The Wronged Princess: A fun twist on a classic fairy tale in a sweet romance (Cinderella Series Book 1)

I recently was gifted the second two parts of this series to read and review. The author suggested reading the first part before I started. I thought this wise, and thus started at the beginning.This is a new retelling of the classic fairy tale Cinderella. This particular book starts with Cinderella, her stepsisters Esmeralda and Pricilla, and her stepmother in a small cottage where Cinderella is their servant. The infamous ball where the prince sees Cinderella for the first time is told in flashback memories when the proclamation goes out that to find his "mysterious princess" the prince will have every maiden in the land try on the lost glass slipper. After the slipper fits one of the sisters, the story then moves to the palace. Without giving too much of the story twists away, this particular portion leaves off with the Prince married to Cinderella and the stepsisters relocated.It took me a little while to get in to the rhythm of this story. Once I did, I was utterly charmed. I loved that it was told from multiple perspectives--the prince, Cinderella, and the fairy godmother. I especially loved the fairy godmother and Queen's perspective with their little "plan" that was cooked up at the beginning and doled out throughout the story. I also liked the humanized versions of the "evil stepsisters" that this author displayed...much more believable than the Disney version or the usually portrayed versions. While I am not familiar with the original French Cinderella story, I do know this one does not follow the somewhat preposterous versions I have seen before. While still clearly a fairy tale, it is much more believable and possible. I also like how in this version the ladies are intelligently portrayed and how they are each a distinct and unique personality. Linking the personalities of the girls in with Greek mythology was quite different and surprising, and added an extra layer of whimsy to the story. The best part was the WAY the prince and Cinderella finally got together. It really did make the story. The infamous mice were even represented in this story with the little field-mouse delightfully named Marcel who was Cinderella's beloved pet and companion.There were a few things I had difficulties with in the story, however. There were many instances of improper use of pronouns, or misplacement of articles. Also, at times it seems two word choices were written down for the author to choose between and she never did. I also did not care for having a foreign language thrown in when I do not know for certain that the translations are correct. Finally, at times it seemed that the story was a bit drawn out...moving slow...having some unnecessary dialogues or scenes when they did not specifically add to the story.

The first five or more chapters drag terribly and I almost put this book aside. Alas, I did not and was not disappointed. Quite entertaining new ideas unfold. Three things that could be better though: 1) the prince's memory on Esmeralda's name was pushed much too often to be believable, especially when different three times in one sentence. 2) The men in this tale are definitely made to be inferior, inept, and downright foolish. Controlling women at every turn? Hmmm. 3) It would have been nice to have a view of what happened to Hilda and a) why the sleeping draught did not do her in and b) what finally became of her (besides falling on her face at the ball).This book started slow but finished quite successfully and more satisfying than the original "happy ever after."

I will give any book a try if it is based on fairy tale. This book, based upon Cinderella, is an interesting take on the story. The shoe fits someone else, and not just anyone else but one of the stepsisters!?!? Clever! Despite the steamy looking cover, it's very tame. It's fairly well written but there are many parts where I felt that the author was just trying too hard. The ending seemed to come a little quickly as well after a very long build up. Though there was a side-story of the Queen and the Fairy-godmother working together toward the Happily Ever After, I didn't feel like they really had anything to do with it and so their story was more of a distraction. Overall, a cute little read for an afternoon.I feel that I need to add a further review after reading some other reviews. First, the author has used a little bit of French and a bit of Olde English in her writing. This can be confusing and off-putting to the average reader. Some of the more flowery descriptions may trip up readers who are used to more simple text. Also, Yes, the author includes lyrics from Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella score. But I do NOT consider the way that she did it to be plagiarism. It was done more as a nod or a tribute to that most beloved play. I found it to be a touching addition to the text but some have been aggravated by it. I did find the author's writing a little overdone in some places but it was done well enough and had a fine enough story that I will be buying the rest of the books in the series.

The story of Cinderella. Kind of. Its re-told but its not like anything you've ever heard before in all of your fairytale books.I love the fact that Cinderella is NOT a blonde. How many times have seen pictures of her and she's blonde? We have always imagined her that way, someone who is fair in appearance with large blue eyes. Well in this story, that image is totally changed. Cinderella is still a beautiful young woman; but she looks nothing like that other fairytale. I liked how the author totally turned this fairytale upside down. I have to admit that I have unintentionally been reading this series, backwards. I was gifted with the third book "The Suprising Enchantress" and read that one first. It proved to be a good story, well able to stand all on its own. This story was the start of it all and it just nice to read about how it all began. I found this story to be a bit tamer but it did keep me reading with moments of laughter when it came to the Prince's trouble with remembering Esmeralda's name. He thought up with some really creative versions.Now, the only thing missing now is the second book, in the series, " The Unlikely Herione". (Pricilla seems like quite the spunky girl from what I read in both of these books.)“I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review”

Cinderella with a twist. Use to be one of my favorite stories. I can't say this twist is a fav of mine. It suppose to be a comedy but I guess it's not really my type of humor. I like sarcastic not dumb kind of humor. There are a few things that annoy me in here. The Constant mention of batting eyelashes that causes a breeze ( literally ) they can feel it a few feet away. Maybe a magical world and this is ok? Prince Charming getting one sisters name wrong every time he thinks of it. At first was cute but then became pointless if he wasn't going to get the other sister's wrong. Oh how many times do we have to repeat in his head that Arnald is his dearest friend and blood relative. He truly have crappy memory or is his dear momma right with males of the family being simpleminded. Cinde has her moments also I give 4 stars because altho not my favorite it wasn't horrible and I didn't catch any mistakes. So I won't drop stars just for my opinion