What do you think?
Rate this book
The Kingdoms of Assassins Chronicles #1
The Glass Dagger
Protect the crown. Protect Rairene. No matter the cost.
Ella loves chocolate croissants, abhors enchanted potions, and prefers her assassin’s sneak suit to ball gowns.
Codenamed Cinderella, Ella has dedicated her life to serving the crown as an elite assassin, a choice that came with a steep cost. When she left court and her closest friends to train under her stepmother, Ella intended on never returning. But after her protege Sophie is killed the same night as an assassination attempt on Prince David, returning becomes her only chance to solve Sophie’s murder. On assignment to protect the prince, Ella finds herself battling more than just relentless assassins, as emotions she had thought were long dead begin to rise. As Ella gets closer to Sophie’s killer, she is forced to follow clues that make her question everything her stepmother has ever told her. Faced with an impossible choice, Ella has to decide if her oath is more important than her heart.
Ella loves chocolate croissants, abhors enchanted potions, and prefers her assassin’s sneak suit to ball gowns.
Codenamed Cinderella, Ella has dedicated her life to serving the crown as an elite assassin, a choice that came with a steep cost. When she left court and her closest friends to train under her stepmother, Ella intended on never returning. But after her protege Sophie is killed the same night as an assassination attempt on Prince David, returning becomes her only chance to solve Sophie’s murder. On assignment to protect the prince, Ella finds herself battling more than just relentless assassins, as emotions she had thought were long dead begin to rise. As Ella gets closer to Sophie’s killer, she is forced to follow clues that make her question everything her stepmother has ever told her. Faced with an impossible choice, Ella has to decide if her oath is more important than her heart.
364 pages, Paperback
Published October 17, 2023
5 people are currently reading
998 people want to read
About the author
Kelsey L. Robinson
2 books24 followersKelsey grew up in a beautiful seaside town where adventures were just a few minutes outside her doorstep. Her hot chocolate addiction keeps her fueled when she writes, along with the sound of rain and cold weather. She loves to create worlds about Dragons, Assassins, and Magic, just not all at once, though that would be an incredible story to tell! When she's not writing or working she can be found hiking and traveling or just bingeing the next good show. She is anxiously awaiting the newest season of Bridgerton and The Great British Bake Off. She’s a massive nerd, but definitely in a good way. Is there a bad way? She graduated from the University of Hawai’i with a degree in English.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 15, 2023
You only have to check what I've read the past weekend and you notice that I love fairytale retellings. And although the Frog Prince will always be "my" tale, I think Cinderella is my very first fairytale love. When I saw this book on Netgalley I was therefore incredibly curious. Cinderella is usually a tale with a kind and soft female lead. In this case she would be a trained assassin. I was therefore both excited and nervous when I started this arc this weekend.
I have to admit that I really had to get used to the tone of this fairytale retelling. I've been reading too many cozy ones lately and this one is a lot, but cozy is for sure not one of them. This book comes with quite some trigger warnings and please take them serious. But despite the fact that this retelling doesn't have the usual fairytale tone I grew more and more invested in this story and more and more attached to the characters the more I read.
Because this author is not simply writing a fairytale retelling. She's actually writing a political epic fantasy with fairytale elements. I'm already looking forward to the other books in this world. Not only because the story is far from finished, this book doesn't come with a happily ever after (yet), but also because I'm really excited to see all Ella's sisters getting their own stories. I'm counting on Snow White and the Little Mermaid and some more surprises!
Despite the fact that this is not a typical retelling, all the elements of the original tale are present and the author did a clever job when it comes to naming characters. And although this Cinderella is not a typical Cinderella I did feel my heart breaking at the end when she discovered what has been going on around her. All she wanted was to protect the one person she can't live without. All she got was betrayal and pain.
If you wanna read a fairytale that's not mostly sweet and magical you should really give this book a try! You won't be disappointed.
I have to admit that I really had to get used to the tone of this fairytale retelling. I've been reading too many cozy ones lately and this one is a lot, but cozy is for sure not one of them. This book comes with quite some trigger warnings and please take them serious. But despite the fact that this retelling doesn't have the usual fairytale tone I grew more and more invested in this story and more and more attached to the characters the more I read.
Because this author is not simply writing a fairytale retelling. She's actually writing a political epic fantasy with fairytale elements. I'm already looking forward to the other books in this world. Not only because the story is far from finished, this book doesn't come with a happily ever after (yet), but also because I'm really excited to see all Ella's sisters getting their own stories. I'm counting on Snow White and the Little Mermaid and some more surprises!
Despite the fact that this is not a typical retelling, all the elements of the original tale are present and the author did a clever job when it comes to naming characters. And although this Cinderella is not a typical Cinderella I did feel my heart breaking at the end when she discovered what has been going on around her. All she wanted was to protect the one person she can't live without. All she got was betrayal and pain.
If you wanna read a fairytale that's not mostly sweet and magical you should really give this book a try! You won't be disappointed.
August 9, 2023
I absolutely adored this book! The Glass Dagger is the first adventure fantasy book in The Kingdom of Assassins Chronicles series. This was a retelling unlike one I’ve read before and it was amazing! There were enchanted potions, poisons, combat scenes and so much more!
In this story Cinderella is an assassin and is on assignment to protect the prince. I was immediately captivated by this book’s story and I loved the depth and diversity of the characters. There was such a beautiful balance between the adventure aspects of the books and the dark and emotional elements. I really can’t say enough good things about this one.
This is a dark fairytale adaptation you won’t want to miss!
In this story Cinderella is an assassin and is on assignment to protect the prince. I was immediately captivated by this book’s story and I loved the depth and diversity of the characters. There was such a beautiful balance between the adventure aspects of the books and the dark and emotional elements. I really can’t say enough good things about this one.
This is a dark fairytale adaptation you won’t want to miss!
September 1, 2023
Read if you like:
Strong FMC
Fairytale retellings
Assassins
Synopsis: It’s your classic Cinderella story, if Cinderella was a deadly assassin and Prince Charming was the damsel in distress. All Ella wanted when she was young was to serve and protect her kingdom Rairene. As a daughter of the duke, it would be unseemly for her to train as a knight. So, when the opportunity arises, Ella does not hesitate at the chance to protect the kingdom by becoming a deadly killer. Codename: Cinderella.
Disclaimer: This is not a romance with an HEA where the prince and Cinderella get married.
“You’ve never needed anyone to tell you what to do, or who to be. You’ve always been strong enough to do that on your own, El. You just need to believe it too.”
The Glass Dagger by Kelsey Robinson was a fun read, and it will take me a day or two to process that ending. A suspenseful and action filled story carried by Robinsons eloquent and descriptive writing style. This is not a happy-go-lucky story and please be sure to check for trigger warnings before beginning the book.
I loved reading the glass dagger and giggling at the subtle references like, oh the assassin named Siren must be based off the little mermaid. In fact, almost every Disney princess is now a vicious killer. I enjoyed every minute of it. The plot progressed smoothly and I felt like there was never a dull moment. Now I will say it was a bit dark at certain moments.
The main character Ella was well thought out and I’m glad she had character development because at one point I could not stand her (sorry). Ella’s stepsister Drea had to be my favorite, she was thoughtful but had depth and dimension and I wish I could read the story of what happened to her. Finally, the love interests. This is not a romance novel, there is barely any romance written and the most we get is maybe a single kiss. I really like how the author choose to focus more on character development and self growth over which boy should Ella fall in love with. Pretty much, there were pretty boys but they were not needed. Appreciated, but not needed.
A super unique take on the classic story! Well written and a fun read! I will say that I am now upset that I must wait for the sequel to be written. I cannot wait to continue reading Ella’s journey.
Thank you so much to the author for letting me voluntarily read and review a copy of this title! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Strong FMC
Fairytale retellings
Assassins
Synopsis: It’s your classic Cinderella story, if Cinderella was a deadly assassin and Prince Charming was the damsel in distress. All Ella wanted when she was young was to serve and protect her kingdom Rairene. As a daughter of the duke, it would be unseemly for her to train as a knight. So, when the opportunity arises, Ella does not hesitate at the chance to protect the kingdom by becoming a deadly killer. Codename: Cinderella.
Disclaimer: This is not a romance with an HEA where the prince and Cinderella get married.
“You’ve never needed anyone to tell you what to do, or who to be. You’ve always been strong enough to do that on your own, El. You just need to believe it too.”
The Glass Dagger by Kelsey Robinson was a fun read, and it will take me a day or two to process that ending. A suspenseful and action filled story carried by Robinsons eloquent and descriptive writing style. This is not a happy-go-lucky story and please be sure to check for trigger warnings before beginning the book.
I loved reading the glass dagger and giggling at the subtle references like, oh the assassin named Siren must be based off the little mermaid. In fact, almost every Disney princess is now a vicious killer. I enjoyed every minute of it. The plot progressed smoothly and I felt like there was never a dull moment. Now I will say it was a bit dark at certain moments.
The main character Ella was well thought out and I’m glad she had character development because at one point I could not stand her (sorry). Ella’s stepsister Drea had to be my favorite, she was thoughtful but had depth and dimension and I wish I could read the story of what happened to her. Finally, the love interests. This is not a romance novel, there is barely any romance written and the most we get is maybe a single kiss. I really like how the author choose to focus more on character development and self growth over which boy should Ella fall in love with. Pretty much, there were pretty boys but they were not needed. Appreciated, but not needed.
A super unique take on the classic story! Well written and a fun read! I will say that I am now upset that I must wait for the sequel to be written. I cannot wait to continue reading Ella’s journey.
Thank you so much to the author for letting me voluntarily read and review a copy of this title! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 23, 2024
The first in the 'Kingdoms of Assassins' series, Glass dagger is a loose retelling of Cinderalla.
Baron's daughter Ella was sent away from court at eight years old for wanting to be a knight. However, instead of travelling to a neighbouring kingdom to learn to be a lady, she secretly joined her step-mother's band of assassins. Code name 'Cinderella', Ella has now been instructed to resume her former identity and come back to court to protect Prince David.
Ella is a strange character, who is hard to like. She starts the book full of faith that, since she is protecting the crown, anything she does is acceptable. She tortures a man early on, and she is unpleasantly blase about causing pain and death. She is confident and respected in her world of assassins. However, outside of this environment she is quite a childish teenager who doesn't really interact convincingly with the people around her, and she is painfully slow to work out any of the plots that threaten the royal family.
Even for a fairy tale, this book seems incredibly naive about court life. There's a bizarre scene on the morning following Ella's return to court when she attends a breakfast buffet and doesn't know who to sit with. I appreciate that this is a YA book but not everything has to be presented through the lens of a school. Likewise with the continual sneaking out avoiding the one effective guard the palace seems to have.
This book also definitely needed a better editor. There are several uses of 'weary' when the writer clearly means 'wary' - the editor should have caught that. An editor would probably also have toned down phrases like 'Ella squealed in delight as the water engulfed her' when the character gets into a bath. It's also a little distracting that the author chooses to use the names of so many side-characters in Disney's Cinderella - we have Lucifer, Gus and Jaq as human characters, I think we're only missing Suzie and Perla. Strangely, despite the inclusion of the minor references, there is an important fairytale character that is omitted entirely. I assume we may see them in a future book of the series.
Glass dagger is a flawed book, and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. However, the writing is fluent and the book itself is very readable. The little details of the magic system are fun, and the world-building is confident. The book ends on a cliff hanger and I will admit to being intrigued as to what the next book covers.
Thank you to the publishers for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Baron's daughter Ella was sent away from court at eight years old for wanting to be a knight. However, instead of travelling to a neighbouring kingdom to learn to be a lady, she secretly joined her step-mother's band of assassins. Code name 'Cinderella', Ella has now been instructed to resume her former identity and come back to court to protect Prince David.
Ella is a strange character, who is hard to like. She starts the book full of faith that, since she is protecting the crown, anything she does is acceptable. She tortures a man early on, and she is unpleasantly blase about causing pain and death. She is confident and respected in her world of assassins. However, outside of this environment she is quite a childish teenager who doesn't really interact convincingly with the people around her, and she is painfully slow to work out any of the plots that threaten the royal family.
Even for a fairy tale, this book seems incredibly naive about court life. There's a bizarre scene on the morning following Ella's return to court when she attends a breakfast buffet and doesn't know who to sit with. I appreciate that this is a YA book but not everything has to be presented through the lens of a school. Likewise with the continual sneaking out avoiding the one effective guard the palace seems to have.
This book also definitely needed a better editor. There are several uses of 'weary' when the writer clearly means 'wary' - the editor should have caught that. An editor would probably also have toned down phrases like 'Ella squealed in delight as the water engulfed her' when the character gets into a bath. It's also a little distracting that the author chooses to use the names of so many side-characters in Disney's Cinderella - we have Lucifer, Gus and Jaq as human characters, I think we're only missing Suzie and Perla. Strangely, despite the inclusion of the minor references, there is an important fairytale character that is omitted entirely. I assume we may see them in a future book of the series.
Glass dagger is a flawed book, and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. However, the writing is fluent and the book itself is very readable. The little details of the magic system are fun, and the world-building is confident. The book ends on a cliff hanger and I will admit to being intrigued as to what the next book covers.
Thank you to the publishers for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2023
A kingdom in trouble, a secret society of female assassins, and a dash of romance Glass Dagger is a twisting story with many surprises. On an assignment to keep the prince alive Ella, code name Cinderella, realizes she is not only fighting those attempting to take the princess life bit also the feelings she thought were long dead. Who will win in the end?
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. At times the pacing felt off, however, the descriptions were well written. It's a great young adult romantacy.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. At times the pacing felt off, however, the descriptions were well written. It's a great young adult romantacy.
October 22, 2023
First, thank you to Netgalley and Kelsey Robinson for an ARC copy of this book!!
For fans of Throne of Glass and the Lunar Chronicles - The Glass Dagger is a Cinderella retelling where the main character Ella turns her back on being a lady of the court in order to become an assassin who protects the castle and the royal family from the shadows. Her glass daggers she leaves behind on her marks are an incredible callback to the original fairytale.
This story has just the right touch of romance without letting it overshadow the plot. There's also a fun touch of magic in play without this being too heavy on the fantasy side.
I love that this is just the first book in the series. I cant wait to see how Ella and David's story plays out (especially as she tells him the truth) and I'd love to see some of the side characters explored more, I need to know more about Drea, Raven, Henry, and Luca!
Absolutely a must read for fans of fairytale retellings, strong FMCs, found family, and lovers of plot twists because this book has a big one that I did not see coming at all!
For fans of Throne of Glass and the Lunar Chronicles - The Glass Dagger is a Cinderella retelling where the main character Ella turns her back on being a lady of the court in order to become an assassin who protects the castle and the royal family from the shadows. Her glass daggers she leaves behind on her marks are an incredible callback to the original fairytale.
This story has just the right touch of romance without letting it overshadow the plot. There's also a fun touch of magic in play without this being too heavy on the fantasy side.
I love that this is just the first book in the series. I cant wait to see how Ella and David's story plays out (especially as she tells him the truth) and I'd love to see some of the side characters explored more, I need to know more about Drea, Raven, Henry, and Luca!
Absolutely a must read for fans of fairytale retellings, strong FMCs, found family, and lovers of plot twists because this book has a big one that I did not see coming at all!
September 26, 2023
TLDR: This is a great book! YA, first in the series, unique premise and magic system, great character development and conflict - MUST READ! I can't wait for the rest of the series! More detailed review follows, and I tried not to include spoilers!
You would be crazy to not want to have hot chocolate in picturesque Rairene with Ella and her crew! Especially if you happen to to enjoy action, adventure, fantasy, and connected complex characters!
Right away this book grabbed my attention! From the first chapter the action and world-building quickly starts flowing. The action scenes are interesting and incredibly well depicted, and not too long, overall one of the best ways I have ever read action scenes done. It also has a unique magic system that you learn more and more about throughout the book, and I can't wait to learn more in the next one!
This is a fairytale adaptation that stands easily on its own. There are subtle nods to the original fairytale in the characters and details, but if you changed those pieces, this story would still rock. I honestly love that because it makes it deep, interesting, and unpredictable.
The characters experience growth and emotional turbulence throughout the story that made me feel connected to each of them, and developed their connections with each other. I really appreciated the elements dealing with mental health and fighting against gender norms. The FMC has darkness both in her past and present experience and the author portrays the grief, anguish, guilt, and trauma in her experience beautifully. Other characters also experience grief and depression, for example, and that is beautifully depicted. The FMC also has a strong pull to have the option to do the same as her childhood friends and rejects the box that a girl in this fairytale court might often be put in. This leads her to conflict in her relationships, pushback from older generations who don't understand her, and ultimately into the arms of a seemingly caring parent figure. Watching the FMC and other characters develop throughout the story was the kind of tear filled, frustrating, beautiful, and infuriating that makes a book great. There were also so many awesome side characters and I feel like this series has the potential to be a vast world. I am dying to know more about Drea, Raven, David, Luca, and Henry to name a few, and I really appreciated how connected I felt to them as well and not just the FMC. Each character feels like they have their own voice and reactions, which I imagine is difficult to portray especially with all the complex emotional situations in this book, so I was impressed with how that was done and it helped me sink into the world with them.
This story has some slow burn romance and some dark elements that I really love. One of my favorite parts is that I walked away from the first book feeling like I know a lot about the characters and the world, but there are still so many pieces hinted at and shrouded in mystery that I can't wait to uncover throughout the series! I love walking away feeling like I still don't know everything and there is more to uncover because it also means I was never bored by the story/world-building.
I was lucky to get the chance to read this book pre-release and the only downside is I'll have to wait longer to read the second one!
P.S. - if you subscribe to the author's newsletters there are some short stories compiled into a free anthology to read that I thought were phenomenal and added to the world - I would highly recommend them, but they are not necessary to understand the book.
You would be crazy to not want to have hot chocolate in picturesque Rairene with Ella and her crew! Especially if you happen to to enjoy action, adventure, fantasy, and connected complex characters!
Right away this book grabbed my attention! From the first chapter the action and world-building quickly starts flowing. The action scenes are interesting and incredibly well depicted, and not too long, overall one of the best ways I have ever read action scenes done. It also has a unique magic system that you learn more and more about throughout the book, and I can't wait to learn more in the next one!
This is a fairytale adaptation that stands easily on its own. There are subtle nods to the original fairytale in the characters and details, but if you changed those pieces, this story would still rock. I honestly love that because it makes it deep, interesting, and unpredictable.
The characters experience growth and emotional turbulence throughout the story that made me feel connected to each of them, and developed their connections with each other. I really appreciated the elements dealing with mental health and fighting against gender norms. The FMC has darkness both in her past and present experience and the author portrays the grief, anguish, guilt, and trauma in her experience beautifully. Other characters also experience grief and depression, for example, and that is beautifully depicted. The FMC also has a strong pull to have the option to do the same as her childhood friends and rejects the box that a girl in this fairytale court might often be put in. This leads her to conflict in her relationships, pushback from older generations who don't understand her, and ultimately into the arms of a seemingly caring parent figure. Watching the FMC and other characters develop throughout the story was the kind of tear filled, frustrating, beautiful, and infuriating that makes a book great. There were also so many awesome side characters and I feel like this series has the potential to be a vast world. I am dying to know more about Drea, Raven, David, Luca, and Henry to name a few, and I really appreciated how connected I felt to them as well and not just the FMC. Each character feels like they have their own voice and reactions, which I imagine is difficult to portray especially with all the complex emotional situations in this book, so I was impressed with how that was done and it helped me sink into the world with them.
