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A Fairy Retelling #1
Cursed Beauty
A pair of glass slippers that can change her life? When something is too good to be true, it usually is...
Adelaide has lived her entire life cursed with a birthmark that makes people shy away. When an invitation to the Elder Prince’s ball falls in her lap, she knows attending would only cause people to shun her more.
A fairy godmother feels her pain and offers her a pair of glass slippers that not only transform her ragged dress to an elegant gown, but also removes the mark that covers her face. However, Adelaide soon learns that the beautiful slippers can steal away more than just her birthmark, leaving her cursed in a far worse way.
This retelling of the classic Cinderella story will resound with readers of young adult fiction who love paranormal fantasy, fairy tales, and a splash of romance.
Adelaide has lived her entire life cursed with a birthmark that makes people shy away. When an invitation to the Elder Prince’s ball falls in her lap, she knows attending would only cause people to shun her more.
A fairy godmother feels her pain and offers her a pair of glass slippers that not only transform her ragged dress to an elegant gown, but also removes the mark that covers her face. However, Adelaide soon learns that the beautiful slippers can steal away more than just her birthmark, leaving her cursed in a far worse way.
This retelling of the classic Cinderella story will resound with readers of young adult fiction who love paranormal fantasy, fairy tales, and a splash of romance.
109 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2014
82 people are currently reading
449 people want to read
About the author
Dorian Tsukioka
18 books36 followersDorian Tsukioka was born in Iowa, but lived most of her childhood in the heart of America, in Kansas City, Missouri. After college, she lived in Japan, in Nagasaki Prefecture. There, she met her her husband and got her crazy last name.
She and her husband lived in Las Vegas, Nevada, Durango, Colorado, and Colorado Springs, Colorado until her first born child came along. Then, the lure of free babysitting brought her family back to Kansas City, where you can go to the opera, see a major-league ball game, and go cow tipping all in one night. Dorian does not suggest anyone go cow tipping.
Dorian is a full-time elementary school teacher and late-night writer. She loves writing young adult fantasy, paranormal, and science fiction stories. She thinks they rock.
You can purchase her books on Amazon.com!
She and her husband lived in Las Vegas, Nevada, Durango, Colorado, and Colorado Springs, Colorado until her first born child came along. Then, the lure of free babysitting brought her family back to Kansas City, where you can go to the opera, see a major-league ball game, and go cow tipping all in one night. Dorian does not suggest anyone go cow tipping.
Dorian is a full-time elementary school teacher and late-night writer. She loves writing young adult fantasy, paranormal, and science fiction stories. She thinks they rock.
You can purchase her books on Amazon.com!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
March 26, 2015
Since I'm on a roll here with Cinderella stories, last night I read this one, a novella that has an interesting twist to the fairy tale: the fairy godmother is an evil old witch, using a pair of magical glass slippers to . . . well, I'll let you find out for yourself. The other twist is that Cinderella Adelaide has a large birthmark on her face that (almost) everyone considers disfiguring.
This is pretty much a light, sweet story rather than an edgy one, notwithstanding the darker side hinted at by the premise above.
I think this story will go over better with readers whose Sappiness Meter® isn't set as low as mine.
The writing style here is straightforward and a little superficial; there's no real depth or poetry to it. Also, as par for the course with self-pub works, there are several punctuation errors, etc. that a qualified proofreader should have caught (noticeable to me, but not bad enough to earn a place on my "get thee to a proofreader" shelf).
This would be a good read for those who like clean, sweet fairy tale retellings written at a younger YA level. No offensive content.
This is pretty much a light, sweet story rather than an edgy one, notwithstanding the darker side hinted at by the premise above.
I think this story will go over better with readers whose Sappiness Meter® isn't set as low as mine.
The writing style here is straightforward and a little superficial; there's no real depth or poetry to it. Also, as par for the course with self-pub works, there are several punctuation errors, etc. that a qualified proofreader should have caught (noticeable to me, but not bad enough to earn a place on my "get thee to a proofreader" shelf).
This would be a good read for those who like clean, sweet fairy tale retellings written at a younger YA level. No offensive content.
July 7, 2018
3.5 stars for this retelling that, although it's stated to be a "Cinderella" retelling and certainly is, has also a bit of a Beauty & Beast dash. The latter I suspect might come more from the short story, The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne, than from the French fairy tale, but thematically it does add up.
