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A review by bookwormbunny
Charm by J.A. Armitage
5.0
Charm by J.A. Armitage is the first book in her Cinderella reverse fairytale series and this book does not disappoint. We are quickly introduced to Charmaine, the princess heir to the throne. Her elder sister has just recently died and now she is the one who must step in and take the role her sister was to play - come out at a ball, meet a hundred men, pick a suitor and get married in six months time. It's all so sudden but as a young kingdom her parents believe that it must be done and quickly to cement alliances and establish themselves to prevent trouble. The problem is though that the Magi, the magic wielders of the kingdom, want change. They feel that one of their own should be ruling instead of non-magical, so trouble is brewing. Charm meets a young mage named Cynder down in the kitchens one night and begins to find herself falling for him. She sees some of the problems of the magic users as she witnesses his cooking talents but learns of his struggle to just have the job that he holds.
While this book is a twist on the Cinderella fairy tale we all know and love, it mostly holds to the idea of the story and goes much deeper. The roles aren't just simply reversed there is so much more. This book engaged me right from the beginning with the author giving us a taste of the kingdom in mourning for a royal too early departed. There are suspicions of ill-dealing but it swept away with a diagnosis most find acceptable. The seed of doubt is planted none of the less for me because it seems like there is more going on. Which of course, there is more going on. Charm doesn't want to step in and do all the things her sister was about to do but she finds that she must. Gradually she begins to take on the roles she needs to but it's not an easy thing for her.
This book is very engaging and interesting. It draws you in and makes you want to know more about the characters and where their paths will lead not just them but the kingdom as well. If you are looking for a unique retelling on a classic fairytale then I definitely recommend this book. I love retellings with twists and this book does not disappoint.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. Job well done to the author and I look forward to reading more in this series in the near future.
While this book is a twist on the Cinderella fairy tale we all know and love, it mostly holds to the idea of the story and goes much deeper. The roles aren't just simply reversed there is so much more. This book engaged me right from the beginning with the author giving us a taste of the kingdom in mourning for a royal too early departed. There are suspicions of ill-dealing but it swept away with a diagnosis most find acceptable. The seed of doubt is planted none of the less for me because it seems like there is more going on. Which of course, there is more going on. Charm doesn't want to step in and do all the things her sister was about to do but she finds that she must. Gradually she begins to take on the roles she needs to but it's not an easy thing for her.
This book is very engaging and interesting. It draws you in and makes you want to know more about the characters and where their paths will lead not just them but the kingdom as well. If you are looking for a unique retelling on a classic fairytale then I definitely recommend this book. I love retellings with twists and this book does not disappoint.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. Job well done to the author and I look forward to reading more in this series in the near future.