This story has some slow burn romance and some dark elements that I really love. One of my favorite parts is that I walked away from the first book feeling like I know a lot about the characters and the world, but there are still so many pieces hinted at and shrouded in mystery that I can't wait to uncover throughout the series! I love walking away feeling like I still don't know everything and there is more to uncover because it also means I was never bored by the story/world-building.
I was lucky to get the chance to read this book pre-release and the only downside is I'll have to wait longer to read the second one!
P.S. - if you subscribe to the author's newsletters there are some short stories compiled into a free anthology to read that I thought were phenomenal and added to the world - I would highly recommend them, but they are not necessary to understand the book.
September 16, 2023
The Glass Dagger by Kelsey Robinson is the first book of the young adult fantasy series the Kingdoms of Assassins Chronicles. This is a Cinderella retelling where the FMC is an assassin in her late teens in service to her Kingdom. There is a fair amount of violence and torture in the book and I would not recommend this for those on the younger side of young adult.
The Lovely: The plot was engaging and the story kept moving (although a bit predictable at times). I liked the different threads of stories being woven together and a lot of events and storyline was fit into the approximately 350 pages.
The Mundane: For being a fantasy series, there really was much world building. The magic system was intriguing and I think holds a lot of possibility in the series going forward. I hope that is developed more.
The Dreadful: The teenage main characters in this book come across as being young teenagers and not being as smart or as mature as they would be expected to be for their roles. For example, towards the end of the book the FMC knows something is seriously wrong with another character but she still accepts tea from that character, leading to her poisoning. Why? Why would you do that as a supposedly top notch assassin with a strong understanding of poisons. It made it hard for these characters to be believable as who they were supposed to be.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Recommendation: I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a hard book to narrow down for whom I think this book would be well suited. Given the level of maturity of the teen characters I would say this would be better suited for those on the younger side of the YA spectrum, but given some of the graphic content, I would then say this is only for those on the older side of the YA spectrum. It’s a fun, and fairly short, read that I think will be well suited to young adults who want to see a female main character that can stand in her own and take care of herself.
The Lovely: The plot was engaging and the story kept moving (although a bit predictable at times). I liked the different threads of stories being woven together and a lot of events and storyline was fit into the approximately 350 pages.
The Mundane: For being a fantasy series, there really was much world building. The magic system was intriguing and I think holds a lot of possibility in the series going forward. I hope that is developed more.
The Dreadful: The teenage main characters in this book come across as being young teenagers and not being as smart or as mature as they would be expected to be for their roles. For example, towards the end of the book the FMC knows something is seriously wrong with another character but she still accepts tea from that character, leading to her poisoning. Why? Why would you do that as a supposedly top notch assassin with a strong understanding of poisons. It made it hard for these characters to be believable as who they were supposed to be.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Recommendation: I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a hard book to narrow down for whom I think this book would be well suited. Given the level of maturity of the teen characters I would say this would be better suited for those on the younger side of the YA spectrum, but given some of the graphic content, I would then say this is only for those on the older side of the YA spectrum. It’s a fun, and fairly short, read that I think will be well suited to young adults who want to see a female main character that can stand in her own and take care of herself.
October 10, 2023
DNF at 27%.
I'm so disappointed. I really wanted to like this book, and was so excited by the premise. Cinderella is actually an undercover assassin protecting the prince? Okay! Sign me up.
But this was just...bad. The writing felt very juvenile to the point of, had you told me this was a teenager's first foray into writing fanfic, I'd have believed you.
The writing felt basic and repetitive in places. Basic in a way that felt like a middle grade level book, but then the themes in the story are clearly for a YA audience. So the whole thing feels very off. And I know who the intended audience is MEANT to be (as it's clearly labelled YA), but the language just doesn't reflect that.
We're thrown into this story with no real world-building, and things just keep...happening. But with no real focus on any of it, and all laid out with very little depth or description. Pacing is a mess, and feels as though the author didn't know how to get us into the meat of the story they wanted to tell.
At over a quarter way through a book I expect to at least be able to differentiate characters and start to know them a little, but there's just no development happening. Everyone is very cardboard-cutout, bland, generic-fantasy-character 1, 2 and 3, you know? So it's hard to care about any of them, or any of what's going on.
Tried to continue in the hopes things would get better, but at 27% in I just couldn't do it any longer. It's a no from me, sorry.
Thank you to Netgalley and Robinson Sword & Pen Publishing for sending me an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review.
I'm so disappointed. I really wanted to like this book, and was so excited by the premise. Cinderella is actually an undercover assassin protecting the prince? Okay! Sign me up.
But this was just...bad. The writing felt very juvenile to the point of, had you told me this was a teenager's first foray into writing fanfic, I'd have believed you.
The writing felt basic and repetitive in places. Basic in a way that felt like a middle grade level book, but then the themes in the story are clearly for a YA audience. So the whole thing feels very off. And I know who the intended audience is MEANT to be (as it's clearly labelled YA), but the language just doesn't reflect that.
We're thrown into this story with no real world-building, and things just keep...happening. But with no real focus on any of it, and all laid out with very little depth or description. Pacing is a mess, and feels as though the author didn't know how to get us into the meat of the story they wanted to tell.
At over a quarter way through a book I expect to at least be able to differentiate characters and start to know them a little, but there's just no development happening. Everyone is very cardboard-cutout, bland, generic-fantasy-character 1, 2 and 3, you know? So it's hard to care about any of them, or any of what's going on.
Tried to continue in the hopes things would get better, but at 27% in I just couldn't do it any longer. It's a no from me, sorry.
Thank you to Netgalley and Robinson Sword & Pen Publishing for sending me an advanced reader copy in return for an honest review.
October 23, 2023
This book had everything I love! Mostly. It had strong FMC who have been through so much to get through where they are now, royals, fairy tale re-imagining, assassins, enchanted potions, poisons and so so much mysterious events in the past.
It is a dark Cinderella retelling (please check trigger warnings) full of twists and turns that will have you staying up till 3am just to see what happens next! I literally finished it in two days!
