Monday, July 11, 2011

Book Review: Cinder and Ella


Cinder and Ella

by Melissa Lemon
Release date: 1st September 2011
Publisher: Cedar Fort
Pages: 208 (ARC)

Summary from Goodreads:

After their 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—the most dangerous place in all the kingdom for both her and Cinder. Cinder and Ella is a Cinderella story like no other and one you'll never forget.

Review By Alaiel Kreuz:

I know I'm 25 years old already but I will always be a child in my heart, it's how it's supposed to be (and if for some odd reason I change my friends would smack me until I'm back again xD) and because of my childish heart as soon as I saw this book I thought, yay! A remake of a fairytale story :D So, after reading the book all I can say is: I'm so glad I requested it!

Still, I have to make a few warnings: If you are looking for a prince charming, a fairy godmother, a giant pumpkin and, if you are more like me, mouses and birds to help the main character out just don't, you won't see them here.
Instead of that you will find a complete original story that goes likes this:

In a small cottage on the side of a steep mountain we can find a happy family: two loving parents, four sisters and lots of happy moments. Two of these sisters are our heroines: Cinder and Ella.
But all this happiness stops when the evil prince Monticello (yes, evil) comes to visit this family in order to gain supporters for his "cause". But he only tells lies. Sadly, after his visit, Willow Top (being an honest and good man) is bewitched by an invisible spell and starts to ignore his family and becomes a bitter person. Soon after this he disappears without a trace. Deeply depressed, Adela Top hides herself in her own little world, a world where her daughters are nothing and all she cares about is her spinning wheel.
And it's here that Cinder and Ella begin to take care of the family. Cinder, a sweet and kind person, turns into a servant for her two other sisters, Katrina and Beatrice (two really spoiled brats now) and Ella, a strong character with her ideas well defined. She loves Cinder and can't stand the fact that she is like a slave in her own family. So, since she is dead tired of this situation, she decides to run away and, after a lot of difficult situations, she finds herself again.

For some reason the evil prince is after them and they need to find out why and how to stop him once and for all.

Since the book is not really long I'm sure most people will finish it within two days or so. The writing is smooth and simplistic, but not boring. And for me, the only complaint I have is: what are the motives of the character's actions? Yes, I know, it's a fairytale and in this kind of story some things are the way they are because is how it's supposed to be. No questions. But... well, I don't know, maybe I want to know more details, maybe I'm too curious.

Anyway, I liked it and I enjoyed reading it. I had a good time sitting in my couch, with my doggy at my feet and a drink in my hand (I finished the book in one evening :D).

Alaiel's Rating:


If you really like it, you can find it here:

21 comments:

  1. wow, sounds so good to read!! Definitly is going to my TBR list!

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  2. I love the looks of this and am anxious to read it too.

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  3. I love Cinderella retellings, it's my fave fairy tale! I just joined the giveaway at Goodreads for this book and stumbled on your review! The 4 cheeses makes the book sounds promising ;)

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  4. Ooohh another Cinderella story with a twist. Don't worry Alaiel.I'm 28 and still love the classic fairytale :)

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  5. hahaha As I said on goodreads most of us wouldn't smack you back we would probably kick and bit you until you come back to our world with us ;) but were all crazy right?? xxx
    Nathiel
    The wolfs Library

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  6. I didn't know this author but this book seems great, i'm very curious to read it.

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  7. Hey I'm 30 and still love to exercise my childishness on occasion! It's part of what makes you Alaiel, so don't change (that an order).

    Lovely review. I am a huge fan of fairytales (both the Disney versions and the more disturbing originals) so this looks like a book I must look into. I'm glad to see that the author did use elements of the original story, but still worked it into something original.

    Shelagh
    The Word Fiend

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  8. Thanks Shelagh,I'll do my best to keep my childishness, promised! :D

    And yes, this book was a good read, I'm sure you would enjoy it too.

    Hugs,

    Alaiel

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  9. Cinderella is my favorite fairy tale. I hadn't heard for this book before. It sounds very interesting!

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  10. It sounds very good! Thanks for the great review :)

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  11. This book really got my interest!!
    I wanna be in Cinder & Ella world one of these days:), I mean I want to read this book so bad!!

    Kudos to Alaiel Kreuz for the excellent review! :)

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  12. i'm much older than you & this books sounds like a GREAT read!!! thank you for this!!! & the giveaway!!!!

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  13. This sounds like a great book. Hope I win!

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  14. sounds like an interesting book! great review!

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  15. A lot of times, a blatant play on words in the title repels me. The cover and plot summary of this one sound intriguing, though. And your review makes me think I should give it a chance if I cross paths with it.

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  16. Thanks for your review :)
    I just entered another giveaway on the hop fir this one. I enjoy fairy tales and new takes on them. The movie, EVER AFTER starring Drew Barrymore, is another enjoyable take on the Cinderella tale.

    Like yourself, I enjoy reading snuggled on the couch/bed with a hot/cold drink in my hand.

    Also, sometimes a book leaves some questions unanswered for me.

    Anyway, I appreciate that the book is not very long and the writing style is simple and smooth.

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  17. I know I have heard this about this book, and I was pleased to find an easy-to-understand review. I think I may have to look this one up!

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  18. Great review! I have had this book on my TBR list for awhile, but I think that now I will be reading it very soon. Thanks!

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  19. Thank you. You have confirmed my thoughts on why I want to read this.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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Something to share? (cheese would be awesome!) I love to read your comments :]