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the_tartan_pumpkin_reader 's review for:
The Ugly Stepsister
by Megan Van Dyke
n imaginative twist on a classic tale that delights and ensnares from page one! If you have ever thought Cinderella was just too perfect, this book is for you. Personally, the world is never as black and white as modern interpretations of fairytales make it seem, I love this gritty tale that takes a new angle on Cinderella and her stepsisters with twists and heart jerks that make happily ever after seem more exciting than the original tale.
Anna, one of the Ugly stepsisters is on the run, disguised as Ansel a young farm lad. She's determined to save her mother and sister to escape the kingdom from her stepsister, Queen Cinderella. Who isn't the sweet, gentle victim she got everyone believing with her magical Fairy Godmother who saved her from servitude and drudgery. When her plan to steal a uniform of a soldier is interrupted by side-kick siblings led by Will, a former royal huntsman who stood against Cinderella after the sudden, expected deaths of the King and Prince Charming. Anna finds herself embroiled in something much bigger than just saving her family - she's signed on for saving the kingdom and killing the Queen.
The plot's nothing new as other retellings take this angle. But the writing is action-packed and full of quirky humor that had me in stitches from its dual pov, especially with Will facing disturbing thoughts about an attractive 'Ansel'. The characters are almost-flesh blood real with depth and endear themselves with their inner battles and demons they face on their journeys. The subplot romance between Will and Anna is packed with sizzling chemistry and I loved the suspense of their growing romance and attraction - the hurdles twisted into the plot kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole book. The ending is the cherry on the top of this book - it's a Happy Ever After with a beautiful big red bow - even the main antagonist puppet finds the start of their redemption.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Anna, one of the Ugly stepsisters is on the run, disguised as Ansel a young farm lad. She's determined to save her mother and sister to escape the kingdom from her stepsister, Queen Cinderella. Who isn't the sweet, gentle victim she got everyone believing with her magical Fairy Godmother who saved her from servitude and drudgery. When her plan to steal a uniform of a soldier is interrupted by side-kick siblings led by Will, a former royal huntsman who stood against Cinderella after the sudden, expected deaths of the King and Prince Charming. Anna finds herself embroiled in something much bigger than just saving her family - she's signed on for saving the kingdom and killing the Queen.
The plot's nothing new as other retellings take this angle. But the writing is action-packed and full of quirky humor that had me in stitches from its dual pov, especially with Will facing disturbing thoughts about an attractive 'Ansel'. The characters are almost-flesh blood real with depth and endear themselves with their inner battles and demons they face on their journeys. The subplot romance between Will and Anna is packed with sizzling chemistry and I loved the suspense of their growing romance and attraction - the hurdles twisted into the plot kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole book. The ending is the cherry on the top of this book - it's a Happy Ever After with a beautiful big red bow - even the main antagonist puppet finds the start of their redemption.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.