I just loved the development of each character and the complex web of secrets that was slowly revealed! Also the magic system was really well thought out and I loved learning more about it. The world was beautifully written and the combat scenes were perfect! Also it has a bit of torture and the FMC trying to hide it from the person she is trying to protect and I LOVE it when they finally found out and say who did this to you! Although because of that ending it was spoiled a bit... but I am still very shocked from everything that happened and NEED the next book!
Each character was fleshed out so well! And I really loved reading about them but need more information about everything! The characters deal with grief and trauma as well as mental health issues and I thought they were all incorporated really well into the story and cannot wait to see how the author writes the conflict that I know is coming.
I really enjoyed this one and definitely recommend it for those dark fantasy lovers who are in it for the plot, secrets and characters with a side of slow burn romance, assassins and magic enchantments.
Thank you to Netgalley for the copy, this did not impact my review.
It is a dark Cinderella retelling (please check trigger warnings) full of twists and turns that will have you staying up till 3am just to see what happens next! I literally finished it in two days!
I just loved the development of each character and the complex web of secrets that was slowly revealed! Also the magic system was really well thought out and I loved learning more about it. The world was beautifully written and the combat scenes were perfect! Also it has a bit of torture and the FMC trying to hide it from the person she is trying to protect and I LOVE it when they finally found out and say who did this to you! Although because of that ending it was spoiled a bit... but I am still very shocked from everything that happened and NEED the next book!
Each character was fleshed out so well! And I really loved reading about them but need more information about everything! The characters deal with grief and trauma as well as mental health issues and I thought they were all incorporated really well into the story and cannot wait to see how the author writes the conflict that I know is coming.
I really enjoyed this one and definitely recommend it for those dark fantasy lovers who are in it for the plot, secrets and characters with a side of slow burn romance, assassins and magic enchantments.
Thank you to Netgalley for the copy, this did not impact my review.
November 9, 2024
I brought this book after seeing the author shared it on Instagram, and with being a retelling of Cinderella, I knew I had to get it and read it. I really found the concept behind this with Cinderella being an assassin who was trained to protect the crown, while having marks to take down, with Cinderella being her code name and Lady Tremaine as being the head of them all, while making friends with others who throw out some familiar code names of other fairy tales characters. Then Ella is given a mission to go back to court to not only find out what happened to her Protege Sophie who was killed but also to protect the Prince David, who was a childhood friend before leaving the court.
Ella starts to battle herself more with old memories from her past the longer she at court, but she continues to wear the face of the Lady she is meant to be, while being the assasdin in the shadows, Ella follows the clues which make her begin to question everything her stepmother has told her and when Ella is faced with an impossible decision, she has to decide what to truly follow, her order or her heart which isn't easy when she feels everyone is lying to her about something or keeping secrets that destroy her inner mind walls.
I found the book to be well written which made it easy to follow and also fun with the different angle Kelsey took with the story, with it being more of an adventure and of self discovery. The characters had a good diverse range and backgrounds that helps give the book more expense and personality.
I'm keeping my options open for the rest of the series, as it seem the next book is follow Snow White, but I'm definitely intrigued for the series.
Ella starts to battle herself more with old memories from her past the longer she at court, but she continues to wear the face of the Lady she is meant to be, while being the assasdin in the shadows, Ella follows the clues which make her begin to question everything her stepmother has told her and when Ella is faced with an impossible decision, she has to decide what to truly follow, her order or her heart which isn't easy when she feels everyone is lying to her about something or keeping secrets that destroy her inner mind walls.
I found the book to be well written which made it easy to follow and also fun with the different angle Kelsey took with the story, with it being more of an adventure and of self discovery. The characters had a good diverse range and backgrounds that helps give the book more expense and personality.
I'm keeping my options open for the rest of the series, as it seem the next book is follow Snow White, but I'm definitely intrigued for the series.
September 21, 2023
A massive thank you to the author & publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Strong female assassins in a dark twisty story of magic and intrigue, this story might have been written just for me.
Firstly I have to say how excited I am for this to be a series and how badly I already want book 2 to be in my hands!!
I love a strong self possessed female character, and I love that Ella just wanted to protect the people she loves and serve the way men do, no matter what. I enjoyed the subtle call outs to all of the classic fairytales, there were a lot of them but the way they were included meant that they didn't feel overwhelming or forced, which is often the case.
The pacing was great and allowed me to read this one in long bursts, honestly if I had the time I probably would have read it all in one go. We got great character and plot development, and for once the romance elements were nicely included and not suffocating the plot of the story!! There were times when I felt that some of the characters were being childish or over dramatic, but I then remembered how old they actually are, and honestly if I had to go through this trauma as a teen I'd be annoying and childish at times too.
The combat scenes, the weaponry, the magic, the code names, everything about the assassins I loved, I just wanted more!
I can't wait for book 2 to be with us one day, I have so many questions and we have so many side characters I want to see more of!
Strong female assassins in a dark twisty story of magic and intrigue, this story might have been written just for me.
Firstly I have to say how excited I am for this to be a series and how badly I already want book 2 to be in my hands!!
I love a strong self possessed female character, and I love that Ella just wanted to protect the people she loves and serve the way men do, no matter what. I enjoyed the subtle call outs to all of the classic fairytales, there were a lot of them but the way they were included meant that they didn't feel overwhelming or forced, which is often the case.
The pacing was great and allowed me to read this one in long bursts, honestly if I had the time I probably would have read it all in one go. We got great character and plot development, and for once the romance elements were nicely included and not suffocating the plot of the story!! There were times when I felt that some of the characters were being childish or over dramatic, but I then remembered how old they actually are, and honestly if I had to go through this trauma as a teen I'd be annoying and childish at times too.
The combat scenes, the weaponry, the magic, the code names, everything about the assassins I loved, I just wanted more!
I can't wait for book 2 to be with us one day, I have so many questions and we have so many side characters I want to see more of!
March 14, 2024
Wow, I just finished this and I'm already so excited to read the next installment in this series! That's how you know I really loved the book lol.
When I saw this was about Cinderella as an assassin, I assumed it was a classic Brothers Grimm retelling or maybe even similar to Throne of Glass (originally a Cinderella retelling!), but it was actually closely themed after Disney's Cinderella and completely different from TOG. I'm a huge Disney fan (like annual passholder level lol) so once I realized this early on, I was hooked on the story.
