What do you think?
Rate this book
A Wish of Ashes and Glass: A Cinderella Retelling
Ellasyn has a secret power, one that could be easily abused in the wrong hands.
She can heal, but only by taking on the illness or injury herself.
When the king holds a ball to find a bride for his son, Ellasyn only goes to enjoy a night away from the constant cruelty her step-father subjects her to. She isn't interested in princes. Then she meets the charming and mysterious Ara who seems to have secrets of her own.
When the grand ball ends with an attempt on the king's life, how can Ellasyn let herself be open to romance? Anyone could be the assassin, and Ellasyn's kind heart could be a death sentence.
A Wish of Ashes and Glass is a standalone, young adult, sapphic retelling of Cinderella with a twist you won't see coming.
Grab your copy and escape into this sweet fairy tale today!
She can heal, but only by taking on the illness or injury herself.
When the king holds a ball to find a bride for his son, Ellasyn only goes to enjoy a night away from the constant cruelty her step-father subjects her to. She isn't interested in princes. Then she meets the charming and mysterious Ara who seems to have secrets of her own.
When the grand ball ends with an attempt on the king's life, how can Ellasyn let herself be open to romance? Anyone could be the assassin, and Ellasyn's kind heart could be a death sentence.
A Wish of Ashes and Glass is a standalone, young adult, sapphic retelling of Cinderella with a twist you won't see coming.
Grab your copy and escape into this sweet fairy tale today!
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2023
14 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Selina A. Fenech
33 books378 followersSelina A. Fenech writes quirky, positive, and powerful tales where love always wins. With laugh out loud moments, epic danger, twists, and unique magical worlds, her stories are perfect for a reader looking for something different.
Selina A. Fenech lives in Australia with her husband and daughter and loves food, gardening, geekery, and all things fantasy.
She is also a professional fantasy artist, and you can find her large range of coloring books and art books under her artist name, Selina Fenech.
Selina A. Fenech lives in Australia with her husband and daughter and loves food, gardening, geekery, and all things fantasy.
She is also a professional fantasy artist, and you can find her large range of coloring books and art books under her artist name, Selina Fenech.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
July 23, 2023
Kindle Unlimited.
An intriguing novella that is fast-paced. A fairy-tale retelling with a sapphic love interest.
It's very dark in many ways, with our MC being abused and taking on a lot of trauma and pain. So it was a bit tough to read at times.
I wish we had got far more time with the love interest, to really showcase the relationship build up.
A solid yet dark tale.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An intriguing novella that is fast-paced. A fairy-tale retelling with a sapphic love interest.
It's very dark in many ways, with our MC being abused and taking on a lot of trauma and pain. So it was a bit tough to read at times.
I wish we had got far more time with the love interest, to really showcase the relationship build up.
A solid yet dark tale.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 10, 2023
Fenech gleefully turns the traditional tale of Cinderella on it's head.
There's a lead character with hidden magical power, abusive stepfather, witless stepsisters, a ball and a Princess?. Nope, change that to a dashing captain of the royal guard then throw in intrigue, danger and romance. I wanted more of Ellasyn and Ara plus the clockwork horse is so much better than a traditional carriage.
Ultimately this is a smart, smooth, fast paced but too dang short tale.
There's a lead character with hidden magical power, abusive stepfather, witless stepsisters, a ball and a Princess?. Nope, change that to a dashing captain of the royal guard then throw in intrigue, danger and romance. I wanted more of Ellasyn and Ara plus the clockwork horse is so much better than a traditional carriage.
Ultimately this is a smart, smooth, fast paced but too dang short tale.
September 28, 2023
This book grabbed me from the get go! I loved the turn around of the Cinderella story, that Selina does so well!
The heroine has a most wondrous gift that she hides in the soot and cinders of the abusive servant life she lives.
Her kind heart soon is discovered and used by the highest power for the most sinister reason and she thinks all is lost. Until as in all good fairy tales, she gets rescued by the handsome Prince…ess!
I love Selina’s smoothly written take on this. The characters are well developed and show all the colour and depth I love.
Very powerful book leaving you with hope and kindness and above all love, in its many forms.
Thank you 😍.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The heroine has a most wondrous gift that she hides in the soot and cinders of the abusive servant life she lives.
Her kind heart soon is discovered and used by the highest power for the most sinister reason and she thinks all is lost. Until as in all good fairy tales, she gets rescued by the handsome Prince…ess!
I love Selina’s smoothly written take on this. The characters are well developed and show all the colour and depth I love.
Very powerful book leaving you with hope and kindness and above all love, in its many forms.
Thank you 😍.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Want to read
June 18, 2024Sapphic retellings of princesses!!!!!! Less than 300 pages!!!! Sitting down as we speak!!!!
September 1, 2023
A Wish of Ashes and Glass is a quick reading, which revolves around a mystery. The book is darker than expected, as cinderella (or cinders) is constantly abused, but in the end manages to get her HEA. Recommended to all those who enjoy retellings.
July 30, 2023
The story of "Cinderella" has been told so many ways with a prince as the main love interest that I think it is the best candidate for a queer-friendly adaptation. With her latest novel, A Wish of Ashes and Glass, my favorite fantasy artist, Selina Fenech, agrees. The ARC I received of this book contained every new element I've seen in a "Cinderella" retelling with the addition of a female love interest for our tormented heroine. Political intrigue? Check. A selfless heroine with magic powers? Check. A royal conspiracy revolving around the use of magic? Check. Nicer stepsisters? Check. Despite having so many similar elements to other retellings, the story remains fresh and interesting thanks to its surprise romantic lead, a mighty warrior princess who exudes qualities that are similar to queer-coded anime heroines of the past like Princess Knight, Utena, and Oscar.
Ellasyn was born with healing powers that allow her to absorb other people's pain, sickness, and wounds, but in order to do so, she takes on their ailments herself. Despite the scars and suffering that it causes, she made a vow to her mother, from whom her powers were inherited, that she would use them whenever encountered someone in need. After losing both of her parents, El became stuck with a wicked stepfather and two timid stepsisters. Trolaine is just as determined to marry one of his daughters off to royalty as the stepmother from the original fairy tale, but he also has a violent temper, which makes him a physical threat in addition to an emotional one. El's only solace comes from the magic tree that grew over her mother's gave and provides her with incredible things, including a cool-looking clockwork horse that carries her to the three balls that the king holds to find a bride for his son.
When El arrives at the balls in her magical gowns, she has little interest in meeting the prince and tries to enjoy the ball from the sidelines in more secluded areas of the castle. On her quest to remain hidden, she continually runs into Ara, a brave captain of the royal guard. Ara is impressed with El's humility and mystery and seeks her out at each ball to learn more about her. El, in turn, is amazed by Ara's strength and questions how a woman could have gotten such a powerful position. However, she doesn't have much time to solve this puzzle when each ball she attends has some sort of catastrophe that forces her to use her healing powers. Because of these catastrophes, the prince suspects that someone is trying to assassinate the king, and Ara and El are his number one suspects.
The book contains many unexpected twists and turns as well as the same glittering magic and romance that one would expect to find in a "Cinderella" adaptation. Both gender swaps to breathe new life into this commonly retold. The dangerous and strong stepfather provides an explanation for why Cinderella's stepsisters avoid standing up for him as well as posing a bigger threat than the wicked stepmother due to his abusive temper. Ellasyn's female love interest provides a rare opportunity for a strong and powerful heroine who is not the lead character, and the lesbian romance is handled with care and sensitivity, making the story appropriate for younger teenage readers. Selina's skills as an artist shine through her descriptive narrations of Ellasyn's beautiful gowns and the enchanted clockwork horse that brought her to the balls.
A Wish of Ashes and Glass skillfully weaves together familiar elements of the "Cinderella" tale with refreshing new additions. Selina Fenech's storytelling prowess shines through her vivid descriptions and imaginative narrative, breathing new life into the beloved fairy tale. By introducing a queer-friendly romance and exploring themes of selflessness, resilience, and love, the novel captivates readers of all ages. With its strong, empowered heroines, intricate plot twists, and a touch of enchantment, A Wish of Ashes and Glass stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the limitless possibilities of reinventing timeless classics. I would recommend this both to anyone looking for a new take on "Cinderella" or seeking a clean LGBTQIA fairy tale adaptation.
Ellasyn was born with healing powers that allow her to absorb other people's pain, sickness, and wounds, but in order to do so, she takes on their ailments herself. Despite the scars and suffering that it causes, she made a vow to her mother, from whom her powers were inherited, that she would use them whenever encountered someone in need. After losing both of her parents, El became stuck with a wicked stepfather and two timid stepsisters. Trolaine is just as determined to marry one of his daughters off to royalty as the stepmother from the original fairy tale, but he also has a violent temper, which makes him a physical threat in addition to an emotional one. El's only solace comes from the magic tree that grew over her mother's gave and provides her with incredible things, including a cool-looking clockwork horse that carries her to the three balls that the king holds to find a bride for his son.
When El arrives at the balls in her magical gowns, she has little interest in meeting the prince and tries to enjoy the ball from the sidelines in more secluded areas of the castle. On her quest to remain hidden, she continually runs into Ara, a brave captain of the royal guard. Ara is impressed with El's humility and mystery and seeks her out at each ball to learn more about her. El, in turn, is amazed by Ara's strength and questions how a woman could have gotten such a powerful position. However, she doesn't have much time to solve this puzzle when each ball she attends has some sort of catastrophe that forces her to use her healing powers. Because of these catastrophes, the prince suspects that someone is trying to assassinate the king, and Ara and El are his number one suspects.
The book contains many unexpected twists and turns as well as the same glittering magic and romance that one would expect to find in a "Cinderella" adaptation. Both gender swaps to breathe new life into this commonly retold. The dangerous and strong stepfather provides an explanation for why Cinderella's stepsisters avoid standing up for him as well as posing a bigger threat than the wicked stepmother due to his abusive temper. Ellasyn's female love interest provides a rare opportunity for a strong and powerful heroine who is not the lead character, and the lesbian romance is handled with care and sensitivity, making the story appropriate for younger teenage readers. Selina's skills as an artist shine through her descriptive narrations of Ellasyn's beautiful gowns and the enchanted clockwork horse that brought her to the balls.
A Wish of Ashes and Glass skillfully weaves together familiar elements of the "Cinderella" tale with refreshing new additions. Selina Fenech's storytelling prowess shines through her vivid descriptions and imaginative narrative, breathing new life into the beloved fairy tale. By introducing a queer-friendly romance and exploring themes of selflessness, resilience, and love, the novel captivates readers of all ages. With its strong, empowered heroines, intricate plot twists, and a touch of enchantment, A Wish of Ashes and Glass stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the limitless possibilities of reinventing timeless classics. I would recommend this both to anyone looking for a new take on "Cinderella" or seeking a clean LGBTQIA fairy tale adaptation.
October 8, 2024
"Soon, I realized it had never been the tree that healed me. It was the magic of love."
And this Sapphic retelling of Cinderella is a marvelous rendition as Ellasyn and her step sisters are all bullied and used by their father. Three balls not to find the prince a wife but to save the king
Father is as evil and selfish and out for his own wealth that he can't see beyond himself. His two daughters are selfish but have learned it from him.
What saves everything is magic, the magic of love, as love can change the world as nothing else can; whether it's between two women or a woman and a man. This is the magic of Selina A Fenech. Keep them coming please. 5/5
And this Sapphic retelling of Cinderella is a marvelous rendition as Ellasyn and her step sisters are all bullied and used by their father. Three balls not to find the prince a wife but to save the king
Father is as evil and selfish and out for his own wealth that he can't see beyond himself. His two daughters are selfish but have learned it from him.
What saves everything is magic, the magic of love, as love can change the world as nothing else can; whether it's between two women or a woman and a man. This is the magic of Selina A Fenech. Keep them coming please. 5/5
February 19, 2025
I'll be the first person to admit that I don't love retellings and novellas. So, two strikes against this book right from the outset. The premise held promise though, so I endured. I liked Els power, and the magic tree. I liked the Sapphic twist. What i did not like was the plot and characters. The characters felt like caricatures, the plot a little soap opera-y for me that had a lot of holes in it. Good effort, I guess?
August 14, 2023
I loved this so much. Especially the author
take and twists on a classic story. I couldn't put it down it was another late night.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
take and twists on a classic story. I couldn't put it down it was another late night.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 24, 2023
I loved this book. It held my attention from the first chapter and I did not want to put it down. When reading I almost forgot it was a Cinderella retelling. I love how the story is reworked and the extra magic and good feeling that are in this.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 16, 2023
I loved the plot of A Wish of Ashes and Glass, a retelling of the fairytale Cinderella with a twist and a sapphic romance. I appreciated how it is easy to relate and feel for Ellasyn, the main character. Once again Selina Fenech wrote an extraordinary novel that is hard to put down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 3, 2025
Ellasyn has a power that she's kept secret, and in the wrong hands, it could be used and abused. Ellasyn has the power to heal. But, in order to heal, she has to take the illness or injury herself.
One night, the King holds a ball to find a ball to find a bride for his son, and Ellasyn decides to go out for the night. She only decides to go to enjoy the night away from all the cruelty her step-father forces on her. She has absolutely no interest in the prince. And then she meets Ara. She's sweet, charming, mysterious, and apparently has secrets of her own.
The grand ball ends suddenly when an attempt is made on the kings life.
With abusers out there, how can Ellasyn be open to love and romance? An assassin is on the loss, and Ellasyn's gentle heart could end in her death.
A Wish of Ashes and Glass is a YA, sapphic retelling of Cinderella, and it has a twist that you will never see coming.
“Cinderella”, this is a story that has been told time and time again and in so many ways, and it's always the same, a prince is the main love interest. So, finally, finding a retelling of “Cinderella” that was actually different, that was LGBTQIA+, was a pleasant surprise.
This is actually the first Selina French novel that I have read, and I have to say that she amazed me. This retelling of “Cinderella” had elements in it that I have never seen before in a “Cinderella” story. The introduction of a female love interest, a step-father rather than a stepmother, political intrigue, selfless heroine with magic powers, royal conspiracy, nice step sisters. All of these things actually helped to bring such a fresh and new face to the story we all know and love. I love that our heroine is like this princess who is more like a warrior who also exudes all the qualities of hope, love, peace, strength, and intelligence.
Ellasyn was born with a power that could be considered both a blessing and a curse. She has the ability to heal other people, but in order to do so, she has to take whatever ails them into herself. It doesn't matter if it is a sickness or a wound. She takes it all to heal that person.
She carries all the scars, all the pain, all the suffering that this healing causes with grace and promises her mother, who Ellasyn got her powers from, that she would use her power to heal anyone she came across who was in hurt or sick and needed healing.
Ellasyn loses both of her parents and ends up with just her stepfather and two stepsisters who don't have half a backbone between them. Trolaine is bound and determined to marry one of his daughters off to royalty at any costs, keeping this part consistent with the stepmother from the fairy tale that we all remember. He's a threat through as he has a savage temper, and he's not immune to making use of physical threats along with the emotional ones he loves to use.
El finds that the only place of peace she can find is at the magic tree that has grown over her mother's grave. This tree has given her some incredible gifts that include an amazing clockwork horse, something that has carried her to three balls the kind has held trying to find his son a bride.
Arriving at the ball in her gown of pure magic, El has no interest in the prince or meeting him. All she wants is to enjoy the ball from the side, more secluded areas just keeping to herself, staying out of sight for the most part. In her quest to stay to herself, El ends up running into Ara. Ara is brave, strong, and a captain of the royal guard.
Ara, impressed with El's humility, mystery, and how beauty decides to seek her out at each of the kings balls in a quest to learn more about this lovely lady. El is stunned by Ara's strength, intelligence, grace, and bravery and can't help but wonder how it is that a woman has risen to such a high position with such power. Sadly, she doesn't get enough time to solve the puzzle that is Ara as it seems that each ball she attends comes with some sort of disaster that forces her to use her powers. Due to the continual disasters, the prince starts to wonder if these disasters aren't a deliberate attempt on the kings life, and suddenly Ara and El are at the top of his list of suspects
I never saw the twists and turns in this book, and the magic was such a beautiful addition to this retelling. I love the twist on the romance in this retelling of “Cinderella” The gender swap was refreshing and brought new life to a story that has so often been retold the same way over and over again. Having a stepfather vs a stepmother allowed for changes in the character dynamics and brought a new strong danger to the character and gave a more valid explanation for why “Cinderella's” stepsisters didn't stand-up for her, the stepfather actually made a lot more sense in a lot of ways.
Providing a female love interest vs the normal love interest being the prince allowed for a new story to be told and gave our heroine the opportunity to be stronger, wiser, more powerful and gave us a love story with another woman that was handled with such love and devotion and such skill and tenderness. There was a care and tenderness in the romance between El and Ara that made this book perfect for both adults, new adults, and young adults alike. You can see the love and care that Selina took in writing this book and the sensitivity she took and the artistry she has in her descriptive narrations, the dialogue, and all the small details that she added in to make this such a special and unique book.
A Wish of Ashes and Glass has taken elements of a tale that we all know so well, and she has welded it with a bright new narrative to create a new tale that is refreshing and interesting. Selina Fenech has an amazing storytelling prowess that has the power to transform stories we know so well and create new stories altogether.
I loved how delicate Selina was with her introduction of introducing a queer friendly romance. My favorite part of this book has to be that it explores such important themes like selflessness, resilience, love, patience, and strength. Selina has empowered our FMC, ensured that there was an intricate plot with emotional twist and turn, and I loved the enchantment that it still possessed.
This novel is a true tribute to the power of storytelling and just how limitless it really is. Even if you are going back to well-known stories that have been told over and over again, they can still be rewritten again and made fresh once again. Selina has shown us all just how limitless life can really be.
One night, the King holds a ball to find a ball to find a bride for his son, and Ellasyn decides to go out for the night. She only decides to go to enjoy the night away from all the cruelty her step-father forces on her. She has absolutely no interest in the prince. And then she meets Ara. She's sweet, charming, mysterious, and apparently has secrets of her own.
The grand ball ends suddenly when an attempt is made on the kings life.
With abusers out there, how can Ellasyn be open to love and romance? An assassin is on the loss, and Ellasyn's gentle heart could end in her death.
A Wish of Ashes and Glass is a YA, sapphic retelling of Cinderella, and it has a twist that you will never see coming.
“Cinderella”, this is a story that has been told time and time again and in so many ways, and it's always the same, a prince is the main love interest. So, finally, finding a retelling of “Cinderella” that was actually different, that was LGBTQIA+, was a pleasant surprise.
This is actually the first Selina French novel that I have read, and I have to say that she amazed me. This retelling of “Cinderella” had elements in it that I have never seen before in a “Cinderella” story. The introduction of a female love interest, a step-father rather than a stepmother, political intrigue, selfless heroine with magic powers, royal conspiracy, nice step sisters. All of these things actually helped to bring such a fresh and new face to the story we all know and love. I love that our heroine is like this princess who is more like a warrior who also exudes all the qualities of hope, love, peace, strength, and intelligence.
Ellasyn was born with a power that could be considered both a blessing and a curse. She has the ability to heal other people, but in order to do so, she has to take whatever ails them into herself. It doesn't matter if it is a sickness or a wound. She takes it all to heal that person.
She carries all the scars, all the pain, all the suffering that this healing causes with grace and promises her mother, who Ellasyn got her powers from, that she would use her power to heal anyone she came across who was in hurt or sick and needed healing.
Ellasyn loses both of her parents and ends up with just her stepfather and two stepsisters who don't have half a backbone between them. Trolaine is bound and determined to marry one of his daughters off to royalty at any costs, keeping this part consistent with the stepmother from the fairy tale that we all remember. He's a threat through as he has a savage temper, and he's not immune to making use of physical threats along with the emotional ones he loves to use.
El finds that the only place of peace she can find is at the magic tree that has grown over her mother's grave. This tree has given her some incredible gifts that include an amazing clockwork horse, something that has carried her to three balls the kind has held trying to find his son a bride.
Arriving at the ball in her gown of pure magic, El has no interest in the prince or meeting him. All she wants is to enjoy the ball from the side, more secluded areas just keeping to herself, staying out of sight for the most part. In her quest to stay to herself, El ends up running into Ara. Ara is brave, strong, and a captain of the royal guard.
