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Cinders
A Cinderella sequel.
Money can’t buy love, but magic isn’t a sure bet either. Cinderella, now officially a princess, finds royal life is not what she once dreamed. When a mysterious elf from her past stirs up long-suppressed passion, Cinderella begins to wonder if there really is love beneath the spell that captured her husband’s heart. But undoing magic can be harder than casting the initial spell, and the results are even less predictable.
Cinders is part of the three-novella collection, Bonded by Michelle Davidson Argyle.
Money can’t buy love, but magic isn’t a sure bet either. Cinderella, now officially a princess, finds royal life is not what she once dreamed. When a mysterious elf from her past stirs up long-suppressed passion, Cinderella begins to wonder if there really is love beneath the spell that captured her husband’s heart. But undoing magic can be harder than casting the initial spell, and the results are even less predictable.
Cinders is part of the three-novella collection, Bonded by Michelle Davidson Argyle.
172 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2010
7 people are currently reading
2081 people want to read
About the author
Michelle D. Argyle
20 books418 followersMichelle lives and writes in Utah, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. Michelle mainly writes contemporary fiction, but occasionally branches into other genres.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
July 8, 2014
An interesting twist to the "Happily Ever After" of Cinderella. This story focuses on Cinderella (also known as Christina) after she is married to the prince. She is now princess to a kingdom. Yet she is not happy. A couple years before she met the prince she met a stranger and has an attachment to him. Rowland the prince chose her as his princess due to a spell that was cast by her fairy godmother. Her fairy godmother was locked in the dungeon for being a witch. Cinderella is given an option to choose to keep the life she has, or cast another spell for a chance with the stranger.
I don't want to give away too much so I will stop there and leave the rest of the story itself. I enjoyed this book. The writing was organized and concise. A nice story line. Cinderella's inner turmoil was well described. I do wish the story was longer however. Especially toward the end. The end seemed a bit cropped off. Besides that, however, I really enjoyed this. It was a good, quick read.
*I received this book free in a Goodreads giveaway.
I don't want to give away too much so I will stop there and leave the rest of the story itself. I enjoyed this book. The writing was organized and concise. A nice story line. Cinderella's inner turmoil was well described. I do wish the story was longer however. Especially toward the end. The end seemed a bit cropped off. Besides that, however, I really enjoyed this. It was a good, quick read.
*I received this book free in a Goodreads giveaway.
January 17, 2011
This one was really hard for me to rate. The story itself is original and intriguing. I love the idea of life after “happily ever after” and the combination of the original fairy tale with mythology. The problem is that it never came together for me. There wasn’t enough detail. There wasn’t enough character development. There wasn’t enough to sink your teeth into. The bones of a great story are here but in my opinion, it needed to be fleshed out. Simply put, it left me hanging.
That being said the book isn’t bad. Don’t make the mistake of the thinking a two star rating denotes a waste of paper. Taken as a whole, the book didn’t impress me. The author on the other hand, did. I was very tempted to give the title three stars but I can’t make an exception to my rating system based solely on the talent of the author.
That being said the book isn’t bad. Don’t make the mistake of the thinking a two star rating denotes a waste of paper. Taken as a whole, the book didn’t impress me. The author on the other hand, did. I was very tempted to give the title three stars but I can’t make an exception to my rating system based solely on the talent of the author.
March 1, 2011
Cinders isn't about fairy tales or magic or true love.
It's about truth.
Heartrending, naked truth.
Truth is the beauty Michelle Argyle has woven into her tale, Cinders. The truth that magic won't bring happiness anymore than wishful thinking will.
Happiness is inside us, everday. Like a small child in need of love. Feed it and it grows. Neglect it and it withers and fades. Leaving nothing but the empty space where love once was.
Inside her masterfully written story is a warning. A haunting echo like the moans from a fitful ghost.
A warning we should all heed.
It's about truth.
Heartrending, naked truth.
Truth is the beauty Michelle Argyle has woven into her tale, Cinders. The truth that magic won't bring happiness anymore than wishful thinking will.
Happiness is inside us, everday. Like a small child in need of love. Feed it and it grows. Neglect it and it withers and fades. Leaving nothing but the empty space where love once was.
Inside her masterfully written story is a warning. A haunting echo like the moans from a fitful ghost.
A warning we should all heed.
July 27, 2010
I didn’t intend on reading this novella in one sitting. However, like good stories are apt to do, this one quietly pulled me in and by the time I realized it—I was past the point of no return.
I’ve read quite a few Cinderella sequels: some playful, some humorous, some full of talking animals and other familiar fairy-tale elements. Argyle’s Cinderella while playful in some areas, humorous in others, is haunting in its elegance and simplicity. The prose itself is pitch perfect for the narrative, to the point where as a reader you forget that you’re reading. It’s presented like the glass slipper that it is: beautiful, translucent, and full of unexpected magic.
The characters are solid, memorable, sturdy and some of them ephemeral (I’ll leave that for you to figure out…I don’t do spoilers). The plot is deftly paced. But what struck me above everything else is Argyle’s use of imagery. So many passages echo after they’ve been read…not because of how they were written, but because of what they said.
…After a moment Cinderella realized she was touching her crown, thinking of the grease on Marion’s chin as she ate her food and told Rowland things weren’t fair…
…Neither of these images represented what Cinderella saw now: a skeleton of a woman so thin and aged she looked as if she belonged to the worn stone walls. Her skin was gray, her eyes dull and lifeless. Her hair had fallen out in clumps, leaving only strings to cover her baldness…
I am actually leaving my favorite passages out because I want them to have the same effect on you as they did on me. They aren’t mere descriptions. They tell the rest of the story.
Cinders takes unexpected turns, ironic turns, turns that some readers won’t appreciate. Those aren’t the readers to whom the story was intended. Few writers have the skill and foresight to craft a fairytale that is applicable to real life, while maintaining the elemental integrity of the story. Argyle does this seamlessly and while you think for a time that you’re simply hearing another classic tale, slowly, you begin to see another layer—the bones beneath the flesh—and it is this layer, that adds the most brilliant aspect to Argyle’s prose. With this layer, she breathes life into characters that we’ve become all too familiar with and gives them new purpose. This layer presents to us another fairytale, a slightly darker, more visceral one…read carefully and you’ll see exactly what I mean. There is no question that each and every line was arranged with clear purpose and if you look closely, you’ll see the reason for the novella’s title.
Keep your eye on this girl. I don’t say that often. This brief journey into Argyle’s imagination left me wanting to see more of what she’ll create in the coming years and there are few things more exciting for a reader than discovering, not just a book that holds promise, but an author with whom we know we’ll share many adventures in the future.
I’ve read quite a few Cinderella sequels: some playful, some humorous, some full of talking animals and other familiar fairy-tale elements. Argyle’s Cinderella while playful in some areas, humorous in others, is haunting in its elegance and simplicity. The prose itself is pitch perfect for the narrative, to the point where as a reader you forget that you’re reading. It’s presented like the glass slipper that it is: beautiful, translucent, and full of unexpected magic.
The characters are solid, memorable, sturdy and some of them ephemeral (I’ll leave that for you to figure out…I don’t do spoilers). The plot is deftly paced. But what struck me above everything else is Argyle’s use of imagery. So many passages echo after they’ve been read…not because of how they were written, but because of what they said.
…After a moment Cinderella realized she was touching her crown, thinking of the grease on Marion’s chin as she ate her food and told Rowland things weren’t fair…
…Neither of these images represented what Cinderella saw now: a skeleton of a woman so thin and aged she looked as if she belonged to the worn stone walls. Her skin was gray, her eyes dull and lifeless. Her hair had fallen out in clumps, leaving only strings to cover her baldness…
I am actually leaving my favorite passages out because I want them to have the same effect on you as they did on me. They aren’t mere descriptions. They tell the rest of the story.
Cinders takes unexpected turns, ironic turns, turns that some readers won’t appreciate. Those aren’t the readers to whom the story was intended. Few writers have the skill and foresight to craft a fairytale that is applicable to real life, while maintaining the elemental integrity of the story. Argyle does this seamlessly and while you think for a time that you’re simply hearing another classic tale, slowly, you begin to see another layer—the bones beneath the flesh—and it is this layer, that adds the most brilliant aspect to Argyle’s prose. With this layer, she breathes life into characters that we’ve become all too familiar with and gives them new purpose. This layer presents to us another fairytale, a slightly darker, more visceral one…read carefully and you’ll see exactly what I mean. There is no question that each and every line was arranged with clear purpose and if you look closely, you’ll see the reason for the novella’s title.
Keep your eye on this girl. I don’t say that often. This brief journey into Argyle’s imagination left me wanting to see more of what she’ll create in the coming years and there are few things more exciting for a reader than discovering, not just a book that holds promise, but an author with whom we know we’ll share many adventures in the future.
February 1, 2011
Goodreads First Reads Winner!
I would like to thank Michelle D. Argyle who sent the autographed copy of her book all the way to Indonesia. :)
###
A Cinderella story… like never told before.
