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Owl Eyes: A Fairy Tale
OWL EYES IS AN AWARD WINNING RE-IMAGINING OF THE CLASSIC TALE OF CINDERELLA! Nora knows three she is a servant, her parents are dead, and she lives in the kitchen house with her adoptive family. But her world is torn apart when she discovers that her birth father has always been right there, living in the house she serves. This discovery leads Nora to more questions. Why was she thrown in an ash-covered room for asking about her father? Why is a silver-bladed knife the only inheritance from her birth mother? Why is magic forbidden in her household—and throughout the province of the Runes? The answers may not be the ones Nora hoped for, as they threaten a possible romance and her relationship with the adoptive family she loves. With the announcement of a royal ball, Nora must decide what she is willing to give up in order to claim her stolen birthright, and whether this new life is worth losing her family—and herself. Awards National Indie Excellence Award 2018 Finalist in Young Adult Literature Purple Dragonfly Awards 2018 Honorable Mention Shortlisted for the 2018 Dante Rossetti Award
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2018
3 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Molly Lazer
4 books23 followersMolly Lazer is a former associate editor at Marvel Comics, where she worked on books such as Fantastic Four, Captain America, New Avengers, and cult favorite comic book Spider-Girl. After returning to graduate school to receive a degree in education, she began a career as a high school reading, writing, and drama teacher. She also serves as a professional critiquer for Comics Experience, helping aspiring comic book writers finesse scripts for publication.
In 2016, Molly received a MFA in Creative Writing from Rosemont College. Her short stories have been featured in numerous literary magazines including Gone Lawn, LIT, and Silver Blade. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and twin sons. Owl Eyes is her first novel.
In 2016, Molly received a MFA in Creative Writing from Rosemont College. Her short stories have been featured in numerous literary magazines including Gone Lawn, LIT, and Silver Blade. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and twin sons. Owl Eyes is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
April 6, 2018
Well, this is one of those books hard to rate. While the story was an highly enjoyable retelling, the ending was rushed and felt like it was lacking. Throughout the story, we get to experience a beautiful and grimly dark fairy tale which was awesome. While I liked the story, I would not re-read it.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.
I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate this opportunity and all views expressed are my own.
March 14, 2018
This is a fairy tale retelling; a Cinderella retelling to be precise.
I expected Owl Eyes to be "just" a retelling, but it gave me so much more than I thought it would. It isn't just a fairy tale, it's a darker one. You can feel the negative emotions when you're reading. There's hope, sure, but the negative undercurrent is so much more alive and dragged me downwards big time. Not in a bad way though!
Even though I never found myself rooting for Eleanor, the main character, she does have her own personality. She's Eleanor, a girl who has to figure out who she is, was and wants to be with all the consequences that journey brings her. She battles her own demons, fights her own fights and that's the type of main character I really do like.
To me, the world-building was done well enough. Not in an elaborate way at the start of the story, no. You learn along the way what the world is like, what magical elements there are. You're slowly submerged in Eleanor's world in a manner that felt unique to me. Why? Well, like I said, you just learn everything bit by bit along the way which made Owl Eyes a very fun read since you keep discovering new things.
I simply wish Jack, the kitchen help Nora grows up with in her teenage years, had a bigger place in the story. I often found myself wondering what was going on with him, what he was thinking, where he came from and what he'd been through. Sure, you get some hints and facts, but I wanted more.
That's not really a negative though; it's just me being intrigued by his character, haha.
4 / 5!
Kathy
I expected Owl Eyes to be "just" a retelling, but it gave me so much more than I thought it would. It isn't just a fairy tale, it's a darker one. You can feel the negative emotions when you're reading. There's hope, sure, but the negative undercurrent is so much more alive and dragged me downwards big time. Not in a bad way though!
Even though I never found myself rooting for Eleanor, the main character, she does have her own personality. She's Eleanor, a girl who has to figure out who she is, was and wants to be with all the consequences that journey brings her. She battles her own demons, fights her own fights and that's the type of main character I really do like.
To me, the world-building was done well enough. Not in an elaborate way at the start of the story, no. You learn along the way what the world is like, what magical elements there are. You're slowly submerged in Eleanor's world in a manner that felt unique to me. Why? Well, like I said, you just learn everything bit by bit along the way which made Owl Eyes a very fun read since you keep discovering new things.
I simply wish Jack, the kitchen help Nora grows up with in her teenage years, had a bigger place in the story. I often found myself wondering what was going on with him, what he was thinking, where he came from and what he'd been through. Sure, you get some hints and facts, but I wanted more.
That's not really a negative though; it's just me being intrigued by his character, haha.
4 / 5!
Kathy
February 25, 2018
I’m a sucker for a good fairytale retelling and I went into this one with no idea what to expect. Owl eyes is a dark retelling if Cinderella (or at least dark compared to the Disney version I am used to!) the subtle world building, character development and twists to a classic story make this a worthwhile read. I didnt exactly root for Nora as a protagonist but I like to see characters with imperfections as it adds realism to the story. Definitely read if you are a fan of fairy tale retellings!
May 19, 2018
*I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review but I ended up getting to it late.*
Update: Upon reviewing, Molly Lazer sent me an email about my review and I have to say, that is great author connection. I approve and look forward to seeing what she comes out with next!
I certainly didn't expect so much from this book! A dark retelling of Cinderella, this is full of emotion, mystery, and magic. Admittedly the beginning was a bit slow, but when it got going, it really got going. I don't know why this isn't better known when it's so good.
