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A review by bibliophiliadk
The Ugly Stepsister by Aya Ling
3.0
What would have happened if Cinderella needed the ugly stepsister to get her happy ending?
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.
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 He was just a withdrawn, private man who loved gardening and dreamt of making a better future for his people.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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“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.
FOLLOW MY BLOG FOR MORE BOOK GOODNESS