Cinders is an adult fantasy fiction and a debut by author Michelle Davidson Argyle.
Most of us are familiar with various kinds of Cinderella stories, which usually follows the same pattern—a damsel in distress, evil stepmother and stepsisters, fairy godmother, Prince Charming, the castle, the ball, and finally the marriage (or the so-called happily-ever-after).
In Cinders readers would not be fed with such a thing. The story is a continuation of the Cinderella story we are used to hearing. The tag line at the upper side of the front cover emphasizes that “Happily-ever-after isn’t as long as you thought”.
What if Cinderella isn’t in love with Prince Charming?
What if her fairy godmother is in prison, waiting for death?
What if the King and Queen aren’t as kind as she expected?
I love a story with a lot of “what ifs”, it shows that the author has simply refused to follow the usual pattern, and went beyond most people’s imagination. And for Cinders, I think the author is pretty sure of what she’s doing.
Cinderella—whose real name is Christina in this story, after a few weeks of her new life as a princess, felt unhappy living inside castle walls. She wasn’t used to servants do everything for her or to be escorted everywhere. As she is required to learn and to act as true royalty, she felt the weight of the crown in her head.
She wasn’t sure of her feelings to the Prince (his name in his book is Rowland) because she’s still haunted by her first love, a mysterious stranger she sees every now and then in her dreams. She wondered if Rowland’s love for her is true or was it just the spell.
When everything felt so wrong Cinderella took a dangerous chance to see her fairy godmother in prison, and the rendezvous lead her into unveiling the mystery of her dreams.
If I could reduce Cinders to one word, then I would say “interesting”. The story wasn’t really a bomb, but once again it is interesting to see how an author would create a whole new post-marriage life of Cinderella, and twisted with magical powers, creatures, psychological conflict and fragments of the kingdom’s political situation, these things make Cinders worth to give a try. And I am genuinely looking forward to what Ms. Argyle could do in her next work.
http://wp.me/s1d9CY-cinders
I would like to thank Michelle D. Argyle who sent the autographed copy of her book all the way to Indonesia. :)
###
A Cinderella story… like never told before.
Cinders is an adult fantasy fiction and a debut by author Michelle Davidson Argyle.
Most of us are familiar with various kinds of Cinderella stories, which usually follows the same pattern—a damsel in distress, evil stepmother and stepsisters, fairy godmother, Prince Charming, the castle, the ball, and finally the marriage (or the so-called happily-ever-after).
In Cinders readers would not be fed with such a thing. The story is a continuation of the Cinderella story we are used to hearing. The tag line at the upper side of the front cover emphasizes that “Happily-ever-after isn’t as long as you thought”.
What if Cinderella isn’t in love with Prince Charming?
What if her fairy godmother is in prison, waiting for death?
What if the King and Queen aren’t as kind as she expected?
I love a story with a lot of “what ifs”, it shows that the author has simply refused to follow the usual pattern, and went beyond most people’s imagination. And for Cinders, I think the author is pretty sure of what she’s doing.
Cinderella—whose real name is Christina in this story, after a few weeks of her new life as a princess, felt unhappy living inside castle walls. She wasn’t used to servants do everything for her or to be escorted everywhere. As she is required to learn and to act as true royalty, she felt the weight of the crown in her head.
She wasn’t sure of her feelings to the Prince (his name in his book is Rowland) because she’s still haunted by her first love, a mysterious stranger she sees every now and then in her dreams. She wondered if Rowland’s love for her is true or was it just the spell.
When everything felt so wrong Cinderella took a dangerous chance to see her fairy godmother in prison, and the rendezvous lead her into unveiling the mystery of her dreams.
If I could reduce Cinders to one word, then I would say “interesting”. The story wasn’t really a bomb, but once again it is interesting to see how an author would create a whole new post-marriage life of Cinderella, and twisted with magical powers, creatures, psychological conflict and fragments of the kingdom’s political situation, these things make Cinders worth to give a try. And I am genuinely looking forward to what Ms. Argyle could do in her next work.
http://wp.me/s1d9CY-cinders
November 23, 2010
Originally reviewed on "http://bloodcrossed.blogspot.com"... Bloody Words.
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Rating: 8 out of 10
Buzzword: TRAGIC
Theme Song: "I Can Love You Like That" by John Michael Montgomery (How was I supposed to resist that!?)
Favorite Quote: "The crown on Cinderella's head stood for everything she could change..."
Pros:
Crisp, clear writing
Strong primary and secondary characters
Creative expansion on a fairy tale world
Genuinely surprising ending
Cons:
Decidedly NOT happily ever after (though that isn't necessarily a con, I found out)
I wished it was longer!
Summary: A few weeks after the marriage, Cinderella is getting cold feet. Her dreams are haunted by memories of her first love, a mysterious visitor from the forest. And her husband seems madly in love with her, but is it love or just magic? With her fairy godmother in the castle dungeon, Cinderella is left trying to find her own answers and her own true love. But it won't be easy with political tensions in her kingdom mounting.
Review: I want to give this an honest review, so I will start from the beginning. This book was an emotional process for me with very distinct steps.
[Alert: Possible thematic spoilers ahead but no actual story facts.]
At first I was completely sucked in by Michelle's writing, if nothing else. There are no wasted words, no filler sentences. Her writing is completely clear and concise, expressing information and emotion effectively with sentences that are perfectly clean. Each one flowed into the next, keeping me moving ever forward in the story. Even secondary characters are complex and round, but the POV is strictly limited. The premise is familiar yet new and different.
Halfway through I began to think it was quite possible that Cinderella is an idiot. Her husband is so sweet and gorgeous! But is it real love? She has her suspicions, which make it nearly impossible for her to appreciate the Prince. Like the one thing that made it all possible is what's making her doubt it all now.
Then, after I finished the book, I was surprised and heartbroken by the ending. I wept for Cinderella, and I kind of wanted to smack her too. I thought to myself, "Why? Wasn't that a story? A fairy tale? How can that be the end? It felt more like real life."
So I sat on these impressions for a day or two. And I realized I was trying to judge this book by this new, YA fantasy I've been reading. It's not even close. This is "Romeo & Juliet" in modern prose. It's not a paranormal romance, it's a literary fiction tragedy with fantasy overtones. And once I realized that, I fell in love with it on the spot.
Michelle has taken a popular happily-ever-after fairy tale and turned it into a real-life tragic romance with magic, intrigue, politics, and war. And at the center of it all is a very conflicted, naive heroine with everything to lose and complete uncertainty regarding her entire life. But what I loved was how at the end, all illusions were shattered, both magical and personal, and real life finally took hold.
I recommend this book to adults and mature readers - it is NOT for the faint of heart. But for those of you that brave the venture into Cinderella's fairy tale world, you won't regret it.
Now I'm really looking forward to Thirds coming out next year!
P.S. - I feel like I should note, also, that there is only one typo in the entire freaking book. That's unheard of for traditionally published books, much less self-published ones. Kudos to Michelle!
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Rating: 8 out of 10
Buzzword: TRAGIC
Theme Song: "I Can Love You Like That" by John Michael Montgomery (How was I supposed to resist that!?)
Favorite Quote: "The crown on Cinderella's head stood for everything she could change..."
Pros:
Crisp, clear writing
Strong primary and secondary characters
Creative expansion on a fairy tale world
Genuinely surprising ending
Cons:
Decidedly NOT happily ever after (though that isn't necessarily a con, I found out)
I wished it was longer!
Summary: A few weeks after the marriage, Cinderella is getting cold feet. Her dreams are haunted by memories of her first love, a mysterious visitor from the forest. And her husband seems madly in love with her, but is it love or just magic? With her fairy godmother in the castle dungeon, Cinderella is left trying to find her own answers and her own true love. But it won't be easy with political tensions in her kingdom mounting.
Review: I want to give this an honest review, so I will start from the beginning. This book was an emotional process for me with very distinct steps.
[Alert: Possible thematic spoilers ahead but no actual story facts.]
At first I was completely sucked in by Michelle's writing, if nothing else. There are no wasted words, no filler sentences. Her writing is completely clear and concise, expressing information and emotion effectively with sentences that are perfectly clean. Each one flowed into the next, keeping me moving ever forward in the story. Even secondary characters are complex and round, but the POV is strictly limited. The premise is familiar yet new and different.
Halfway through I began to think it was quite possible that Cinderella is an idiot. Her husband is so sweet and gorgeous! But is it real love? She has her suspicions, which make it nearly impossible for her to appreciate the Prince. Like the one thing that made it all possible is what's making her doubt it all now.
Then, after I finished the book, I was surprised and heartbroken by the ending. I wept for Cinderella, and I kind of wanted to smack her too. I thought to myself, "Why? Wasn't that a story? A fairy tale? How can that be the end? It felt more like real life."
So I sat on these impressions for a day or two. And I realized I was trying to judge this book by this new, YA fantasy I've been reading. It's not even close. This is "Romeo & Juliet" in modern prose. It's not a paranormal romance, it's a literary fiction tragedy with fantasy overtones. And once I realized that, I fell in love with it on the spot.
Michelle has taken a popular happily-ever-after fairy tale and turned it into a real-life tragic romance with magic, intrigue, politics, and war. And at the center of it all is a very conflicted, naive heroine with everything to lose and complete uncertainty regarding her entire life. But what I loved was how at the end, all illusions were shattered, both magical and personal, and real life finally took hold.
I recommend this book to adults and mature readers - it is NOT for the faint of heart. But for those of you that brave the venture into Cinderella's fairy tale world, you won't regret it.
Now I'm really looking forward to Thirds coming out next year!
P.S. - I feel like I should note, also, that there is only one typo in the entire freaking book. That's unheard of for traditionally published books, much less self-published ones. Kudos to Michelle!
September 2, 2010
I saw this cover and knew I had to read this book. And don't expect some happily ever after, no this is what happens after the HEA.
Cinderella is married to her prince, but she is unhappy and bored. Sure Prince Rowland is wonderful and loving but she knows that he is under a spell, and would he love her without the magic? Her fairy godmother is being accused of witchcraft and is rotting in the dungeon, and Cinderella is feeling the burden of her crown. She is no longer sure that this is what she wants, and then they are the dreams that haunt her. About the man she met and the man who left. The stranger she now dreams about and wants to be with.
As you can see everything is not perfect, she got her prince Charming but at a price, and the magic means that everyone around her likes her. Rowland and she seems to have a lovely time together, and he does seem perfect. But yes, magic. Though it never hit me to feel sorry for him, I guess I was so focused on what Cinderella was doing. I could understand her, but she also ended up doing some things that made me wonder how she later in life thought about those things. I can't say too much so not to spoil things.
All was not well in the kingdom either, now the rule was rather oppressive and the people wants to revolt. Heads will fall in this book, it is a fairytale with a grim truth.
The best part must be the end because I was surprised, and I love being surprised when it comes to books. Argyle did a good job with that.
All in all, you have to pay a price for magic, and this fairytale could sure have been told in the old days, with that bit of advice in it.
Blodeuedd's Cover Corner. Love it. One of my all time fav covers.
Final thoughts: I finished and wanted more, and then I read that there will be other fairytales and that I do look forward to.
Cinderella is married to her prince, but she is unhappy and bored. Sure Prince Rowland is wonderful and loving but she knows that he is under a spell, and would he love her without the magic? Her fairy godmother is being accused of witchcraft and is rotting in the dungeon, and Cinderella is feeling the burden of her crown. She is no longer sure that this is what she wants, and then they are the dreams that haunt her. About the man she met and the man who left. The stranger she now dreams about and wants to be with.
As you can see everything is not perfect, she got her prince Charming but at a price, and the magic means that everyone around her likes her. Rowland and she seems to have a lovely time together, and he does seem perfect. But yes, magic. Though it never hit me to feel sorry for him, I guess I was so focused on what Cinderella was doing. I could understand her, but she also ended up doing some things that made me wonder how she later in life thought about those things. I can't say too much so not to spoil things.
All was not well in the kingdom either, now the rule was rather oppressive and the people wants to revolt. Heads will fall in this book, it is a fairytale with a grim truth.
The best part must be the end because I was surprised, and I love being surprised when it comes to books. Argyle did a good job with that.
All in all, you have to pay a price for magic, and this fairytale could sure have been told in the old days, with that bit of advice in it.
Blodeuedd's Cover Corner. Love it. One of my all time fav covers.
Final thoughts: I finished and wanted more, and then I read that there will be other fairytales and that I do look forward to.
August 26, 2010
Rewriting classic tales or legends is as tricky as a cubix cube. I should know because I write a modern twist on norse mythology. The risk is changing it beyond its former self. And Michelle Davidson Argyle has managed to just about stay within that boundary of familiarity and change. She does breath some new life into characters such as the fairy godmother *warning - forget the classic old lady from disney) as she gives her a history and her own magic secrets. She introduces us to the reality of being a princess instead of having Cinderella's happy ever after being simple happiness - which there is but there are also many real human difficulties such as overly powerful parent inlaws, the conflict created by being a simple hard working girl thrust into a world of court politics and royal responsibility. But thats where things kind of stand for plausability as a genuine future of Cinderella as Michelle then introduces the stranger - both to us and the main character - whose presence many years ago still haunts her. It leads Cinderella to do a lot of thinking over her decisions and where she has got in life and more importantly how. Without giving too much away new characters soon become especially important in order for Cinderella to try and gain true happiness but she must suffer to reach it. There are secrets kept, fresh magic cast, even blood is spilt. The ending however I feel is a bit of a flat conclusion, I won't say if Cinderella got the ending she deserved but that's one thing Michelle makes you think about after you've finished reading. It is definitely an original and more adult depiction of the fairy tale where everything is well once the girl has her prince. It will test your belief and faith of the happy ever after theme.
May 7, 2011
I’ve had this book on my to-be-read pile since the day it was released. But I’ve shirked reading it because, at heart, a romantic. I want Kate Middleton, er, I mean Cinderella, to get her Prince and live happily ever after, and the blurb suggested strongly that this story was not your conventional fairy tale.
Indeed it wasn’t. A well-written, easy to read fantasy, I was drawn into the post-honeymoon stage of Cinderella’s life with the skill of veteran author, although this is Davidson’s debut novel.
The only minor issue I had with the story was I felt that the characterisation of Prince Rowland was weaker than the other characterisation, making Cinderella’s choices blurred at times.
But, as Cinderella is slowly awakened to a deeper knowledge that the grass isn’t always greener of the other side of the hill, the emotional layers of the story deepen into a poignant melancholy. How many women, on marrying the Prince of their dreams, realise that once the honeymoon is over, no life can ever be the perfect life we dream of.
Instead, what Cinderella finds is a power and a responsibility that she didn’t know was hers for the taking. Stepping into her full power brings moments of deep realisation: this is, ultimately, a tale of a girl who was a victim becoming the captain of her own fate, never an easy or comfortable road to take.
I was left moved and, yes, as a romantic, a little bit saddened by this tale. But I’m glad I read it, because it was profound and challenging and, while the difficulties of life were never minimised, it ended on a new beginning: Cinderella had learned just what she was capable of and we know that she has the strength to do what must be done.
Davidson is an author to watch, and I look forward to reading her future work.
Indeed it wasn’t. A well-written, easy to read fantasy, I was drawn into the post-honeymoon stage of Cinderella’s life with the skill of veteran author, although this is Davidson’s debut novel.
The only minor issue I had with the story was I felt that the characterisation of Prince Rowland was weaker than the other characterisation, making Cinderella’s choices blurred at times.
But, as Cinderella is slowly awakened to a deeper knowledge that the grass isn’t always greener of the other side of the hill, the emotional layers of the story deepen into a poignant melancholy. How many women, on marrying the Prince of their dreams, realise that once the honeymoon is over, no life can ever be the perfect life we dream of.
Instead, what Cinderella finds is a power and a responsibility that she didn’t know was hers for the taking. Stepping into her full power brings moments of deep realisation: this is, ultimately, a tale of a girl who was a victim becoming the captain of her own fate, never an easy or comfortable road to take.
I was left moved and, yes, as a romantic, a little bit saddened by this tale. But I’m glad I read it, because it was profound and challenging and, while the difficulties of life were never minimised, it ended on a new beginning: Cinderella had learned just what she was capable of and we know that she has the strength to do what must be done.
Davidson is an author to watch, and I look forward to reading her future work.
February 18, 2011
I love fairy tale retellings and once I saw the cover for this I had to read it. I didn’t know that this was a self-published book because it’s superbly crafted; beautiful cover, tight editing, and a strong cohesive plot. I’ve read my fair share of poorly created self-published books but this one is probably one of the few that belong in with the cream of the crop.
Michelle David Argyle’s writing is very strong and she has a quite a thorough grasp of what she’s doing. There are no frilly passages in here, everything is straightforward and direct. I love the concept of the plot. What happens to Cinderella after she gets her ever after? It’s one of the ideas that were discussed in my Fairy Tale course, and the whole realistic and gritty mood of the piece reminds me a lot of this picture I saw from an artist that drew an unhappy Cinderella in her married life.
The plot moves quickly, although it takes a while to build in the first half, until it moves into the real magical/fairy tale element of the story. There are a lot of darker elements that I didn’t expect. But if everything about this book was so great, why didn’t I like it more?
Well, my problem was that I was unable to fully connect with the characters; their voices fell sort of flat for me. And the ending left me unsatisfied. Don’t get me wrong, I like books that have unexpected endings but this one never clicked with me, nor did it leave any lasting impressions.
If you like your fairy tale retellings of a more mature nature than this is one you should pick up.
