The Ugly Stepsister (Unfinished Fairy Tales Book 1)

A magical page-turning stale set in Victorian times. Captivating and charming re-imagining of ‘Cinderella,’ from an Ugly Stepsister’s point of view.

When Kat accidentally tears a page of the hardcover copy of ‘Cinderella’ in her attic, she is magically transported to the beginning of the story, and find herself in the body of the uglier of the stepsisters. This excellent YA fairytale is 445 pages of beautiful world-building, vivid descriptions of places and attire, and a story that didn’t want to end any more than you or I wanted to put it down. Devoured in a few short sittings, I wish the tale hadn’t ended and I look forward to reading any future entries in the Unfinished Fairy Tales series by Aya Ling.

This is a different spin on ‘Cinderella,’ including some unexpected plot points involving themes of children’s’ rights and workers’ rights movement in old-fashioned Story Land. Equal rights for women and an involved governing body that looks out for the impoverished are also touched upon. These plot additions made the tale more enjoyable for me, as it sets Ling’s work apart from the other, stricter re-tellings.

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The author used modern pop culture references to compare and contrast EVERYTHING in the book, leaving the reader no room for imagination.
The vocabulary of period terms was interesting to explore and learn, at first. Then at one chapter I had highlighted and looked up 17 words of unknown definition.
I love to learn , truly I have no greater passion in life, yet being pulled out of the story so often was daunting and eventually irksome.
If not for that I am sure I would have stayed in this dreamy fairytale state of mind reserved for little girls who dream of being princesses some day.
Novel idea for a retelling but I fear the author doesn't lend enough credit to the intelligence of her readers.

Side note, stop saying "Not!" No one has said it since the mid 90s and being a mother of 6, 10, and 18 year old boys , I assure you in that broad scope of exposure to the conversations of today's youth, not once have I ever heard a Wayne and Garth catch phrase.

I'm writing this review after just finishing The Ugly Stepsister, by Aya Ling. And I wish that it didn't have to end.

I'm a sucker for a fairy tale retelling so when I found The Ugly Stepsister I had to give it a try. I loved how the heroine Kat wasn't supposed to beautiful, she wasn't the Cinderella of the story, she was your average modern teenager, that is until she arrives in Athelia and quickly finds out she won't be returning home, that is unless she can see the story though, all the way to the happy ending.

Kat was definitely a heroine that I could get behind and start to love, often I find in YA books the heroine is hard to like let alone love, and while Kat may be "the ugly stepsister" that doesn't mean she has to act like her. She's smart and not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, not to mention she loves reading!

I really liked the romance, you were never quite sure of how you wanted it to go. You wanted it to work out one way but then another twist happens and you start thinking "what now?". No instant love and a nice buildup I liked the guy as well, he was handsome, charming, and everything you want in a fairy tale romance.

The ending was not my favorite, don't get me wrong it was a happy ending, but it definitely left lots of unanswered questions. Good thing this is set out to be a series as the minute this was over I wanted more.

Overall, it was a great retelling of a classic tale, good plot and actually really enjoyable characters. The only thing I disliked was the ending it left me with a uneasy conflicted feeling, but hey, Kat's journey isn't over, and you can bet I'll be along for the ride as soon as it gets released.

This is a fantastic new twist on the Cinderella story, what happens when the main character in the Cinderella story is actually one of the ugly step sisters? How different would you picture the story being told from an alternate character. Kat isn't your typical stepsister either, she is mean and cruel, but a caring and educated woman who when accidentally cursed to live out the story of Cinderella finds herself confronted with a world where children are exploited to work terrible hours for almost nothing in the factories with great risk to their person and as well as many facing death. Kat is far too passionate of a woman to sit back and hope that the men folk can change things on their own and becomes an amazing advocate for the children. This is perhaps my favorite part of the story, you think she is going to be one of those typical swoon over the prince (not that he isn't swoon worthy) and act like she can't think for herself and kindof hope that someone will come along and save her...but not this girl. She is determined to be her own hero and changes the story as she goes.

I have read a few retelling of fairy tales, but this has got to be my favorite! I just loved it!

Girl power! This charming story is perfect for teens/young adults, as an unlikely heroine -- the girl who doesn't understand her charm -- finds herself thrown into the story of Cinderella (magic!) as the "ugly" stepsister ... and turns the story upside down. A sort of a take on the classic "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" as a girl with modern sensibilities is tossed into what feels like the past in a monarchy, trying to address all kinds of wrongs ... beginning with the treatment of Cinderella ... but then so much more. A lovely light romance ... and a great revelation as the girl who sees herself as the throwaway sees her worth.

Kat, a modern day teenager, wakes up in the Cinderella fairytale as the ugly stepsister. And, the only way to get back to her mom and little sister is by literally having to solve a mystery so that the Prince meets and falls in love with Cinderella. But, what happens when Cinderella is interested in someone else, and Kat herself is falling in love with the Prince? Oh, oh...

This story was a fun read with unique twists. I liked the light mystery found within the story, and the way Kat stood up to the injustices that were going on around her (Sometimes, I thought she had been transported instead to North and South by Gaskell, but in a YA setting). I see that a novella is coming out with Kat, but it's before she returns to reality, and so I hope that there is a second book after she returns to her family, especially with the ending in book one. It was quite a bit surprising. Nooooo….. :)

pg-13 level

*Kindle Unlimited

A very different take on Cinderella. Kat is just a typical teenager that gets all tongue tied around boys. She lives with her mom & sister and she needs to get the attic sorted. While doing that she gets called and tears a book by accident. She falls & hits her head. When she wakes she is in a strange bed.

Kat is the ugly step sister and she needs to get Cinderella to marry the prince before she can go home. Kat learns many things and she tries her best to make some changes for the good of the people but she has to remember that she needs to get with the plan as the goblin king won't let her go home until there is a HEA. Kat falls for Edward even though she knows that this is not her home. Edward believes her but he won't just let her go without spending time with her.

The HEA is not what is expected of the fairytale but it works out the way it was meant to and Kat gets her man in the story that is.

A great fun read. I received a ARC in exchange for an honest review from the author via librarything

I love fairytales, and especially retelling of them. This story got me hooked, and it was hard to put down. The characters are very real and very enjoyable; you would either love or hate them. It had a lot of weaves and turns in the story that all made sense in the end. The only thing I did not like about the story was how it ended. It needed a twist in the end which would have been better than her predictable waking up from a fall. The author could have made something up that would enable Kat to really live her happily ever after with Edward. I was disappointed about that. Also, the story could have been better with less d--- words and less modern language from some of the characters.

The Ugly Stepsister is a retelling of the Cinderella story. After knocking over an old story book in her attic, Kat is magically transported into the story. Her only way out is to follow the tale onto its happily ever after. Throughout the story, Kat’s clumsiness and unusual ideals are put in direct contrast to the high society life she has found herself thrust into.
I enjoyed this book. It was an easy lighthearted read. Although the major twists were fairly predictable, the circumstances leading up to them were still fun to read. Although you could guess what the ending would be, it didn’t make the ride any less enjoyable. The characters were relatable and interesting. I actually felt empathy for characters other than the main couples. If the author wrote a follow-up where Kat went back (maybe Sleeping Beauty retelling… wink wink) I would happily read it..

I read this book the first time rather quickly, then re-read it as I enjoyed it so much. It is very fun, full of funny scenarios and also romantic. The main character is bold yet humane (she does make mistakes but is likeable and you cant help but root for her). The world of Athelia is well-created and detailed. It was a highly entertaining read. One of my new fave tales now. Highly recommend!

I enjoyed The Ugly Stepsister. It’s a cute fantasy about a teenager that travels into the Cinderella storybook to fix the story she ruins.
I really loved the plot and the characters. It’s a fun novel that’s got some depth. The Ugly Stepsister introduces some controversial topics and allows the characters to take a stand on both sides of the issue.
I really enjoyed this but it irked me that there was foul language in what could otherwise be a top YA fantasy.

4.5 Stars
A fun and light-hearted YA Cinderella adaptation that's a quick and easy read. This novel is very enjoyable. The plot and characters are dynamic and creative. The writing is witty and entertaining (there's even a few pop culture references), but the author also manages to incorporate child labor laws and other serious themes into the storyline. The romance is cute and can be read by younger readers too. This author's works have independent leading ladies that illustrate empowerment and a youthful innocence that is encouraging to its readers. Recommended for YA fans, people who love retellings of fairy tales, and Aya Ling followers.

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I am a sucker for retelling of classic fairy tales, but this is NOT a retelling of Cinderella. Instead this book is a new fairy tale with all the drama of the classic. A modern American girl is sucked into Cinderella. She can't return to her life unless the story is complete. Unfortunately Cinderella isn't the girl of the princes dream, Kat is! Once I started this story I couldn't put it down and finished it in one sitting.

I loved The Ugly Stepsister! The whole time it brought me back to the wonders of 1986 Labyrinth movie, Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt, and basically any really good spin off of Cinderella. It was amazingly well done. I enjoyed that our protagonist was a strong willed woman wanting to change things, (and the things she changed! <3 I can't tell with out spoilers!)

There is only 2 things I'm unhappy about, and I stress only 2. The things I didn't like (like a few people have mentioned) was the teenage, pop culture references, at first I found them annoying but eventually became grateful because it made describing things easier. Actually after hearing that the author did this in a review I almost didn't read the book myself, now I'm glad I did. Please just make it through the first few pages and you'll be over it. Then you'll find yourself falling for the Prince, doing political and social movements, becoming strong willed women, all while having fun and wearing whale bone corsets and hoop skirts. Speaking of I applaud her for how well she did in the culture and clothing references in that era sometimes when you read free the store book you find yourself rolling your eyes wishing they'd study up a little more. That was not the case. So thank you Aya Ling :) I look forward to reading more of your books this week. (what can I say I'm hooked)

The other thing? The ending. ****SPOILER ALERT***** Which I'm sure I'll get in the 3rd book coming out. But she marries the Prince and goes home and is with her family and doesn't even remember the Prince or what happen. And me a true romantic I'm sitting over here like noooooo you can't leave him. And then she is asked out by the cute guy in high school?! :( No comment on how he looks like Edward or anything just something about hearing bells. AHHH! Any who like I said i'm sure Ill find out more in the 3rd book! *I can't wait!*

Very addicting and adorable story. I confess, I'm 27 and older then the intended audience and I usually shy away from most newer YA fiction but this was one was too enchanting! I love retellings of classic fairy tales and this one was from one of the ugly stepsister's POV none the less. It was a fresh new perspective and a great one at that. It always kept me guessing till the end. Also had an outlander feel as well but in a good way.

I am a sucker for retelling of classic fairy tales, but this is NOT a retelling of Cinderella. Instead this book is a new fairy tale with all the drama of the classic. A modern American girl is sucked into Cinderella. She can't return to her life unless the story is complete. Unfortunately Cinderella isn't the girl of the princes dream, Kat is! Once I started this story I couldn't put it down and finished it in one sitting.

I loved The Ugly Stepsister! The whole time it brought me back to the wonders of 1986 Labyrinth movie, Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt, and basically any really good spin off of Cinderella. It was amazingly well done. I enjoyed that our protagonist was a strong willed woman wanting to change things, (and the things she changed! <3 I can't tell with out spoilers!)

There is only 2 things I'm unhappy about, and I stress only 2. The things I didn't like (like a few people have mentioned) was the teenage, pop culture references, at first I found them annoying but eventually became grateful because it made describing things easier. Actually after hearing that the author did this in a review I almost didn't read the book myself, now I'm glad I did. Please just make it through the first few pages and you'll be over it. Then you'll find yourself falling for the Prince, doing political and social movements, becoming strong willed women, all while having fun and wearing whale bone corsets and hoop skirts. Speaking of I applaud her for how well she did in the culture and clothing references in that era sometimes when you read free the store book you find yourself rolling your eyes wishing they'd study up a little more. That was not the case. So thank you Aya Ling :) I look forward to reading more of your books this week. (what can I say I'm hooked)

The other thing? The ending. ****SPOILER ALERT***** Which I'm sure I'll get in the 3rd book coming out. But she marries the Prince and goes home and is with her family and doesn't even remember the Prince or what happen. And me a true romantic I'm sitting over here like noooooo you can't leave him. And then she is asked out by the cute guy in high school?! :( No comment on how he looks like Edward or anything just something about hearing bells. AHHH! Any who like I said i'm sure Ill find out more in the 3rd book! *I can't wait!*

Very addicting and adorable story. I confess, I'm 27 and older then the intended audience and I usually shy away from most newer YA fiction but this was one was too enchanting! I love retellings of classic fairy tales and this one was from one of the ugly stepsister's POV none the less. It was a fresh new perspective and a great one at that. It always kept me guessing till the end. Also had an outlander feel as well but in a good way.

***Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for a review.***

Well, this wasn't quite what I expected.

It started off quickly headed for the DNF pile; our heroine was lifted straight from the pages of Twilight- average looking geeky chick with her nose stuck in a copy of Anne from Green Gables (instead of Wuthering Heights), helps take care of her family, always awkward around teh hot guyz and trips over her own feet to land smack dab on top of one. Right.

Then, it got better.

Once Kat gets zapped into the story, things improve. She's a fish out of water, with not knowing how to be a proper lady of polite society, but she learns fast. Plus she gets a little help from a disembodied mischevious goblin named Krev, who doubles as a bit of a spirit guide and well as being tasked by the Goblin King with keeping tabs on her. Trust me- it'll make sense when you read it.

As the title says, Kat's no Disney Princess- she's actually standing in the way of the HEA. Yet things aren't quite the fairy tale she remembers. Now her job is to find out who Cinderella is, why hasn't the Fairy Godmother shown up yet and contrive to get the Prince off his duff to choose his bride, otherwise she'll remain trapped in the book, never to go home again.

As always, the Devil (and the fun) is in the details. Author Aya Ling weaves a tight story around the mystery of Cinderella's identity, along with a few wrinkles tossed in to keep you on your toes. It was fun watching Kat flounder around in this fictional Victorian realm, only to end up taking the place by storm. A couple of the story threads come a little fast and furious at times, but you catch up quick. Others have complained about the ending, but I was ok with it. But after becoming vested in the story, I was left wondering how things worked out for the other characters.

Only real complaint here is that it could've been shorter. A ruthless editor would greatly help this book by paring down a lot of filler and fluff- you don't need 450 pages just for a different take on Cinderella. Even so, it's still an enjoyable, engaging read. 4/5 stars

It was really great and well written! There are hardly any spelling/grammar errors and it flows well! But I had to give it only 3 stars because the ending wasn't my cup of tea. I won't spoil it. Other than that, very entertaining, creative and funny. Sometimes it dragged a little and I had to roll my eyes at the predictable or unrealistic moments. A few mild curse words and kissing but no sexual content or anything like that, so it's safe to read if you don't like that kind of stuff. A good read if you like fairy tales with a twist and an irresistible prince. But man, that ending....

I thought the concept of this book was cute, Cinderella retold by her ugly stepsister. In fact I was all over it when I first read the synopsis because like Kat, I love fairytales. Plus, I really love the cover that blue dress really pops against the white background.

Kat is a shy seventeen year old girl that describes herself as ugly. When cleaning out her attic she rips apart an old copy of Cinderella, sending her into its magical world. The only way she can get back to her normal life is to make sure the story ends how it should. But when she meets the handsome prince everything becomes more complicated. Will she be able to get him to marry Cinderella before she falls in love with him?

I thought this was a really cute story and I found it fun to read. Lately, I've been a little scared to read retelling of fairytales because they don't always turn out well. But this one did, it was really worth the read. The ending made me mad though. I was going to give it 4 stars but then the ending happened. I spent the whole time rooting for her and Edward even though I knew I shouldn't. I guess I think it could have ended some other way.

I understand why it ended the way that it did though, I'm just not happy about it. Anyway, I think this is a great read for anyone that loves fairytales!

But pretty heavy emphasis on social justice, which seemed a bit strange in pseudo historical context. The girl also sometimes regressed into a bit of an annoying teen talk (guys are so hot and some people should just shut up). The preaching and informal language didn't detract too much from the story, but certainly wasn't subtle.

I found this story enchanting and unique. Kay is a shy, book-loving teenager who finds herself transported into a fairytale. She has to find a way to get Cinderella to fall in love with the prince, so she can go home. But, instead of Cinderella falling for Prince Edward, Kat falls for him instead. We she her transform into a self confidence young lady who is willing to fight for causes she believes in, and make the hard decisions to leave her prince and return home.

Romantic story about following your heart, being compassionate, and being brave and stepping up to the plate. Kat acomplished all of these in "The Ugly Stepsisters": She finally married Edward (even though she wouldn't be there after the wedding bells rang). She treated Elle as a friend (instead of the servant she was in the beginning). And, she faced the kingdom, as the prince's future bride, but did not care that the kingdom felt that she was ugly (compared to her sister), plain, and unladylike.

Fun read. I really loved this book. The only thing keeping this book from a perfect 5 was the strange ending. If Kat was really in love I would not see her being so flippant over leaving her fairy tale world. I liked that her character changed into a more dynamic and bold one even after she returned. The writing made you feel like her trip to fairy tale world was only a delusional bump on the head at the end of the book. I would still recommend.

An actual excerpt from the book pretty much explains how I felt about it:

"'Kat?' I jump. Edward, again! Honestly, we've met coincidentally so many times that I feel like I'm in a badly written novel. Oh wait, I actually am."

The story was too predictable. Granted it is a fairytale retelling and it would be naturally predictable, but even then, I felt like it lacked any originality. I found the main character, Kat, just annoying! The only reason I felt like I could give it three stars instead of two is because there was just the slightest bit of intrigue to actually make me finish the book. I don't plan on reading any of the sequels.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I am just in LOVE with fairy tale retellings! Cinder I believe has been the latest push for these types of books but I fell in love with these retellings by reading Robin McKinley's Beauty and Deerskin. So when I saw this on netgalley(or anything like it) I request it and lucky for me I got it!

It starts off in the present day with Kat being self-conscious and not confident at all and she gets anxious whenever a cute guy talks to her. The normal teenage stuff. Then while cleaning the attic she rips the Cinderella book and gets transported into the story! Krev, a goblin tells her that she has to complete the story of Cinderella in order to go back to her modern world with plumbing and TV. She has no idea how to go about finishing the story when she is one of the stepsisters. She can't even figure out who the Cinderella is! Her troubles have only just started.

Things I liked:

The setting and the descriptions of the outfits and everything was really well done. I felt transported to another world! I would love to live in a world like that minus the nonexistent plumbing issue.
Kat starts out being annoying and the typical heroine but she grows a backbone and starts doing something about her situation. She really does grow from being a shy girl to one that is confident and strong.
Bianca is such a nasty character and I really liked how she was portrayed but I would have liked more.
The subplots that were also going on were great! It was a really interesting new take on this story! I would have liked more but this was a retelling so....

Things I didn't like:

The pace was slow. It being around 452 pages, not much was happening in most of those. It could have definitely been shortened.
It was predictable. There were some things that surprised me but it was just like an OH and not like OMG!
The end was a little weird.....I don't want to give it away but it just didn't really make sense.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Some things may have changed in the final version.

When we’re first introduced to Kat, she’s in the modern world. And seems to be a fairly shy girl, especially around boys. But then when she gets flung into the story world, she suddenly grows a backbone. Not all at once, true. But she suddenly gets this stubborn streak to her, and starts doing things that almost seem out of character compared to when we first meet her.

Some of this is explained by her needing to force the story world to give her the Cinderella happy ending so she can go home. And as she starts trying to make pieces fit the story, she starts making friends with the characters. And then she gets totally caught up in the world.

The beginning of the book was a little slow, but once Kat starts actively trying to bend the story, I just got sucked in. I wanted to know how she was going to achieve the ‘happily ever after’ ending the goblin king required. Some of the things she did made me laugh, and some things she finds out about were pretty horrible. Like an 11-year-old girl who not only works sweatshop hours for pittance, but was gotten pregnant as well.

I liked Kat, Edward, Poppy and Elle, Bianca was evil enough she was easy to hate. Most of the rest of the characters weren’t fleshed out enough for me to care about one way or the other.

The ending bugged me a little bit. It made me happy because of the hints you get about the boy, but it bugged me too.

If you like fairytale retellings, with humor and twists, you should try this book.

3.5 Stars

(cross-posted to my blog)

I like those books that change the original version of the fairytale to some else more fascinating. I liked how the story went and the way -how do I say this?- it....idk how to explain it!!! You could see what was going to happen next but it surprised you! Idk but I really liked this book. I would totally recommended it!?

This book was a twisted retelling of the Cinderella story. I would recommend it for readers of all ages. It was original and kept my attention. I enjoyed it very much and hope you do too. Happy Reading!

This story was beautifully written, it drew me in and didn't let me go. I wish I could reread it again for the first time, sadly I cannot. However, I will definitely reread it anyway and recommend it to any book lover. This book has become one of my all time favorites. It has amazing characters, plot and a well developed setting. Enjoy it!

thos book quickly became one of my favorites it is a fun story and the main chacter is an actul strong female the prince is cool the action decent and time period properly portrayed
the only reason it has 4stars in stead of 5 stars that edward did not deserve to be left hanging

Enjoyable re-telling of Cinderella with funny and loveable characters, an intriguing story with a special spin and a heroine I absolutely loved. The end was a bit disappointing for me but all around a very good book!

Loved the book. A very nice young adult book with a twist in the plot. Kat stumbled upon an old book in the Attic and accidentally ripped the book. Unbeknownst to her, the book is filled with magic that transported her as one of the character well fitted to her personality. A original Cinderella plot turned haywire as time is ticking for her to find that happy ending so that she can go back to her world. What will happen? Read the book!

**I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I absolutely loved this re-telling of Cinderella. It was witty, fun, romantic and lovely. I love how the author put a spin on it to make it different but also keep the story true. I wish there was another book. Read it!!

I received a copy of this book through librarything.com member giveaway for a honest review. I really enjoyed and love this book!!!! I love the retelling of Cinderella. I loved the fact that the step-sister got a happy ending. Kat is on of my new favorite characters. The author did a great job retelling the story.

I started reading this book yesterday afternoon and was up until 3am, soaking in every last word. I love the author's writing style and the twist on a classic. I definitely recommend this book(and Twice Upon A Time)!

Sissy: The Ugly Stepsister is a perfectly fluffy retelling of a classic fairytale, although in a unique and unexpected way.
Bubby: I declare The Ugly Stepsister to be the first beach-worthy read of the summer. Now I just need to find a beach… (Read full review at www.bubblebath-books.com).

Slightly repetitive but overall a great read, enticing characters and a pretty good story line! This book would be great for preteens and up. I think ages 11 and older would enjoy this book. It is a perfect spin on a classic. I enjoyed how they toyed with traditional Cinderella story and breathed some new life into this old magical tale. I wish there was more banter between the prince and Kat, the flirting was both funny and tasteful!

I started reading this book yesterday afternoon and was up until 3am, soaking in every last word. I love the author's writing style and the twist on a classic. I definitely recommend this book(and Twice Upon A Time)!

Sissy: The Ugly Stepsister is a perfectly fluffy retelling of a classic fairytale, although in a unique and unexpected way.
Bubby: I declare The Ugly Stepsister to be the first beach-worthy read of the summer. Now I just need to find a beach… (Read full review at www.bubblebath-books.com).

Slightly repetitive but overall a great read, enticing characters and a pretty good story line! This book would be great for preteens and up. I think ages 11 and older would enjoy this book. It is a perfect spin on a classic. I enjoyed how they toyed with traditional Cinderella story and breathed some new life into this old magical tale. I wish there was more banter between the prince and Kat, the flirting was both funny and tasteful!

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fairy tales. I personally think that it was amazing. The author did a great job weaving in the clues of how it would turn out. This book had my heart into it. It was a very romantic fictional book. I can't wait to read the next one.

In An Oyster Shell- This was a fun cinderella retelling that reminded me a bit of Ella enchanted. It’s a fun read for cinderella fan’s. I had some issues with the end, but overall I thank it’s safe to give this book a try.

The Pearls – What drew me to this book at first was the audacity to tell the story from the Ugly Step-Sister’s POV who ends up not really being the USS after all. I loved, LOVED, that the author took a contemporary character and threw her into the story of Cinderella. It had the lovely whimsical feel like Ella Enchanted. With curses and goblins??? It was just crazy enough to be super delightful!

I really loved this book! The story has some surprising twists, and is very well written. It has humor, romance, excitement, everything that makes a great story. Looking forward to reading more by Aya Ling!

Loved loved loved this book! Initially I thought it might be a little too young for an adult to be reading, but since I am addicted to twisted fairy tales I decided to keep going. I was glad I stuck with it. The story turned into an amazing tale of love and someone devoted to doing the right thing regardless. It was an amazing story. Can't wait for the sequel Ever After

446 pages for a story that could have been condensed for a much better read. It had a cute twist or two, but the dialogue was awful. I cannot count how many times I read the words "like," "um," "uh," "er," "oops,"and "Nooooooo!" The references to modern fiction are also frequent and extremely forced.

I was hooked from beginning to end! This novel has it all: dynamic characters, depth, humor, romance...I didn't want to stop reading. A must-read!

**I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.**

Cinderella with a twist. Plus throw in a little Dorothy from Oz and you get a very unique re-telling. A quick and enjoyable book. No graphic violence or sex scenes. Just good old fashioned story telling.