called [b:Seriously, Cinderella Is SO Annoying!: The Story of Cinderella as Told by the Wicked Stepmother|11142754|Seriously, Cinderella Is SO Annoying! The Story of Cinderella as Told by the Wicked Stepmother|Trisha Speed Shaskan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347352307l/11142754._SX50_.jpg|16066306] caught my eye, so I read it. It was darling! And it is basically this book but for kids.

This book doesn't try to turn the stepmother or stepdaughters into more palatable people. But it does give (at least one of) them nice arcs and it was darn fun to read.