The plot is strong. I guessed a lot of it, but I guess everything anyway. If you like retellings, Robin McKinley, or dark faerytales you will love this book. The characters are deep and unique. My only complaints is that Bess does altogether too much whispering (to the point of it being ridiculous) and that the era feels more 1700s than medieval. All in all, I'd definitely recommend.
Update: Upon reviewing, Molly Lazer sent me an email about my review and I have to say, that is great author connection. I approve and look forward to seeing what she comes out with next!
I certainly didn't expect so much from this book! A dark retelling of Cinderella, this is full of emotion, mystery, and magic. Admittedly the beginning was a bit slow, but when it got going, it really got going. I don't know why this isn't better known when it's so good.
The plot is strong. I guessed a lot of it, but I guess everything anyway. If you like retellings, Robin McKinley, or dark faerytales you will love this book. The characters are deep and unique. My only complaints is that Bess does altogether too much whispering (to the point of it being ridiculous) and that the era feels more 1700s than medieval. All in all, I'd definitely recommend.
March 1, 2018
4.5 stars
'Owl Eyes' is a well thought out re-imagining of Cinderella in which readers spend most of the book learning about our main character, Nora, and the warm, loving people who help her serve the Lord of the house. This is an original tale about a young woman and how she came to be a servant living in a Lord's kitchen house. Though she contributes heavily to food preparation, Nora is prohibited from serving the family in person and is punished when she dares to inquire about her dead parents.
As she makes several discoveries about her birth parents and the family she serves, readers learn more about the way magic works in Lazer’s fictional fantasy world. Ultimately, Nora participates in elements of the traditional Cinderella tale, and faces a new and original dilemma; whether following in her mother’s footsteps is worth losing her loving kitchen house family and a chance for real romance.
I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. Read more reviews! http://dreamerjbookreviews.blogspot.com
'Owl Eyes' will be available on March 20, 2018. #OwlEyes:afairyTale #NetGalley
'Owl Eyes' is a well thought out re-imagining of Cinderella in which readers spend most of the book learning about our main character, Nora, and the warm, loving people who help her serve the Lord of the house. This is an original tale about a young woman and how she came to be a servant living in a Lord's kitchen house. Though she contributes heavily to food preparation, Nora is prohibited from serving the family in person and is punished when she dares to inquire about her dead parents.
As she makes several discoveries about her birth parents and the family she serves, readers learn more about the way magic works in Lazer’s fictional fantasy world. Ultimately, Nora participates in elements of the traditional Cinderella tale, and faces a new and original dilemma; whether following in her mother’s footsteps is worth losing her loving kitchen house family and a chance for real romance.
I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. Read more reviews! http://dreamerjbookreviews.blogspot.com
'Owl Eyes' will be available on March 20, 2018. #OwlEyes:afairyTale #NetGalley
March 7, 2018
I absolutely am in love with this story. It was just so endearing and such a treasure. It feels like one of those wonderful bedtime stories that you can snuggle up to at night and then just fall asleep with a smile on your face. The author’s writing just beautifully flows, which makes it easy to read.
It starts out with Nora and the mystery surrounding her unknown parents and a dark room covered in ash with no windows. There were so many things that actually surprised me while reading this book: finding out the story behind her parents and who they were, finding out about how everyone’s relationships intertwine, each new person connecting to another string to create an intriguing web of intrigue, and even finding out that this was loosely based on a retelling of Cinderella (I should have picked up on that one in the beginning though based off of a nickname given her). I also really enjoyed when we went from age 12 to 17, taking it from a children’s story to a young adult tale.
This was just such a beautifully written story and I was just wrapped up in it the whole way through. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful story!
It starts out with Nora and the mystery surrounding her unknown parents and a dark room covered in ash with no windows. There were so many things that actually surprised me while reading this book: finding out the story behind her parents and who they were, finding out about how everyone’s relationships intertwine, each new person connecting to another string to create an intriguing web of intrigue, and even finding out that this was loosely based on a retelling of Cinderella (I should have picked up on that one in the beginning though based off of a nickname given her). I also really enjoyed when we went from age 12 to 17, taking it from a children’s story to a young adult tale.
This was just such a beautifully written story and I was just wrapped up in it the whole way through. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful story!
December 31, 2018
I'm always wary of retellings, but this was done brilliantly.
The story had a darker side, compared to Cinderella, but still captured the premise of our favourite fairytale. Elements of magic, a mysterious past and the fact that not all happily ever afters consist of a prince and princess, gave this book it's individuality.
I just loved how the author ended the story. It was realistic and makes one realize that sometimes all one is looking for, is right in front of your eyes.
The story had a darker side, compared to Cinderella, but still captured the premise of our favourite fairytale. Elements of magic, a mysterious past and the fact that not all happily ever afters consist of a prince and princess, gave this book it's individuality.
I just loved how the author ended the story. It was realistic and makes one realize that sometimes all one is looking for, is right in front of your eyes.
April 14, 2018
**Thank you to Fire and Ice YA and NetGalley for sending me an ARC in return for an honest review.
2.5 stars!!!
Where do I even start with this book? When I read the blurb, I was pretty excited to read this one. But, I'm sorely disappointed. The story is a retelling of "Cinderella" but it's more dark fantasy than the classic fairytale and takes its cue from the Grimm brothers. However, the story is very poorly executed.
Firstly, the writing is very mediocre. There's no worldbuidling whatsoever and anything that is described lacks any detail. The book reads at a middle grade level but due to the content and dark nature of the novel, it is classified as a YA novel. I was looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere and fantastical elements of the novel but nothing ever came. There's no history given of the places or the setting of the story. The story also features a magical system, but it plays a minor role in the storyline. I think this was an integral part of the plot that was sidelined and not incorporated well enough. Plus, the description of the realms was very confusing. In addition, the writing was very monotonous and bland. The structure of the novel is such that the chapters are quite huge, so reading became extremely tedious and there were times when I just wanted to DNF this book.