Michelle David Argyle’s writing is very strong and she has a quite a thorough grasp of what she’s doing. There are no frilly passages in here, everything is straightforward and direct. I love the concept of the plot. What happens to Cinderella after she gets her ever after? It’s one of the ideas that were discussed in my Fairy Tale course, and the whole realistic and gritty mood of the piece reminds me a lot of this picture I saw from an artist that drew an unhappy Cinderella in her married life.
The plot moves quickly, although it takes a while to build in the first half, until it moves into the real magical/fairy tale element of the story. There are a lot of darker elements that I didn’t expect. But if everything about this book was so great, why didn’t I like it more?
Well, my problem was that I was unable to fully connect with the characters; their voices fell sort of flat for me. And the ending left me unsatisfied. Don’t get me wrong, I like books that have unexpected endings but this one never clicked with me, nor did it leave any lasting impressions.
If you like your fairy tale retellings of a more mature nature than this is one you should pick up.
August 22, 2010
I've never read a novella before and wasn't quite sure what to expect. Could I truly enjoy a story completed in so few words? (I'm not a huge fan of short stories for this reason.)
So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Cinders told a complete story, one that I enjoyed quite a bit.
Cinders tells the tale of Cinderella, now Princess Christina, and her life after she has married her Prince Charming. It's difficult for Cinderella to accept that the love Rowland, her Prince, has for her is true and real--she fears all the time that nothing good she experiences in her life is untainted by magic. She becomes desperate for something that exists outside of that taint.
This book is the best self-published book I've ever encountered. The text was remarkably clean, the story well presented, well shaped and satisfying. The cover is stunning and, interestingly, photographed and created by the author herself.
My only complaint about this novella is that it took me a little while to feel much empathy for Cinderella. I liked reading the book, but at first it was more the charm of reading a continuation of my favorite fairy tale. However, shortly before half way through the novella, Cinderella came to life for me and really started to shine.
Beautifully written in a lyrical, poetic tone, Michelle Davidson Argyle tells the tragic but empowering tale of Cinderella that now feels as real to me as the original fairy tale.
So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Cinders told a complete story, one that I enjoyed quite a bit.
Cinders tells the tale of Cinderella, now Princess Christina, and her life after she has married her Prince Charming. It's difficult for Cinderella to accept that the love Rowland, her Prince, has for her is true and real--she fears all the time that nothing good she experiences in her life is untainted by magic. She becomes desperate for something that exists outside of that taint.
This book is the best self-published book I've ever encountered. The text was remarkably clean, the story well presented, well shaped and satisfying. The cover is stunning and, interestingly, photographed and created by the author herself.
My only complaint about this novella is that it took me a little while to feel much empathy for Cinderella. I liked reading the book, but at first it was more the charm of reading a continuation of my favorite fairy tale. However, shortly before half way through the novella, Cinderella came to life for me and really started to shine.
Beautifully written in a lyrical, poetic tone, Michelle Davidson Argyle tells the tragic but empowering tale of Cinderella that now feels as real to me as the original fairy tale.
November 3, 2010
Cinders is more than a fairy tale. In a way, it harkens back to the real Grimm brother’s story of Cinderella and continues things after she has married the prince. The original Grimm stories were dark, violent, and often didn’t end with “They lived happily ever after.” In a way, Cinders is the same way. It’s a story about a young girl who found her way into a royal family through magic. Things aren’t always rosy and happy in the story, but then things weren’t always rosy and happy in medieval times. The story has a more realistic feel to it than the Disney version of Cinderella. No dancing, singing mice here.
The story kept my attention and kept me reading, wanting to know how it would end. As you think you know what will happen, the author throws in some complete surprises near the end of the story. The main character of Cinderella begins to doubt what she really wants, and how she really feels. Magic is a dangerous thing to use in this world, and she learns the hard way it’s not something to play with. With a surprise ending, this was really a good story, and I really enjoyed reading it! I don’t recommend the book for anyone looking for the happily ever after ending, but I do recommend it for anyone who like their fairy tales a bit more...medieval. Not too long of a story, and simply written, but not for children. Overall though, a fantastic book!
The story kept my attention and kept me reading, wanting to know how it would end. As you think you know what will happen, the author throws in some complete surprises near the end of the story. The main character of Cinderella begins to doubt what she really wants, and how she really feels. Magic is a dangerous thing to use in this world, and she learns the hard way it’s not something to play with. With a surprise ending, this was really a good story, and I really enjoyed reading it! I don’t recommend the book for anyone looking for the happily ever after ending, but I do recommend it for anyone who like their fairy tales a bit more...medieval. Not too long of a story, and simply written, but not for children. Overall though, a fantastic book!
November 7, 2010
Was this book short? Yes. Was it truncated? Absolutely not. I actually loved the length. To me, it signified that Argyle took pains to refine the language into a beautiful and lyrical style. I thought this story was refreshing, a book where the author does not descend to insulting filler, gimmicks, or cliffhangers that are obviously meant to wring more money out of readers. The ending left me curious to know more about this world, but completely satisfied with what I had. That is no easy feat.
If I were someone who easily gave five-star reviews, I would not have hesitated here. There was one tiny flaw, though: for me, it was difficult to connect to the main character, and I felt the story would have been so much more poignant had I done so. I think part of the problem was that Cinderella had an uncertain relationship with every other character in the book, and that made her into the kind of person with whom it is difficult to empathize.
But do not let that deter you from reading this book. It was excellent. Argyle obviously has great potential, and I could definitely see myself giving her five stars for her next book, which I'm eager to read. I would highly recommend Cinders to anyone who wants to read a book in its entirety on their day off, curling up under the blankets and escaping into someone else's world.
If I were someone who easily gave five-star reviews, I would not have hesitated here. There was one tiny flaw, though: for me, it was difficult to connect to the main character, and I felt the story would have been so much more poignant had I done so. I think part of the problem was that Cinderella had an uncertain relationship with every other character in the book, and that made her into the kind of person with whom it is difficult to empathize.
But do not let that deter you from reading this book. It was excellent. Argyle obviously has great potential, and I could definitely see myself giving her five stars for her next book, which I'm eager to read. I would highly recommend Cinders to anyone who wants to read a book in its entirety on their day off, curling up under the blankets and escaping into someone else's world.
September 5, 2010
Cinders is a fantastic continuation of the beloved Cinderella fairy-tale, but if you're looking for cute little talking animals and happily-ever-afters, you're looking in the wrong place. Michelle Davidson Argyle has given us a new look at Cinderella and just what happened after she married her prince. Things aren't all great, and magic could be the problem.
I think the thing I loved most was that there was never a definite answer to Cinderella's problems. She married the Prince and was trying to love him, but she constantly thought of another man and was always wondering if the Prince's love for her would still be there if the magic wasn't there. And in the end nothing gets tied up with a pretty pink bow. It was real and like fairy-tales used to be. Yes, I;m looking at you Disney.
It's heartbreaking and beautifully written and I wouldn't change a word of it. The characters were well developed, and Cinderella definitely grows into herself as the story progresses. The only thing that could have been different would have been the ending, but a happy ending wouldn't have been true to the real fairy-tales and to the story at all.
Cinders is a fantastic read and I highly recommend it.
I think the thing I loved most was that there was never a definite answer to Cinderella's problems. She married the Prince and was trying to love him, but she constantly thought of another man and was always wondering if the Prince's love for her would still be there if the magic wasn't there. And in the end nothing gets tied up with a pretty pink bow. It was real and like fairy-tales used to be. Yes, I;m looking at you Disney.
It's heartbreaking and beautifully written and I wouldn't change a word of it. The characters were well developed, and Cinderella definitely grows into herself as the story progresses. The only thing that could have been different would have been the ending, but a happy ending wouldn't have been true to the real fairy-tales and to the story at all.
Cinders is a fantastic read and I highly recommend it.
August 23, 2010
I'm a little torn on what rating to give this novella. I thought the writing and original spin on Cinderella was very well done. But, I'm a sucker for happy endings and good choices.
Great job to Michelle on her first published novella. I could feel Cinder's struggle between her choices. The characters were well thought out and portrayed. There were several surprises, and I didn't want to put the book down.
I was surprised at the amount of intimacy included. It didn't seem out of place in the story, but I wasn't expecting it. Also, I'm stuck on fairy tales being happy, so the tragic aspects of this story, although very well written and original, kind of put me off balance.
Fantasy aside, "Cinders" seemed to be realistic. We all have choices to make in life, and there are consequences for our actions. Such a basic idea, but this story was a very bold reminder of that. Cinderella's choices had some serious consequences.
I love a happy ending, and really felt for Cinderella at the end. She chose her path inspite of not knowing what the consequences entailed. I'm not sure whether to feel sorry for her or satisfied that she got what was coming to her.
Great job to Michelle on her first published novella. I could feel Cinder's struggle between her choices. The characters were well thought out and portrayed. There were several surprises, and I didn't want to put the book down.
I was surprised at the amount of intimacy included. It didn't seem out of place in the story, but I wasn't expecting it. Also, I'm stuck on fairy tales being happy, so the tragic aspects of this story, although very well written and original, kind of put me off balance.