In this novel, when Cinderella's parents die, instead of forcing her to do chores, her stepmother turns her into an assassin. Jaq and Gus Gus are there to help with her missions, as well as Snow White (for poisons, of course) and Prince Charming, who has healing magic! It's hinted at early on that Cinderella has been horribly mistreated by her stepmother and others at the assassin's guild, as well as harbors painful memories of her loved ones' deaths, and the gradual reveal of these memories is beautifully done.
Ultimately, this was a fun read that is perfect for fans of Once Upon a Time, Descendants, or the Lunar Chronicles. I can't wait for book 2, and can't wait even more for Mira's (Ariel) book! Also fingers crossed that Tressa (Rapunzel) gets her own novella in this series. (:
When I saw this was about Cinderella as an assassin, I assumed it was a classic Brothers Grimm retelling or maybe even similar to Throne of Glass (originally a Cinderella retelling!), but it was actually closely themed after Disney's Cinderella and completely different from TOG. I'm a huge Disney fan (like annual passholder level lol) so once I realized this early on, I was hooked on the story.
In this novel, when Cinderella's parents die, instead of forcing her to do chores, her stepmother turns her into an assassin. Jaq and Gus Gus are there to help with her missions, as well as Snow White (for poisons, of course) and Prince Charming, who has healing magic! It's hinted at early on that Cinderella has been horribly mistreated by her stepmother and others at the assassin's guild, as well as harbors painful memories of her loved ones' deaths, and the gradual reveal of these memories is beautifully done.
Ultimately, this was a fun read that is perfect for fans of Once Upon a Time, Descendants, or the Lunar Chronicles. I can't wait for book 2, and can't wait even more for Mira's (Ariel) book! Also fingers crossed that Tressa (Rapunzel) gets her own novella in this series. (:
September 29, 2023
My rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This is a Cinderella retelling where the heroine exchanges glass shoes for glass daggers. Ella is a trained assassin who has sworn to serve and protect the crown from the shadows. And she’s just gotten her most important assignment of all. Protecting the Prince. But the more time she spends with the Prince, the more she starts to question everything she thought was true.
This is a cute YA fairytale retelling. The author has created an interesting world with a unique magic system. There were a few moments in the book where I struggled to follow, because it seemed to jump scenes without much explanation. There were also some elements of the plot that felt a little too young for me. (Which is understandable, I’m mid 30s and while I’m able to enjoy a good YA novel, I’m not exactly the main demographic for the book. And with a 17yr old heroine it’s not surprising that I wouldn’t always relate to her)
Overall I still found it to be an entertaining book that I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens. This is the first book in a series and ends on a cliff hanger.
Thank you to Netgalley and Robinson Sword & Pen Publishing for a gifted ARC of this book. This review is voluntary and my honest opinion
This is a Cinderella retelling where the heroine exchanges glass shoes for glass daggers. Ella is a trained assassin who has sworn to serve and protect the crown from the shadows. And she’s just gotten her most important assignment of all. Protecting the Prince. But the more time she spends with the Prince, the more she starts to question everything she thought was true.
This is a cute YA fairytale retelling. The author has created an interesting world with a unique magic system. There were a few moments in the book where I struggled to follow, because it seemed to jump scenes without much explanation. There were also some elements of the plot that felt a little too young for me. (Which is understandable, I’m mid 30s and while I’m able to enjoy a good YA novel, I’m not exactly the main demographic for the book. And with a 17yr old heroine it’s not surprising that I wouldn’t always relate to her)
Overall I still found it to be an entertaining book that I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens. This is the first book in a series and ends on a cliff hanger.
Thank you to Netgalley and Robinson Sword & Pen Publishing for a gifted ARC of this book. This review is voluntary and my honest opinion
October 9, 2023
Perfect for fans of Cinderella retelling and Throne of glass.
Ella left court and her friends to become an elite assassin and protect the crown and never intended to return. But when her protege is killed the same night as an assassination attempt is made on the Prince, she must go back to solve her murder. She learns things that make her question what her stepmother has told her and must decide whether her oath is more important than her heart.
I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. I really liked the setting and how the author connected the fairy tale of Cinderella and the world of assassins together. The reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because parts of it felt very predictable. Other than that, it was a good story and I would recommend it to others. The characters in this story were good. I really liked the main character. She is a strong character who is determined to do what is right. The other characters were good as well, but they didn’t stand out as much. I am excited to read the next book in the series and see what happens.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Ella left court and her friends to become an elite assassin and protect the crown and never intended to return. But when her protege is killed the same night as an assassination attempt is made on the Prince, she must go back to solve her murder. She learns things that make her question what her stepmother has told her and must decide whether her oath is more important than her heart.
I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. I really liked the setting and how the author connected the fairy tale of Cinderella and the world of assassins together. The reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because parts of it felt very predictable. Other than that, it was a good story and I would recommend it to others. The characters in this story were good. I really liked the main character. She is a strong character who is determined to do what is right. The other characters were good as well, but they didn’t stand out as much. I am excited to read the next book in the series and see what happens.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
November 20, 2023
I love to read, but very rarely take the time to. I am also quite new to the YA genre and was curious to see how The Glass Dagger would contribute to my motivation to continue down that path.
Let me just say I was not disappointed! I was immediately transported into an exciting world full of dark magic and believeable characters. The world building was rich and easy to follow, and I felt like I could smell the scents and picture all of the surroundings in great detail.
I particularily loved the way the characters are presented — nobody is without flaw, and the mental processes the main character Ella goes through, feel relatable and real for someone who is faced with her challenges. I was able to closely follow her struggles and triumphs and really liked her as a character.
As someone with English as their second language, I finished this book in approximately three days. I slightly blame the author for my now messed up sleep schedule, as I was unable to put the book down as soon as I entered the second half and had to stay up till 4am to see how it ended.
Anxiously awaiting the sequel!
Let me just say I was not disappointed! I was immediately transported into an exciting world full of dark magic and believeable characters. The world building was rich and easy to follow, and I felt like I could smell the scents and picture all of the surroundings in great detail.
I particularily loved the way the characters are presented — nobody is without flaw, and the mental processes the main character Ella goes through, feel relatable and real for someone who is faced with her challenges. I was able to closely follow her struggles and triumphs and really liked her as a character.
As someone with English as their second language, I finished this book in approximately three days. I slightly blame the author for my now messed up sleep schedule, as I was unable to put the book down as soon as I entered the second half and had to stay up till 4am to see how it ended.
Anxiously awaiting the sequel!