Secondly, the characters are like cardboard cutouts. The MC Nora lacks any real character development. She has no actual backstory and we aren't given a clear glimpse into her emotions and motives. So when the plot reveals unravel, she comes across as a very childish and immature girl who lacks compassion. The only characters that are worth writing home about are the minor ones. They actually have backstories but they are mostly used as props to narrate the story of Nora.
Thirdly, there is little to no romance in this retelling which I feel was a big mistake as the story of Cinderella hinges on it. Moreover, the chemistry that the author places between Jack and Nora is completely unfounded. He comes across as more of a brother than a love interest. There's no spark, feels, nothing. It's as if the author just wrote that in for the sake of it. So, that led me to remove another star from my rating.
Lastly, I felt the plot was not complex enough or explained sufficiently. I saw no real overarching storyline. Even when Nora finds out about her heritage, the author just rushes with the plot. There was no layering of subplots. No added elements to give this story zing which it most desperately needed because it had the potential to be a great one. I would have liked to see more. Even the ending was felt unfinished and unsatisfying. That left me even more frustrated with the story than ever. The only reason I give this story 2.5 stars is that it had a unique premise and I did like the grittiness of it. I liked how the story delved into the darker aspects of Cinderella. From, the promising storyline I did feel bad for Nora as she dealt with the abusive and unfair treatment from her family. She doesn't seem to catch a break and longs to be acknowledged for who she really is. She is desperate for freedom and justice. I would have liked to see this explored further. I honestly think that if the author managed to do so, this novel would have been phenomenal. Alas, there are way better retellings out there. I would give this one a miss.
2.5 stars!!!
Where do I even start with this book? When I read the blurb, I was pretty excited to read this one. But, I'm sorely disappointed. The story is a retelling of "Cinderella" but it's more dark fantasy than the classic fairytale and takes its cue from the Grimm brothers. However, the story is very poorly executed.
Firstly, the writing is very mediocre. There's no worldbuidling whatsoever and anything that is described lacks any detail. The book reads at a middle grade level but due to the content and dark nature of the novel, it is classified as a YA novel. I was looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere and fantastical elements of the novel but nothing ever came. There's no history given of the places or the setting of the story. The story also features a magical system, but it plays a minor role in the storyline. I think this was an integral part of the plot that was sidelined and not incorporated well enough. Plus, the description of the realms was very confusing. In addition, the writing was very monotonous and bland. The structure of the novel is such that the chapters are quite huge, so reading became extremely tedious and there were times when I just wanted to DNF this book.
Secondly, the characters are like cardboard cutouts. The MC Nora lacks any real character development. She has no actual backstory and we aren't given a clear glimpse into her emotions and motives. So when the plot reveals unravel, she comes across as a very childish and immature girl who lacks compassion. The only characters that are worth writing home about are the minor ones. They actually have backstories but they are mostly used as props to narrate the story of Nora.
Thirdly, there is little to no romance in this retelling which I feel was a big mistake as the story of Cinderella hinges on it. Moreover, the chemistry that the author places between Jack and Nora is completely unfounded. He comes across as more of a brother than a love interest. There's no spark, feels, nothing. It's as if the author just wrote that in for the sake of it. So, that led me to remove another star from my rating.
Lastly, I felt the plot was not complex enough or explained sufficiently. I saw no real overarching storyline. Even when Nora finds out about her heritage, the author just rushes with the plot. There was no layering of subplots. No added elements to give this story zing which it most desperately needed because it had the potential to be a great one. I would have liked to see more. Even the ending was felt unfinished and unsatisfying. That left me even more frustrated with the story than ever. The only reason I give this story 2.5 stars is that it had a unique premise and I did like the grittiness of it. I liked how the story delved into the darker aspects of Cinderella. From, the promising storyline I did feel bad for Nora as she dealt with the abusive and unfair treatment from her family. She doesn't seem to catch a break and longs to be acknowledged for who she really is. She is desperate for freedom and justice. I would have liked to see this explored further. I honestly think that if the author managed to do so, this novel would have been phenomenal. Alas, there are way better retellings out there. I would give this one a miss.
July 21, 2019
I am a sucker for fairytale retellings. I didn’t know what to expect by this one. I was attracted purely because it had fairytale in the title. This is a dark take on Cinderella, which is one of my favourites.
The story has some heart-wrenching moments at the beginning, which made me feel emotional as the reader. These only made me want to read more to find out what was going to happen next.
I enjoyed finding out as I continued reading how magical this book is. I wasn’t really rooting for the main character but I found her likeable enough. We see Nora grow throughout this book. The adventures and dangers keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.
This is a beautiful story of love, life and loss. Molly Lazer has created a range of characters with warmth, depth and whom seem real to the reader.
This is a well written and entertaining story and I have to admire Molly Lazer for being brave enough to twist one of the best Disney stories. I really enjoyed this book, I would recommend this to other readers. I am curious if there are any plans to retell any of the other classics- I would definitely be willing to read them.
The story has some heart-wrenching moments at the beginning, which made me feel emotional as the reader. These only made me want to read more to find out what was going to happen next.
I enjoyed finding out as I continued reading how magical this book is. I wasn’t really rooting for the main character but I found her likeable enough. We see Nora grow throughout this book. The adventures and dangers keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.
This is a beautiful story of love, life and loss. Molly Lazer has created a range of characters with warmth, depth and whom seem real to the reader.