Ara, impressed with El's humility, mystery, and how beauty decides to seek her out at each of the kings balls in a quest to learn more about this lovely lady. El is stunned by Ara's strength, intelligence, grace, and bravery and can't help but wonder how it is that a woman has risen to such a high position with such power. Sadly, she doesn't get enough time to solve the puzzle that is Ara as it seems that each ball she attends comes with some sort of disaster that forces her to use her powers. Due to the continual disasters, the prince starts to wonder if these disasters aren't a deliberate attempt on the kings life, and suddenly Ara and El are at the top of his list of suspects
I never saw the twists and turns in this book, and the magic was such a beautiful addition to this retelling. I love the twist on the romance in this retelling of “Cinderella” The gender swap was refreshing and brought new life to a story that has so often been retold the same way over and over again. Having a stepfather vs a stepmother allowed for changes in the character dynamics and brought a new strong danger to the character and gave a more valid explanation for why “Cinderella's” stepsisters didn't stand-up for her, the stepfather actually made a lot more sense in a lot of ways.
Providing a female love interest vs the normal love interest being the prince allowed for a new story to be told and gave our heroine the opportunity to be stronger, wiser, more powerful and gave us a love story with another woman that was handled with such love and devotion and such skill and tenderness. There was a care and tenderness in the romance between El and Ara that made this book perfect for both adults, new adults, and young adults alike. You can see the love and care that Selina took in writing this book and the sensitivity she took and the artistry she has in her descriptive narrations, the dialogue, and all the small details that she added in to make this such a special and unique book.
A Wish of Ashes and Glass has taken elements of a tale that we all know so well, and she has welded it with a bright new narrative to create a new tale that is refreshing and interesting. Selina Fenech has an amazing storytelling prowess that has the power to transform stories we know so well and create new stories altogether.
I loved how delicate Selina was with her introduction of introducing a queer friendly romance. My favorite part of this book has to be that it explores such important themes like selflessness, resilience, love, patience, and strength. Selina has empowered our FMC, ensured that there was an intricate plot with emotional twist and turn, and I loved the enchantment that it still possessed.
This novel is a true tribute to the power of storytelling and just how limitless it really is. Even if you are going back to well-known stories that have been told over and over again, they can still be rewritten again and made fresh once again. Selina has shown us all just how limitless life can really be.
July 30, 2023
"Living for the sake of living is worth nothing without love."
I was so lucky to receive a physical ARC, the cover drew me right in. I love retellings, so I had to snap this one up. My feedback is shared honestly and gratefully!
Selina crafts a fast-paced, wonderfully written narrative in her unique and engaging retelling of Cinderella. Ellasyn (Cinderella) is dreadfully mistreated by her evil stepfather, and what she endures was hard to read, but it also made me cheer her character on. I also liked that the step sisters weren't all terrible, that they show fragments of carefully concealed love towards El for fear of punishment by their father, which made me sympathise with them. I admired her magical ability and the fact that it cost her every time she used it showed the cons of such power. Despite that though, she continued to help others. The characters were really well written, and I loved the chemistry between Ara and El, it was a sweet slow burn with a nice ending. The silent nod to the original with the mention of the glass slipper was a really nice touch, too! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and Selina's writing style, not to mention her amazing illustrations. Grab this one if you like a short, sweet sapphic fairy tale retelling.
This one will go down as one of my favourites! Thank you for this story, Selina! ❤️
I was so lucky to receive a physical ARC, the cover drew me right in. I love retellings, so I had to snap this one up. My feedback is shared honestly and gratefully!
Selina crafts a fast-paced, wonderfully written narrative in her unique and engaging retelling of Cinderella. Ellasyn (Cinderella) is dreadfully mistreated by her evil stepfather, and what she endures was hard to read, but it also made me cheer her character on. I also liked that the step sisters weren't all terrible, that they show fragments of carefully concealed love towards El for fear of punishment by their father, which made me sympathise with them. I admired her magical ability and the fact that it cost her every time she used it showed the cons of such power. Despite that though, she continued to help others. The characters were really well written, and I loved the chemistry between Ara and El, it was a sweet slow burn with a nice ending. The silent nod to the original with the mention of the glass slipper was a really nice touch, too! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and Selina's writing style, not to mention her amazing illustrations. Grab this one if you like a short, sweet sapphic fairy tale retelling.
This one will go down as one of my favourites! Thank you for this story, Selina! ❤️
August 10, 2023
Another Selina Fenech book I just couldn't put down. This is the second in her Fairy Tale Wishes Series and based of cinderella. Ellasyn life is a struggle since the death of her beloved mother. Her cruel step father uses her for slave labour and her two step sisters just stand by. Ellasyn has a secret an ability to heal but she takes the wound on herself so she must be careful. When the King holds a ball for the Prince to find a bride, El is not interested in the Prince himself some else has caught her attention but the head of the royal guard Ara who has her own secret cost El more than just her heart.
I Hope Selina French does more of the retellings as I am enjoying them so very much
Another Selina Fenech book I just couldn't put down. This is the second in her Fairy Tale Wishes Series and based of cinderella. Ellasyn life is a struggle since the death of her beloved mother. Her cruel step father uses her for slave labour and her two step sisters just stand by. Ellasyn has a secret an ability to heal but she takes the wound on herself so she must be careful. When the King holds a ball for the Prince to find a bride, El is not interested in the Prince himself some else has caught her attention but the head of the royal guard Ara who has her own secret cost El more than just her heart.
I Hope Selina French does more of the retellings as I am enjoying them so very much.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I Hope Selina French does more of the retellings as I am enjoying them so very much
Another Selina Fenech book I just couldn't put down. This is the second in her Fairy Tale Wishes Series and based of cinderella. Ellasyn life is a struggle since the death of her beloved mother. Her cruel step father uses her for slave labour and her two step sisters just stand by. Ellasyn has a secret an ability to heal but she takes the wound on herself so she must be careful. When the King holds a ball for the Prince to find a bride, El is not interested in the Prince himself some else has caught her attention but the head of the royal guard Ara who has her own secret cost El more than just her heart.
I Hope Selina French does more of the retellings as I am enjoying them so very much.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 9, 2024
I realize a part of the problem is me. I have recently come to learn I don't like Fairy Tale retellings and only picked this one up because I am suffering a reading slump and it was a novella. That being said my review can be taken with several pinches of salt, but I just didn't like this story. Even as a novella I skimmed the last 3 chapters because I just didn't care.
I found the plot in general sort of ridiculous in that the King, rather than collecting her from the moment he saw her heal the little girl, instead orchestrated this elaborate plan in order to kidnap her.
Ara also didn't seem to suspect El when she was consistently appeared with injuries after the "assassination attempts". This should have made her the most suspicious person but rather Ara was willing to ask her to assist in "investigating". Investigating is in quotes because there is exactly 1 paragraph if investigation that is done in the entirety of the novella.
Lastly, I understand the need for El to lie about her name when she encounters Ara; but upon the 3rd visit to the castle she is determined not to go back and has an opportunity to tell Ara she is being abused but still refuses to. Why? There is no logical reason for this to be a secret which turns into a convient plot device.
I can't say I'm happy I read this and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else either.
I found the plot in general sort of ridiculous in that the King, rather than collecting her from the moment he saw her heal the little girl, instead orchestrated this elaborate plan in order to kidnap her.
Ara also didn't seem to suspect El when she was consistently appeared with injuries after the "assassination attempts". This should have made her the most suspicious person but rather Ara was willing to ask her to assist in "investigating". Investigating is in quotes because there is exactly 1 paragraph if investigation that is done in the entirety of the novella.
Lastly, I understand the need for El to lie about her name when she encounters Ara; but upon the 3rd visit to the castle she is determined not to go back and has an opportunity to tell Ara she is being abused but still refuses to. Why? There is no logical reason for this to be a secret which turns into a convient plot device.
I can't say I'm happy I read this and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone else either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! It’s a sapphic retelling of Cinderella that stays true to some of the most magical details of the original fairytale; Ellasyn still attends three nights of royal balls, and her beautiful gowns come from a tree, not a fairy godmother. Those classic touches made me feel like I was reading the timeless story I grew up with, while still being surprised and delighted by all the new twists.
Ellasyn is a wonderful heroine, carrying the secret power to heal others by taking on their wounds herself. Her selflessness and resilience made her easy to root for, especially against the cruelty of her stepfather. Instead of a prince, Ellasyn’s heart is captured by Captain Ara, the mysterious and fiercely loyal captain of the royal guard. Their slow-burn romance is both tender and thrilling, and I adored seeing Cinderella fall in love with a woman—it made the story feel fresh, queer-friendly, and full of heart.
The plot goes beyond ballroom glamour, pulling Ellasyn into danger when the king is attacked during one of the balls. This mystery element raised the stakes, and the unexpected twist kept me hooked until the very last page.
If you love fairy tales with a twist, sapphic romance, and heroines who shine through resilience and love, A Wish of Ashes and Glass is a gem you don’t want to miss.
Ellasyn is a wonderful heroine, carrying the secret power to heal others by taking on their wounds herself. Her selflessness and resilience made her easy to root for, especially against the cruelty of her stepfather. Instead of a prince, Ellasyn’s heart is captured by Captain Ara, the mysterious and fiercely loyal captain of the royal guard. Their slow-burn romance is both tender and thrilling, and I adored seeing Cinderella fall in love with a woman—it made the story feel fresh, queer-friendly, and full of heart.
The plot goes beyond ballroom glamour, pulling Ellasyn into danger when the king is attacked during one of the balls. This mystery element raised the stakes, and the unexpected twist kept me hooked until the very last page.
If you love fairy tales with a twist, sapphic romance, and heroines who shine through resilience and love, A Wish of Ashes and Glass is a gem you don’t want to miss.
August 21, 2023
In "A Wish of Ashes and Glass," Selina Fenech creatively reimagines the classic Cinderella story, infusing it with fresh elements and enchanting magic. The narrative follows Ellasyn, or Cinderella, who endures mistreatment from her cruel stepfather. Fenech introduces a progressive angle, crafting a heartfelt romance between Ellasyn and Ara, a brave royal guard captain.
The story's strength lies in its character development and themes of resilience and love. Fenech skillfully blends darkness with kindness and humor, appealing to a wide audience. Ellasyn's magical abilities, her connection with Ara, and their journey are vividly portrayed, immersing readers in a world of intrigue.
Recommended for fans of fairy tale adaptations and inclusive romances, "A Wish of Ashes and Glass" showcases Fenech's storytelling prowess. Exploring themes of love, magic, and overcoming challenges, the novel offers an engaging reading experience. Whether seeking a unique Cinderella retelling or a progressive fairy tale, readers will find themselves captivated by a narrative that celebrates strength and the transformative power of affection.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story's strength lies in its character development and themes of resilience and love. Fenech skillfully blends darkness with kindness and humor, appealing to a wide audience. Ellasyn's magical abilities, her connection with Ara, and their journey are vividly portrayed, immersing readers in a world of intrigue.
Recommended for fans of fairy tale adaptations and inclusive romances, "A Wish of Ashes and Glass" showcases Fenech's storytelling prowess. Exploring themes of love, magic, and overcoming challenges, the novel offers an engaging reading experience. Whether seeking a unique Cinderella retelling or a progressive fairy tale, readers will find themselves captivated by a narrative that celebrates strength and the transformative power of affection.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 30, 2024
Definitely a different take on the traditional Cinderella story. Substituting an evil Stepmother for a greedy, mean stepfather fits better with the fact men married women for dowries and monetary gain, & not love back in the day & personally always found the lack of empathy or any nurturing qualities in the evil Stepmother figure towards a vulnerable child when already a mother never made sense though favouring your biological children is often realistic. Love that the siblings weren't portrayed as evil but more as shaped by circumstances with a controlling and toxic parent and had moments of kindness and genuine affection and love underneath it all. Also the father controlling the future of his biological daughters fates again fits with older time periods where men controlled women.
The overall message seems to be that what you put out into the world whether it be good or bad will ultimately come back to you in the end. Being kind will bring blessings, to hold on to hope even in the bleakest of times and that everyone can be the hero of their own destiny and that love can take many forms.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The overall message seems to be that what you put out into the world whether it be good or bad will ultimately come back to you in the end. Being kind will bring blessings, to hold on to hope even in the bleakest of times and that everyone can be the hero of their own destiny and that love can take many forms.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 30, 2023
Ellasyn is a charming, kind, and selfless girl who doesn't mind a little hard work. She's always willing to put others, even animals, before herself, thinking she can endure the hardship and pain. Her stepsisters aren't the typical unattractive siblings but they do have a lot to learn. Her stepfather, a twist on the typical stepmother, is an absolute nightmare.
The story still contains all the elements of the original fairy tale (the stepsisters, the ball, the magic that ends at midnight, the gorgeous love interest, and the beautiful dresses) but with a number of twists such as the evil stepfather, the connection with Ara, the real purpose for the balls, and the source of the magic that helps Ellasyn attend those stunning balls.
This was a fast paced and beautifully written fairy tale retelling that I will definitely recommend to all ages (teen to adult) and enjoy re-reading again and again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story still contains all the elements of the original fairy tale (the stepsisters, the ball, the magic that ends at midnight, the gorgeous love interest, and the beautiful dresses) but with a number of twists such as the evil stepfather, the connection with Ara, the real purpose for the balls, and the source of the magic that helps Ellasyn attend those stunning balls.
This was a fast paced and beautifully written fairy tale retelling that I will definitely recommend to all ages (teen to adult) and enjoy re-reading again and again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 12, 2023
Ellasyn has a secret power, one that could be easily abused in the wrong hands.
She can heal, but only by taking on the illness or injury herself.
When the king holds a ball to find a bride for his son, Ellasyn only goes to enjoy a night away from the constant cruelty her step-father subjects her to. She isn't interested in princes. Then she meets the charming and mysterious Ara who seems to have secrets of her own.
When the grand ball ends with an attempt on the king's life, how can Ellasyn let herself be open to romance? Anyone could be the assassin, and Ellasyn's kind heart could be a death sentence.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
She can heal, but only by taking on the illness or injury herself.
When the king holds a ball to find a bride for his son, Ellasyn only goes to enjoy a night away from the constant cruelty her step-father subjects her to. She isn't interested in princes. Then she meets the charming and mysterious Ara who seems to have secrets of her own.
When the grand ball ends with an attempt on the king's life, how can Ellasyn let herself be open to romance? Anyone could be the assassin, and Ellasyn's kind heart could be a death sentence.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
August 13, 2023
Short and sweet, A Wish of Ashes and Glass is the second book in Selina Fenech’s Fairy Tale Wishes series of reimagined fairy tales. Each story stands alone, so they can be enjoyed in any order. Fenech puts her own unique spin on Cinderella, filled with magic, mystery, and Sapphic romance.
I was easily drawn into the story and felt like I was living through these crazy events with Ellasyn. I really liked both Ellasyn and Ara. I love that this story features strong women, and I really wanted things to work out for them. I also love how magic was incorporated into the story. The story is told with such memorable imagery, some of the scenes are going to stick with me for a long time. There’s a lot of violence and cruelty, but also love, kindness, bravery, and humor.
I recommend this story to those who enjoy fairy tale retellings, clean romantic fantasies, and Sapphic romances.
I received an ARC from the author via BookSprout, and I volunteered to provide an honest review.
I was easily drawn into the story and felt like I was living through these crazy events with Ellasyn. I really liked both Ellasyn and Ara. I love that this story features strong women, and I really wanted things to work out for them. I also love how magic was incorporated into the story. The story is told with such memorable imagery, some of the scenes are going to stick with me for a long time. There’s a lot of violence and cruelty, but also love, kindness, bravery, and humor.
I recommend this story to those who enjoy fairy tale retellings, clean romantic fantasies, and Sapphic romances.
I received an ARC from the author via BookSprout, and I volunteered to provide an honest review.
July 17, 2023
This beautiful retelling of the classic Cinderella story is even more magical than the original. From the minute I started reading Ellasyn's story, I couldn't put the book down. The characters are vivid and unique, and run the gamut from those you'd want to share cake with to those you absolutely despise. The story itself kept me turning pages nonstop. The basic framework of the familiar Cinderella story is there, but the author has reworked it in a way that is truly her own, and the happily ever after is one of the most rewarding endings I've read in a while. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Cinderella tales, strong female characters, and wonderful writing!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 10, 2023
Cinderella told with more then one twist! The author has done an incredible job with this Cinderella retelling. Switching a stepmother for a stepfather is one twist but he is every bit as awful and vile and with a temper to boot. Giving Ellasyn (Cinderella) a wonderful gift of healing is another although to heal El must take on the illness or ailment herself which is not so good and then there is the love interest. Not a prince, not even a man but a woman who is also the captain of the Royal guard. The story sweeps you away and the world building is descriptive and beautiful as we try to solve the mystery throughout in this exciting and thrilling storyline. Strong heroines, wicked plots, twists and turns to keep you spinning, this truly is a magical read.
September 20, 2023
Surprising. This isn't your everyday Cinderella reboot. There's a lot to unpack.
First, El can heal people or animals. But she takes that pain into herself to do so. Reading how much she goes through in this book was just barely short of torture porn. The amount of abuse from her stepfather has me rolling my eyes a bit because ffs she should have left a decade ago.
Second, El happens to be gay. I love that so much. It's not made into a big deal, it's just quietly in there like it's the most normal thing in the world. Which it should be. So she goes and falls in love with the guard lady, who then turns out to be the Princess. That's a twist I didn't see coming.
So the novel is all about how much pain El is in but it's still a bit of a love story.
First, El can heal people or animals. But she takes that pain into herself to do so. Reading how much she goes through in this book was just barely short of torture porn. The amount of abuse from her stepfather has me rolling my eyes a bit because ffs she should have left a decade ago.
Second, El happens to be gay. I love that so much. It's not made into a big deal, it's just quietly in there like it's the most normal thing in the world. Which it should be. So she goes and falls in love with the guard lady, who then turns out to be the Princess. That's a twist I didn't see coming.
So the novel is all about how much pain El is in but it's still a bit of a love story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2024
I adored 85% of this book. It was everything I wanted from a sapphic Cinderella retelling. I am always so curious to see how the step sisters will be portrayed in these retelling, and examine their relationship to the protagonist. I think this book did this part beautifully, and explored quite a complex dynamic between those characters really well. I also loved the magic, and the ball scenes. It was all beautiful, beautiful, beautiful until the last like… 20 pages which for some reason seemed quite rushed in comparison and had the characters speaking in ways that just didn’t match their tone for the whole preceding story. A little disappointed, but overall, I still thoroughly enjoyed the read and would recommend it to others
August 6, 2023
I'm always interested to see variations on traditional fairy tales, as these are stories that we all know and love, and I think it's interesting to see how today's authors recreate them.
I liked this author's take on Cinderella. it was a light read, and I thought it was quite sophisticated, with interesting portrayals of the characters, and it felt magical to read.
I'd say this was aimed at a young adult audience, while still retaining the magic of a story aimed at children.
Thank you to Booksprout, and to the author, for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked this author's take on Cinderella. it was a light read, and I thought it was quite sophisticated, with interesting portrayals of the characters, and it felt magical to read.
I'd say this was aimed at a young adult audience, while still retaining the magic of a story aimed at children.
Thank you to Booksprout, and to the author, for a free copy to review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 10, 2023
Selina has really knocked it out of the park with this one. In another wonderful but dark retelling of a classic childhood story, Cinderella, she brings to life Ellasyn (nickname cinders) and her magical gift that she uses to help people even though her life is full of torture and abuse. Such a kind and thoughtless woman attracts the attention of another who is just as caring as she is.
I feel the love interest could have done with a bit more fleshing out but overall I loved reading every moment and jumped in for the ride with Ella on her journey to becoming free .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I feel the love interest could have done with a bit more fleshing out but overall I loved reading every moment and jumped in for the ride with Ella on her journey to becoming free .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 12, 2023
So I never have been a fan of same-sex relationships in my books, but I was willing to take a chance because I have adored everything of Selina's that I have read so far. She is a master storyteller, and she weaves an incredible tapestry with her descriptions and also her well fleshed out characters. As the story unfolded I found myself more and more emotionally invested in Ellasyn and Ara's relationship. The LGBTQ elements are fairly tame, and I would be ok with my teen daughter reading this. All in all, although not my cup of tea, but it was a good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 20, 2023
I don’t mind retellings of classic fairytales, and really enjoyed the first one of this series, but this one went a bit too far with cinderella chasing the female capt of the guard. Found it off-putting enough that I couldnt finish the last few chapters of the story. The plot was a bit lacking overall, and the back and forth, flaky nature of the main character was just annoying. Overall, I had a hard time staying interested/engaged with this one, and the spin that came in halfway thru was just off-putting. Not the author’s finest work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews