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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Book Review: Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon




After her father's disappearance, Cinder leaves home for a servant job at the castle. But it isn't long before her sister Ella is brought to the castle herself. What Ella finds there starts a quest that will change her life and the entire kingdom. Cinder and Ella is a Cinderella story like no other, and one you'll never forget.

Cinder and Ella is a remake of the classic Cinderella fairy tale. This time around, there are two young women, Cinder and Ella who live with their mother who spends all her time spinning yarn, and their two sisters, who only think of themselves. Their father has left them many years before, they don't even know if he's still alive.

There is no fairy godmother to help out, Cinder goes to the castle to find work as a servant where she catches the eye of the Prince. Ella runs off to find a new life as a nanny, but is brought to the castle because Cinder has been crying for her, not knowing where she has gone.

This is no typical fairy tale, though there are knights, a king and queen, a prince, a castle, and damsels in distress. I liked some of the ideas in the book, such as having two sisters struggling to get out of their current lowly existence and the life tree connection. The author did a good job of capturing the tone of a fairy tale in her writing, but perhaps in detriment to the story. The romance fell flat for me and the characters seemed very one-dimensional. It definitely was not your typical fairy tale ending. Overall, this story was just ok for me.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review.



I give this book 3 Bookworms.


1 comment:

  1. Sounds like a middle of the road book. I feel like I would be disappointed that it didn't have a fairy tale ending! Thanks for the cool review :)

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