This is a well written and entertaining story and I have to admire Molly Lazer for being brave enough to twist one of the best Disney stories. I really enjoyed this book, I would recommend this to other readers. I am curious if there are any plans to retell any of the other classics- I would definitely be willing to read them.
June 8, 2018
Molly Laser's book was give to me by my great librarian friend, Randi Wall, to read and oh did I enjoy this improved Cinderella fairy tale in this powerful debut with a heroine who endures much and grows even stronger as a result. What Nora knows about her real parents isn't much, but volumes can be said about Greta and Peter, the servants who adopted her, showed her much love and taught her to endure despite the bullying, punishments, and slights. As Nora stumbles into truth, will she make the right decisions, for herself, about Greta and Peter and her lifelong friend, Jack? I loved Nora's world, could not put this book down, reveled in Nora's world and rooted for her to find the family and love she yearns for; highly recommended!
April 20, 2018
Thank you netgalley for the e arc!
This book is DARK. it is a Cinderella retelling but more along the lines of the Grimm brothers. It is gritty and realistic. I love how the characters weren't painted in a lovely perspective. It is unique
This book is DARK. it is a Cinderella retelling but more along the lines of the Grimm brothers. It is gritty and realistic. I love how the characters weren't painted in a lovely perspective. It is unique
April 2, 2018
Overall, I was really pleased with this book. It had everything I was promised and even though it was darker than I imagined I like those kind of stories. (If you count the fact that I'm also a big fan of Zombie novels - what can I say I like several genres of books not just one :)) The story flowed, I was captivated and it was a really FUN read. I would really recommend this story to anyone who loves fairy tale retellings and to people who like their stories a little darker.
I received a copy of this e-book arc through the publisher from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this e-book arc through the publisher from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2018
-I received this book for free from Reader's Favorites. Below is my honest review.
Owl Eyes, by Molly Lazer, is a dark fantasy novel about learning who you are, and knowing who your real family is.
Nora is an orphan living as a servant under Sir Alcander. When she overhears that her father is living in the main house, she decides to investigate the claim herself. When she realizes that there is more to her birth story than what meets the eye, she, alongside her childhood friend, Jack, must uncover the truth of what had happened. But when she does find this truth, she must decide between taking vengeance against all those who robbed her of her birth right, and finding solace in the family she already has. In this twisted fairytale, Lazer shows what it truly means to earn your happy end, and the sacrifices you must endure to survive.
Nora was a complex character that I loved reading about. What started off as her being only curious turned into something truly wicked. What’s more, the fact that she inherently followed in her mother’s footsteps, and had even almost given into her hatred, contrasted to the pure, moral girls that would usually appear in these fairytales. She was driven by the need to find her family, and though it almost led her down the wrong path, she was eventually able to find her way. I enjoyed reading about Jack as well, and how he remained a sort of humanizing anchor for Nora. Even during her darkest moments, he managed to remind her of what it meant to be human, to be kind.
The hatred passed down from parent to child was an idea that was repeated over and over again throughout the book. The fact that Sir Alcander had taken out his hatred against his child was horrific, to say the least. At the same time, it was Liana’s own beliefs that led her to take her son and practically flee the Vale, despite many telling her otherwise. And finally, it was Nora’s own mother who had unknowingly passed down her blood magic to her daughter, a magic that flourishes on the suffering of other living beings. Still, the characters managed to find solace within happiness they already had (save for the villains). In other words, the children shouldn’t be punished for the sins of the parent.
The book was an excellent read that had dark, fantastical elements intertwined within the pages. Lazer had created a heroine who had little knowledge about the outside world and morality, a character who was easily led astray by her own emotions. What’s more, incorporating elements such as blood magic adds a layer of darkness to the story, something that I fell in love with. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.4 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to fans of Milk Teeth and Other Fairy Tales with Bite by Lizella Prescott and Feasts of Fates by Christian A. Brown.
Owl Eyes, by Molly Lazer, is a dark fantasy novel about learning who you are, and knowing who your real family is.
Nora is an orphan living as a servant under Sir Alcander. When she overhears that her father is living in the main house, she decides to investigate the claim herself. When she realizes that there is more to her birth story than what meets the eye, she, alongside her childhood friend, Jack, must uncover the truth of what had happened. But when she does find this truth, she must decide between taking vengeance against all those who robbed her of her birth right, and finding solace in the family she already has. In this twisted fairytale, Lazer shows what it truly means to earn your happy end, and the sacrifices you must endure to survive.
Nora was a complex character that I loved reading about. What started off as her being only curious turned into something truly wicked. What’s more, the fact that she inherently followed in her mother’s footsteps, and had even almost given into her hatred, contrasted to the pure, moral girls that would usually appear in these fairytales. She was driven by the need to find her family, and though it almost led her down the wrong path, she was eventually able to find her way. I enjoyed reading about Jack as well, and how he remained a sort of humanizing anchor for Nora. Even during her darkest moments, he managed to remind her of what it meant to be human, to be kind.
The hatred passed down from parent to child was an idea that was repeated over and over again throughout the book. The fact that Sir Alcander had taken out his hatred against his child was horrific, to say the least. At the same time, it was Liana’s own beliefs that led her to take her son and practically flee the Vale, despite many telling her otherwise. And finally, it was Nora’s own mother who had unknowingly passed down her blood magic to her daughter, a magic that flourishes on the suffering of other living beings. Still, the characters managed to find solace within happiness they already had (save for the villains). In other words, the children shouldn’t be punished for the sins of the parent.
The book was an excellent read that had dark, fantastical elements intertwined within the pages. Lazer had created a heroine who had little knowledge about the outside world and morality, a character who was easily led astray by her own emotions. What’s more, incorporating elements such as blood magic adds a layer of darkness to the story, something that I fell in love with. As such, I would give this book a rating of a 4.4 out of 5.0 stars, and would recommend it to fans of Milk Teeth and Other Fairy Tales with Bite by Lizella Prescott and Feasts of Fates by Christian A. Brown.
July 9, 2019
A dark retelling of a Cinderella story, with an unexpected ending.
July 24, 2018
This was a new take on the Cinderella story, and I enjoyed it. I would have liked to see a little more depth in the world-building and use of magic, but overall I enjoyed Nora's story. The ending felt a little rushed, and I would have liked more detail and a longer conclusion. However, I did like the way it ended. Maybe adding an epilogue would have helped. Overall this was an enjoyable book and a captivating story.
May 28, 2018
This "Cinderella" re-telling would make a great addition to classroom libraries. Lazer's take on the fairy tale is darker and more realistic, with a fully developed heroine that adds depth to the Disney version many of us are familiar with. The book's themes - class struggles, feminism, coming of age -- would generate interesting classroom discussion! Recommended for middle school and high school readers!
March 18, 2018
I had zero expectations when I requested this title as the author was unknown to me and there were no other reviews at that point. I was very pleasantly surprised to find this book to be an absolute delight to read.
It’s clear from early on that the story is a re-imagining of a Cinderella but with a deliciously dark and sinister side. The protagonist, Nora, grows up living and working alongside her adoptive parents in the kitchen house of a large state. She’s teased and tormented on a regular basis in various ways by the big house occupants, both the daughters of the house and by the cruel lord and lady. As Nora pursues the mystery behind her family history, we’re taken into a world with an interesting magical system and a serious twist on the traditional fairy tale romance. I loved the underlying sense of danger and unease as well as the creative take on the themes of identity, empowerment, destiny. Molly Lazer’s writing is beautiful and compelling.
If I had one complaint it would be that I was not completely sold on the romance element in the story which I felt fell a little flat. The pace was also a bit uneven at points, which worked ok overall but it did feel like it dragged slightly at one stage and then was rushed at the end. But on the whole these are minor criticisms which did not detract too much from my overall enjoyment.
I received this title as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It’s clear from early on that the story is a re-imagining of a Cinderella but with a deliciously dark and sinister side. The protagonist, Nora, grows up living and working alongside her adoptive parents in the kitchen house of a large state. She’s teased and tormented on a regular basis in various ways by the big house occupants, both the daughters of the house and by the cruel lord and lady. As Nora pursues the mystery behind her family history, we’re taken into a world with an interesting magical system and a serious twist on the traditional fairy tale romance. I loved the underlying sense of danger and unease as well as the creative take on the themes of identity, empowerment, destiny. Molly Lazer’s writing is beautiful and compelling.
If I had one complaint it would be that I was not completely sold on the romance element in the story which I felt fell a little flat. The pace was also a bit uneven at points, which worked ok overall but it did feel like it dragged slightly at one stage and then was rushed at the end. But on the whole these are minor criticisms which did not detract too much from my overall enjoyment.
I received this title as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2018
Owl Eyes is a modern retelling of Cinderella with an underlying darkness that embodies a true fairy tale. The sanguine Disney retellings that have become embedded in public memory fail to capture the grimness of a proper fairy tale. Lazer delivers a story which has the pace and presence of a traditional fairy tale. By doing so, it has share faults of a classic fairy tale - shallow side characters, light world-building, and a stunningly quick march through the concluding action of the story.
The writing is crisp, clear, and efficient. The story is familiar without losing the reader's interest.
The characters are stock, fairy tale characters with predictable behaviours and emotions. Nora, the protagonist, does not make herself likeable. Instead, she tells her story with all the difficulty of being a young adult in a twisted world.
The world is interesting, but we see very little of it. Lazer has the opportunity to explore this world through Jack's (Nora's sidekick) eyes in future stories.
I enjoyed this story as a quick read on a stormy night. Thank you to NetGalley and Fire and Ice YA for providing an eARC for my review.
The writing is crisp, clear, and efficient. The story is familiar without losing the reader's interest.
The characters are stock, fairy tale characters with predictable behaviours and emotions. Nora, the protagonist, does not make herself likeable. Instead, she tells her story with all the difficulty of being a young adult in a twisted world.
The world is interesting, but we see very little of it. Lazer has the opportunity to explore this world through Jack's (Nora's sidekick) eyes in future stories.
I enjoyed this story as a quick read on a stormy night. Thank you to NetGalley and Fire and Ice YA for providing an eARC for my review.
April 21, 2022
I know I have said this before but I honestly love fairy tale retellings. Even if some of them can be hits or misses. This book, in my opinion, is a definite hit.
Now, don't mistake this for the syrupy sweet Disney version of Cinderella. This is a darker, Gothic tale where the main character Nora is incredibly realistic; she let curiosity break her of the mould that would have truly held her back. Even at the cost of following in her mother's footsteps.
I really enjoyed that the love of her adoptive parents and her friendship with Jack was an anchor, and kept her from diving too deeply and learning what she needed to know about the outside world.
This was one of those stories that I wished didn't end, it was just that good. I will definitely revisit this story for years to come.
I received a copy of this book from the author for free and I am leaving a review voluntarily.
Now, don't mistake this for the syrupy sweet Disney version of Cinderella. This is a darker, Gothic tale where the main character Nora is incredibly realistic; she let curiosity break her of the mould that would have truly held her back. Even at the cost of following in her mother's footsteps.
I really enjoyed that the love of her adoptive parents and her friendship with Jack was an anchor, and kept her from diving too deeply and learning what she needed to know about the outside world.
This was one of those stories that I wished didn't end, it was just that good. I will definitely revisit this story for years to come.
I received a copy of this book from the author for free and I am leaving a review voluntarily.
June 5, 2018
I very much enjoyed Owl Eyes.
The novel takes a common tale, Cinderella, and weaves it into an original fantasy yealm, filled with real people.
The story is told in several shades bright joy of common life, dark anger and distrust in the family, grey shades of forbidden magic and the bleak gap of Eleanor's hidden personal story.
Lazer is not afraid to let her characters tell the story, and they are personal and very human in both their successes and in their mistakes. This is not a story foretold for the protagonist, but one which she makes for herself, and chooses for herself.
I find myself wanting to know more about the land, and the people, and I think others may find it equally compelling.
The novel takes a common tale, Cinderella, and weaves it into an original fantasy yealm, filled with real people.
The story is told in several shades bright joy of common life, dark anger and distrust in the family, grey shades of forbidden magic and the bleak gap of Eleanor's hidden personal story.
Lazer is not afraid to let her characters tell the story, and they are personal and very human in both their successes and in their mistakes. This is not a story foretold for the protagonist, but one which she makes for herself, and chooses for herself.
I find myself wanting to know more about the land, and the people, and I think others may find it equally compelling.
March 28, 2018
Going into "Owl Eyes" knowing it is a reimagining of Cinderella I was anxious and curious to see how everything would unfold. Even though I knew Nora would have a connection to the main house, I was still left surprised when the whole story was revealed. I loved the aspect of magic that unfolded (subtle but still important), and how it was an important part in Nora's journey of finding herself. In the end, Nora's outcome was exactly what I had been silently rooting for the whole time.
Owl eyes is a darker twist on the Cinderella most people are familiar with, but there is still a happily ever after for our "Princess".
Owl eyes is a darker twist on the Cinderella most people are familiar with, but there is still a happily ever after for our "Princess".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2018
As far as Cinderella retellings go, this one surprised me. I picked this up because I thought it sounded like an interesting take on the same old story we're all familiar with and I was right. Nora is a beautifully complex character and I love her struggle with the revelations about her parentage the world around her. The characters in Nora's kitchen family are wonderful and their stories and voices well done. I'd love to get a book just about them.
The novel overall is a bit of a dark fantasy, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but that might turn some people off.
Overall, this is a solid book and one I've recommended to several friends who love a good dark fairy tale.
The novel overall is a bit of a dark fantasy, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but that might turn some people off.
Overall, this is a solid book and one I've recommended to several friends who love a good dark fairy tale.
March 26, 2018
If you enjoy fabulist reading, you’ll love Owl Eyes. In her debut novel, Molly Lazer retells Cinderella in rich prose with a more magical slant. There’s a shoe, a gown, and even a prince, and yet Owl Eyes is a story about wanting more out of life. The protagonist, Nora, is at times stubborn and selfish, which makes her feel all the more real and less like a Disney princess. The book deals with Nora’s search for the truth about her parents, but there is a world full of knights and magic called Colandaria, beyond her doorstep. I loved Owl Eyes, and I look forward to more books by Lazer.
March 9, 2018
Owl Eyes in a spectacular rendition of our favourite fairytale, Cinderella. Nora, the main character, is a strong, conflicted young woman who is desperately trying to find her place in the world. While it doesn’t follow true to the traditional fairytale, Molly Lazer’s story guides you on an enthralling and enchanting path of growth, adventure, and misfortune, but above all else - love. Highly recommend this to any reader who enjoys a little magic and childhood nostalgia with their books.
March 20, 2018
We’re all well acquainted with the tale of Cinderella, and retellings of the story abound. Sometimes they can go in directions that surprise and intrigue; other times they very much tread the same ground. Owl Eyes tells the story of Nora, a kitchen servant on a grand estate, the Runes, whose connections to the main house - and the knight who owns it - are fraught with old secrets, bad blood, and of course, magic. It's ultimately a well-written, straightforward story with intriguing side characters and an interesting world, though it doesn't bring anything particularly new or exciting to the table.
The Story and World
My first impressions of this story were definitely positive. The secret it began with was enticing, the larger world it hinted at was hugely intriguing. However, the story itself came to lack momentum. I found that my heart was never racing, desperate to know what happens. Nevertheless, the familial strife really drove this story home, and the last third was easily more enjoyable than the rest, because Nora began to have some agency (even if it was reckless agency). The midnight ball was retold in a very cunning way, to the point that I wish the rest of the book could have been more like it in intensity, character development, and worldbuilding.
The biggest sell - and biggest disappointment - for me in Owl Eyes was the world of Colandaria. The sense of time was hard to place - knights were present, yet I had the impression this took place after the time of knights was ended. However, the other aspects of the world were hugely intriguing, and I wish we'd seen more of it. In particular this applies to the magic system of the Kindred and the Border Wars. I feel like this could only have enriched Nora's personal storyline.
The Characters
Nora herself isn't a fantastic protagonist. I never felt any personal connection to her, but it was easy to sympathise. Within the first 20% of the book, she has a very traumatic experience that never leaves her. Only those parts of the story - when it was terribly dark and her circumstances tied so clearly with the secrets she was trying to pry open - made me care. Her internal storyline was very static. Certainly, she learned the secrets and resolved them for herself, but I think her attitudes to other characters, her way of thinking, didn't really face the same curve it ought to have.
I definitely preferred the side characters. At first I thought Jack, her friend, very temperamental and emotional - yet, he really grew on me through the book. He's really just a very empathetic boy who's had to stomach many personal losses. He does so much for others of his own accord, and very little for himself, so can you really fault him for being upset whenever things turn south for him, or whenever faced with ingratitude? The problem with first person limited narrative, I guess, is that we only see Jack through Nora's (often selfish) eyes. Ultimately, I don't feel like there was justice for his character by the end.
The other characters in the kitchen house were endearing enough. I personally loved the people of the neighbouring estate, the Vale - Sir Milton and his daughter Bess, and their household. I wish we could have met more of them! I feel like I was made to dislike Bess because Nora had that common YA syndrome of instantly disliking a pretty and capable girl (though to her credit she did come to like her in the end). I wish that image could've been changed.
Final Thoughts
I did enjoy Owl Eyes for what it was - I just believe it could have been so much more. I think the story was rendered so static because for a large part it was concerned with digging up the past, and everything else, while rich interesting, was diversionary. Those two words do well to sum up Owl Eyes - interesting, but diversionary. An enjoyable enough fantasy-lite read, at the end of the day.
The review posted here is abridged. Check it out the full version on my blog!
Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Story and World
My first impressions of this story were definitely positive. The secret it began with was enticing, the larger world it hinted at was hugely intriguing. However, the story itself came to lack momentum. I found that my heart was never racing, desperate to know what happens. Nevertheless, the familial strife really drove this story home, and the last third was easily more enjoyable than the rest, because Nora began to have some agency (even if it was reckless agency). The midnight ball was retold in a very cunning way, to the point that I wish the rest of the book could have been more like it in intensity, character development, and worldbuilding.
The biggest sell - and biggest disappointment - for me in Owl Eyes was the world of Colandaria. The sense of time was hard to place - knights were present, yet I had the impression this took place after the time of knights was ended. However, the other aspects of the world were hugely intriguing, and I wish we'd seen more of it. In particular this applies to the magic system of the Kindred and the Border Wars. I feel like this could only have enriched Nora's personal storyline.
The Characters
Nora herself isn't a fantastic protagonist. I never felt any personal connection to her, but it was easy to sympathise. Within the first 20% of the book, she has a very traumatic experience that never leaves her. Only those parts of the story - when it was terribly dark and her circumstances tied so clearly with the secrets she was trying to pry open - made me care. Her internal storyline was very static. Certainly, she learned the secrets and resolved them for herself, but I think her attitudes to other characters, her way of thinking, didn't really face the same curve it ought to have.
I definitely preferred the side characters. At first I thought Jack, her friend, very temperamental and emotional - yet, he really grew on me through the book. He's really just a very empathetic boy who's had to stomach many personal losses. He does so much for others of his own accord, and very little for himself, so can you really fault him for being upset whenever things turn south for him, or whenever faced with ingratitude? The problem with first person limited narrative, I guess, is that we only see Jack through Nora's (often selfish) eyes. Ultimately, I don't feel like there was justice for his character by the end.
The other characters in the kitchen house were endearing enough. I personally loved the people of the neighbouring estate, the Vale - Sir Milton and his daughter Bess, and their household. I wish we could have met more of them! I feel like I was made to dislike Bess because Nora had that common YA syndrome of instantly disliking a pretty and capable girl (though to her credit she did come to like her in the end). I wish that image could've been changed.
Final Thoughts
I did enjoy Owl Eyes for what it was - I just believe it could have been so much more. I think the story was rendered so static because for a large part it was concerned with digging up the past, and everything else, while rich interesting, was diversionary. Those two words do well to sum up Owl Eyes - interesting, but diversionary. An enjoyable enough fantasy-lite read, at the end of the day.
The review posted here is abridged. Check it out the full version on my blog!
Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2018
3.5
I received a copy of this novel in return for an honest review
I want to give this novel four or five stars so badly. This was a Cinderella retelling in the best way. The author was brilliant with her characters and her world building.
Nora was a great character and each line was chosen with care and consideration. This was a unique and magical book. I was hesitant at first because the opening line isn't all that great, but once I started reading this I couldn't put it down.
The magic in the book is different then what I've seen before and I wish Nora had embraced her mother's lineage. This novel doesn't end the way a Cinderella story normally does and it was refreshing.
I really enjoyed reading this.
But...
Aside from that, I would recommend this book in a heartbeat.
Like this? Find more at
I received a copy of this novel in return for an honest review
I want to give this novel four or five stars so badly. This was a Cinderella retelling in the best way. The author was brilliant with her characters and her world building.
Nora was a great character and each line was chosen with care and consideration. This was a unique and magical book. I was hesitant at first because the opening line isn't all that great, but once I started reading this I couldn't put it down.
The magic in the book is different then what I've seen before and I wish Nora had embraced her mother's lineage. This novel doesn't end the way a Cinderella story normally does and it was refreshing.
I really enjoyed reading this.
But...
Aside from that, I would recommend this book in a heartbeat.
Like this? Find more at
July 4, 2019
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Owl Eyes: A Fairy Tale
Author: Molly Lazer
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 19
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 6/10
Cover: 9/10
Of the 19 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
18 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
9 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
8 felt the ending was rushed.
Readers’ Comments
‘This has a sort of dark, gothic feel to it which I liked.’ Female reader, aged 16
‘I enjoy a re-telling. It’s so interesting to see how the author fills the gaps left from the original story. Although I didn’t like the end of this, it was generally very good. The mystery surrounding Nora’s parents was very interesting. The writing style is also very good and easy to follow.’ Male reader, aged 16
‘Nora’s a cool character to get to know. A bit slow to get going and the ending is too abrupt. But the ball and the mystery surrounding Nora is intriguing.’ Girl, aged 17
‘Don’t give up on this book. It’s a slow starter but gets much better as the story starts to grip you. The central character is strong and proactive in the story, which I like. The world she’s in is a bit hazy; possibly the author just wants to keep it vague to keep the reader wanting more. This is not just a rehash of Cinderella, it’s almost a totally original story. Enjoyed it.’ Girl, aged 17
‘Slow start, amazing middle, rushed ending.’ Boy, aged 15
To Sum It Up:
‘A superbly crafted retelling of Cinderella. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Owl Eyes: A Fairy Tale
Author: Molly Lazer
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Number of Readers: 19
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 6/10
Cover: 9/10
Of the 19 readers:
15 would read another book by this author.
