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A review by 0ivy0
The Shadow in the Glass by J.J.A. Harwood
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
The Shadow in the Glass is a slow-pased, character-driven dark exploration of the Cinderella fairytale.
17 year old Eleanor was once brought up as a young lady, but now she's her step-father's maid. One fateful night she is given the offer of a lifetime - 7 wishes to change her life. The price? Her soul.
There was a great build up to the inciting incident - our main character, her desires, her environment and the people around her are laid out very well.
The book is split into 7 parts rather than chapters, which can be a little difficult when you're like me and only like to stop reading at the end of a chapter, but means you end up reading more of the book than you realise.
I was engaged the whole time when reading, wondering what would happen and hoping for the best. Because of the slow nature and character-driven plot, I really felt I understood the protagonist and the choices she made. I enjoyed the life-like nature of how the plot unfurled, it wasn't all good, nor was it all bad and the characters didn't feel like characatures.
There is a romance element to the plot which I absolutely loved, the yearning was brilliantly written and enthralling. I also loved the unreliable narrator element, and questions that were left unanswered by the end of the book.
I originally picked this up because I adored The Thorns Remain and, although I didnt enjoy it as much, I was not disappointed. In both The Shadow In The Glass and The Thorns Remain, I was completely sucked in and forgot I was reading- JJA Harwood is an instant read for me now.
17 year old Eleanor was once brought up as a young lady, but now she's her step-father's maid. One fateful night she is given the offer of a lifetime - 7 wishes to change her life. The price? Her soul.
There was a great build up to the inciting incident - our main character, her desires, her environment and the people around her are laid out very well.
The book is split into 7 parts rather than chapters, which can be a little difficult when you're like me and only like to stop reading at the end of a chapter, but means you end up reading more of the book than you realise.
I was engaged the whole time when reading, wondering what would happen and hoping for the best. Because of the slow nature and character-driven plot, I really felt I understood the protagonist and the choices she made. I enjoyed the life-like nature of how the plot unfurled, it wasn't all good, nor was it all bad and the characters didn't feel like characatures.
There is a romance element to the plot which I absolutely loved, the yearning was brilliantly written and enthralling. I also loved the unreliable narrator element, and questions that were left unanswered by the end of the book.
I originally picked this up because I adored The Thorns Remain and, although I didnt enjoy it as much, I was not disappointed. In both The Shadow In The Glass and The Thorns Remain, I was completely sucked in and forgot I was reading- JJA Harwood is an instant read for me now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape