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Twisted Tales
So This is Love
Unable to prove that she's the missing princess, and unable to bear life under Lady Tremaine any longer, Cinderella starts work at the palace as a seamstress. However, when Cinderella finds herself witness to a grand conspiracy to take the king - and the prince - out of power, she is faced with questions of love and loyalty to the kingdom. Cinderella must find a way to stop the villains of past and present... before it's too late.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published April 7, 2020
About the author
Elizabeth Lim
18 books7,510 followersElizabeth Lim grew up on a hearty staple of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Her passion for storytelling began around age 10, when she started writing fanfics for Sailor Moon, Sweet Valley, and Star Wars, and posted them online to discover, "Wow, people actually read my stuff. And that's kinda cool!" But after one of her teachers told her she had "too much voice" in her essays, Elizabeth took a break from creative writing to focus on not flunking English.
Over the years, Elizabeth became a film and video game composer, and even went so far as to get a doctorate in music composition. But she always missed writing, and turned to penning stories when she needed a breather from grad school. One day, she decided to write and finish a novel -- for kicks, at first, then things became serious -- and she hasn't looked back since.
Elizabeth loves classic film scores, books with a good romance, food (she currently has a soft spot for arepas and Ethiopian food), the color turquoise, overcast skies, English muffins, cycling, and baking. She lives in New York City with her husband.
Over the years, Elizabeth became a film and video game composer, and even went so far as to get a doctorate in music composition. But she always missed writing, and turned to penning stories when she needed a breather from grad school. One day, she decided to write and finish a novel -- for kicks, at first, then things became serious -- and she hasn't looked back since.
Elizabeth loves classic film scores, books with a good romance, food (she currently has a soft spot for arepas and Ethiopian food), the color turquoise, overcast skies, English muffins, cycling, and baking. She lives in New York City with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,408 reviews
June 30, 2020
This was lovely?
It’s more juvenile in comparison to the YA books I’m used to reading. I suppose if I read this when I was still a 12 or 13 year old girl obsessed with prince and princesses and barbie films, I would love this book.
I’m not sure what the right adjective is, but it felt like someone was recounting some magical story to me instead of me immersing myself deep into the world of this book and feeling like I was experiencing the events myself.
Geez, what am I even talking about?
The court intrigues and the scheming are interesting, but the plot relies a lot on convenient contrivances. All the male characters are portrayed as pushovers, except the villain cause he’s driven by his ambition.
Meanwhile, Cinderella is this good girl who learns to stand up for herself and is always eager to help others. The romance has that fairytale like quality, not much different from the original. But I’m glad we get more inside scoop into the Prince’s history.
It’s a simple and mindless, yet delightful read with a fun twist that isn’t found in the classic tale of Cinderella and an exploration on themes, such as true love, kindness, found family, and chasing one own’s dreams.
This is perfect for Disney fans who are looking for a little childhood nostalgia to hit them.
It’s more juvenile in comparison to the YA books I’m used to reading. I suppose if I read this when I was still a 12 or 13 year old girl obsessed with prince and princesses and barbie films, I would love this book.
I’m not sure what the right adjective is, but it felt like someone was recounting some magical story to me instead of me immersing myself deep into the world of this book and feeling like I was experiencing the events myself.
Geez, what am I even talking about?
The court intrigues and the scheming are interesting, but the plot relies a lot on convenient contrivances. All the male characters are portrayed as pushovers, except the villain cause he’s driven by his ambition.
Meanwhile, Cinderella is this good girl who learns to stand up for herself and is always eager to help others. The romance has that fairytale like quality, not much different from the original. But I’m glad we get more inside scoop into the Prince’s history.
It’s a simple and mindless, yet delightful read with a fun twist that isn’t found in the classic tale of Cinderella and an exploration on themes, such as true love, kindness, found family, and chasing one own’s dreams.
This is perfect for Disney fans who are looking for a little childhood nostalgia to hit them.
Want to read
June 30, 2021((SQUEEEEEEEEE))
I didn't even know this was happening. This is amazing, wonderful, magical news!!!
Now, if only my fairy godmother could conjure me up a copy.