Fantasy aside, "Cinders" seemed to be realistic. We all have choices to make in life, and there are consequences for our actions. Such a basic idea, but this story was a very bold reminder of that. Cinderella's choices had some serious consequences.
I love a happy ending, and really felt for Cinderella at the end. She chose her path inspite of not knowing what the consequences entailed. I'm not sure whether to feel sorry for her or satisfied that she got what was coming to her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2010
Such a wonderful, well-written story!!!! I'll be honest in saying, this is my first fantasy. And I really enjoyed it!
The story immediately sucked me in...I wanted to know everything that was going on! The fact that everything in Cinderella's world was blanketed in magic was intriguing. I can see how enticing it was for Cinderella, but after it was all said and done.....I too would wonder what was real and what was magic. The prince showed so much love for her and I so wanted it to be real!
The only thing that I did not like was the fact that Cinderella realized she did indeed love the prince, but it was too late. He was already dead. I'm such a romantic.....I wanted them to live happily ever after!!! But in the end, Cinderella had accepted her new role and embraced it...knowing all the good she could do.
And who knows, maybe she'll find love again! :)
The story immediately sucked me in...I wanted to know everything that was going on! The fact that everything in Cinderella's world was blanketed in magic was intriguing. I can see how enticing it was for Cinderella, but after it was all said and done.....I too would wonder what was real and what was magic. The prince showed so much love for her and I so wanted it to be real!
The only thing that I did not like was the fact that Cinderella realized she did indeed love the prince, but it was too late. He was already dead. I'm such a romantic.....I wanted them to live happily ever after!!! But in the end, Cinderella had accepted her new role and embraced it...knowing all the good she could do.
And who knows, maybe she'll find love again! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2011
I do not give one stars lightly, but this was just impossible to get through. Maybe it gets better but I just couldn't stand it any longer. The story in all fairness may have been good, but the execution was sorely lacking. There was no depth to characters, no real world building, I can't say if there was a well done plot or not, because I quit. It felt like reading random nothingness. I was so irritated with a scene on page one about a red powder that she puts on. Then two paragraphs later she is made up again this time by servants and they put on her rouge again (the mysterious red powder). I don't get it, is it the same ball she is getting ready for or a different one? This is not my type of fairy tale. So disappointed!
September 14, 2010
Cinders is an interesting take on life after fairytale. Argyle has created an in-depth backstory to the mythology of the tale, complete with elves, love magic, sprites and an evil castle.
While the concept is intriguing and different, I have to say that this tale was not my cup of tea. I did not connect with Cinders, and had a great deal of sympathy for the victims of her numerous bad decisions, and that coloured my enjoyment of the story.
Argyle's writing style is easy to read and the story flows well. Fans of traditional fantasy will find something in this tale.
While the concept is intriguing and different, I have to say that this tale was not my cup of tea. I did not connect with Cinders, and had a great deal of sympathy for the victims of her numerous bad decisions, and that coloured my enjoyment of the story.
Argyle's writing style is easy to read and the story flows well. Fans of traditional fantasy will find something in this tale.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2018
3.5 stars really. This is definitely a darker version than the Disney version of this fairy tale. Well written, but I felt like something, I couldn't really identify what, was missing from the story. The writing is spare, and that's a skill from a writer that I appreciate, but occasionally the writing can be a little too spare, and that might be the issue for me here. Maybe I need to think about it a little more.
This is a grown-up story, and I like that a lot. It wasn't simplistic or comfortable, and it makes you think about the consequences of your actions.
This is a grown-up story, and I like that a lot. It wasn't simplistic or comfortable, and it makes you think about the consequences of your actions.
March 21, 2011
Poor disappointed Cinderella, or rather, Christina, in this case. Her wish was granted, and now, ironically, life isn't turning out to be the ideal happy ever after she wanted or expected. Written in the gothic styling of traditional fairy tales like Aesop's Fables, what we have here is a "be careful what you wish for" cautionary tale. An allegory, if you will, about the brutally honest awakening -- the enlightenment -- of an impetuous child dissatisfied with her current life. Sure, we all know the story: Cinderella’s father died and her step-monster and sisters have abused and tormented her, but in this case, there was another man, so to speak, come before the Prince. But in Cinderella’s haste to avenge herself and serve the desert best served cold, she allowed herself to be manipulated by magic into making a choice that was not mature and not entirely her own, which ultimately would betray her heart and the heart of another. Most girls would be hard-pressed to resist when confronted with this situation. The thought of being offered a chance to escape a life of misery with one wave of a fairy Godmother's wand. The thought of being a Princess and of having a charming handsome husband who dotes on you and lavishes the tenderest of affections on your flesh in the quietest of hours, heck, who wouldn't jump at the chance for that? It's that sort of impetuousness that leads us to temptation. Cinderella seeks nothing more than the fulfillment of her desires without actually contemplating anything beneath or beyond the surface. Our Cinderella, in this case, will discover the truth behind her naive and childish choice, and she will find all this out the hard way. A person is defined by what they do and what they don't do, and every choice or action has a positive and a negative reaction equal in strength and ferocity. She has been warned. Even if the choice she makes isn’t the right choice for her upon later reflection, it’s too late. With some choices, you cannot go back. The fact that she even asks this is very telling.
Therefore, our Cinderella in this story is not an easy character to empathize with. She has everything, and all she can do is complain. She pines away in secret for another man, whom she met before the Prince and now believes may be nothing more than an artifact of a dream. Her in-laws, the King and Queen, are not the kindest and gentlest of rulers, and she isn't sure her husband, the Prince, would actually truly love her if it weren't for the spell cast upon him. She finds her dresses too heavy, the castle too cold and boring, and the laws of the land too unfair, even if she secretly wanted her Step-mother to suffer -- just a little bit. Cinderella herself can often be cold and unyielding, and by mid-story, we find that she has grown little from the experience, and predictably and selfishly, she allows herself to be manipulated again for the second time in her life by the same magic that put her in her current predicament. However, this time, people will die because of her fickleness of heart. The powers manipulating her know this and have conspired to use her immaturity to get exactly what they want.
In the end -- no spoilers here -- things end badly, depending on your perspective. Cinderella winds up in a predicament much worse than what she was in before, but, we can hold fast to the hope that she has gleaned some enlightenment from the circumstances thrust upon her. In the end, she has a real chance to make some positive choices, choices that will be entirely her own. We can only hope she chooses wisely. She does keep one promise, so that’s a start.
All in all, I loved this book. It is a true novella in every respect. The cover is beautifully done. The writing is lovely and imaginative and simple in its tenor. It’s a quick fluid read. Even a young reader will be able to understand the concepts being presented here. The feel while reading it is that of a much older fairy tale, fairy tales which were rather dark, gruesome, and abrupt, written mainly to teach a lesson by scaring the crap out of impressionable children. And while this book, like the original fairy tales of old, is loaded with abuses and intrigue and death, the treatment of these issues is quite subtle, so to sum up, if you are looking for the story of Cinderella annexed as a romance novel, you will be disappointed. If you are looking for Cinderella erotica, a la Anne Rice, you will also be disappointed, but if you are looking for a real tried and true Fairy Tale with all the grimness and subterfuge fables like these have to offer, then this is what you want. Enjoy. I certainly did. I only took half a point off because I felt the “other man” could have been explored just a little bit more.
Therefore, our Cinderella in this story is not an easy character to empathize with. She has everything, and all she can do is complain. She pines away in secret for another man, whom she met before the Prince and now believes may be nothing more than an artifact of a dream. Her in-laws, the King and Queen, are not the kindest and gentlest of rulers, and she isn't sure her husband, the Prince, would actually truly love her if it weren't for the spell cast upon him. She finds her dresses too heavy, the castle too cold and boring, and the laws of the land too unfair, even if she secretly wanted her Step-mother to suffer -- just a little bit. Cinderella herself can often be cold and unyielding, and by mid-story, we find that she has grown little from the experience, and predictably and selfishly, she allows herself to be manipulated again for the second time in her life by the same magic that put her in her current predicament. However, this time, people will die because of her fickleness of heart. The powers manipulating her know this and have conspired to use her immaturity to get exactly what they want.
In the end -- no spoilers here -- things end badly, depending on your perspective. Cinderella winds up in a predicament much worse than what she was in before, but, we can hold fast to the hope that she has gleaned some enlightenment from the circumstances thrust upon her. In the end, she has a real chance to make some positive choices, choices that will be entirely her own. We can only hope she chooses wisely. She does keep one promise, so that’s a start.
All in all, I loved this book. It is a true novella in every respect. The cover is beautifully done. The writing is lovely and imaginative and simple in its tenor. It’s a quick fluid read. Even a young reader will be able to understand the concepts being presented here. The feel while reading it is that of a much older fairy tale, fairy tales which were rather dark, gruesome, and abrupt, written mainly to teach a lesson by scaring the crap out of impressionable children. And while this book, like the original fairy tales of old, is loaded with abuses and intrigue and death, the treatment of these issues is quite subtle, so to sum up, if you are looking for the story of Cinderella annexed as a romance novel, you will be disappointed. If you are looking for Cinderella erotica, a la Anne Rice, you will also be disappointed, but if you are looking for a real tried and true Fairy Tale with all the grimness and subterfuge fables like these have to offer, then this is what you want. Enjoy. I certainly did. I only took half a point off because I felt the “other man” could have been explored just a little bit more.
September 28, 2010
There’s a lot to like about Cinders, so let’s start there. First of all, let’s dispense with the whole self-publishing stigma right at the outset, shall we? There’s nothing even remotely second rate about the quality of the book: lovely cover design, great production standards, and if there were more’n 3 typos in the entire thing, I’d be surprised. Hell, even Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book had a misspelling or two, and that was professionally edited, so Michelle did a fantastic job with that.
As for the story, let’s just say this: Glam sure ain’t afraid to put the hurt on her characters. Cinderella makes some pretty questionable decisions in her quest to find true love, and several of ‘em bite her in the ass pretty hard. Like, great-white-shark-bite hard. Yowza. This is why I loved the ending of Cinders: it’s not neat, it’s not tidy, and it sure ain’t happy, but it makes perfect sense. And boy does Cindy have a character arc! Quite the changed woman at the end, she is.
The other thing I appreciated about Cinders was Michelle’s use of imagery. She’s got an excellent eye for vivid and startling scenes, and the pictures she paints with words have a way of sticking with you. The following passage illustrates what I mean.
"The next morning the kitchen smelled of blood. It was splattered on the wood countertops and splashed across the floor. Cinderella watched thin red streams trickle between the stones.
The prince’s hunting party had done well: fifteen ducks, three pheasants, and eight rabbits hung on a long thin wire in the corner. The red liquid dripped steadily from their limp bodies swaying back and forth in the cool breeze from an open door."
You can just see the kitchen, can’t you? Even smell it? That’s what I’m talking about.
As for what didn’t work as well for me? Well, it won’t surprise anyone who knows me to learn that the romance aspect was the main thing I stumbled on. I felt I could have been sold a little better on the secondary romance that causes most of Cinderella’s post-nuptial angst. Not that I’m against marital complications (I routinely screw up my own characters’ relationships for fun and entertainment), but there was kind of a de facto feel to Cinderella’s dilemma that I felt could have been mitigated by a bit more foreshadowing or elegantly-worked-in backstory.
The other thing that nagged at me was the ending. Now yes, I did say that I love the ending, and I do—the situation of it. But the setup for the situation I felt was a tad thin. Ultimately, I think both of my criticisms of Cinders stem from its being a novella. Given more time and a less constrained wordcount, I feel as though the parts that struck me as underwritten could have been expanded, foreshadowed, constructed more thoroughly. This, of course, is my personal preference as a reader; there are plenty of people who love the simplicity and directness of the novella form.
So would I recommend Cinders? Certainly, and not just because I like Michelle. Her prose style is elegant and flowing, and the world she’s created is earthy, detail-rich, solid. Her use of imagery is outstanding. The story will shock you in places, make you smile in others, and the ending, while perhaps surprising, is satisfying in that oh-of-course-it-had-to-be-this-way sense. Cinders is definitely worth a read.
As for the story, let’s just say this: Glam sure ain’t afraid to put the hurt on her characters. Cinderella makes some pretty questionable decisions in her quest to find true love, and several of ‘em bite her in the ass pretty hard. Like, great-white-shark-bite hard. Yowza. This is why I loved the ending of Cinders: it’s not neat, it’s not tidy, and it sure ain’t happy, but it makes perfect sense. And boy does Cindy have a character arc! Quite the changed woman at the end, she is.
The other thing I appreciated about Cinders was Michelle’s use of imagery. She’s got an excellent eye for vivid and startling scenes, and the pictures she paints with words have a way of sticking with you. The following passage illustrates what I mean.
"The next morning the kitchen smelled of blood. It was splattered on the wood countertops and splashed across the floor. Cinderella watched thin red streams trickle between the stones.
The prince’s hunting party had done well: fifteen ducks, three pheasants, and eight rabbits hung on a long thin wire in the corner. The red liquid dripped steadily from their limp bodies swaying back and forth in the cool breeze from an open door."
You can just see the kitchen, can’t you? Even smell it? That’s what I’m talking about.
As for what didn’t work as well for me? Well, it won’t surprise anyone who knows me to learn that the romance aspect was the main thing I stumbled on. I felt I could have been sold a little better on the secondary romance that causes most of Cinderella’s post-nuptial angst. Not that I’m against marital complications (I routinely screw up my own characters’ relationships for fun and entertainment), but there was kind of a de facto feel to Cinderella’s dilemma that I felt could have been mitigated by a bit more foreshadowing or elegantly-worked-in backstory.
The other thing that nagged at me was the ending. Now yes, I did say that I love the ending, and I do—the situation of it. But the setup for the situation I felt was a tad thin. Ultimately, I think both of my criticisms of Cinders stem from its being a novella. Given more time and a less constrained wordcount, I feel as though the parts that struck me as underwritten could have been expanded, foreshadowed, constructed more thoroughly. This, of course, is my personal preference as a reader; there are plenty of people who love the simplicity and directness of the novella form.
So would I recommend Cinders? Certainly, and not just because I like Michelle. Her prose style is elegant and flowing, and the world she’s created is earthy, detail-rich, solid. Her use of imagery is outstanding. The story will shock you in places, make you smile in others, and the ending, while perhaps surprising, is satisfying in that oh-of-course-it-had-to-be-this-way sense. Cinders is definitely worth a read.
Read
April 10, 2021(NOTE: May contain spoilers.)
I recently read Michelle Davidson Argyle's "Cinders" and found it to be a thoroughly engaging story. I was taken in by the depth of emotion and dark turns in the plot, and I found it difficult to put this book down.
The language is lyrical and beautiful, but not overly fluffy as to distract from the story. While the story is set in a medieval, magical kingdom filled with knights and peasants, Argyle doesn't get bogged down with trying to make the characters sound "of the period." Instead, the dialogue flows effortlessly and the prose practically disappears in front of the reader's eyes, leaving us engrossed in the characters and the story.
I enjoyed the dark twists to the fairytale as well. Argyle doesn't hold back, but lets the reader see the full extent of darkness and evil in her characters. In fact, even our beloved protagonist, Cinderella, is not immune from the darkness as we discover throughout the story. It was this darkness that drew me into the story and made it ring true in a way that fairy tales often do not.
Perhaps the most deftly developed aspect of the story is the relationship between Cinderella and her prince, Rowland. While Cinderella is convinced that their relationship is based purely on magic, we see a depth of love develop between the couple that makes this marriage very real. Unlike the "happily ever after" vision of a perfect Prince Charming, Rowland has his flaws, the biggest of which is that he is not the handsome stranger who haunts Cinderella's dreams. As she discovers, however, the gentle, steady love that forms her marriage is far more precious than the passion she thought she wanted.
The one aspect of the story that did not ring quite as true to me was the stranger in Cinderella's dreams. When he turns out to be a magical being, it becomes hard for the reader to hope that Cinderella to choose him over Rowland, though I imagine this may have been the author's design. Yet, in a world where all the other beings have some sort of darkness in them, I wanted to see darkness in this stranger as well, some glint of evil that would push the story that one last step.
I found this to be a deeply engaging book, one which I read in practically one sitting. The bittersweet ending left me nothing short of breathless. My response: "Yes! *sigh* More?" And that's precisely what a reader's response to any ending should be.
I recently read Michelle Davidson Argyle's "Cinders" and found it to be a thoroughly engaging story. I was taken in by the depth of emotion and dark turns in the plot, and I found it difficult to put this book down.
The language is lyrical and beautiful, but not overly fluffy as to distract from the story. While the story is set in a medieval, magical kingdom filled with knights and peasants, Argyle doesn't get bogged down with trying to make the characters sound "of the period." Instead, the dialogue flows effortlessly and the prose practically disappears in front of the reader's eyes, leaving us engrossed in the characters and the story.
I enjoyed the dark twists to the fairytale as well. Argyle doesn't hold back, but lets the reader see the full extent of darkness and evil in her characters. In fact, even our beloved protagonist, Cinderella, is not immune from the darkness as we discover throughout the story. It was this darkness that drew me into the story and made it ring true in a way that fairy tales often do not.
Perhaps the most deftly developed aspect of the story is the relationship between Cinderella and her prince, Rowland. While Cinderella is convinced that their relationship is based purely on magic, we see a depth of love develop between the couple that makes this marriage very real. Unlike the "happily ever after" vision of a perfect Prince Charming, Rowland has his flaws, the biggest of which is that he is not the handsome stranger who haunts Cinderella's dreams. As she discovers, however, the gentle, steady love that forms her marriage is far more precious than the passion she thought she wanted.
The one aspect of the story that did not ring quite as true to me was the stranger in Cinderella's dreams. When he turns out to be a magical being, it becomes hard for the reader to hope that Cinderella to choose him over Rowland, though I imagine this may have been the author's design. Yet, in a world where all the other beings have some sort of darkness in them, I wanted to see darkness in this stranger as well, some glint of evil that would push the story that one last step.
I found this to be a deeply engaging book, one which I read in practically one sitting. The bittersweet ending left me nothing short of breathless. My response: "Yes! *sigh* More?" And that's precisely what a reader's response to any ending should be.
January 4, 2011
Conventional wisdom holds that there are two ways to reimagine old folk tales. The first is to wrench the plot out of its traditional setting while retaining its original concerns. (Consider how Steven Spielberg placed Pinocchio in a high-tech dystopia with his film A.I.). The second uses an opposite approach -- maintain the surroundings while shifting the thematic focus. ("Snow, Glass, Apples," Neil Gaiman's grisly take on the story of Snow White, is a prime example.) One can usually tell which path an author will take within the first few pages. But not with Cinders, a fantasy novella that reworks Cinderella. Author Michelle Davidson Argyle charts a middle course by combining both approaches.
Kiss the prince, claim the crown and dwell in marital bliss for the rest of your days -- that was how Christina thought everything was supposed to end. It hasn't. Though Eolande (that magical being calling herself Christina's fairy godmother) has charmed her into the kingdom's castle and the marriage bed of Rowland, its future ruler, life isn't perfect. New troubles seem to stalk her every day, ones worse than being whipped for slight infractions or forced to work fingers to the bone. Grumblings about a revolt filter through the palace halls. Eolande has gotten thrown in jail, accused of murder. And the queen seems to view the new princess with more than a little suspicion. Of greater concern than all of these to Christina are the nightly dreams, dreams of a mysterious stranger that make her question whether love gained through magic is any love at all.
Argyle adheres to and separates from her source material by beginning the action right where Cinderella ends and moving the genre from fable to literary fantasy. The surroundings feel familiar and yet fresh, the subject matter shared and still separate. The Grimm and Disney emphases of rising from poverty to royalty and gaining true love meet with political intrigues and ethical issues of enchantment. It's a compelling mix that Argyle handles with aplomb. The only place where Cinders reallly stumbles is in a tendency to tell what characters' emotional states are rather than showing them. However, this is more than balanced with an ending that's ... Well, let's not spoil it. Suffice it say that the climax and closing are both shocking and subtle, a conclusion that may smolder in your mind for days to come.
Kiss the prince, claim the crown and dwell in marital bliss for the rest of your days -- that was how Christina thought everything was supposed to end. It hasn't. Though Eolande (that magical being calling herself Christina's fairy godmother) has charmed her into the kingdom's castle and the marriage bed of Rowland, its future ruler, life isn't perfect. New troubles seem to stalk her every day, ones worse than being whipped for slight infractions or forced to work fingers to the bone. Grumblings about a revolt filter through the palace halls. Eolande has gotten thrown in jail, accused of murder. And the queen seems to view the new princess with more than a little suspicion. Of greater concern than all of these to Christina are the nightly dreams, dreams of a mysterious stranger that make her question whether love gained through magic is any love at all.
Argyle adheres to and separates from her source material by beginning the action right where Cinderella ends and moving the genre from fable to literary fantasy. The surroundings feel familiar and yet fresh, the subject matter shared and still separate. The Grimm and Disney emphases of rising from poverty to royalty and gaining true love meet with political intrigues and ethical issues of enchantment. It's a compelling mix that Argyle handles with aplomb. The only place where Cinders reallly stumbles is in a tendency to tell what characters' emotional states are rather than showing them. However, this is more than balanced with an ending that's ... Well, let's not spoil it. Suffice it say that the climax and closing are both shocking and subtle, a conclusion that may smolder in your mind for days to come.
August 29, 2010
If anyone knows me they know that I love reading fantasy novels! So when I saw this was a re-telling of Cinderella…I was excited to get my hands on it. In many ways I wasn’t quite sure what to expect and to be honest it wasn’t what I thought it would be like at all. The novel itself has hints of mystery, murder, romance, and magic all rolled into one. It is a powerful story; well written and with very detailed and intricate descriptions. The story takes quite a dark approach to the fairy tale of Cinderella…which is something that I was not expecting. This story was more of a mature and adult re-telling of the tale. I liked the different take on the fairy tale, and especially since the plot focuses on the storyline after Cinderella has married the prince. I was expecting a light, magical, and happy story written more for young adults. I do think a lot of mature high schoolers out there though would love this book.
The characters are well rounded and I felt connected to them and understood them by the end of the book. Not only was the story full of magic, but the writing was magical as well! The storyline hooked me in and held my interest until the end…I absolutely loved it. I would tell more about it, but I don’t want to give any of it away. I truly did feel that the story came full circle by the end and answered all my questions. The story portrays a more realistic view of life. I think we get caught up in having every book we read and movie we see end with everything solved. Life is never like that. I enjoyed Cinders because of its fresh new angle on an old fairy tale.
This isn’t your usual happy fairy tale; it is a dark, mysterious, and captivating read and I would highly recommend it. I am a huge fantasy fan and love different takes and re-tellings of fairy tales! One of the main reasons I wanted to read the book was because I knew it was a genre I love.
The characters are well rounded and I felt connected to them and understood them by the end of the book. Not only was the story full of magic, but the writing was magical as well! The storyline hooked me in and held my interest until the end…I absolutely loved it. I would tell more about it, but I don’t want to give any of it away. I truly did feel that the story came full circle by the end and answered all my questions. The story portrays a more realistic view of life. I think we get caught up in having every book we read and movie we see end with everything solved. Life is never like that. I enjoyed Cinders because of its fresh new angle on an old fairy tale.
This isn’t your usual happy fairy tale; it is a dark, mysterious, and captivating read and I would highly recommend it. I am a huge fantasy fan and love different takes and re-tellings of fairy tales! One of the main reasons I wanted to read the book was because I knew it was a genre I love.
September 4, 2010
Ever wonder what happened to Cinderella AFTER she had her happily ever after? What was her life like after the wedding and after she became a Princess? Cinders gives you a new look on her life within the castle walls and it's not as happy as everyone thinks.
Cinderella's life isn't exactly as she expected, though her relationship with Prince Rowland is filled with affection and everything she could ever dream of, Cinderella feels like there's something missing. As her dreams become haunted by the appearance of of a mysterious stranger, and a strong and magnetic pull forms between them, Cinderella begins to question herself and her life in the castle. With her faery godmother imprisoned within the castle dungeon, Cinderella must find a way to reach her and ask the questions that have been tearing at her very soul.
Cinderella is thrown into a world of mystery and magic, as everything around her begins to unravel and the spell cast upon the royal family; and Rowland, starts to crumble. With Eolande (her godmother) withering away in the depths of the prison, her powers become difficult to maintain. Cinderella finds a way to see Eolande and with her guidance discovers a way to bring the mystery man of her dreams closer to her...but at what price.
Cinders is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout every page. When the mystery of Cinderella's life unfolds you'll be left surprised and the truth will leave you shocked. When the story comes to an end, you never see it coming.
Cinders brings a new light to an old story and it's a fresh take to not have every fairytale end the same way.
Cinderella's life isn't exactly as she expected, though her relationship with Prince Rowland is filled with affection and everything she could ever dream of, Cinderella feels like there's something missing. As her dreams become haunted by the appearance of of a mysterious stranger, and a strong and magnetic pull forms between them, Cinderella begins to question herself and her life in the castle. With her faery godmother imprisoned within the castle dungeon, Cinderella must find a way to reach her and ask the questions that have been tearing at her very soul.
Cinderella is thrown into a world of mystery and magic, as everything around her begins to unravel and the spell cast upon the royal family; and Rowland, starts to crumble. With Eolande (her godmother) withering away in the depths of the prison, her powers become difficult to maintain. Cinderella finds a way to see Eolande and with her guidance discovers a way to bring the mystery man of her dreams closer to her...but at what price.
Cinders is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout every page. When the mystery of Cinderella's life unfolds you'll be left surprised and the truth will leave you shocked. When the story comes to an end, you never see it coming.
Cinders brings a new light to an old story and it's a fresh take to not have every fairytale end the same way.
September 1, 2010
A kingdom rife with problems, a cruel royal family, a mysterious man, and at the head of everything, a reluctant princess who thought she knew what she wanted when she got into this mess.
I’m reminded of the old adage, “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.”
Don’t expect talking mice and happy tweeting birds. This is no cartoon rendition of Cinderella (though you might see a sprite or two). This is a refreshingly gritty take on the idea of what happens next.
Weeks have passed since she wore her fur slippers and won the heart of her Prince Charming. Now Cinderella, better known as Christina, is learning what it really means to be a royal. And it is not all a fairytale with a happy ever after. She questions the reality of her new life suspecting everything, even the love of her Prince Charming, is fake and only an illusion created by magic. Her dreams, however, feel real, and so does the secretive man who visits her there.
Realizing this may not have been the outcome she wanted, Cinderella seeks out the council of her, now imprisoned, fairy godmother. She’s told to think carefully on her choices; however, if she really wants to break the ties to her Prince and find “real love,” she must find three specific items and perform a special spell.
It is in the searching out of these three items that takes the story into its dark and gritty place. Cinderella will be forced to do things she never imagined and make terrible choices and sacrifices that will both shock and amaze you. (I found myself literally gasping after certain scenes.)
Needless to say, I enjoyed it and I think you will too.
I’m reminded of the old adage, “Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.”
Don’t expect talking mice and happy tweeting birds. This is no cartoon rendition of Cinderella (though you might see a sprite or two). This is a refreshingly gritty take on the idea of what happens next.
Weeks have passed since she wore her fur slippers and won the heart of her Prince Charming. Now Cinderella, better known as Christina, is learning what it really means to be a royal. And it is not all a fairytale with a happy ever after. She questions the reality of her new life suspecting everything, even the love of her Prince Charming, is fake and only an illusion created by magic. Her dreams, however, feel real, and so does the secretive man who visits her there.
Realizing this may not have been the outcome she wanted, Cinderella seeks out the council of her, now imprisoned, fairy godmother. She’s told to think carefully on her choices; however, if she really wants to break the ties to her Prince and find “real love,” she must find three specific items and perform a special spell.
It is in the searching out of these three items that takes the story into its dark and gritty place. Cinderella will be forced to do things she never imagined and make terrible choices and sacrifices that will both shock and amaze you. (I found myself literally gasping after certain scenes.)
Needless to say, I enjoyed it and I think you will too.
April 12, 2011
Why I bought it? Michelle is a friend, and I love her writing. I have a signed copy. (Disclosure: I did some beta reading for her on this project.)
Synopsis/set up: This books begins with Cinderella in the palace, married to her prince. Royal life is not all its cracked up to be, and Cinderella wonders if magic can result in true love. Doubts creep in and lead her in unexpected directions. Not necessarily happy directions.
What I thought? The writing is incredibly well done, and, when you think that she didn't have all the infrastructure of traditional publishing, it just goes to show what a great writer Michelle is. (It helped her get a publisher for another book and then more, so obviously it's well written.) She does vivid like nobody's business. It's one of my favorite things about her writing. It's cinematic. The story line is unique--at times cool and clever, at times infuriating. It elicited strong reactions from me often visceral. I wanted to shake Cinderella or sit down with her and give her a good talking to or a shoulder to cry on. The twists and turns keep the reader engaged and guessing. I was surprised by the the ending but prepared for it all the same. The secondary characters are well drawn and realistic--no two-dimensional, paper-thin people here. In some ways, I think of this as a fairy tale that hit reality.
My Rating: ****1/2 out of 5.
Cleanness Score: 5 out of 10, This is written for adults and has a some pretty tame marital love scenes and there's some war type violence. This is a dark tale and has a healthy body count. I think it's fine for older teens. I wouldn't have a problem with my 16 year old reading it.
Synopsis/set up: This books begins with Cinderella in the palace, married to her prince. Royal life is not all its cracked up to be, and Cinderella wonders if magic can result in true love. Doubts creep in and lead her in unexpected directions. Not necessarily happy directions.
What I thought? The writing is incredibly well done, and, when you think that she didn't have all the infrastructure of traditional publishing, it just goes to show what a great writer Michelle is. (It helped her get a publisher for another book and then more, so obviously it's well written.) She does vivid like nobody's business. It's one of my favorite things about her writing. It's cinematic. The story line is unique--at times cool and clever, at times infuriating. It elicited strong reactions from me often visceral. I wanted to shake Cinderella or sit down with her and give her a good talking to or a shoulder to cry on. The twists and turns keep the reader engaged and guessing. I was surprised by the the ending but prepared for it all the same. The secondary characters are well drawn and realistic--no two-dimensional, paper-thin people here. In some ways, I think of this as a fairy tale that hit reality.
My Rating: ****1/2 out of 5.
Cleanness Score: 5 out of 10, This is written for adults and has a some pretty tame marital love scenes and there's some war type violence. This is a dark tale and has a healthy body count. I think it's fine for older teens. I wouldn't have a problem with my 16 year old reading it.
September 9, 2010
Reading the summary of Cinders already made me excited enough to read the book. As I watched the book trailer, my eagerness to read this book grew. I happened to recieve the book just today, and I raced through it in atleast 2-3 hours. Michelle Davidson Argyle is a great original fairytale story reteller. I did happen to enjoy her book-I just had a few things I wished could be changed.
I thought Cinderalla was a character that couldn't decide what she wanted anymore-the stranger or Rowland, Peasant life, or the life of a monarch. I was a little bit confused on what type of character she was. But as the story went along, I understood her better, and got to know her side of the story.
Kale was the unknown stranger haunting her dreams. I thought that he was really mysterious, which was good-it left me hanging off at a end. What I didn't like about him was that he decided to let Cinderella choose another path instead of the one she'd be happier on.
I liked the feeling of suspense, worry, intrigue. I thought this book measured up to Gale Carson Levine's stories, and I hope to read more of Michelle Davidson Argyle's books. Hopefully there is a sequel-it was partly unfinished at the end.
Rating
Grade:A
I thought Cinderalla was a character that couldn't decide what she wanted anymore-the stranger or Rowland, Peasant life, or the life of a monarch. I was a little bit confused on what type of character she was. But as the story went along, I understood her better, and got to know her side of the story.
Kale was the unknown stranger haunting her dreams. I thought that he was really mysterious, which was good-it left me hanging off at a end. What I didn't like about him was that he decided to let Cinderella choose another path instead of the one she'd be happier on.
I liked the feeling of suspense, worry, intrigue. I thought this book measured up to Gale Carson Levine's stories, and I hope to read more of Michelle Davidson Argyle's books. Hopefully there is a sequel-it was partly unfinished at the end.
Rating
Grade:A
September 6, 2010
I haven't read much literary fiction in recent years, preferring more "mass market" fare to escape with. But this particular novella is a pleasant, relaxing interlude that is meant to be savored slowly in small bites, not at all assuming or pretentious like I've found so many literary works to be. You won't need a dictionary or crib notes to enjoy this story, but I would caution against devouring it too quickly, lest you miss any of the wonderful layers within.
Argyle has woven a fascinating blend of emotional angst and poetic beauty in this fantasy that explores the concept of love - what it is, how we recognize it, and what happens when it's all an illusion. She takes the romantic Cinderella fairy-tale we all know and goes deeper, giving us an alternate reality that is both plausible and fanciful to challenge our perception of "happily ever after".
The prose is beautiful and flows smoothly in true fairy-tale style, and I found it both thought-provoking and satisfying when I reached the end. I'll definitely be looking for more work from this author - literary fiction (or literary fantasy, if you will) is lucky to have such a talented newcomer, in my opinion.
Argyle has woven a fascinating blend of emotional angst and poetic beauty in this fantasy that explores the concept of love - what it is, how we recognize it, and what happens when it's all an illusion. She takes the romantic Cinderella fairy-tale we all know and goes deeper, giving us an alternate reality that is both plausible and fanciful to challenge our perception of "happily ever after".
The prose is beautiful and flows smoothly in true fairy-tale style, and I found it both thought-provoking and satisfying when I reached the end. I'll definitely be looking for more work from this author - literary fiction (or literary fantasy, if you will) is lucky to have such a talented newcomer, in my opinion.
April 13, 2011
Cinders by Michelle Davidson Argyle is a continuation of the Cinderella fairy story. But don’t come to this book expecting cute white mice and pumpkins that turn into golden carriages. No, this book covers what happens when the magic palls, when a fairytale Princess learns to live in the real world. When a young woman who thought she knew what she wanted suddenly realizes she doesn’t know at all. This is a gritty tale of indecision, and unfulfilled desires. Of the yearning to know that love is real, not dependent upon the strength of a spell.
Yet the author still manages to weave the vestiges of fairytale magic around such base human traits. Her Cinders is a real woman, with real emotions. The world she creates is as vivid as ours; its problems and peoples familiar. Cinder’s reactions might surprise you, her solutions might irritate you. You may or may not condone her actions. Nevertheless, you will be drawn to her, and will want to travel with her to the book’s unconventional conclusion.
An engrossing read and a great example of fine writing.
Yet the author still manages to weave the vestiges of fairytale magic around such base human traits. Her Cinders is a real woman, with real emotions. The world she creates is as vivid as ours; its problems and peoples familiar. Cinder’s reactions might surprise you, her solutions might irritate you. You may or may not condone her actions. Nevertheless, you will be drawn to her, and will want to travel with her to the book’s unconventional conclusion.
An engrossing read and a great example of fine writing.
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