Challenge #14 ~ “A book with a con, deception, or fake.”
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
My opinion in three sentences:
This was an inventive retelling of the traditional fairytale and had the potential to go far, yet was limited by the lack of world-building and unbalanced pacing. The magic element itself (and in particular its role at the centre of the “romantic” relationship) also raised several questions, but any acknowledgement or challenge of these issues was far from adequate (which is a pretty major faux pas for a book published in 2023!) Furthermore, I have to admit that had it not been an ARC, I would most likely not have finished as it was rather slow to get going as well as lacking the strong sense of context – a particular shame because I know Soria can do better!
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
The premise and ideas behind this tale were great – who doesn’t want a Cinderella that’s actually pursuing her own agenda beyond a simple “happily ever after”? The role of the stepfamily in amongst it all was particularly clever as well, allowing motivations to clash, twists to weave, and the reader’s loyalties to fluctuate.
A warning for the book:
The world-building was insufficient and the beginning a trudge, sure, but these alone would probably still have left an adequate read. For me, the critical issues is the fact that the problems created by the use of the magic in the relationship (which lead to dubious- (at best)/non-consent) are not challenged. Sometimes this is a product of the times, but for a book published in 2023, is this something we want to champion?
N.B.: With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an e-ARC in return for an honest and reflective review.
Dreaming With Your Eyes Wide Open 