Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

"There's no magic slipper, no Fairy Godmother, no returning home at the stroke of midnight lest the magic wear off. This was a dark and gritty, re-telling of the Cinderella story that showed how the "wicked step-mother" is just a woman doing what she can to keep her family safe. Hocchauser didn't pull any punches and I liked it for its stark and brutal honesty."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐

Pros: I liked the character of Moussa, in a way he was the Fairy Godmother/The intricacies of court were interesting tidbits of knowledge, like how to carry your train over your left shoulder and bow with your right foot leading.

Cons: Goodness, Elin was painfully useless. I wanted to take her little book of virtue and smack her with it/Characters always think the danger is over when really, they should always have one eye open, sometimes their obvliousness can be laughable.

Full Review:

Etheldreda Verity Isolde Tremaine Bramley has been married. Twice and with each husband that's passe, has left her in more dire straits than before. The hardest transition has been Stepmother to Elin, her second husbands only daughter. She's soft-spoken, delicate and virtuous and is basically absolutely useless at helping to keep this small family afloat. Ethel has worked for years to keep up the appearance that her family is still in good standing and Bramley Hall, though falling down around their ears, is still a grand estate.

When the royal family announces that a ball will be held and Ethel and Elin receive a summons, Ethel knows this could change everything. Though why her daughters from her first marriage, Rosamund and Mathilde were not invited is a burr in Ethel's side. And so, she requests an audience with the Queen, Sigrid, who just happens to be an "acquaitance" from Ethel's past and manages to secure an invitation to the ball for Rosie/Mathilde.

The ball happens and in true Cinderella fashion, Elin appears and immediately snags the eye of Prince Simeon. And though Ethel's furious that neither of her daughters were chosen, she sees that this positon could be an advantageous one. Being the mother-in-law of the future King may have its perks. And so, she fights to continue to keep up appearances. Unfortunately Ethel will quickly learn that not everything is as beautiful and perfect in the Royal family as she's led to believe.

This was a dark and somewhat shocking re-telling of the Cinderella story. There's no magic slipper, no Fairy Godmother, no Bippity Boppity Boo. There's lies, deceit, betrayal and murder. It was an interesting and detailed look into the lives of those involved in Court and also, a realistic and gritty take on "Happily Ever After." Hochhauser pulls no punches and honestly, I liked it for its brunt severity.

Comments

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