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A review by crosswarrior7
Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly
4.0
This is an interesting case for me. Why? Because, well... It can read like a feminism book, and usually I hate anything overly about girl power. Have it woven into the plot without being obvious? Sure. Cool. But this book literally has a part where History is changed to HERstory before showing off awesome women generals. Normally, I would groan and just walk away.
But... This story just does it right? It doesn't feel like the story is trying to shove an overall message that "WOMEN ARE STRONG TOO!" Instead... It just feels like Isabelle's story. Who she is just happens to be someone who needs reminded that there are great women in history too, not just men. It feels like the message is so centric to her that it doesn't feel preachy. It just feels like her growth. So moments that would normally feel forced and message-driven... They work. They gave me goosebumps. Not because "a woman" was being strong, but because Isabelle -- this young girl I have seen go through so much tribulation and self-hatred -- is being strong and embracing herself.
This story allows a character whose growth happens to come with a message drive a story rather than form a character purely for the sake of driving home a message. It is such a subtle change, but it made me adore this story where usually it would make me roll my eyes and get annoyed.
Okay. Now to get off the feminism side of this. Overall, the book is just enjoyable in an almost whimsical way, which one wouldn't expect because, well... The start is a bit gruesome. There are some really amazing, quotable parts that just hit home (though they tend to be random omniscient breaks, which kind of bugged me).
There are three entities at play, trying to influence Isabelle's life in a way unknown to her. And their interactions are way too fun to read. Also, can I just say, The Fairy Godmother is given a very vicious light, and I adore it.
The book truly makes you care and feel for these girls who are ugly on the inside because they let dark emotions eat at them, and the world did what it could to make that worse. At times it makes you want to strangle the characters though, but in a good way. Like I KNOW YOU ARE BETTER THAN THIS, JUST BELIEVE IN YOURSELF DANG NAB IT!!!
It's just overall a very smart, beautifully written tale that follows the step-sister having to embrace herself, and learn that just because the world demands she be pretty doesn't mean that's what her heart truly yearns for. If you're looking for a retelling that tries to re-define the backdrop of the original tale, I highly recommend it.
4/5 stars.
But... This story just does it right? It doesn't feel like the story is trying to shove an overall message that "WOMEN ARE STRONG TOO!" Instead... It just feels like Isabelle's story. Who she is just happens to be someone who needs reminded that there are great women in history too, not just men. It feels like the message is so centric to her that it doesn't feel preachy. It just feels like her growth. So moments that would normally feel forced and message-driven... They work. They gave me goosebumps. Not because "a woman" was being strong, but because Isabelle -- this young girl I have seen go through so much tribulation and self-hatred -- is being strong and embracing herself.
This story allows a character whose growth happens to come with a message drive a story rather than form a character purely for the sake of driving home a message. It is such a subtle change, but it made me adore this story where usually it would make me roll my eyes and get annoyed.
Okay. Now to get off the feminism side of this. Overall, the book is just enjoyable in an almost whimsical way, which one wouldn't expect because, well... The start is a bit gruesome. There are some really amazing, quotable parts that just hit home (though they tend to be random omniscient breaks, which kind of bugged me).
There are three entities at play, trying to influence Isabelle's life in a way unknown to her. And their interactions are way too fun to read. Also, can I just say, The Fairy Godmother is given a very vicious light, and I adore it.
The book truly makes you care and feel for these girls who are ugly on the inside because they let dark emotions eat at them, and the world did what it could to make that worse. At times it makes you want to strangle the characters though, but in a good way. Like I KNOW YOU ARE BETTER THAN THIS, JUST BELIEVE IN YOURSELF DANG NAB IT!!!
It's just overall a very smart, beautifully written tale that follows the step-sister having to embrace herself, and learn that just because the world demands she be pretty doesn't mean that's what her heart truly yearns for. If you're looking for a retelling that tries to re-define the backdrop of the original tale, I highly recommend it.
4/5 stars.