I didn't even know this was happening. This is amazing, wonderful, magical news!!!
Now, if only my fairy godmother could conjure me up a copy.
Shelved as 'not-released-tbr'
May 24, 2020
May 15, 2020
I'm one of those people who gets furious when people DARE to say that Cinderella was a stupid damsel in distress just "wishing for a prince to solve her problems" when NOT ONCE DOES SHE WISH FOR A PRINCE AND SHE ALSO DOESN'T WISH TO BE SAVED! It feels like attacking my beloved tale of Cinderella, a tale about kindness and forgiveness as strengths, where patience gets rewarded and where a girl gets her happy ending BECAUSE she never asked for one and because she never wished harm on others. It always felt like a tale telling me that I could get a happy ending without having to change my personality to get it.
I agree that the original tale has a few issues, but let me start my review with saying that this twisted tale tackles all of them easily and quite early in the story. It's one of the elements I enjoyed. It knew where the problems lie and found a way to fix them or to neutralize them by showing other similar situations with different outcomes. Cinderella is more than a girl who wishes for a gown and a ticket to a ball and then happens to fall in love with a prince.
And yet, while it does those little fix its, in a different way than the live action movie, it never forgets the core of the story. It never forgets the soul of the fairytale and the animated Disney movie. Cinderella may grow and may learn to defend herself, she never loses herself. She keeps her kindness and forgiveness, those elements making her the amazing and inspiring girl she is. And in this tale she also shows intelligence, although also shyness and insecurity, and she plays a role in her own "rescue" herself.
The new characters, brought in for this story, are also all amazing additions. We get a broader perspective on court life, we see more of the politics in the Kingdom and we get some background on the Fairy Godmother and her position in this world. I liked all the backstories and even though it's still a fairytale and still Disney I really felt like the story was richer and completer. Just like this villain was a villain I can really appreciate. Or, like Cinderella says, sometimes bad things start with good intentions.
I think I might re-read this book quite a few times in the future!
I agree that the original tale has a few issues, but let me start my review with saying that this twisted tale tackles all of them easily and quite early in the story. It's one of the elements I enjoyed. It knew where the problems lie and found a way to fix them or to neutralize them by showing other similar situations with different outcomes. Cinderella is more than a girl who wishes for a gown and a ticket to a ball and then happens to fall in love with a prince.
And yet, while it does those little fix its, in a different way than the live action movie, it never forgets the core of the story. It never forgets the soul of the fairytale and the animated Disney movie. Cinderella may grow and may learn to defend herself, she never loses herself. She keeps her kindness and forgiveness, those elements making her the amazing and inspiring girl she is. And in this tale she also shows intelligence, although also shyness and insecurity, and she plays a role in her own "rescue" herself.
The new characters, brought in for this story, are also all amazing additions. We get a broader perspective on court life, we see more of the politics in the Kingdom and we get some background on the Fairy Godmother and her position in this world. I liked all the backstories and even though it's still a fairytale and still Disney I really felt like the story was richer and completer. Just like this villain was a villain I can really appreciate. Or, like Cinderella says, sometimes bad things start with good intentions.
I think I might re-read this book quite a few times in the future!
April 17, 2020
So This is Love is the ninth book in the A Twisted Tale series and it is written by author Elizabeth Lim. I love the idea behind the A twisted tale series. Each of the books takes a different, and often times darker, spin on a classic Disney story. They are written by different authors and they can be read as standalone novels, but they are all so much fun that I would recommend reading them all. So This is Love is a twist based on Disney’s Cinderella. So This is Love takes the original Cinderella story line and adds a pretty big twist into the mix- What if Cinderella never tried on the glass slipper? Umm, yes please! I honestly had no idea where Elizabeth Lim was going to take us with this story. The twist is a big one, and I was super excited to read this re-imagining. And like almost all of the Twisted Tale stories, I have read- So This is Love was fun, and full of twists and turns. It is hard to make such a well known story surprisingly, but I loved Elizabeth Lim’s twist on the classic Cinderella story.
I have to say, I think I enjoyed So This is Love even more than the original Cinderella. I felt like I got to know the characters better, and the romance felt even more romantic and real. In So This is Love, Cinderella does not initially get discovered as the princess, so she decides to take matters into her own hands. Not to catch herself a prince, but rather to give herself a new life. I loved how spirited and strong Cinderella was. She finds work as a seamstress, and somehow still finds herself at the castle. There the story takes on a whole new twist. One that I loved. There is a conspiracy afoot! And Cinderella finds herself unwittingly in the middle of it. I loved the darker element of someone trying to overthrow the prince and the king. It is fitting with the darker twists of the twisted tale series, and it worked wonderfully with this story.
I felt like this was the Cinderella story that was always meant to be told. It has everything fans of the classic will love, but it was a richer, deeper plot. I think readers will fall in love with their favorite characters all over again, and see them in a new light. I loved this one. So This is Love May be my favorite Twisted Tale Yet! I need to read Elizabeth Lim’s other Twisted Tale story- reflections, which is based on Mulan, and I am also super excited to read We have Straight on Till Morning, which is based on Peter Pan. Bring on ALL OF THE TWISTED TALE. I love this series. If you have not read any of the books in this series, you are missing out.
I have to say, I think I enjoyed So This is Love even more than the original Cinderella. I felt like I got to know the characters better, and the romance felt even more romantic and real. In So This is Love, Cinderella does not initially get discovered as the princess, so she decides to take matters into her own hands. Not to catch herself a prince, but rather to give herself a new life. I loved how spirited and strong Cinderella was. She finds work as a seamstress, and somehow still finds herself at the castle. There the story takes on a whole new twist. One that I loved. There is a conspiracy afoot! And Cinderella finds herself unwittingly in the middle of it. I loved the darker element of someone trying to overthrow the prince and the king. It is fitting with the darker twists of the twisted tale series, and it worked wonderfully with this story.
I felt like this was the Cinderella story that was always meant to be told. It has everything fans of the classic will love, but it was a richer, deeper plot. I think readers will fall in love with their favorite characters all over again, and see them in a new light. I loved this one. So This is Love May be my favorite Twisted Tale Yet! I need to read Elizabeth Lim’s other Twisted Tale story- reflections, which is based on Mulan, and I am also super excited to read We have Straight on Till Morning, which is based on Peter Pan. Bring on ALL OF THE TWISTED TALE. I love this series. If you have not read any of the books in this series, you are missing out.
August 18, 2021
Wow. Wow. Wow.
This was such a joy to read!! I finished it in one day, as I physically could not put it down. I have never read any of the Disney Twisted Tale stories before this one and I honestly cannot wait to continue the series. The characters in this book were delightful to read about and I enjoyed getting to know more about them than what is originally showed in the movies/fairytale of Cinderella. Everyone should read this book because it is incredible!
This was such a joy to read!! I finished it in one day, as I physically could not put it down. I have never read any of the Disney Twisted Tale stories before this one and I honestly cannot wait to continue the series. The characters in this book were delightful to read about and I enjoyed getting to know more about them than what is originally showed in the movies/fairytale of Cinderella. Everyone should read this book because it is incredible!
February 28, 2021
Elizabeth Lim write every book ever challenge
May 13, 2020
This is the first Twisted Tales book I've read and I absolutely loved it. It has the charm and magic of the classic story, but fleshed out with more characters and twists. I really enjoyed learning more about the prince. I always wished he played a bigger part in the story. Now he does! This has been a delightful retelling and I'm excited to read other books in the series.
May 30, 2020
"𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑪𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆 — 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆"
Well it has been an amazing journey. You know that one book which you start reading with an expectation of hating it? Well I thought I'm going to hate this one. Turned out 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 I was totally 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠.
Here Cinderella never tried the glass slippers so the Prince never stopped looking for her.
And so far it has been horrible for duke Ferdinand.
I'll let you imagine ugh,
"𝑾𝒉𝒚, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓?" 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓. "𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓?"
𝒊𝒇 𝑭𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒈𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒅.
𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒅, 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒚"
"𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒅 ,𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔' 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕. 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓? 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓?"
"𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆_ 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒇𝒇 𝒐𝒇 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒔. 𝑩𝒊𝒈 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕, 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕, 𝒕𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒍𝒆𝒔 . . ."
I would have loved to learn more about the Prince. There simply weren’t enough chapter’s about him.
And there comes all the royal sceams and tentions! I forgot for a moment that It's not real. Cinderella and Prince Charming's gonna be just fine.
Even though there was so much cliches, I guess you can't expect something other than "true love" or "curses" or "love at first sight" from a Disney story.
The only thing I didn’t like about the book is ending. It was fast. Too 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭. I had my doubt for second if it was a fanfiction or something. I mean like seriously there was so much going on in a couple of pages and it was so unrealistic. I know I can't expect something realistic from a Disney retelling but you know what I'm saying right?
This story was cute. Swoon worthy cute. And definitely gonna be one of my favourite Cinderella retelling. Just thinking about it makes me want to re-watch the movie again.
{I FORGOT TO APPRECIATE THIS SPPOKY BUT BEAUTIFUL COVER. THE TITLE WAS MY REACTION AFTER SEEING THE COVER}
Well it has been an amazing journey. You know that one book which you start reading with an expectation of hating it? Well I thought I'm going to hate this one. Turned out 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 I was totally 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠.
Here Cinderella never tried the glass slippers so the Prince never stopped looking for her.
And so far it has been horrible for duke Ferdinand.
I'll let you imagine ugh,
"𝑾𝒉𝒚, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓?" 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓. "𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓?"
𝒊𝒇 𝑭𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒈𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒅.
𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒅, 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒊𝒇 𝒕𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒚"
"𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒅 ,𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔' 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕. 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓? 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒓?"
"𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆_ 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒇𝒇 𝒐𝒇 𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒔. 𝑩𝒊𝒈 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕, 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒕, 𝒕𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒍𝒆𝒔 . . ."
I would have loved to learn more about the Prince. There simply weren’t enough chapter’s about him.
And there comes all the royal sceams and tentions! I forgot for a moment that It's not real. Cinderella and Prince Charming's gonna be just fine.
Even though there was so much cliches, I guess you can't expect something other than "true love" or "curses" or "love at first sight" from a Disney story.
The only thing I didn’t like about the book is ending. It was fast. Too 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭. I had my doubt for second if it was a fanfiction or something. I mean like seriously there was so much going on in a couple of pages and it was so unrealistic. I know I can't expect something realistic from a Disney retelling but you know what I'm saying right?
This story was cute. Swoon worthy cute. And definitely gonna be one of my favourite Cinderella retelling. Just thinking about it makes me want to re-watch the movie again.
{I FORGOT TO APPRECIATE THIS SPPOKY BUT BEAUTIFUL COVER. THE TITLE WAS MY REACTION AFTER SEEING THE COVER}
June 5, 2020
Ah. What a breath of fresh air.
At long last, here's a Twisted Tale that doesn't sound like an elaborate fan fiction!!
Cinderella's new story was actually intriguing. I loved the court politics and how she actually made a life for herself, keeping the prince in the back of her mind as a dream instead of an obsession (which he could have become). Genevieve was an interesting character. Charles actually had a life in this book. However, it still doesn't explain why he couldn't just remember her face. And it doesn't give a good explanation to why he based his entire future off someone's shoe size. But anyway. Small things.
I didn't find myself too invested in the whole "magic should be legal" thing, because Lenore wasn't really a main character. I was more focused on Cinderella getting back to the prince and Ferdinand getting out of there.
It was great! Better than I expected, actually.
At long last, here's a Twisted Tale that doesn't sound like an elaborate fan fiction!!
Cinderella's new story was actually intriguing. I loved the court politics and how she actually made a life for herself, keeping the prince in the back of her mind as a dream instead of an obsession (which he could have become). Genevieve was an interesting character. Charles actually had a life in this book. However, it still doesn't explain why he couldn't just remember her face. And it doesn't give a good explanation to why he based his entire future off someone's shoe size. But anyway. Small things.
I didn't find myself too invested in the whole "magic should be legal" thing, because Lenore wasn't really a main character. I was more focused on Cinderella getting back to the prince and Ferdinand getting out of there.
It was great! Better than I expected, actually.
December 22, 2021
What an absolutely fresh and beautiful story to read. It’s a simple and mindless, yet delightful read with a fun twist that isn’t found in the classic tale of Cinderella and an exploration on themes, such as true love, kindness, found family, and chasing one own’s dreams.
I'm one of those people who gets furious when people DARE to say that Cinderella was a stupid damsel in distress just "wishing for a prince to solve her problems" when NOT ONCE DOES SHE WISH FOR A PRINCE AND SHE ALSO DOESN'T WISH TO BE SAVED! It feels like attacking my beloved tale of Cinderella, a tale about kindness and forgiveness as strengths, where patience gets rewarded and where a girl gets her happy ending BECAUSE she never asked for one and because she never wished harm on others
I adore the version of events that unfolds in this book, Given that this is a modern retelling, the author is able to address a few common criticisms such as how shallow and unrealistic it is to fall in love at first sight and the lack of agency Cinderella is given, remaining blankly passive in the face of cruel treatment from her family. These are firmly rebutted through the delightful development of the romance between Cinderella and Prince Charles as well as Cinderella pursuing her own goals and forming close relationships with other female characters.Also, i loved prince Charles's aunt. she is such badass duchess😍
I think despite me biased over Cinderella and beauty and beast, this two books where my favorite so far in this whole Twisted tale series. (not that I can help it ¯\_( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)_/¯ ) and I'm glad they didn't let me down.I definitely recommend reading this Twisted Tale. It was original, fun, and fast-pace. You won’t put it down once you start reading it. Elizabeth Lim did a great job of reimaging this tale for all ages!
February 15, 2021
2.5 stars this one was a LET DOWN considering I loved Elizabeth lims mulan retelling and expected so much more from her. This one was boring and followed a traditional plotline of a villain who makes it really hard for these two to be together in the end. Bleh.
May 13, 2021
My inner Disney loving self is screaming with so much joy right now. So This is Love was a ton of fun to dive into. Actually, any retelling is fun for me to dive into if I'm being completely honest here. They are just so much fun and it's always intriguing to see what will be different this time around.
Since this is a Cinderella retelling, it's fair to assume that you will meet the sweet girl herself. I also felt bad for her when she was being a servant to her own step-monster and step-devils. Oh! I mean step-mother and step-sisters. My bad. I hated how they treated her like she was lower than dirt and I just kept waiting for them to meet my girl Karma.
Now they weren't the only people I hated in this one because the Duke had a special place in my heart. I loathed the guy so freaking much. Each little twist or secret about him just made me loathe the guy even more. I am very pleased with what happened to him at the very end even if I wanted him to banished to hell or something.
Other than that, I absolutely loved and adored Genevieve. She is the prince's aunt and all kinds of sassy. I need more of her in every book now please. I don't even care if it's a retelling - she just needs to be present.
In the end, this book had great romance, twists, and characters. Each page completely sucked me in and I can't wait to dive into the next retelling book in this twisted tales series!
August 24, 2021
I'm surprised by how much I loved this book. I knew I would like it, Cinderella retellings are my absolute favorite retellings, but I didn't realize how much I would love this book. It takes everything I love about the original movie and expands upon it. The characters and romance are more fleshed out and I just loved how Cinderella acknowledged that a man wasn't the solution to all her problems. If she wanted a better life, she would craft one for herself instead of waiting for a man to come along. It was great! Throw in plots against the royal family and prejudices against fairies and you have one entertaining tale. Plus, did I mention there are more balls in this book? Because there are and it's awesome.
June 12, 2021
I wanted to love this book. I love fairy tale retellings, but this one just didn’t do much for me. The characters are all rather flat. Cinderella is naive and rather passive for the majority of the book. The entirety of the storyline just seemed like a waste, waiting for something clever or particularly interesting to come along, and it just doesn’t happen. And then the ending is just so simple. Too simple. Not only that but it’s unbelievable or ridiculous at some points. I would’ve liked it if the people were a little more dimensional and the storyline had some sort of surprising moment. Two stars.
May 3, 2022
There's something about these Disney retellings that just draws me in - I can't get enough of them. Rtc soon, I hope.