September 25, 2023
DNF at 31%
Unfortunately, I cannot finish this book.
So we follow Ella, 17 yo trained killer who's working to protect the King and his son. SHe's been training since she was 8, after being kicked out of the palace by the queen. When she decided (at 8yo!!!!!) to become a trained killer... (I mean come on... at 8??? ) After the prince is being attacked, Ella is going back to the palace to protect th prince from up close.
So yeah... cant say more than that, there are teenage assassins, potions, enchanted objects... And it's the first in a serie. If that sounds up your alley, go for it.
I don't care about the characters, the story sounds too young for it to make sense... There are things which just dont add up in my opinion....I went to 30%, which is more than 100 pages in, but it just doesnt call me. Maybe I should stay away frim that kind of stories in YA versions... Just didnt do it for me! Too bad really.
*Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an arc against an honest revew.*
Unfortunately, I cannot finish this book.
So we follow Ella, 17 yo trained killer who's working to protect the King and his son. SHe's been training since she was 8, after being kicked out of the palace by the queen. When she decided (at 8yo!!!!!) to become a trained killer... (I mean come on... at 8??? ) After the prince is being attacked, Ella is going back to the palace to protect th prince from up close.
So yeah... cant say more than that, there are teenage assassins, potions, enchanted objects... And it's the first in a serie. If that sounds up your alley, go for it.
I don't care about the characters, the story sounds too young for it to make sense... There are things which just dont add up in my opinion....I went to 30%, which is more than 100 pages in, but it just doesnt call me. Maybe I should stay away frim that kind of stories in YA versions... Just didnt do it for me! Too bad really.
*Thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for an arc against an honest revew.*
Read
July 29, 2024The Glass Dagger, the first book in The Kingdom of Assassins Chronicles series, offers a fresh and captivating take on the fantasy genre. This unique retelling of Cinderella is both inventive and enchanting, setting itself apart with its blend of adventure and magic.
In this reimagining, Ella forsakes her life as a lady of the court to become an assassin, operating in the shadows to protect the castle and the royal family. Her iconic glass daggers, which she leaves behind as a mark of her presence, provide a brilliant nod to the classic fairytale while adding a thrilling new dimension.
The novel strikes a perfect balance between romance and plot, ensuring that the love story enhances rather than overshadows the main narrative. Additionally, the light touch of magic adds to the allure without overwhelming the fantasy elements.
Overall, The Glass Dagger is a delightful and engaging read that combines imaginative storytelling with a nod to its fairytale roots, making it a standout entry in adventure fantasy.
In this reimagining, Ella forsakes her life as a lady of the court to become an assassin, operating in the shadows to protect the castle and the royal family. Her iconic glass daggers, which she leaves behind as a mark of her presence, provide a brilliant nod to the classic fairytale while adding a thrilling new dimension.
The novel strikes a perfect balance between romance and plot, ensuring that the love story enhances rather than overshadows the main narrative. Additionally, the light touch of magic adds to the allure without overwhelming the fantasy elements.
Overall, The Glass Dagger is a delightful and engaging read that combines imaginative storytelling with a nod to its fairytale roots, making it a standout entry in adventure fantasy.
September 15, 2023
This was my new favorite Cinderella retelling!
Here she is an assassin, an amazing one at that. It’s like when Cinderella meets black widow. The way the author here incorporated the different aspects to the original Cinderella story drew me in. It never took away from the new retelling.
Ella and Prince David’s interactions did not live up to what I excepted. I am hoping /assuming they grow closer together in the next book as I am assuming they do. The banter between them though was so good!
But I am dying for book 2!!! I need it now. The ending amazed me and I need answers.
What to expect:
* Retelling
* Violence
* Torture
* Fantasy
* Slow burn
* Some language
* Poisons
Thank you NetGalley and the author for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own!
Here she is an assassin, an amazing one at that. It’s like when Cinderella meets black widow. The way the author here incorporated the different aspects to the original Cinderella story drew me in. It never took away from the new retelling.
Ella and Prince David’s interactions did not live up to what I excepted. I am hoping /assuming they grow closer together in the next book as I am assuming they do. The banter between them though was so good!
But I am dying for book 2!!! I need it now. The ending amazed me and I need answers.
What to expect:
* Retelling
* Violence
* Torture
* Fantasy
* Slow burn
* Some language
* Poisons
Thank you NetGalley and the author for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own!
October 27, 2023
At the begining I wanted to thank NetGalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion…
.. and I have to say, I liked it! It was kind of chaotic at the begining (those sprayed mirrors were clever!), but I enjoyed every page of this book. It supposed to be Cinderella retelling, and when you look at FMC’s name - Ella, it cannot be more obvious 😅
It supposed to be retelling but it’s not. I mean, you will find every element of this fairytale in this book, but it is not classic Cinderella story, because here its Prince Charming who is damsel in distress, and Cinderella plays a role of protector - deadly assassin, who will do anything in her power to keep him safe.
If you like fantasy retellings of classical tales, this book will defenetly be perfect for you 🥰
4/5⭐️
.. and I have to say, I liked it! It was kind of chaotic at the begining (those sprayed mirrors were clever!), but I enjoyed every page of this book. It supposed to be Cinderella retelling, and when you look at FMC’s name - Ella, it cannot be more obvious 😅
It supposed to be retelling but it’s not. I mean, you will find every element of this fairytale in this book, but it is not classic Cinderella story, because here its Prince Charming who is damsel in distress, and Cinderella plays a role of protector - deadly assassin, who will do anything in her power to keep him safe.
If you like fantasy retellings of classical tales, this book will defenetly be perfect for you 🥰
4/5⭐️
November 1, 2024
3.5/5stars
I found this book to be quite interesting, however, at times it felt lacking.
I would have loved to learn more about her past, how she come to be so close to the royal family and what happened in her childhood, but unfortunately there isn't as much as I would have wanted and it's quite sad since it could have improved her character tremendously. As far as love interests go, this romance was quite weak, but it's not too bad since it's supposed to be suppressed anyway.
Now, onto the assassin abilities part, I was a bit disappointed at times with Ella and the other girls to be honest. But since they are pretty much brainwashed from a young age, I can only blame the teacher.
All in all, it was an easy and enjoyable read for me, nothing too extraordinary, but not bad eighter.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest opinion
I found this book to be quite interesting, however, at times it felt lacking.
I would have loved to learn more about her past, how she come to be so close to the royal family and what happened in her childhood, but unfortunately there isn't as much as I would have wanted and it's quite sad since it could have improved her character tremendously. As far as love interests go, this romance was quite weak, but it's not too bad since it's supposed to be suppressed anyway.
Now, onto the assassin abilities part, I was a bit disappointed at times with Ella and the other girls to be honest. But since they are pretty much brainwashed from a young age, I can only blame the teacher.
All in all, it was an easy and enjoyable read for me, nothing too extraordinary, but not bad eighter.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest opinion
September 4, 2023
The Glass Dagger by Kelsey L. Robinson was a masterfully crafted adventure novel. I had a fantastic time following Ella’s story, and I was on the edge of my seat as she uncovered the truth behind her training and as she struggled to find her purpose within the world. As I mentioned earlier, Ella is the main protagonist of the series, and the story follows her through a magical world full of lies and deceit. The Glass Dagger was well paced and well written. This book is for the people who wish they could escape reality and live a life similar to Ella’s, with the power to do whatever you choose. I definitely look forward to following Ella’s story unfold in her future adventures and quests. This book is not one to snooze on and I recommend it to everyone within the genre.
October 31, 2023
3.5 Stars
The Glass Dagger by Kelsey Robinson offers a dark and engaging Cinderella retelling with a twist, featuring a strong female assassin, Ella. The plot unfolds with a mix of fantasy elements, romance, murder mystery, intricate world-building, and a well-thought-out magic system that is inspired by modern technology. While I found the plot mostly predictable, and the characters immature and dramatic, I still liked the book for its intriguing story, character development, and the promise of a series. Fans of dark fantasy, assassins, and fairy tale reimaginings (especially the fans of Throne of Glass) will find this book an enjoyable read. It's a perfect read for teen readers.
I received the e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
The Glass Dagger by Kelsey Robinson offers a dark and engaging Cinderella retelling with a twist, featuring a strong female assassin, Ella. The plot unfolds with a mix of fantasy elements, romance, murder mystery, intricate world-building, and a well-thought-out magic system that is inspired by modern technology. While I found the plot mostly predictable, and the characters immature and dramatic, I still liked the book for its intriguing story, character development, and the promise of a series. Fans of dark fantasy, assassins, and fairy tale reimaginings (especially the fans of Throne of Glass) will find this book an enjoyable read. It's a perfect read for teen readers.
I received the e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
December 22, 2023
This was one of the weakest Cinderella retellings I've read. I enjoy reading fairy tale retellings, so I dove into this one with a lot of gusto. However, I stopped reading for a while after the first "torture" scene. It wasn't that it was graphic, but more like...there wasn't anything to it. It was so underwhelming for what was supposed to be, or what I thought, a set up of what Ella's character was like - efficient assassin. I stopped reading after that and picked it up again when I was looking for something to read on my cruise. It didn't get much better. A lot of what I expected from the plot summary just didn't meet expectations. I generally enjoy YA and I'm sorry this one wasn't for me.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
October 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this fairytale retelling of Cinderella. The story was unique and interesting, and I loved the way the author incorporated elements of the original story while still making it her own.
The characters were well-developed and I found myself rooting for them throughout the book. However, I didn't feel as connected to them as I would have liked. The middle of the book was a bit slow-paced for me and I had a hard time getting through it. However, once I hit the last 30% I couldn't put it down.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, The Poisoned Crown, to see where the plot goes and more of the love triangle!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.
The characters were well-developed and I found myself rooting for them throughout the book. However, I didn't feel as connected to them as I would have liked. The middle of the book was a bit slow-paced for me and I had a hard time getting through it. However, once I hit the last 30% I couldn't put it down.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, The Poisoned Crown, to see where the plot goes and more of the love triangle!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.
November 11, 2023
This is probably my favorite Cinderella retelling. I love a stabby and sassy FMC that knows what she wants and is fiercely protective of the people she loves. I think Ella was such a good balance between protective and merciful. She’s a badass assassin and does whatever is needed to protect the crown, and her best friend. There’s some pretty good tension, but I also wish that there was more there between David and Ella. I think there were some good plot twists, some I saw coming and some were surprising. The world building was quite effective, I knew and understood the magic system without any problems. I look forward to reading more of this series in the future!
December 19, 2023
The Glass Dagger was absolutely not for me. From the brief summary, I thought it sounded like a fun, badass retelling of a classic fairy tale. It was not. The book is poorly written with major inconsistency issues, unnatural dialogue, and shallow, undeveloped characters. I honestly should have simply DNF-ed this book; however, I had a goal of finishing every book I started this year. This book had no idea what it wanted to be. The toruture scenes and details were so poorly written, they were almost laughable. Nothing in the book flowed. It appears that this is a first book in a series. I will absolutely not be reading any more of them.
September 8, 2023
I’ve been a bit obsessed with fairytale retellings lately and this one was great. A story where the “princess” isn’t the damsel in distress but instead the knight in shining armor? Sign me up.
I loved the premise of this book, and the plot delivered. My sole qualm would be that the book was off to a slower start with not enough explanations of the world-setting we were in.
The writing itself was fantastic, the authors love for her own story is palpable, and I did push through the book pretty quickly (took about a full day to get through).
The banter between Ella and David? Loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the premise of this book, and the plot delivered. My sole qualm would be that the book was off to a slower start with not enough explanations of the world-setting we were in.
The writing itself was fantastic, the authors love for her own story is palpable, and I did push through the book pretty quickly (took about a full day to get through).
The banter between Ella and David? Loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2023
I’ve read a lot of retelling books this year and this one wasn’t too bad! I enjoyed it but I found it to be missing something. This was a quick and easy read for me.
This one is a slightly darker retelling of Cinderella where Ella has left her court to become an assassin. She is later assigned to protect her prince.
The author’s writing style was nice and easy to follow.
I just found the plot to be really slow and it just didn’t keep my attention unfortunately.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This one is a slightly darker retelling of Cinderella where Ella has left her court to become an assassin. She is later assigned to protect her prince.
The author’s writing style was nice and easy to follow.
I just found the plot to be really slow and it just didn’t keep my attention unfortunately.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 19, 2024
I was saddened to not like this book after seeing many good reviews, although it is YA it seems a little more juvenile in the writing but due to violence factors it most likely cannot be published under young readers. I typically love retellings and find them fun easy reads but I just didn’t like the writing style, and the constant use of * in place of quotation marks bugged me. However this doesn’t mean it wasent good, the plot had potential and this could be a good read for you depending what writing style you like!
Thank you to the author, and Netgalley for the free arc!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews