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A Twist of Adventure #1
CinderEddy
Edward, called CinderEddy by his stepbrothers, has been treated as little more than a servant ever since his mother died after her remarriage. When the Princess Elicia is kidnapped, however, his stepbrothers join the other knights attempting to rescue her, and Edward uses their absence to make his own attempt at her rescue. He doesn't expect to succeed, but somehow, he keeps finding himself on the right path.
28 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2014
8 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Kendra E. Ardnek
71 books279 followersKendra E. Ardnek is the self-proclaimed Arista of Fairy Tales. She makes her home in the hills of central Texas with her fellow author husband, who she found at a writer’s conference. When not writing, you can usually find her crocheting her own cloaks, valiantly attempting to read every retelling ever written, and pretending that owning toy dragons makes her a dragon trainer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 25, 2022
*FREE ON AMAZON 21/9/22-25/9/22
4 stars & 4/10 hearts. I’ve been hearing for a long time that Kendra Ardnek’s books were hilarious, but since I don’t read magic, I couldn’t read them. I was thrilled to learn this one was nonmagical! It made for a fun, quick, light read. It was a great retelling of Cinderella (and perhaps Arthur?? I felt some Arthur vibes), done in the style of the old fairytales like The Wonder Clock. It was super fun to see how she implemented all the elements without magic! I really enjoyed this story and think it is a great example of how to creatively retell a magical tale. It’s short and probably a great Middle-Grade/Juvenile-Fiction read.
A Favourite Quote: “...the world has a shocking shortage of considerate young men such as yourself.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: On he traveled, through the caves and past the horrid beast that he had battled. He didn’t regret that fight, as it made this cave safe for travel. As long as the next person to travel through here wasn’t someone else who was kidnapping the princess, he was good with it.
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4 stars & 4/10 hearts. I’ve been hearing for a long time that Kendra Ardnek’s books were hilarious, but since I don’t read magic, I couldn’t read them. I was thrilled to learn this one was nonmagical! It made for a fun, quick, light read. It was a great retelling of Cinderella (and perhaps Arthur?? I felt some Arthur vibes), done in the style of the old fairytales like The Wonder Clock. It was super fun to see how she implemented all the elements without magic! I really enjoyed this story and think it is a great example of how to creatively retell a magical tale. It’s short and probably a great Middle-Grade/Juvenile-Fiction read.
A Favourite Quote: “...the world has a shocking shortage of considerate young men such as yourself.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: On he traveled, through the caves and past the horrid beast that he had battled. He didn’t regret that fight, as it made this cave safe for travel. As long as the next person to travel through here wasn’t someone else who was kidnapping the princess, he was good with it.
Join the Clean & Christian Book Deals email list to receive regular emails sharing clean and/or Christian book sales and freebies - https://sendfox.com/cleanandchristian....
March 30, 2017
This was actually a very unique and interesting spin-off of Cinderella. I enjoyed the 3rd person narration; I think it fit really well with the fairy tale story. While there could have been more character development, I think for a story such as this, it wasn't desperately needed. There were a few typos\errors, but there weren't many, and they didn't distract from the story too much. All in all, very well done! Quite unique.
January 30, 2023
Another "help me win my reading challenge" read, and a very fun gender-swap of the classic tale. I especially loved how it leaned into encounters on the MC's journey, really showing his character. It read almost like an old fable or a scene from Pilgrim's Progress.
November 27, 2021
Nice, short middle grade story
I thought this was a YA book of sorts but it ended up being very middle grade. Even so, it was a nice story . The book is narrated in a old fairytale-ish voice which gives it a certain charm. I feel my 4th and 5th grade students would enjoy it. The romance is super limited to some scene and not at all descriptive. The lessons taught in the book are about helping others in need, courage, and kindness.
Because the romance level is super low I think even little boys would enjoy it. Specially because the main character is a guy and takes the role of Cinderella as a manservant .
I thought this was a YA book of sorts but it ended up being very middle grade. Even so, it was a nice story . The book is narrated in a old fairytale-ish voice which gives it a certain charm. I feel my 4th and 5th grade students would enjoy it. The romance is super limited to some scene and not at all descriptive. The lessons taught in the book are about helping others in need, courage, and kindness.
Because the romance level is super low I think even little boys would enjoy it. Specially because the main character is a guy and takes the role of Cinderella as a manservant .
February 2, 2016
I really enjoyed this! I was expecting to mildly like it, but to be honest, I've discovered that I love gender-swaps. It was a really nice story, with an interesting plot, and the gender-swapping was done really well and in a creative way. One star knocked for some typos.
And yes, I read it in less than half an hour (ish) because I was procrastinating. ;)
And yes, I read it in less than half an hour (ish) because I was procrastinating. ;)
June 24, 2021
Very short and it did gloss over some important bits. But overall it was very sweet and had a classic fairy tale feel. I kept turning pages to see what happened next and Edward is the actual sweetest
The Cinderella elements were light (and there's no ball 😭) but I loved what she did with the shoe bit, that was particularly clever!! The beginning and the end were very Cinderella, with a classic fairy tale quest in between
Overall, I adored it, it was very cute ❤️
The Cinderella elements were light (and there's no ball 😭) but I loved what she did with the shoe bit, that was particularly clever!! The beginning and the end were very Cinderella, with a classic fairy tale quest in between
Overall, I adored it, it was very cute ❤️
February 18, 2022
I find it interesting how genderbent Cinderella stories are almost always the ones that stray the furthest from the original fairy tale (even though they really don't need to). That said, I enjoyed this story. The writing style is rather rough, but the plot and characters are quite enjoyable. If you want a quick, light fairy tale read, I'd certainly recommend this.
July 23, 2014
http://kiribeth.blogspot.com/2014/07/...
Fairytales of all kinds fascinate me, and for some odd reason, gender-swapped tales garner particular interest. In CinderEddy, authoress Kendra E. Ardnek presents us the tale of a young man who, like the famous Cinderella, is kind and clever, yet is thrust maliciously in the place of a servant.
Edward's father, the late Sir Henry, was the king's favorite, and so it stands to reason that Edward himself would fall into his father's esteemed position, right? Wrong! After Sir Henry's death, Edward finds himself the recipient of a new stepfather, and all too soon -- two stepbrothers. And so begins the Cinderella tale of servanthood and mistreatment. But instead of a ball we get... a kidnapping! Princess Elicia is captured by a band of ruthless thugs and it's up to the noble men of the land to rescue her and, ultimately, win her hand in marriage. Edward's stepbrothers fly off at once to try to find her, and even Edward himself gets excited, not necessarily at the thought of rescuing a future bride, but of finally having an adventure out from under his stepbrothers' malicious thumbs.
Clean, fun, and Cinderella-esque, CinderEddy is a retelling that can trip your mind into thinking it's not a simple retelling at all. Kendra has taken the cherished tale of rags-to-riches and transformed it into a sweet tale of the importance of helping others and stopping to take advice. This short story will definitely be going on my favorite Cinderella retellings list, and I'd recommend it happily to readers of all ages.
Advisory: Light fantasy action.
Fairytales of all kinds fascinate me, and for some odd reason, gender-swapped tales garner particular interest. In CinderEddy, authoress Kendra E. Ardnek presents us the tale of a young man who, like the famous Cinderella, is kind and clever, yet is thrust maliciously in the place of a servant.
Edward's father, the late Sir Henry, was the king's favorite, and so it stands to reason that Edward himself would fall into his father's esteemed position, right? Wrong! After Sir Henry's death, Edward finds himself the recipient of a new stepfather, and all too soon -- two stepbrothers. And so begins the Cinderella tale of servanthood and mistreatment. But instead of a ball we get... a kidnapping! Princess Elicia is captured by a band of ruthless thugs and it's up to the noble men of the land to rescue her and, ultimately, win her hand in marriage. Edward's stepbrothers fly off at once to try to find her, and even Edward himself gets excited, not necessarily at the thought of rescuing a future bride, but of finally having an adventure out from under his stepbrothers' malicious thumbs.
Clean, fun, and Cinderella-esque, CinderEddy is a retelling that can trip your mind into thinking it's not a simple retelling at all. Kendra has taken the cherished tale of rags-to-riches and transformed it into a sweet tale of the importance of helping others and stopping to take advice. This short story will definitely be going on my favorite Cinderella retellings list, and I'd recommend it happily to readers of all ages.
Advisory: Light fantasy action.
November 28, 2015
This is a really cute retelling of Cinderella. I enjoyed it!
April 2, 2017
This was a really fun retelling. It's so rare anyone ever does a gender swap to the male perspective in fairy tale retellings and I don't think I have ever read a male Cinderella one so I really liked seeing where this one went. And I loved the twist from the original story, it was very well done, and an all around enjoyable short story.
December 31, 2021
It was fine. The genderbent angle to Cinderella was neat, but the story by far was just there for me. There were also quite a few typos throughout which had nothing to do with my rating I just thought I’d mention them for those who get really driven mad by such things.
It was a fine read while I waited in the car for my family but not something I’ll read again.
Content: none
It was a fine read while I waited in the car for my family but not something I’ll read again.
Content: none
September 24, 2023
Sweet gender swap Cinderella. Just very short. I wanted a little more story. :)
August 19, 2017
A nice little story. It was familiar yet fresh. And it has a lovely little twist.
Despite being gender swapped it still holds to traditional roles. Which isn't a bad thing. We need books about strong me. And though the story focuses of Eddie, or Edward, Princess elicia is as developed as she could be fore her part in the story. Certainly more than the prince in most basic Cinderella stories is.
Despite being gender swapped it still holds to traditional roles. Which isn't a bad thing. We need books about strong me. And though the story focuses of Eddie, or Edward, Princess elicia is as developed as she could be fore her part in the story. Certainly more than the prince in most basic Cinderella stories is.
October 8, 2015
It was a cute, clean story.
March 23, 2017
Now that was fun! CinderEddy was a unique retelling of the classic fairy tale, Cinderella, from a boy's perspective. Overall it was a charming tale filled with adventure and mystery. The story felt a little rushed at times and there were a few typos here and there, but other than that it was a lovely story! I'm looking forward to reading more of Kendra Ardnek's books!
November 30, 2024
Good short read
A reversed or as the author says, twisted, version of Cinderella where humility, humbleness, care for others, intelligence, and without the need for looking important are worth as much as bravery, with the happy ever after one expects.
A reversed or as the author says, twisted, version of Cinderella where humility, humbleness, care for others, intelligence, and without the need for looking important are worth as much as bravery, with the happy ever after one expects.
March 11, 2016
This was clean, fun, and enjoyable adventure, told in a succinct narrator style.
I saw most of the plot twists coming (), but that didn't make the story any less enjoyable. The protagonist, CinderEddy, was likable and heroic. The setting was medieval in style, though not described in too much detail; that gave me a lot of room to imagine, and didn't detract anything. All in all, a good read.
My only qualms with it are the typos/formatting (could use a quick round of editing), and that the entire time I was imagining CinderEddy as being in his early/mid-teens . I was surprised when his age was revealed, because he seemed much younger. I think the two things that gave me that impression are:
1) After stating that Edward was 10, then "a few years later...", the story begins
2) There's little physical description.
Normally I don't mind the latter (more room for the imagination to roam ;)), but it would've been helpful in this case. Maybe a mention that he was taller/shorter/average height for his age range, or that over the years he found it hard to sleep by the fireplace because he was growing larger; things like that.
I saw most of the plot twists coming (), but that didn't make the story any less enjoyable. The protagonist, CinderEddy, was likable and heroic. The setting was medieval in style, though not described in too much detail; that gave me a lot of room to imagine, and didn't detract anything. All in all, a good read.
My only qualms with it are the typos/formatting (could use a quick round of editing), and that the entire time I was imagining CinderEddy as being in his early/mid-teens . I was surprised when his age was revealed, because he seemed much younger. I think the two things that gave me that impression are:
1) After stating that Edward was 10, then "a few years later...", the story begins
2) There's little physical description.
Normally I don't mind the latter (more room for the imagination to roam ;)), but it would've been helpful in this case. Maybe a mention that he was taller/shorter/average height for his age range, or that over the years he found it hard to sleep by the fireplace because he was growing larger; things like that.
October 5, 2023
An Interesting Twist on a Classic Fairytale
After a YEAR, I'm finally starting this series!! Fall just seems like the perfect season for some fairytale retellings.
The Cover: Fun and original.
The Writing: Extremely fast-paced. Sorta choppy or rushed in parts but I enjoyed the overall tale. I loved how quick this was to finish.
The Characters: We don't get to really dive into the characters much except for Edward. He was a sweet and very humble guy that made for a great underdog story.
The Plot: An interesting storyline, this gender swap Cinderella. Mild adventure but mostly interacting with other characters. A lot of situations were resolved too quickly for me.
The Themes/Messages: Humility was the main theme that I was getting. Being willing to help others for no reward.
The Romance: Next to none and I liked it that way.
Content Warnings: I don't think there's much to list here except for mild action violence with a sword.
Overall: 3 stars! Enjoyable short Cinderella retelling. I've already started book 2 and am really enjoying that one!
After a YEAR, I'm finally starting this series!! Fall just seems like the perfect season for some fairytale retellings.
The Cover: Fun and original.
The Writing: Extremely fast-paced. Sorta choppy or rushed in parts but I enjoyed the overall tale. I loved how quick this was to finish.
The Characters: We don't get to really dive into the characters much except for Edward. He was a sweet and very humble guy that made for a great underdog story.
The Plot: An interesting storyline, this gender swap Cinderella. Mild adventure but mostly interacting with other characters. A lot of situations were resolved too quickly for me.
The Themes/Messages: Humility was the main theme that I was getting. Being willing to help others for no reward.
The Romance: Next to none and I liked it that way.
Content Warnings: I don't think there's much to list here except for mild action violence with a sword.
Overall: 3 stars! Enjoyable short Cinderella retelling. I've already started book 2 and am really enjoying that one!
October 15, 2015
A cute, gender-bent retelling of Cinderella. The gender-bending was well-executed, and the story was fun. The reason I'm rating it only three stars, is because I feel I can't really give any more to something so short.
If you like fairy-tales, this makes for a quick, interesting read that I promise you'll enjoy!
If you like fairy-tales, this makes for a quick, interesting read that I promise you'll enjoy!
April 23, 2020
A quick delightful read! I liked the character of CinderEddy a lot as well! I would recommend this as it's totally clean.
November 26, 2022
Cute
This gender swap Cinderella retelling was a fun read. It’s short and an easy read, clean, and fine for any age.
This gender swap Cinderella retelling was a fun read. It’s short and an easy read, clean, and fine for any age.
August 6, 2021
This is a very short read but packed with great story.
Eddy is a prince but he is treated, by his step-brothers, as a servant; and somewhere along the way he starts to believe that he really doesn't deserve what a prince can expect.
I don't want to share what happens in the story, but as Eddy listens to advice and does what is right, he receives the prize.
A nice clean quick read.
Eddy is a prince but he is treated, by his step-brothers, as a servant; and somewhere along the way he starts to believe that he really doesn't deserve what a prince can expect.
I don't want to share what happens in the story, but as Eddy listens to advice and does what is right, he receives the prize.
A nice clean quick read.
February 2, 2017
This was a really cute little story! Written much in the same style as the old fashioned fairytales, it had some unique little plot twists that I really liked. It also has some good character building truths.
Loved how the Night Vision Goggles played a part. :-D. The only thing I will say is that the editing on my particular edition could use some improvement. It's possible that it has been addressed and the present edition now available has the typos, etc. worked out.
Loved how the Night Vision Goggles played a part. :-D. The only thing I will say is that the editing on my particular edition could use some improvement. It's possible that it has been addressed and the present edition now available has the typos, etc. worked out.
January 3, 2021
A cozy retelling of an old classic. 😊
January 23, 2025
1.5 stars. Heavy-handed moralizing without any clear message, internally inconsistent characters, illogical actions and reasonings, a completely unbelievable fight, words that were used completely incorrectly... I could see so many places where if an action was just tweaked a bit or given a different explanation, it would make sense, but as it is it feels implausible, because humans just don't work like that. Motives are important! It is motives that drive action! And every active character here had muddled motives or no motives at all.
December 8, 2022
Cute simple fairytale
A nice short story with hints of Cinderella and very much in the style of old fashioned fairytales. It could have been fleshed out into a regular novel but it was still fun to read. Completely clean. The only violence is a non-graphic fight between the MC and a wolf that is quickly over.
A nice short story with hints of Cinderella and very much in the style of old fashioned fairytales. It could have been fleshed out into a regular novel but it was still fun to read. Completely clean. The only violence is a non-graphic fight between the MC and a wolf that is quickly over.
February 1, 2023
Good story
What a different twist to this story. It's short like a cable should be and it has all of the hallmarks of the morals to be taken from such takes. It was very good and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
What a different twist to this story. It's short like a cable should be and it has all of the hallmarks of the morals to be taken from such takes. It was very good and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 29, 2017
My rating 2.5 stars
July 18, 2023
On KU
Silly but cute
Silly but cute
October 26, 2023
It's a bit predictable, even what amounts to the twist can be foreseen ( and it's a nice switch, though). My problem is the misplaced and dangling modifiers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews