Ella is dead, dying shortly after her stepmother killed her father. Now, she is the ghost that haunts her house, visible only to those tied to it. As part of the house, Ella has a compulsion to keep things tidy and do repairs, much to her stepmother and stepsister's delight. Ella grows with the house, testing the limits of her bounds and finding new ways to explore. Ella finds ways to go into town for short periods and develops a kind of friendship with a fey, but is always pulled back to the house by midnight. One of Ella's stepsisters has also developed magical powers, using them mostly to indulge herself and keep Ella in line. Ella decides to take a chance to feel alive again and makes a deal with the fey: she can attend the prince's ball for three nights to dance, be touched and eat again, but only for those three nights.
Cinder House is a unique take on the Cinderella story creating a magical and Gothic atmosphere. I loved the idea of Ella being part of the house and how she could sense when something was wrong or off within it through her own body. Since magic was a large part of Ella's world, her presence felt natural, as did her stepfamily's acceptance of her and her stepsister's development of powers. Ella's fairy friend, Quaint was an interesting friend and godmother. The two enjoyed each other's company, but Quaint couldn't go against her mischievous nature. The Prince's dancing curse was another interesting element that led to a surprising relationship only he could have with Ella. It seemed Ella almost had her fairytale ending, if only she weren't dead. Ella, the Prince and his new Queen create a surprising trio; however, and are perfectly suited to each other along with a few unusual accommodations.
Ella is dead, dying shortly after her stepmother killed her father. Now, she is the ghost that haunts her house, visible only to those tied to it. As part of the house, Ella has a compulsion to keep things tidy and do repairs, much to her stepmother and stepsister's delight. Ella grows with the house, testing the limits of her bounds and finding new ways to explore. Ella finds ways to go into town for short periods and develops a kind of friendship with a fey, but is always pulled back to the house by midnight. One of Ella's stepsisters has also developed magical powers, using them mostly to indulge herself and keep Ella in line. Ella decides to take a chance to feel alive again and makes a deal with the fey: she can attend the prince's ball for three nights to dance, be touched and eat again, but only for those three nights.
Cinder House is a unique take on the Cinderella story creating a magical and Gothic atmosphere. I loved the idea of Ella being part of the house and how she could sense when something was wrong or off within it through her own body. Since magic was a large part of Ella's world, her presence felt natural, as did her stepfamily's acceptance of her and her stepsister's development of powers. Ella's fairy friend, Quaint was an interesting friend and godmother. The two enjoyed each other's company, but Quaint couldn't go against her mischievous nature. The Prince's dancing curse was another interesting element that led to a surprising relationship only he could have with Ella. It seemed Ella almost had her fairytale ending, if only she weren't dead. Ella, the Prince and his new Queen create a surprising trio; however, and are perfectly suited to each other along with a few unusual accommodations.
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