18 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
9 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
8 felt the ending was rushed.
Readers’ Comments
‘This has a sort of dark, gothic feel to it which I liked.’ Female reader, aged 16
‘I enjoy a re-telling. It’s so interesting to see how the author fills the gaps left from the original story. Although I didn’t like the end of this, it was generally very good. The mystery surrounding Nora’s parents was very interesting. The writing style is also very good and easy to follow.’ Male reader, aged 16
‘Nora’s a cool character to get to know. A bit slow to get going and the ending is too abrupt. But the ball and the mystery surrounding Nora is intriguing.’ Girl, aged 17
‘Don’t give up on this book. It’s a slow starter but gets much better as the story starts to grip you. The central character is strong and proactive in the story, which I like. The world she’s in is a bit hazy; possibly the author just wants to keep it vague to keep the reader wanting more. This is not just a rehash of Cinderella, it’s almost a totally original story. Enjoyed it.’ Girl, aged 17
‘Slow start, amazing middle, rushed ending.’ Boy, aged 15
To Sum It Up:
‘A superbly crafted retelling of Cinderella. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
April 6, 2018
Provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
I always find retellings to be rather enjoyable, but they don't always deliver - sometimes they are just too similar to the originals by Andersen or the Grimm's or even to the Disney remakes but other times they have enough of an original flare to make them highly enjoyable. And this one delivered.
A stunning retelling of Cinderella, Nora works in the kitchens living with her adoptive family, her parents are dead and the family she works for hates her more than anything. But her life changes when she discovers her father has lived in the main house her whole life, finding this out she begins to question everything - why was she thrown into the kitchen? Why is magic forbidden in the house? Why has she inherited only a silver-bladed knife from her mother?
When a royal ball is announced, Nora must decide what she really wants and whether she is willing to lose every thing she loves to get it.
I found this to be a very fast paced book, A LOT happened in the first 4 chapters and in a book of 18 chapters I did feel slightly swamped by everything that happened. But I also found that to be a huge positive when it came to this book, I couldn't put it down as I was constantly hoping to find out what happened next, and I wasn't disappointed.
Full Review: http://whosella.blogspot.co.uk/2018/0...
I always find retellings to be rather enjoyable, but they don't always deliver - sometimes they are just too similar to the originals by Andersen or the Grimm's or even to the Disney remakes but other times they have enough of an original flare to make them highly enjoyable. And this one delivered.
A stunning retelling of Cinderella, Nora works in the kitchens living with her adoptive family, her parents are dead and the family she works for hates her more than anything. But her life changes when she discovers her father has lived in the main house her whole life, finding this out she begins to question everything - why was she thrown into the kitchen? Why is magic forbidden in the house? Why has she inherited only a silver-bladed knife from her mother?
When a royal ball is announced, Nora must decide what she really wants and whether she is willing to lose every thing she loves to get it.
I found this to be a very fast paced book, A LOT happened in the first 4 chapters and in a book of 18 chapters I did feel slightly swamped by everything that happened. But I also found that to be a huge positive when it came to this book, I couldn't put it down as I was constantly hoping to find out what happened next, and I wasn't disappointed.
Full Review: http://whosella.blogspot.co.uk/2018/0...
December 19, 2018
Cinderella Re-Tale At Its Best!!!
In the beginning this book, seemed like it could go anywhere, and everything had a slow pace. And suddenly it took a turn, and I was captured. I quickly gained a connection with Nora, and felt her pain.
Along the story you get this idea of how things will play out, or at least you hope it will turn out to be that way, and then suddenly Plot Twist!
Miss Lazer, has an incredible imagination, taking this VERY KNOWN story point, and creating her own story and origin with this. Throughout the story the familiar things will be pointed out; The cruel stepmother, and stepsister. The Ashes, and of course The Shoe, but the way she played everything out, made it almost seem like she created the idea first. It’s a really amazing talent.
She’s got a good flow of her writing, and a very good and intriguing voice. I kept being caught by the story, wanting to know more what happened. She painted a good picture of everything playing out, and you can feel what Nora feels.
A really good book.
“You close the book, and you don’t want it to come to an end… But, you close it and you go; Ah, that was great”
- Intriguing, mysterious and emotional.
In the beginning this book, seemed like it could go anywhere, and everything had a slow pace. And suddenly it took a turn, and I was captured. I quickly gained a connection with Nora, and felt her pain.
Along the story you get this idea of how things will play out, or at least you hope it will turn out to be that way, and then suddenly Plot Twist!
Miss Lazer, has an incredible imagination, taking this VERY KNOWN story point, and creating her own story and origin with this. Throughout the story the familiar things will be pointed out; The cruel stepmother, and stepsister. The Ashes, and of course The Shoe, but the way she played everything out, made it almost seem like she created the idea first. It’s a really amazing talent.
She’s got a good flow of her writing, and a very good and intriguing voice. I kept being caught by the story, wanting to know more what happened. She painted a good picture of everything playing out, and you can feel what Nora feels.
A really good book.
“You close the book, and you don’t want it to come to an end… But, you close it and you go; Ah, that was great”
- Intriguing, mysterious and emotional.
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