May 13, 2021
Elizabeth Lim needs to take over the rest of the Twisted Tales series please.
What if instead of being lead off on her Happily Ever After after the ball, Cinderella never tried on the glass slipper? After being treated as their own personal servant, Cinderella learns that her stepmother is going to sell her. Cinderella knows she won't survive that and runs away. With a little luck and the sympathy of a random seamstress, Cinderella ends up working in the Palace serving Lady Genevieve, the King's sister.
I loved this twist so much! We see that both Cinderella and Prince Charles have to go deeper than the surface of the attraction they feel for each other. I really liked that Lady Genevieve was constantly telling them both they needed to be careful and they couldn't just rush into a relationship because they think it's a good idea. Both of these characters are given the agency this tale needs to become their own character. It added so much to both of them and I loved it.
There's also an added element with magic being outlawed and a nefarious plot against the King is brewing. I loved that there was more to this story than just the romance between Cinderella and Charles. I was swept up throughout all these elements and couldn't wait to see where the story would take me.
Lim did such an amazing job with this one. I mean I was swept away by Reflection, and this gave me that same feeling. I feel like the original Cinderella story is so pale compared to this now.
Also did I mention how much I love Lady Genevieve! She's a blunt and straightforward person, but I love that she doesn't tolerate fools. She had so much good advice and was such strong role model for Cinderella and Charles. I will never get over how much I love her.
What if instead of being lead off on her Happily Ever After after the ball, Cinderella never tried on the glass slipper? After being treated as their own personal servant, Cinderella learns that her stepmother is going to sell her. Cinderella knows she won't survive that and runs away. With a little luck and the sympathy of a random seamstress, Cinderella ends up working in the Palace serving Lady Genevieve, the King's sister.
I loved this twist so much! We see that both Cinderella and Prince Charles have to go deeper than the surface of the attraction they feel for each other. I really liked that Lady Genevieve was constantly telling them both they needed to be careful and they couldn't just rush into a relationship because they think it's a good idea. Both of these characters are given the agency this tale needs to become their own character. It added so much to both of them and I loved it.
There's also an added element with magic being outlawed and a nefarious plot against the King is brewing. I loved that there was more to this story than just the romance between Cinderella and Charles. I was swept up throughout all these elements and couldn't wait to see where the story would take me.
Lim did such an amazing job with this one. I mean I was swept away by Reflection, and this gave me that same feeling. I feel like the original Cinderella story is so pale compared to this now.
Also did I mention how much I love Lady Genevieve! She's a blunt and straightforward person, but I love that she doesn't tolerate fools. She had so much good advice and was such strong role model for Cinderella and Charles. I will never get over how much I love her.
November 1, 2020
OH man I enjoyed that
November 26, 2022
This was adorable! So sweet. I love that they kept the themes of love and forgiveness. Cinderella's kind heart shone as always, and I love that the Prince was given a bit more personality. A fun, feel good, fairytale read!
January 17, 2022
✨Book Review✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
So The Is Love by @elimpix
Y’all… this book! Is was so beautiful, creative, fun and exciting all the way to the very last pages. I picked this one up and could barely put it down!
Excessive amounts of parties and a completely different story line throw numerous opportunities for the prince and Cinderella to meet, interact and actually develop their relationship rather than love at first sight.
This girl still had the same rough start, and her step mother is just as evil but in a different way. I loved the plotting nobility and Cinderella’s unexpected role ultimately saving the kingdom. And of course, getting her prince & happily ever after!
Super easy 5star read and top two fav!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
So The Is Love by @elimpix
Y’all… this book! Is was so beautiful, creative, fun and exciting all the way to the very last pages. I picked this one up and could barely put it down!
Excessive amounts of parties and a completely different story line throw numerous opportunities for the prince and Cinderella to meet, interact and actually develop their relationship rather than love at first sight.
This girl still had the same rough start, and her step mother is just as evil but in a different way. I loved the plotting nobility and Cinderella’s unexpected role ultimately saving the kingdom. And of course, getting her prince & happily ever after!
Super easy 5star read and top two fav!
Want to read
February 19, 2023Idk why but I am obsessed with Cinderella Retellings.
This would be my third after Cinderella Is Dead and Heart of the Raven Prince
This would be my third after Cinderella Is Dead and Heart of the Raven Prince
September 3, 2022
I rather liked this one. It was definitely a better love story between Cinderella and the Prince than the movie was. The choice for the antagonist was definitely an interesting choice though. I wonder what made the author see them as a good villain?
The only real issue I had was in the narrator's voice choice of Cinderella. I know she was aiming for a sweet soft voice, but it came out very annoying like.
The only real issue I had was in the narrator's voice choice of Cinderella. I know she was aiming for a sweet soft voice, but it came out very annoying like.
June 16, 2020
Oh I loved this book 💙
Cinderella is my favourite Disney Princess so I was very excited to get this one. And it was everything that I hoped it would be and more. Ow my daughter can have it, mum was reading this one first!
This is a Twisted Tale of Cinderella.. what if she didn’t get to try on the glass slipper? What if her evil stepmother Lady Tremaine and mr stepsisters succeed in keeping her locked away when the royals came to try all the maidens in the land. Well this is that story.
In this Cinderella story she is a much tougher woman. She runs away from her family home and find work at the Royal castle. She has finally escaped! But she uncovers a plot to overthrow the King and she is stuck right in the middle. Can Cinderella stop it and find true love? You will have to read this to find out.
It is a beautifully written story that tugged at my heartstrings. It is charming but it is dark.. so dark. And it is nice to see more about Prince Charles, to learn more about him as a person and not just a figurehead.
Thanks so much to Scholastic Australia for my copy of this book to read. So This is Love is out now and a must for all Disney fans.
Cinderella is my favourite Disney Princess so I was very excited to get this one. And it was everything that I hoped it would be and more. Ow my daughter can have it, mum was reading this one first!
This is a Twisted Tale of Cinderella.. what if she didn’t get to try on the glass slipper? What if her evil stepmother Lady Tremaine and mr stepsisters succeed in keeping her locked away when the royals came to try all the maidens in the land. Well this is that story.
In this Cinderella story she is a much tougher woman. She runs away from her family home and find work at the Royal castle. She has finally escaped! But she uncovers a plot to overthrow the King and she is stuck right in the middle. Can Cinderella stop it and find true love? You will have to read this to find out.
It is a beautifully written story that tugged at my heartstrings. It is charming but it is dark.. so dark. And it is nice to see more about Prince Charles, to learn more about him as a person and not just a figurehead.
Thanks so much to Scholastic Australia for my copy of this book to read. So This is Love is out now and a must for all Disney fans.
February 8, 2020
OMG!
Freaking out!
Can't breathe.....(heh ooh eeh)
I am so excited! I have read four books in the series. I plan on reading Reflection (Mulan), Mirror Mirror(Snow White), Conceal Don't Fill ( Frozen), and the new Peter Pan retelling.
The other books were just such amazing retellings, I can only imagine how, So This Is Love, will turn out!
On reading list.
Freaking out!
Can't breathe.....(heh ooh eeh)
I am so excited! I have read four books in the series. I plan on reading Reflection (Mulan), Mirror Mirror(Snow White), Conceal Don't Fill ( Frozen), and the new Peter Pan retelling.
The other books were just such amazing retellings, I can only imagine how, So This Is Love, will turn out!
On reading list.
July 1, 2021
I'm open to any fairy tale retelling, but this Cinderella one is just no good.
The messages beyond the story are good but the characters are flat and with little surprise (although a few of them are better-built than the rest), the love-at-first-sight romance is also flat, the main couple, as down-to-earth as they are, aren't very interesting as characters, the plot and the ending is predicable. In the end, this retelling brings nothing new to the table.
In my opinion if you were a 12 or below kids and you hadn't been exposed to much good literature, you might like this more than I do.
Anyway, I don't like it doesn't mean you also won't.
The messages beyond the story are good but the characters are flat and with little surprise (although a few of them are better-built than the rest), the love-at-first-sight romance is also flat, the main couple, as down-to-earth as they are, aren't very interesting as characters, the plot and the ending is predicable. In the end, this retelling brings nothing new to the table.
In my opinion if you were a 12 or below kids and you hadn't been exposed to much good literature, you might like this more than I do.
Anyway, I don't like it doesn't mean you also won't.
May 6, 2020
El mejor de la colección Un giro inesperado, después de La Bella y la Bestia
February 21, 2021
3.5 stars
Check out my full review on my blog
https://www.julieautumnbook.nl/2021/0...
( You will find the translation button just on the right side under my profile picture. If you read it on your mobile you need to scroll all the way down. You can read it in any language you want. )
Check out my full review on my blog
https://www.julieautumnbook.nl/2021/0...
( You will find the translation button just on the right side under my profile picture. If you read it on your mobile you need to scroll all the way down. You can read it in any language you want. )
September 20, 2021
This is the best Twisted Tale yet (Reflection is a close second) and it’s not just because Cinderella’s personality and strong, inner spirit wasn’t tarnished and changed (looking at you, Aurora), but because I just got really invested in this tale and these characters.
After such a dark, heart wrenching story (Songkeeper), I really loved the lightness yet still high stakes of Cinderella’s adventure and her path to love, hope, and true happiness. She and Prince Charles were so cute together and their romance made my inner fangirl squeal. I love how once they truly KNEW each other they refused to believe the other would leave or disappear on them without reason.
The king’s sister was a riot, and I loved her role in this story. The whole magic is forbidden subplot was done really well and, to the best of my knowledge, all the characters sounded and acted like their animated movie counterparts.
I loved this book and look forward to reading it again plus more from this author! ☺️
Content: kissing (not detailed); magic
After such a dark, heart wrenching story (Songkeeper), I really loved the lightness yet still high stakes of Cinderella’s adventure and her path to love, hope, and true happiness. She and Prince Charles were so cute together and their romance made my inner fangirl squeal. I love how once they truly KNEW each other they refused to believe the other would leave or disappear on them without reason.
The king’s sister was a riot, and I loved her role in this story. The whole magic is forbidden subplot was done really well and, to the best of my knowledge, all the characters sounded and acted like their animated movie counterparts.
I loved this book and look forward to reading it again plus more from this author! ☺️
Content: kissing (not detailed); magic
May 13, 2021
Okay, I'm happy to say that I enjoyed this retelling! I've been kind of unsure about the Twisted Tales that I read but this one had an awesome lady who took no crap from anyone and I adored her. Genevieve made this book for me and I aspire to be like her someday.
The twist in this is that the prince doesn't find Cinderella by trying on glass slippers and the Duke might be up to sinister things. I liked that the prince got to know Cinderella and she didn't just rely on her fairy godmother to help her out. She made friends and stood up for herself, exactly what I like to see.
This was quick paced and the narrator for the audiobook did a great job. I'm looking forward to reading more of these retellings!
The twist in this is that the prince doesn't find Cinderella by trying on glass slippers and the Duke might be up to sinister things. I liked that the prince got to know Cinderella and she didn't just rely on her fairy godmother to help her out. She made friends and stood up for herself, exactly what I like to see.
This was quick paced and the narrator for the audiobook did a great job. I'm looking forward to reading more of these retellings!
March 1, 2020
I need this book to come out now. Trying to not read the plot. (I’ll read the twist for sure). But I’m very excited the Mulan writer is tackling Cinderella.
I did get Straight on Till Morning cuz I heard it does Wendy Darling’s character justice and treated with maturity. (I’m REALLY not into Frozen right now and really wish it actually had more in elements from the OG Hans Christian Anderson Tale).
But here’s a REALLY wild twist...but WHAT IF Enchanted got its own twisted tale? I LOVE Giselle and feel like she is super underrated.
I did get Straight on Till Morning cuz I heard it does Wendy Darling’s character justice and treated with maturity. (I’m REALLY not into Frozen right now and really wish it actually had more in elements from the OG Hans Christian Anderson Tale).
But here’s a REALLY wild twist...but WHAT IF Enchanted got its own twisted tale? I LOVE Giselle and feel like she is super underrated.
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