love this book and I recommend everyone to read it. I like both Kat and the Prince, which is unusual and I can’t wait to read the sequel.

What would have happened if Cinderella needed the ugly stepsister to get her happy ending?

“Books open new worlds to me.”

I picked up this book because I was intrigued by the notion of hearing a fairy tale told from the point of view of one of the lesser characters in the story. I didn't completely get what I was hoping for, but all the same, this book kept me entertained and I am going to continue with this series.

Kat is awkward, to say the least, when it comes to talking to guys. It often ends up with her falling on her face, literally. While cleaning out the attic, she accidentally rips an old fairy tale book, Cinderella. Somehow, she falls into the book, where she learns that in ripping it she tripped an ancient curse. She is trapped in the book until the happy ending can be achieved - and it is Kat's responsibility to make it happen.

THE GOOD STUFF

Kat's role: I was very drawn to the idea that Kat had to make the story happen, that while she was techinically inside a book, the story wasn't just playing out around her. She had to make sure that all of the things we associate with Cinderella came to be - the ball, the fairy godmother, the slipper, the wedding and the happily ever after. It was really interesting.

“If the Beast gave me a library like he gave to Belle, I’d marry him too.”

Alternative versions: Because Kat was the one who had to make the story happen, there was of course numerous obstacles in her way. That was actually something that I really liked because it had my head spinning, trying to come with ways to make the 'slipper fit' so to speak.

Kat and Edward: I really enjoyed both Kat and Edward (the prince). They were adorable, likeable characters and their relationship was so cute. Kat was adorably awkward and clumsy but she was also an activist with passion and heart. My favourite part was how she and Edward bonded over their shared ideals for the future. Edward was a true fairy tale prince in the best way - he was not a womanizer, he was not hung up on the attention of women. He was just a withdrawn, private man who loved gardening and dreamt of making a better future for his people.

THE NOT SO GOOD STUFF

Cliché and unoriginal: There were some things about this book that were a bit clichéed and 'done before'. The whole 'main character falling into a book/other world' has been done many times with varying degrees of success. This was neither really good nor bad. And with that cliché of course comes the 'main character that stands out form the rest'. Luckily, however, Kat does actually address this herself, so that was a relief.

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When I first started reading this book, I didn't think I'd like it. There were several aspects of the novel that I didn't feel made sense. But once I got attached to the characters, I completely forgot about those details. I really enjoyed this novel. It was cute, it was funny, and it wasn't just about the "Cinderella" retelling. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good adventure and good character-relationships.

4.75 más bien. Tuvo algunos fallitos y el final me descolocó, pero en general me divirtió enormemente y es una perspectiva que nunca se me hubiese ocurrido antes del cuento de cenicienta. He leído muchísimos retellings de este cuento, pero nunca desde la perspectiva de que la protagonista tenga que representar el papel de la hermanastra "fea".
Aunque hubo algunos vacios argumentales menores, como escribe la propia autora "mientras la historia de amor nos mantenga en vilo, los lectores ignorarán las pequeñas incongruencias".
Me gustó que Kat se mueve mucho para conseguir reescribir el cuento y no solo se centra en los líos amorosos, también añade las injusticias sociales de la época de la industrialización. La acción transcurre en un marco de tiempo realista, incluso la historia de amor me pareció bastante bien llevada. Me encantaron los personajes y por eso creo que no soy capaz de darle las cinco estrellas a pesar de que lo considere de mis favoritos de este año, el final, aunque sea realista y muestre la evolución de la protagonista desde el principio del libro, me resulto desgarrador ver como todo fue una "alucinación".
PS: Encontré impecable el uso de las referencias al mundo literario que iba comentando Kat.

Such a fun read!

Okay, so if we're going to be technical, I found the very beginning and last few pages to be kind of on the clunky side--getting Kat into the Story World happened waaaay to fast and what happens after was head-scratchingly anticlimactic--but everything in the middle was a delight. I'm a total sucker for fairy-tale retellings, so I was glad that this one was well done overall.

(Except for the cover. What is up with that dress???)

I really enjoyed Kat's character, even if she was a bit slow on the uptake at times. She stood up for the people she cared about and went above and beyond in her attempts to fix the wrongs she saw in the world she was thrown into--both the ones that should (hopefully) get her back to her own place and time and the ones that were completely unrelated to her plight.

And the prince? Totally sigh-worthy. Absolutely loved him and all of his attempts to make his kingdom a better place. And the fact that he believed in Kat 110% made him that much more of a hero, IMO. :)

This was my first book from this author, but it definitely won't be my last.

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

The review was first posted on For The Love of Fictional Worlds

I received a digital copy of the book via the author in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating 4.5 stars

There are honestly way too many fairy tale retellings in bookworm world, so it should be totally used up idea that doesn't have anything new to give anymore! BOING!! WRONG!! I shouldn't be, but I am so happy that authors, different authors still continue to surprise me!

"If Beast gave me a library like he gave to Belle, I'd marry him too."

Kat is a typical bookworm - and by typical - I of course mean awesome - cause she loves reading, fictional characters more than real ones and loves getting lost in the fictional world - in short she is me, she is you and she is every single book worm there in this world (gender be damned!).

So, when Kat accidently rips apart an old Cinderella book - while she is cleaning out the old boxes of books reluctantly! - she is transferred into the body (her soul that is!) into the body of Katriona, Stepsister of Cinderella (Ella in this version!).

"It's fictional world, Kat. There's no need to be so into it."

This version of Cinderella is different (it has to be!) - it requires Kat do all the work, from finding the fairy Godmother to uncovering the history of Ella to actually fighting for the rights of those less fortunate - she does it all and she does it while believing that she is the bad guy in the story!

She is absolutely brilliant in the story. I fell in love with the character so hard - that I was almost heartbroken when the story ended! Kat transforms from a likeable awkward bookworm to a strong female character that I respected as much as admired!

There are a variety of secondary characters ranging from goblins to faeries to dukes to prince but Kat does overshadow them, through no fault of her own - especially since this is a single POV book! The writing is absolutely brilliant - it is simple yet effective in getting the emotions and the circumstances across to the reader perfectly.

Best part - there is no Insta - Love! You have to know, I was dreading that scenario but the romance was actually quite sedate in the book - in fact it was actually the perfect amount!

The only issue I had with the book was (except the single POV) was the ending. While intellectually I understand why the Ms. Ling ended it the way she did, I needed to know what happened with the Storybrook Characters, especially Edward - I actually swiped my iPad a couple of times to even check if there was anything else written :P

But in the end, this book was a cute story that has definitely made me interested in more of Ms. Ling's books :)

"Okay Kat. This is Story World, for heaven's sake, so get a grip on yourself. You've no business drooling over storybrook characters. Remember the mission."

^^ THIS! This is like the mantra I should always live by :P

4.7

http://books-in-a-storm.tumblr.com/post/170166321278/star-rating-review-title-the-ugly-stepsister

Interesting take on this Cinderella re-telling. I loved the characters but it moved too slowly and the ending didn't work for me. A little language and some make-out sesh here and there so I give it a PG-13.