I liked this little detail and the creativity that went into twisting the figure of the Fairy Godmother to give the story a darker touch. But the writing is rather rough and patchy, and the story overall very "sweet" but sadly unsubstantial and unfulfilling for what it promised. Maybe it'd have helped to make it longer? Because the heroine certainly has a character that's the sort that could drive the plot much further, even in spite of the Prince being rather... not very credible, to be honest. I'd have loved also to see more of the stepmother, especially at the end, and to get at least some lines about what happened to her and the King. The plot scope is too narrow and thin, and that's where the feeling of not being filled by this promising morsel comes from.
Additionally, having read Tsukioka's other fairy tale retellings in this series, I can say that she suffers from the same bad habit of many American authors (and some Brits) of including local speech and idioms that don't belong in the period or in the fake Medieval/pre-Industrial settings & worlds they create for these retellings. In her case, the most noticeable is the overuse of okay. I mean, how plausible is it that a Japanese samurai or lady from the 16th century would say "It's okay," or "You're okay"? That's what happens in her retellings, and this one isn't excepted either, and it's already been so many examples to merit a new shelf.
I liked this little detail and the creativity that went into twisting the figure of the Fairy Godmother to give the story a darker touch. But the writing is rather rough and patchy, and the story overall very "sweet" but sadly unsubstantial and unfulfilling for what it promised. Maybe it'd have helped to make it longer? Because the heroine certainly has a character that's the sort that could drive the plot much further, even in spite of the Prince being rather... not very credible, to be honest. I'd have loved also to see more of the stepmother, especially at the end, and to get at least some lines about what happened to her and the King. The plot scope is too narrow and thin, and that's where the feeling of not being filled by this promising morsel comes from.
Additionally, having read Tsukioka's other fairy tale retellings in this series, I can say that she suffers from the same bad habit of many American authors (and some Brits) of including local speech and idioms that don't belong in the period or in the fake Medieval/pre-Industrial settings & worlds they create for these retellings. In her case, the most noticeable is the overuse of okay. I mean, how plausible is it that a Japanese samurai or lady from the 16th century would say "It's okay," or "You're okay"? That's what happens in her retellings, and this one isn't excepted either, and it's already been so many examples to merit a new shelf.
March 5, 2015
I love a good fairy tale retelling, especially when it brings a few new elements to an old favorite. This one is everything it claims to be and is darling. I'm not creative enough to think outside of the box and I love it when authors can do this. I especially love what the glass slippers can do and the way the fairy godmother was portrayed.
Adelaide is the equivalent to Cinderella, but there are some twists. She has a birthmark across her face, but instead of hiding behind it, she's honest, almost to a fault. I love a story with a strong, persistent main character--one who is beautiful (on the inside) and resourceful, too.
The Princes (two brothers) were great and I would've enjoyed getting to know them better. Both are kind and accepting, but I wanted a little more about them.
The prologue does give some of the story away, but I loved "going back" and having the gaps filled in throughout the story. I read it in one sitting. If you love Cinderella and you love a classic with a little bit of everything twisted into it, you're sure to love this one!
Content: Squeaky clean romance (mild, brief kissing); no language or religious elements; mild violence (matter of fact mention of a beheading with no details).
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
Adelaide is the equivalent to Cinderella, but there are some twists. She has a birthmark across her face, but instead of hiding behind it, she's honest, almost to a fault. I love a story with a strong, persistent main character--one who is beautiful (on the inside) and resourceful, too.
The Princes (two brothers) were great and I would've enjoyed getting to know them better. Both are kind and accepting, but I wanted a little more about them.
The prologue does give some of the story away, but I loved "going back" and having the gaps filled in throughout the story. I read it in one sitting. If you love Cinderella and you love a classic with a little bit of everything twisted into it, you're sure to love this one!
Content: Squeaky clean romance (mild, brief kissing); no language or religious elements; mild violence (matter of fact mention of a beheading with no details).
*I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
January 6, 2016
3.5
A wonderful light retelling of Cinderella.
Remember, not everyone is who you believe them to be.
A wonderful light retelling of Cinderella.
Remember, not everyone is who you believe them to be.
September 11, 2022
This book turned out to be just fine, the fact that I managed to finish this after a week of failure to read any book says a lot.
The book delivered exactly what was promised but with a little bit of twist, there was nothing extraordinary about it but it wasn't also as bad as some of the other books I've had the pleasure to read so a lot of mixed feelings about it.
The book delivered exactly what was promised but with a little bit of twist, there was nothing extraordinary about it but it wasn't also as bad as some of the other books I've had the pleasure to read so a lot of mixed feelings about it.
November 16, 2015
Well, normally I'm not much for short stories and novellas because I like the magic of a story to last a bit longer. Give me a 600 pager any day of the week. But this particular novella captured my attention. I am a sucker for fractured fairytales! I love taking old stories that everyone knows and turning them inside out and upside down. Needless to say, I've read quite a few Cinderella stories in my day, and I think Dorian Tsukioka did a good job of keeping the classic story while changing enough to make it interesting and new.
It's going to be very hard not to give too much away here, but I'm going to try my best! Adelaide, the main character, is not the beauty we normally think of as Cinderella (at least not without her magic shoes!). An ugly birthmark mars her face and neck, making her an outcast and a laughingstock in the village. Her father was the court physician and she actually has back story with the princes (yes, there is more than one), which I really liked. It helped to make the very quick romance much more believable, a feat that is difficult to accomplish in 97 pages. I also appreciated that there was more than one prince, giving our "Cinderella" some options. But the best element of this retelling was definitely the villain. While I have seen this character vilified in other retellings, I liked the motivations that drove this particular person and how they eventually linked back to past events. There is also some redemption for a few characters I've hated in the past, which is refreshing. I don't want to give too much away, so I will have to leave you with those vague sentences about my thoughts. But definitely check out Tsukioka's novella if you're curious! I read the whole thing in one evening.
My only complaints were that I would have loved to have seen this as a novel instead of a novella (which is really more of a personal taste thing). And there were some spelling and grammatical errors. As a former English teacher, I do find that hard to forgive in a published work. But as far as the important things go (storyline, characters, writing style), I thought this novella hit it out of the park!
My Rating
Overall, I give it a 3 out of 5 hearts.
It's going to be very hard not to give too much away here, but I'm going to try my best! Adelaide, the main character, is not the beauty we normally think of as Cinderella (at least not without her magic shoes!). An ugly birthmark mars her face and neck, making her an outcast and a laughingstock in the village. Her father was the court physician and she actually has back story with the princes (yes, there is more than one), which I really liked. It helped to make the very quick romance much more believable, a feat that is difficult to accomplish in 97 pages. I also appreciated that there was more than one prince, giving our "Cinderella" some options. But the best element of this retelling was definitely the villain. While I have seen this character vilified in other retellings, I liked the motivations that drove this particular person and how they eventually linked back to past events. There is also some redemption for a few characters I've hated in the past, which is refreshing. I don't want to give too much away, so I will have to leave you with those vague sentences about my thoughts. But definitely check out Tsukioka's novella if you're curious! I read the whole thing in one evening.
My only complaints were that I would have loved to have seen this as a novel instead of a novella (which is really more of a personal taste thing). And there were some spelling and grammatical errors. As a former English teacher, I do find that hard to forgive in a published work. But as far as the important things go (storyline, characters, writing style), I thought this novella hit it out of the park!
My Rating
Overall, I give it a 3 out of 5 hearts.
December 29, 2016
This was a great idea for a retelling it could have been really awesome. My younger teen liked it, but I found it lacking. A book should make you feel something, this did not. The bad guy should make you angry, the good guy make you sigh, maybe even laugh. This was just a story, with no feeling. It has a couple writing issues too and movement issues. It was a shorter book, didn't take me long.
January 17, 2015
Cursed Beauty is a Cinderella story with a twist. Adelaide, a young woman forced to do endless chores for her wicked stepmother, isn't looking for love. And her fairy godmother isn't giving her a pair of glass slippers out of the goodness of her heart.
Adelaide is in independent young woman who is accustomed to unwanted attention due to a birthmark on her face. When the Prince invites her to a ball, she automatically refuses, afraid those who see her will recoil. Part of her really wants to go, but the more she considers it, the more she realizes it's impossible. She has nothing to wear that would be suitable. And thanks to her wicked stepmother, she has an endless list of chores to do. When the fairy godmother gives her a pair of magical glass slippers, Adelaide's appearance is transformed. It isn't just the dress that makes her look like a princess - it's the disappearance of the cursed birthmark that gives her the confidence to go to the ball and dance with the prince. But life isn't a fairy tale, and magic isn't always a blessing. Adelaide is now in a race against time to rid herself of a horrific curse that threatens not only her, but the people closest to her.
Cursed Beauty is an enchanting fairy tale retelling that has the perfect balance of magic, adventure, and romance. Though it was a short, quick read it wasn't lacking in entertainment. I enjoyed every moment of the story. Recommended for teens and adults who are looking for a unique twist on a classic tale.
Adelaide is in independent young woman who is accustomed to unwanted attention due to a birthmark on her face. When the Prince invites her to a ball, she automatically refuses, afraid those who see her will recoil. Part of her really wants to go, but the more she considers it, the more she realizes it's impossible. She has nothing to wear that would be suitable. And thanks to her wicked stepmother, she has an endless list of chores to do. When the fairy godmother gives her a pair of magical glass slippers, Adelaide's appearance is transformed. It isn't just the dress that makes her look like a princess - it's the disappearance of the cursed birthmark that gives her the confidence to go to the ball and dance with the prince. But life isn't a fairy tale, and magic isn't always a blessing. Adelaide is now in a race against time to rid herself of a horrific curse that threatens not only her, but the people closest to her.
Cursed Beauty is an enchanting fairy tale retelling that has the perfect balance of magic, adventure, and romance. Though it was a short, quick read it wasn't lacking in entertainment. I enjoyed every moment of the story. Recommended for teens and adults who are looking for a unique twist on a classic tale.
June 10, 2015
“Is anything ever worth doing truly safe?”
The fairy godmother’s enticing words perfectly sum up the tone of Cursed Beauty by Dorian Tsukioka. This story is a fairy tale retelling with very unique twists on the original Cinderella story, creating a darker tale filled with romance and treachery.
To be perfectly honest, I’m not a huge fan of fairy retellings but I really enjoyed this one. I think the fairy godmother as the villain was a unique take on the classic Cinderella story. The main character, Adelaide, was the perfect protagonist with a strong moral compass and bottomless compassion. I loved how complex the two princes were, each was uniquely lovable. I also thought the truth revealed about the stepmother was a great connection to the original story but with a distinctive twist.
This story was a short read but very well-written. I got lost in it and was surprised at how well I felt I knew the characters even though it wasn’t very long. The plot was well-developed and I wasn’t expecting the twists at the end of the story. The pacing was great even though it was a quick read and really there wasn’t anything I didn’t like about it. It could only be more enjoyable if the story was beefed up a bit more, making it a full-length novel.
Tsukioka shows great promise as a writer for Young Adult fantasy. She brings a fresh perspective with her fairy tale retelling, one I wasn’t expecting. I would definitely be interested in reading more from her.
STARS: 4 out of 5
Thank you Dorian Tsukioka for a copy in exchange for an honest review!
The fairy godmother’s enticing words perfectly sum up the tone of Cursed Beauty by Dorian Tsukioka. This story is a fairy tale retelling with very unique twists on the original Cinderella story, creating a darker tale filled with romance and treachery.
To be perfectly honest, I’m not a huge fan of fairy retellings but I really enjoyed this one. I think the fairy godmother as the villain was a unique take on the classic Cinderella story. The main character, Adelaide, was the perfect protagonist with a strong moral compass and bottomless compassion. I loved how complex the two princes were, each was uniquely lovable. I also thought the truth revealed about the stepmother was a great connection to the original story but with a distinctive twist.
This story was a short read but very well-written. I got lost in it and was surprised at how well I felt I knew the characters even though it wasn’t very long. The plot was well-developed and I wasn’t expecting the twists at the end of the story. The pacing was great even though it was a quick read and really there wasn’t anything I didn’t like about it. It could only be more enjoyable if the story was beefed up a bit more, making it a full-length novel.
Tsukioka shows great promise as a writer for Young Adult fantasy. She brings a fresh perspective with her fairy tale retelling, one I wasn’t expecting. I would definitely be interested in reading more from her.
STARS: 4 out of 5
Thank you Dorian Tsukioka for a copy in exchange for an honest review!
December 30, 2014
Other than being absolutely in love with fairy retellings, I jumped at the chance to read and review a retelling of one of my favorite classic Disney stories when I was a little one. I was pleased with the outcome of the story.
As you know, fairy novels are always either very romantic and very happy-ending like or very scary and very sad that it makes me shout at night and make me want to watch the good one after a million times. Cursed Beauty was not exactly like this because it had every little touch in there as the summary says.
I really loved the idea of Adelaide and her ‘cursed beauty’ because it brings out the known phrase that beauty is not always physically, but emotionally as well. Disney movies usually portray beauty as on the outside, but Cursed Beauty changed that notion.
The only thing I really was not feeling good vibes from was the cover. The book was great, but again, if we are honest, we know that people judge the book by its cover. I believe that in the future, a better cover can be made that really gives the vibes of a great Cinderella retelling, but still give the note that the story is drastically different and brings out the other side of Cinderella and well known stories!
As you know, fairy novels are always either very romantic and very happy-ending like or very scary and very sad that it makes me shout at night and make me want to watch the good one after a million times. Cursed Beauty was not exactly like this because it had every little touch in there as the summary says.
I really loved the idea of Adelaide and her ‘cursed beauty’ because it brings out the known phrase that beauty is not always physically, but emotionally as well. Disney movies usually portray beauty as on the outside, but Cursed Beauty changed that notion.
The only thing I really was not feeling good vibes from was the cover. The book was great, but again, if we are honest, we know that people judge the book by its cover. I believe that in the future, a better cover can be made that really gives the vibes of a great Cinderella retelling, but still give the note that the story is drastically different and brings out the other side of Cinderella and well known stories!
December 31, 2014
A grown up fairy tale too good to set down.
Get lost in a favorite fable with a magical spin to keep adult readers engrossed and turning pages.
Adelaide was fortunate to only have one annoying stepsister in this version of the Cinderella fairy tale, but her stepmother, Celeste, is as cold as they come.
There are TWO hunky princes in this tale and no rats, mice or pumpkins for the carriage.
There is magic in those glass slippers and they are indestructible.
They have a mind of their own.
The Prince's ball goes on for DAYS!
I read this book quickly as I really wanted to know how it would end, even though we are "prepared" by a prologue.
It is a book I will go back and read again more slowly to savor the detail.
I very much enjoy retellings and this is among the best I have read.
I was gifted a copy of this ebook but the opinions are my own.
I would love to see this as a tv holiday special or a stage play.
Get lost in a favorite fable with a magical spin to keep adult readers engrossed and turning pages.
Adelaide was fortunate to only have one annoying stepsister in this version of the Cinderella fairy tale, but her stepmother, Celeste, is as cold as they come.
There are TWO hunky princes in this tale and no rats, mice or pumpkins for the carriage.
There is magic in those glass slippers and they are indestructible.
They have a mind of their own.
The Prince's ball goes on for DAYS!
I read this book quickly as I really wanted to know how it would end, even though we are "prepared" by a prologue.
It is a book I will go back and read again more slowly to savor the detail.
I very much enjoy retellings and this is among the best I have read.
I was gifted a copy of this ebook but the opinions are my own.
I would love to see this as a tv holiday special or a stage play.
April 3, 2015
Full Review at: What's Beyond Forks?
Cursed Beauty put a whole new spin on the Cinderella story we all know and love. For such a short story, we are given a whole lot of information on Adelaide and the Prince's history. Yes, they have a history of sorts way before the ball ever happens. With a birthmark covering her face, Adelaide isn't your typical Cinderella, and as you read, you'll find there's more to some of the other characters too. I enjoyed this book a great deal, and I'm looking forward to more in this new series!
Cursed Beauty by Dorian Tsukioka was kindly provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.
January 4, 2015
I was hooked, right from the beginning. Never have I heard a tale of Cinderella quite like this one. I loved the fire of our main character Adelaide. However, I didn't understand how she would just take what her step mother dished out like it was nothing considering the kind of person she appeared to be during other parts of the book. A twist I never expected had me reading quicker than before, devouring the book as the pages ran down. An original take on a beloved story told through the ages, Cursed Beauty brings to life a tale that can teach you you're perfect the way you are and that all not fairy godmothers are to be trusted.
February 23, 2015
Cursed Beauty by Dorian Tsukioka is the first book of the Fairy Retelling series and is a Cinderella rework.
Adelaide is the "Cinderella" of this story, the wealthy daughter of the court physician who becomes a servant after her father's death. This story extends the Cinderella tale so we have the usual Prince, but we also have his brother. We have Adelaide's best friend as well, and don't forget the fairy godmother.
The story starts off very stereotypical Cinderella, but adds some unique elements as we go. This is a YA novella, so it is kind of short, but the story is action packed along the way. I enjoyed the book for a brief, somewhat comical diversion from other stories.
Adelaide is the "Cinderella" of this story, the wealthy daughter of the court physician who becomes a servant after her father's death. This story extends the Cinderella tale so we have the usual Prince, but we also have his brother. We have Adelaide's best friend as well, and don't forget the fairy godmother.
The story starts off very stereotypical Cinderella, but adds some unique elements as we go. This is a YA novella, so it is kind of short, but the story is action packed along the way. I enjoyed the book for a brief, somewhat comical diversion from other stories.
September 26, 2017
The premise alone makes this worth the read. A fairy godmother stealing away the love she brings between couples? Pretty epic. I did, however, feel like the last of this story was rushed and there were a couple minor inconsistencies. Looking forward to more from this author!
November 1, 2024
Loved the twist on Cinderella
I love this book and the twist on the story of Cinderella. As I read the book, I got the thinking, what if there was a story about the fairy godmother side.
I love this book and the twist on the story of Cinderella. As I read the book, I got the thinking, what if there was a story about the fairy godmother side.
November 20, 2016
This made for a pretty simple fairytale retelling. It was ok but nothing overly impressive. It did make for a sweet a fast read though.
January 30, 2023
Short and sweet. I wish it was longer so there was more character development but I appreciated the twist on the classic tale.
October 19, 2023
My biggest problem is that the prologue seems to be a flash-forward, and it is only very late in the story that I discovered that is in fact backstory belonging to a previous Cinderella.
Still, a very interesting story with a sweet message of looking past blemishes and fighting for love. Just know that the prologue is a different Cinderella from Adelaide.
Still, a very interesting story with a sweet message of looking past blemishes and fighting for love. Just know that the prologue is a different Cinderella from Adelaide.
December 1, 2014
We all know the Disney fairy tale version of Cinderella and her glass slippers. What child doesn't? But did you ever think that perhaps the story was a little bit off? That maybe there was more to it? Well, there is. This novelette is another side of Cinderella that you've never seen before, but explains so much.
Adelaide was born with a hideous birthmark scarring half of her face. It makes her feel ugly and although people in the village where she lives have generally gotten used to it, they still whisper about it. And she knows they do. People won't even look her in the face when they talk to her. Word is that she was born cursed. Her mother died long ago of the pox, the same night that the younger Prince Julian lost his mother to it as well. Her father had been off to the castle trying to save the queen when Adelaide's mother died right beside her. The happenings of that night stayed with her for the next several years. The prince had lashed out at her when his mother died. He was mean to her and she had never forgiven him. Now, several years later, he delivers the news of the death of her father. While she grieves though, her stepmother, Celeste, seems cold and uncaring. Due to her father's death, Adelaide is forced to become a servant in her own house. During this time of readjustment, the prince tries to make amends with her by inviting her to the ball for his older brother's birthday. There's no way Adelaide can go, for several reasons. An old woman shows up with magic slippers saying she's her fairy godmother. Even though she wears the slippers, there is a terrible price to pay to use them. The price is much steeper than Adelaide is willing to pay once she has what the old woman wants. After all, nothing is free.
I love the retelling of this old tale. Disney makes it into a wonderful, feel good story for kids to watch. But let's be honest here: no one falls in love the first night they go to a ball and dance with a prince. That's called lust. This gives Adelaide and the prince a former history already that spans several years. Not only that, but the poor girl has been deemed cursed by the community because of a prominent birthmark. And then there is the fairy godmother. Well this one seems kind of scary to me. I also like the part Celeste plays in this. Everything has its explanation and it is a somewhat disturbing tale. It's short, and definitely not what you would call sweet, but it is a good retelling of it!
Adelaide was born with a hideous birthmark scarring half of her face. It makes her feel ugly and although people in the village where she lives have generally gotten used to it, they still whisper about it. And she knows they do. People won't even look her in the face when they talk to her. Word is that she was born cursed. Her mother died long ago of the pox, the same night that the younger Prince Julian lost his mother to it as well. Her father had been off to the castle trying to save the queen when Adelaide's mother died right beside her. The happenings of that night stayed with her for the next several years. The prince had lashed out at her when his mother died. He was mean to her and she had never forgiven him. Now, several years later, he delivers the news of the death of her father. While she grieves though, her stepmother, Celeste, seems cold and uncaring. Due to her father's death, Adelaide is forced to become a servant in her own house. During this time of readjustment, the prince tries to make amends with her by inviting her to the ball for his older brother's birthday. There's no way Adelaide can go, for several reasons. An old woman shows up with magic slippers saying she's her fairy godmother. Even though she wears the slippers, there is a terrible price to pay to use them. The price is much steeper than Adelaide is willing to pay once she has what the old woman wants. After all, nothing is free.
I love the retelling of this old tale. Disney makes it into a wonderful, feel good story for kids to watch. But let's be honest here: no one falls in love the first night they go to a ball and dance with a prince. That's called lust. This gives Adelaide and the prince a former history already that spans several years. Not only that, but the poor girl has been deemed cursed by the community because of a prominent birthmark. And then there is the fairy godmother. Well this one seems kind of scary to me. I also like the part Celeste plays in this. Everything has its explanation and it is a somewhat disturbing tale. It's short, and definitely not what you would call sweet, but it is a good retelling of it!
March 17, 2019
Thank you to Dorian Tsukioka for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Find this review and more on my blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten!
Cursed Beauty by Dorian Tsukioka is a wonderfully detailed and well written fairytale retelling. Set in a world where magic is possible, Cursed Beauty is a Cinderella retelling with a twist!
Can I just say how impressed I am with this story? I really, really liked it. Cursed Beauty is essentially a short, but sweet novella however I quite liked what the author has done with the story. The setting and the writing was inviting; it was a quaint fairytale retelling that is perfect as an afternoon read.
I was impressed with the characters in this story. Adelaide had fire and spirit and even Prince Julian was down to earth with a kind heart. There was an actual foundation to their relationship within the story, something you don’t always see with fairytale retellings. Tsukioka did a great job managing to convey so much emotion and depth within such a short story. Don’t get me wrong—there was still the same amount of almost instant-love you expect with these kinds of tales, but Tsukiokan managed to give the perfect amount of depth in order to make the story feel believable; something people sometimes miss.
I thought it very clever the twist on Cinderella Dorian Tsukioka explores. It’s a darker element that makes the story different, as well as the idea that not everyone who seem bad are bad and not everyone who appear good are good.
Lush, magical and a fairytale retelling you’ll breeze through, Cursed Beauty was expertly written and fantastic to read. This is one short fairytale you won’t want to miss!
Find this review and more on my blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten!
Cursed Beauty by Dorian Tsukioka is a wonderfully detailed and well written fairytale retelling. Set in a world where magic is possible, Cursed Beauty is a Cinderella retelling with a twist!
Can I just say how impressed I am with this story? I really, really liked it. Cursed Beauty is essentially a short, but sweet novella however I quite liked what the author has done with the story. The setting and the writing was inviting; it was a quaint fairytale retelling that is perfect as an afternoon read.
I was impressed with the characters in this story. Adelaide had fire and spirit and even Prince Julian was down to earth with a kind heart. There was an actual foundation to their relationship within the story, something you don’t always see with fairytale retellings. Tsukioka did a great job managing to convey so much emotion and depth within such a short story. Don’t get me wrong—there was still the same amount of almost instant-love you expect with these kinds of tales, but Tsukiokan managed to give the perfect amount of depth in order to make the story feel believable; something people sometimes miss.
I thought it very clever the twist on Cinderella Dorian Tsukioka explores. It’s a darker element that makes the story different, as well as the idea that not everyone who seem bad are bad and not everyone who appear good are good.
Lush, magical and a fairytale retelling you’ll breeze through, Cursed Beauty was expertly written and fantastic to read. This is one short fairytale you won’t want to miss!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2015
Free book for honest review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
A pair of glass slippers that can change her life? When something is too good to be true, it usually is...
Adelaide has lived her entire life cursed with a birthmark that makes people shy away. When an invitation to the Elder Prince’s ball falls in her lap, she knows attending would only cause people to shun her more.
A fairy godmother feels her pain and offers her a pair of glass slippers that not only transform her ragged dress to an elegant gown, but also removes the mark that covers her face. However, Adelaide soon learns that the beautiful slippers can steal away more than just her birthmark, leaving her cursed in a far worse way.
This retelling of the classic Cinderella story will resound with readers of young adult fiction who love paranormal fantasy, fairy tales, and a splash of romance.
I absolutely loved this book. I loved how the author took a classic fairy tell & changed it to make it a totally different kind of story. The characters were amazing. The story kept me turning pages til I found out what happened. And the ending was worth waiting for. This is the first book I've read by this author but I hope to read more in this series.
I rate this book 5 stars
Jennifer
A pair of glass slippers that can change her life? When something is too good to be true, it usually is...
Adelaide has lived her entire life cursed with a birthmark that makes people shy away. When an invitation to the Elder Prince’s ball falls in her lap, she knows attending would only cause people to shun her more.
A fairy godmother feels her pain and offers her a pair of glass slippers that not only transform her ragged dress to an elegant gown, but also removes the mark that covers her face. However, Adelaide soon learns that the beautiful slippers can steal away more than just her birthmark, leaving her cursed in a far worse way.
This retelling of the classic Cinderella story will resound with readers of young adult fiction who love paranormal fantasy, fairy tales, and a splash of romance.
I absolutely loved this book. I loved how the author took a classic fairy tell & changed it to make it a totally different kind of story. The characters were amazing. The story kept me turning pages til I found out what happened. And the ending was worth waiting for. This is the first book I've read by this author but I hope to read more in this series.
I rate this book 5 stars
Jennifer
March 31, 2015
A pair of glass slippers that can change her life? When something is too good to be true, it usually is...
Adelaide has lived her entire life cursed with a birthmark that makes people shy away. When an invitation to the Elder Prince’s ball falls in her lap, she knows attending would only cause people to shun her more.
A fairy godmother feels her pain and offers her a pair of glass slippers that not only transform her ragged dress to an elegant gown, but also removes the mark that covers her face. However, Adelaide soon learns that the beautiful slippers can steal away more than just her birthmark, leaving her cursed in a far worse way.
This retelling of the classic Cinderella story will resound with readers of young adult fiction who love paranormal fantasy, fairy tales, and a splash of romance.
I absolutely loved this book. I loved how the author took a classic fairy tell & changed it to make it a totally different kind of story. The characters were amazing. The story kept me turning pages til I found out what happened. And the ending was worth waiting for. This is the first book I've read by this author but I hope to read more in this series.
Adelaide has lived her entire life cursed with a birthmark that makes people shy away. When an invitation to the Elder Prince’s ball falls in her lap, she knows attending would only cause people to shun her more.
A fairy godmother feels her pain and offers her a pair of glass slippers that not only transform her ragged dress to an elegant gown, but also removes the mark that covers her face. However, Adelaide soon learns that the beautiful slippers can steal away more than just her birthmark, leaving her cursed in a far worse way.
This retelling of the classic Cinderella story will resound with readers of young adult fiction who love paranormal fantasy, fairy tales, and a splash of romance.
I absolutely loved this book. I loved how the author took a classic fairy tell & changed it to make it a totally different kind of story. The characters were amazing. The story kept me turning pages til I found out what happened. And the ending was worth waiting for. This is the first book I've read by this author but I hope to read more in this series.
February 12, 2015
A feel-good escape appropriate for gals of all ages.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review and I almost shied away from this story because I'm not romantically-inclined at the moment. Dorian Tsukioka assured me that the story wasn't that kind of love-story and I'm glad to say that she's right, it's not! I wish the cover-art did this story justice. This story made me think of the movie Ella Enchanted though the plots have little in common - it's the way the stories are told.
Disney has definitely inspired this author, particularly in her use of magic and the quick way that this story progresses but Tsukioka takes a different approach to love. Her characters know each other, they have a history together. Love isn't based on beauty and love comes, not at first sight, but from working together. A lot of good messages pop up through out the story - things little girls need to hear and things older women need to remember. I recommend this story for mother-daughter or grandmother-granddaughter duos who take turns reading out-loud to each other.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review and I almost shied away from this story because I'm not romantically-inclined at the moment. Dorian Tsukioka assured me that the story wasn't that kind of love-story and I'm glad to say that she's right, it's not! I wish the cover-art did this story justice. This story made me think of the movie Ella Enchanted though the plots have little in common - it's the way the stories are told.
Disney has definitely inspired this author, particularly in her use of magic and the quick way that this story progresses but Tsukioka takes a different approach to love. Her characters know each other, they have a history together. Love isn't based on beauty and love comes, not at first sight, but from working together. A lot of good messages pop up through out the story - things little girls need to hear and things older women need to remember. I recommend this story for mother-daughter or grandmother-granddaughter duos who take turns reading out-loud to each other.
March 1, 2016
An interesting retelling, I liked the different spin on the fairy godmother and the stepmother. Cinderella isn't my favorite fairytale, but this version was far better than most.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
November 26, 2015
A clever new take on Cinderella & beauty & the beast
Beauty & the Beast is seemingly hard to gender swap because how could one imagine a handsome man being willing to see the inner beauty of an outwardly unattractive woman?! But we do get a clever version here with an attractive girl with a large birthmark on her face who has always been ostracized, but her fiery red-haired personality keeps her from being overwhelmed by others opinions.
I also liked how the fairy godmother isn't quite as benevolent as we would expect. It does make more sense that someone with powerful magic would find ways to take advantage of naive young women rather than give them everything for free.
Like all classic fairy tales the ending comes quickly & is tied up neatly, but for a short story it is well done.
Beauty & the Beast is seemingly hard to gender swap because how could one imagine a handsome man being willing to see the inner beauty of an outwardly unattractive woman?! But we do get a clever version here with an attractive girl with a large birthmark on her face who has always been ostracized, but her fiery red-haired personality keeps her from being overwhelmed by others opinions.
I also liked how the fairy godmother isn't quite as benevolent as we would expect. It does make more sense that someone with powerful magic would find ways to take advantage of naive young women rather than give them everything for free.
Like all classic fairy tales the ending comes quickly & is tied up neatly, but for a short story it is well done.
Read
February 19, 2016Cursed Beauty was a very unique fairytale - Cinderella turned inside out and upside down! It was well-written and the story flowed well. I saw only two drawbacks: I would have enjoyed a longer book, which would have allowed the characters and plot to go a little further in their development, and it was just slightly darker than the books that I generally read. However, the ending and characters were wonderful!
September 5, 2015
This author is my new favorite author, however the beginning led me to have confusion about the character a bit throughout the book. I don't know if it was due to my comprehension or not. However, the story was a great read.
June 27, 2015
review to come
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