Breanna

I enjoyed the book, but I do have some mixed feelings.

First, I'm glad the author changed the overall personality of Ethel, the stepmother. I don't think I would have enjoyed reading about an abuser justify their abuse towards their victim; so I'm glad the story went in a different direction.

I was unsure of how I felt about Elin (Cinderella's) changes. Especially since the stepsisters (Mathelide and Rosemund) also changed, and I honestly believe they ought to have bullied Elin far more than they did. It would have added a more interesting contrast between Elin and her stepsisters, plus Ethel would have needed to figure out how to manage that along with everything else the family was dealing with. So I'm sad we didn't get that sort of family drama, and it would have been more true towards the original story in-spite of the other changes.

Instead Elin is allowed to get away with being... well, to be frank, pathetic. Given Ethel's character deposition, I'm confused as to why she tolerated such behavior from her stepchild. And her own daughters should have been far more resentful than they were.

Not crazy about the falcon; I understand her role in the story and why Ethel has her, but I honestly just didn't care (and I love birds!).

I do love have the Prince turned out. Just wish we got more interaction with his sister, Hemma. I wanted to get to know her!

I did like how the story ended, but I felt like I was being preached at about feminism and self-worth throughout the story and there were times where it was just down right aggravating and completely unnecessary.

Overall, this book is alright. A lot of my gripes are really just my opinions; you may end up disagreeing with them. But I don't think I'll ever give this again.