This week I'm featuring Thief Liar Lady by D. L. Soria. This is a very unique Cinderella retelling. Not what I expected at all, but despite a few criticisms, I ended up enjoying it. I should have my review up on Monday.
“Happily Ever After” is a total scam, but at least this time the princess is the one controlling the grift—until her true love arrives and threatens to ruin the whole scheme. Intrigue, magic, and wit abound in this Cinderella fairytale reimagining, perfect for fans of Heather Walter and Naomi Novik.
I’m not who you think I am.
My transformation from a poor, orphaned scullery maid into the enchantingly mysterious lady who snagged the heart of the prince did not happen—as the rumors insisted—in a magical metamorphosis of pumpkins and glass slippers. On the first evening of the ball, I didn’t meekly help my “evil” stepmother and stepsisters primp and preen or watch forlornly out the window as their carriage rolled off toward the palace. I had other preparations to make.
My stepsisters and I had been trained for this—to be the cleverest in the room, to be quick with our hands and quicker with our lies. We were taught how to get everything we want in this world, everything men always kept for themselves: power, wealth, and prestige. And with a touchingly tragic past and the help of some highly illegal spells, I would become a princess, secure our fortunes, and we would all live happily ever after.
But there’s always more to the story. With my magic running out, war looming, and a handsome hostage prince—the wrong prince—distracting me from my true purpose with his magnetic charm and forbidden flirtations, I'm in danger of losing control of the delicate balance I’ve created…and that could prove fatal.
There’s so much more riding on this than a crown.
I’m not who you think I am.
My transformation from a poor, orphaned scullery maid into the enchantingly mysterious lady who snagged the heart of the prince did not happen—as the rumors insisted—in a magical metamorphosis of pumpkins and glass slippers. On the first evening of the ball, I didn’t meekly help my “evil” stepmother and stepsisters primp and preen or watch forlornly out the window as their carriage rolled off toward the palace. I had other preparations to make.
My stepsisters and I had been trained for this—to be the cleverest in the room, to be quick with our hands and quicker with our lies. We were taught how to get everything we want in this world, everything men always kept for themselves: power, wealth, and prestige. And with a touchingly tragic past and the help of some highly illegal spells, I would become a princess, secure our fortunes, and we would all live happily ever after.
But there’s always more to the story. With my magic running out, war looming, and a handsome hostage prince—the wrong prince—distracting me from my true purpose with his magnetic charm and forbidden flirtations, I'm in danger of losing control of the delicate balance I’ve created…and that could prove fatal.
There’s so much more riding on this than a crown.
Book Beginnings / First Line Friday
I never thought the tale of my daring escape from servitude into the glittering world of the royal palace could be boring, but after the hundredth telling it had begun to lose its shine.
Friday 56
The dinner party the next night was a grand affair, even if I was too embroiled in my own concerns to enjoy it.
What have you been reading lately?
This sounds like an interesting twist. I'm glad you enjoyed it overall.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Mark! :)
DeleteI'm with Mark. This sounds like an interesting read! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend, Freda! :)
DeleteI love a good rags to riches story.
ReplyDeleteMe too! Happy reading, Anne! :)
DeleteThis sounds like a very unique take on the Cinderella story. I do love a fun fairy tale retelling. :D
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to find unique retellings, especially Cinderella ones, so I appreciated that it was different. Hope you have a great weekend, Lark! :)
DeleteInteresting. I will have to look at your review on Monday :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy! I will say that I was surprised that this ended up not being a clean read. There was some bad language that felt really out of place and then, just out of the blue, there were some open-door bedroom scenes that were completely unnecessary. That was really disappointing for me, at least.
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