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Cinderella, Necromancer #1
Cinderella, Necromancer
Cinderella, Necromancer is Chime meets Anna Dressed in Blood and was inspired by a real medieval grimoire of necromancy from 15th-century Germany.
Ellison lost her mother at an early age. But since then, her father has found love again. He's happy and doesn't quite notice that Ellison does not get along with his new wife or her mean daughters. When Ellison discovers a necromantic tome while traveling the secret passages of her father's mansion, she wonders if it could be the key to her freedom. Until then, she must master her dark new power, even as her stepmother makes her a servant in her own home. And when her younger brother falls incurably ill, Ellison will do anything to ease his pain, including falling prey to her stepmother and stepsisters' every whim and fancy.
Stumbling into a chance meeting of Prince William during a secret visit to her mother's grave feels like a trick of fate when her stepmother refuses to allow Ellison to attend a palace festival. But what if Ellison could see the kind and handsome prince once more? What if she could attend the festival? What if she could have everything she ever wanted and deserved by conjuring spirits to take revenge on her cruel stepmother?
As Ellison's power grows, she loses control over the evil spirits meant to do her bidding. And as they begin to exert their own power over Ellison, she will have to decide whether it is she or her stepmother who is the true monster.
Ellison lost her mother at an early age. But since then, her father has found love again. He's happy and doesn't quite notice that Ellison does not get along with his new wife or her mean daughters. When Ellison discovers a necromantic tome while traveling the secret passages of her father's mansion, she wonders if it could be the key to her freedom. Until then, she must master her dark new power, even as her stepmother makes her a servant in her own home. And when her younger brother falls incurably ill, Ellison will do anything to ease his pain, including falling prey to her stepmother and stepsisters' every whim and fancy.
Stumbling into a chance meeting of Prince William during a secret visit to her mother's grave feels like a trick of fate when her stepmother refuses to allow Ellison to attend a palace festival. But what if Ellison could see the kind and handsome prince once more? What if she could attend the festival? What if she could have everything she ever wanted and deserved by conjuring spirits to take revenge on her cruel stepmother?
As Ellison's power grows, she loses control over the evil spirits meant to do her bidding. And as they begin to exert their own power over Ellison, she will have to decide whether it is she or her stepmother who is the true monster.
324 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2017
2 people are currently reading
1355 people want to read
About the author
F.M. Boughan
4 books101 followersF.M. Boughan is a bibliophile, a writer, and an unabashed parrot enthusiast. She can often be found writing in local coffee shops, namely because it’s hard to concentrate with a cat lying on the keyboard and a small, colorful parrot screaming into her ear. Her work is somewhat dark, somewhat violent, somewhat hopeful, and always contains a hint of magic.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 19, 2017
Ever since Celia and her daughters came into the house the only thing I wanted for Ella to do was to slap them and shut their mouths!!!
These were the most hateful characters I have ever read about and the thing that made my anger even bigger? THEY COULD HAVE BEEN REAL PEOPLE IN REAL LIFE THAT I WOULD GLADLY AND UNHESITATINGLY WOULD JUST
I had to say this or else my anger and hatred would have consumed me!!
This been clarified OMG if my memory is not playing tricks on me this must be the first ever retelling and I FRIGGING LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT!!! Gurl! You rock, your writing style is amazing and just wow!!
Words cannot describe how much I loved this book like seriously there was nothing that I disliked and I tried to find a flaw or something that would annoy me, but nothing. And it easily became a fave.
You just have to read it this is all I am going to say, I gave it 5 stars the writing style was mesmerizing, the characters were 4 dimensional they felt real and had substance, the supernatural elements were great. You see just cool stuff it is Cinderella one of the most loved childhood books of mine and this retelling did give it a refreshingly amazing touch that I must say I loved more than the original story.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED PLUS THE COVER IS GORGEOUS!
These were the most hateful characters I have ever read about and the thing that made my anger even bigger? THEY COULD HAVE BEEN REAL PEOPLE IN REAL LIFE THAT I WOULD GLADLY AND UNHESITATINGLY WOULD JUST
I had to say this or else my anger and hatred would have consumed me!!
This been clarified OMG if my memory is not playing tricks on me this must be the first ever retelling and I FRIGGING LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT!!! Gurl! You rock, your writing style is amazing and just wow!!
Words cannot describe how much I loved this book like seriously there was nothing that I disliked and I tried to find a flaw or something that would annoy me, but nothing. And it easily became a fave.
You just have to read it this is all I am going to say, I gave it 5 stars the writing style was mesmerizing, the characters were 4 dimensional they felt real and had substance, the supernatural elements were great. You see just cool stuff it is Cinderella one of the most loved childhood books of mine and this retelling did give it a refreshingly amazing touch that I must say I loved more than the original story.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED PLUS THE COVER IS GORGEOUS!
August 3, 2017
I don't usually read retellings, but this one was so atmospheric...The fantastic writing pulled me in right away- and that voice! Strong and utterly convincing. Deliciously creepy and immersive!
desperately-need-to-read
June 8, 2017I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED I NEED
June 12, 2018
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**Cinderella Necromancer is a fantasy re-imagining of Cinderella. But this is a dark tale of Cinderella. One that I really enjoyed! It is sold as, "Cinderella, Necromancer is Chime meets Anna Dressed in Blood and was inspired by a real medieval grimoire of necromancy from 15th-century Germany." which completely intrigued me. And it lived up to that blurb. I was hooked into this story right from the very first page.
Ella is everything I love in a heroine. She is witty and complex. She is someone that will intrigue you and will have you on her side. I felt like I was her sidekick on this journey, which is something I love. It means that the story pulled me in completely. I loved Mrs. Boughan's writing. It was dark and atmospheric and felt like a completely new cinderella tale to me. I am calling this one more of a re-imagining, rather than a re-telling for that reason.
I think what I loved most of all was the magic in this story. In the original Cinderella, there is a fairy godmother that helps out, but in Cinderella Necromancer, Ella herself is the magic. She summons the spirits to do her bidding and it gave the story an entirely different feel. This is a romance as well, but the romance took the backseat for me. That was a bit unusual but, I did enjoy the romance and the storytelling was awesome. It was the real winner for me.
Cinderella Necromancer comes out September 5th, and I would recommend it to fans of dark fairy tale re-imaginings, and fans of creepy atmospheric novels. This one was a great read for me. I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed Cinderella Necromancer.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
Ella is everything I love in a heroine. She is witty and complex. She is someone that will intrigue you and will have you on her side. I felt like I was her sidekick on this journey, which is something I love. It means that the story pulled me in completely. I loved Mrs. Boughan's writing. It was dark and atmospheric and felt like a completely new cinderella tale to me. I am calling this one more of a re-imagining, rather than a re-telling for that reason.
I think what I loved most of all was the magic in this story. In the original Cinderella, there is a fairy godmother that helps out, but in Cinderella Necromancer, Ella herself is the magic. She summons the spirits to do her bidding and it gave the story an entirely different feel. This is a romance as well, but the romance took the backseat for me. That was a bit unusual but, I did enjoy the romance and the storytelling was awesome. It was the real winner for me.
Cinderella Necromancer comes out September 5th, and I would recommend it to fans of dark fairy tale re-imaginings, and fans of creepy atmospheric novels. This one was a great read for me. I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed Cinderella Necromancer.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
August 5, 2019
This book was great. I cannot express how angry this book made me feel at the beginning, so you know its great.
Angry at the stepmother of course.
It was quite interesting. The whole addition of necromancy to the tale of cinderalla. Admittedly, however, I wasn't too big a fan of the necromancy part, and was really in for the retelling.
I rather liked how Boughan didn't automatically have Ellison fall in love with William, and that.
Angry at the stepmother of course.
It was quite interesting. The whole addition of necromancy to the tale of cinderalla. Admittedly, however, I wasn't too big a fan of the necromancy part, and was really in for the retelling.
I rather liked how Boughan didn't automatically have Ellison fall in love with William, and that.
October 5, 2017
I am a sucker for a Cinderella retelling. This one was dark and captivating. I could NOT put it down. I adored Ella and rooted for her the whole way through. The characters were rich, dialogue was on point, and I can't wait for more from Boughan! <3
September 6, 2017
ENGLISH:
Ellison faces the challenge of having an evil stepmother and two cruel stepsisters. When her father leaves on a trip, the new women of the house treat Ellison very badly as if she were their maid. She fights against this new life but at the same time, she obeys only to take care of her little brother. She is alone and is the only one who can change things and return everything to what it was before. It's when she finds a mysterious book hidden among the secret passages of the house. A book that will give Ellison a dark magic and will make her very powerful to fulfill her desires. But all magic comes with a price and Ellison will have to consider whether it is more than she can afford and if the consequences can be devastating to the world.
Ellison is a character that I LOVED. She is strong and brave, so stubborn, but she always fights for her beliefs and for those she loves. She breaks the stereotype of the classic heroine and doesn't fear to get her hands dirty. I loved that touch of darkness in her, is not seen very often in main characters and I was really impressed. It was a great decision by the author, as well as breaking with the traditional sweet and innocent Cinderella. I also loved the relationship that Ellison has with his brother, so protective and doing anything for him. On the other hand, I hated her stepsisters so much, they are really despicable and cruel.
Then Ellison crosses paths with the prince, who tries to warn her about the dangers that can be found in the night, the terrors. William is charming and adorable, I loved him and every one of his encounters with Ellison was extremely entertaining and fun.
The plot has been extremely interesting. The medieval setting and the supernatural element made me dip into the pages of this book and couldn't stop reading. The world created by the author has been really fascinating, so enthralling and creepy.
The story is full of suspense and revelations, it has some amazing twists. It has a lot of action and adrenaline too, some scenes were impressive, full of magic and supernatural elements.
It has some elements of the original Cinderella story written by the Grimm brothers, but adds some darks elements and necromancy, and I loved that. The author breaks the stereotype of the princess and makes her who takes the initiative and the one responsible to save everyone, which was a really interesting approach.
It's a dark and intriguing story, really addictive and interesting. I loved it.
ESPAÑOL:
Ellison se enfrenta al desafío de tener una madrastra a quien no quiere, junto con dos hermanastras crueles y desagradables. Cuando su padre se va de viaje, las nuevas dueñas de la casa tratan muy mal a Ellison como si fuese su sirvienta. Ella lucha contra su nueva vida pero al mismo tiempo obedece para cuidar a su hermanito. Tan sola como está, es la única que puede remediar las cosas y volver todo a como era antes. Es entonces cuando se encuentra con un misterioso libro escondido entre los pasadizos secretos de la casa. Un libro que le otorgará a Ellison una oscura magia y la volverá muy poderosa para lograr cumplir sus deseos. Pero toda magia viene con un precio y Ellison tendrá que considerar si es más de lo que puede pagar y si las consecuencias pueden ser devastadoras para el mundo.
Ellison es un personaje que ADORÉ. Es tan fuerte y valiente, tan terca y testaruda, pero pelea por sus creencias y por aquellos a quienes ama. Ella rompe el estereotipo de heroína clásica y no teme ensuciarse las manos. Ese toque de oscuridad me ha encantado, no se ve muy seguido en los protagonistas de los libros, y ha sido un riesgo muy audaz que ha tomado la autora. A mí particularmente me ha dejado impresionada, además que también rompe con la tradicional Cenicienta dulce e inocente. También me encantó la relación que Ellison tiene con su hermanito, tan protectora y haciendo lo que sea por él. Por otro lado, odié demasiado a sus hermanastras, son realmente despreciables y crueles.
Entonces Ellison cruza caminos con el príncipe, quien trata de advertirle acerca de los peligros que puede encontrarse en la noche, los terrores. William es encantador y adorable, me ha encantado y cada uno de sus encuentros con Ellison han sido sumamente entretenidos y divertidos.
La trama ha sido sumamente atrapante. La ambientación medieval sumada al elemento sobrenatural me han hecho sumergir en las páginas de este libro y no poder parar de leer. El mundo creado por la autora ha sido realmente fascinante, realmente atrapante y escalofriante.
La historia estuvo llena de suspenso y revelaciones, ha tenido unos giros impresionantes. Tuvo mucha acción y adrenalina también, algunas escenas fueron impresionantes, llenas de magia y elementos sobrenaturales.
Tiene algunos elementos de la historia original de Cenicienta escrita por los hermanos Grimm, pero añade algunos elementos oscuros y necromancia, y me encantó eso. La autora rompe el estereotipo de princesa de Cenicienta y la hace ser quien toma la iniciativa, la responsable de salvar a todos, lo cual fue un enfoque de lo más interesante.
Es una historia oscura e intrigante, realmente adictiva que me ha encantado.
Reseña completa
23/07/2017: ¡Me encantó! Es un retelling diferente con una historia tan interesante y un toque de oscuridad como tanto me gusta.
Pronto traigo la reseña :)
Ellison faces the challenge of having an evil stepmother and two cruel stepsisters. When her father leaves on a trip, the new women of the house treat Ellison very badly as if she were their maid. She fights against this new life but at the same time, she obeys only to take care of her little brother. She is alone and is the only one who can change things and return everything to what it was before. It's when she finds a mysterious book hidden among the secret passages of the house. A book that will give Ellison a dark magic and will make her very powerful to fulfill her desires. But all magic comes with a price and Ellison will have to consider whether it is more than she can afford and if the consequences can be devastating to the world.
Ellison is a character that I LOVED. She is strong and brave, so stubborn, but she always fights for her beliefs and for those she loves. She breaks the stereotype of the classic heroine and doesn't fear to get her hands dirty. I loved that touch of darkness in her, is not seen very often in main characters and I was really impressed. It was a great decision by the author, as well as breaking with the traditional sweet and innocent Cinderella. I also loved the relationship that Ellison has with his brother, so protective and doing anything for him. On the other hand, I hated her stepsisters so much, they are really despicable and cruel.
Then Ellison crosses paths with the prince, who tries to warn her about the dangers that can be found in the night, the terrors. William is charming and adorable, I loved him and every one of his encounters with Ellison was extremely entertaining and fun.
The plot has been extremely interesting. The medieval setting and the supernatural element made me dip into the pages of this book and couldn't stop reading. The world created by the author has been really fascinating, so enthralling and creepy.
The story is full of suspense and revelations, it has some amazing twists. It has a lot of action and adrenaline too, some scenes were impressive, full of magic and supernatural elements.
It has some elements of the original Cinderella story written by the Grimm brothers, but adds some darks elements and necromancy, and I loved that. The author breaks the stereotype of the princess and makes her who takes the initiative and the one responsible to save everyone, which was a really interesting approach.
It's a dark and intriguing story, really addictive and interesting. I loved it.
ESPAÑOL:
Ellison se enfrenta al desafío de tener una madrastra a quien no quiere, junto con dos hermanastras crueles y desagradables. Cuando su padre se va de viaje, las nuevas dueñas de la casa tratan muy mal a Ellison como si fuese su sirvienta. Ella lucha contra su nueva vida pero al mismo tiempo obedece para cuidar a su hermanito. Tan sola como está, es la única que puede remediar las cosas y volver todo a como era antes. Es entonces cuando se encuentra con un misterioso libro escondido entre los pasadizos secretos de la casa. Un libro que le otorgará a Ellison una oscura magia y la volverá muy poderosa para lograr cumplir sus deseos. Pero toda magia viene con un precio y Ellison tendrá que considerar si es más de lo que puede pagar y si las consecuencias pueden ser devastadoras para el mundo.
Ellison es un personaje que ADORÉ. Es tan fuerte y valiente, tan terca y testaruda, pero pelea por sus creencias y por aquellos a quienes ama. Ella rompe el estereotipo de heroína clásica y no teme ensuciarse las manos. Ese toque de oscuridad me ha encantado, no se ve muy seguido en los protagonistas de los libros, y ha sido un riesgo muy audaz que ha tomado la autora. A mí particularmente me ha dejado impresionada, además que también rompe con la tradicional Cenicienta dulce e inocente. También me encantó la relación que Ellison tiene con su hermanito, tan protectora y haciendo lo que sea por él. Por otro lado, odié demasiado a sus hermanastras, son realmente despreciables y crueles.
Entonces Ellison cruza caminos con el príncipe, quien trata de advertirle acerca de los peligros que puede encontrarse en la noche, los terrores. William es encantador y adorable, me ha encantado y cada uno de sus encuentros con Ellison han sido sumamente entretenidos y divertidos.
La trama ha sido sumamente atrapante. La ambientación medieval sumada al elemento sobrenatural me han hecho sumergir en las páginas de este libro y no poder parar de leer. El mundo creado por la autora ha sido realmente fascinante, realmente atrapante y escalofriante.
La historia estuvo llena de suspenso y revelaciones, ha tenido unos giros impresionantes. Tuvo mucha acción y adrenalina también, algunas escenas fueron impresionantes, llenas de magia y elementos sobrenaturales.
Tiene algunos elementos de la historia original de Cenicienta escrita por los hermanos Grimm, pero añade algunos elementos oscuros y necromancia, y me encantó eso. La autora rompe el estereotipo de princesa de Cenicienta y la hace ser quien toma la iniciativa, la responsable de salvar a todos, lo cual fue un enfoque de lo más interesante.
Es una historia oscura e intrigante, realmente adictiva que me ha encantado.
Reseña completa
23/07/2017: ¡Me encantó! Es un retelling diferente con una historia tan interesante y un toque de oscuridad como tanto me gusta.
Pronto traigo la reseña :)
September 5, 2017
Summary: Cinderella, Necromancer is a retelling of the fairy tale Cinderella with a dark twist. The story follows the death of Ellison "Ella's" mother, causing her father to get married to a woman named Celia, who would become Ella's stepmother. With this marriage, Ella also gets two stepsisters, Victoria and Charlotte. There are strange events plaguing the area, and Ella herself stumbles upon a dangerous yet intriguing power. However, Ella soon realizes that her stepmother and stepsisters aren't really what they seem, and in the face of losing the one person she loves most, Ella must decide if— and how— she will defeat the evil.
Review: I loved that Ella wasn't your classic damsel in distress; she took matters into her own hands when the possibility of her loved ones getting hurt was present, and she's unwaveringly loyal to her family. She didn't have the help of little animals or a fairy godmother to strike down the obstacles in her path; Ella herself overcame the numerous difficulties she faced. Additionally, Ella paramount concern wasn't the Prince, or her love life; she yearns to keep her family safe and protect those she cares about.
The magic in this book was intriguing, especially because I have never a book that dealt with magic the way this book did. It wasn't a high fantasy book, in which the magic has a whimsical element to it, but it is presented as a powerful, but very, very dangerous and dark. And, something else that I really enjoyed was that magic didn't solve all of Ella's problems— she still had to think her way through her challenges. I really appreciated that Boughan presented us with such a strong female character who doesn't rely on outside sources to defeat her struggles.
This book was highly enjoyable, and those who enjoy fairy tale retellings will definitely like this book. It's engaging and captivating, and I found myself reading close to a hundred pages a day, simply because I was reluctant to put it down. I'm looking forward to more of this author's works! Also, can we just talk about how beautiful that cover is?!
[September 4, 2017] This was good! RTC!
Review: I loved that Ella wasn't your classic damsel in distress; she took matters into her own hands when the possibility of her loved ones getting hurt was present, and she's unwaveringly loyal to her family. She didn't have the help of little animals or a fairy godmother to strike down the obstacles in her path; Ella herself overcame the numerous difficulties she faced. Additionally, Ella paramount concern wasn't the Prince, or her love life; she yearns to keep her family safe and protect those she cares about.
The magic in this book was intriguing, especially because I have never a book that dealt with magic the way this book did. It wasn't a high fantasy book, in which the magic has a whimsical element to it, but it is presented as a powerful, but very, very dangerous and dark. And, something else that I really enjoyed was that magic didn't solve all of Ella's problems— she still had to think her way through her challenges. I really appreciated that Boughan presented us with such a strong female character who doesn't rely on outside sources to defeat her struggles.
This book was highly enjoyable, and those who enjoy fairy tale retellings will definitely like this book. It's engaging and captivating, and I found myself reading close to a hundred pages a day, simply because I was reluctant to put it down. I'm looking forward to more of this author's works! Also, can we just talk about how beautiful that cover is?!
[September 4, 2017] This was good! RTC!
June 20, 2018
A paranormal retelling of Cinderella - loved this and read this in one sitting!
Full review to come :)
Full review to come :)
August 23, 2017
The re-telling of the classic fairytale Cinderella but with a darker twist.
Ellison lost her mother at a young age. Her father has remarried gained Ella a stepmother and two stepsisters. Unfortunately, her father has been called away on business leaving Ellison and her brother with the new family. All isn't what it seems. Her house, her family and the prince all are not as they seem. Secrets are the key to finding her happily ever after but they also hold a dark unforeseen fate. Wishes have consequences and the price may be too much to pay.
4 stars out of 5. An interesting take on Cinderella with a witchcraft element. Worth the read.
*ARC received in exchange for a fair review*
Ellison lost her mother at a young age. Her father has remarried gained Ella a stepmother and two stepsisters. Unfortunately, her father has been called away on business leaving Ellison and her brother with the new family. All isn't what it seems. Her house, her family and the prince all are not as they seem. Secrets are the key to finding her happily ever after but they also hold a dark unforeseen fate. Wishes have consequences and the price may be too much to pay.
4 stars out of 5. An interesting take on Cinderella with a witchcraft element. Worth the read.
*ARC received in exchange for a fair review*
August 23, 2017
The re-telling of the classic fairytale Cinderella but with a darker twist.
Ellison lost her mother at a young age. Her father has remarried gained Ella a stepmother and two stepsisters. Unfortunately, her father has been called away on business leaving Ellison and her brother with the new family. All isn't what it seems. Her house, her family and the prince all are not as they seem. Secrets are the key to finding her happily ever after but they also hold a dark unforeseen fate. Wishes have consequences and the price may be too much to pay.
4 stars out of 5. An interesting take on Cinderella with a witchcraft element. Worth the read.
*ARC received in exchange for a fair review*
Ellison lost her mother at a young age. Her father has remarried gained Ella a stepmother and two stepsisters. Unfortunately, her father has been called away on business leaving Ellison and her brother with the new family. All isn't what it seems. Her house, her family and the prince all are not as they seem. Secrets are the key to finding her happily ever after but they also hold a dark unforeseen fate. Wishes have consequences and the price may be too much to pay.
4 stars out of 5. An interesting take on Cinderella with a witchcraft element. Worth the read.
*ARC received in exchange for a fair review*
December 29, 2017
3.5 more like it. Full review to come...
December 2, 2018
A re-telling, with Cinderella as a somewhat nonplussed conjurer of dark magic. A fun and different take on the old story.
September 25, 2017
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This isn’t just an “inspired by” tale. Cinderella, Necromancer is a retelling, with a character named Ella, a stepmother and stepsisters, and a prince seeking a bride. But this is slightly different from other retellings you may have come across because this particular one happens to be influenced by real 15th century German necromancy. And because of this, Boughan takes us back to the real darkness that existed in the original fairytales (not the Disney version). Except this is far darker, with demons and maggots and the like! It’s not often you find so much gore in a retelling without there being zombies involved.
Retellings can be a tricky beast. Authors need to decide how similar they want their story to be to the original, and which details to change. For the first 10-15%, I struggled to get into the story because it was a bit too much like every Cinderella story I’d heard before. However, things started to get interesting as Ellison began to explore her dark magic more, and soon I was under a spell. (Haha see what I did there?)
I think the same can apply to the characters. It took me a little while to warm up to them, as they were a bit too predictable at first. But I slowly became interested in them. I never really connected on an emotional level, which is a shame, but I could appreciate elements about them. What this book did well was play with the idea of good and evil, and how it’s not as simple as we might like to think.
Overall, however, I did enjoy this take on Cinderella, especially with the historical magic and unexpected twists here and there. If you like retellings, the paranormal, and grey area characters, then give Cinderella, Necromancer a go!
This isn’t just an “inspired by” tale. Cinderella, Necromancer is a retelling, with a character named Ella, a stepmother and stepsisters, and a prince seeking a bride. But this is slightly different from other retellings you may have come across because this particular one happens to be influenced by real 15th century German necromancy. And because of this, Boughan takes us back to the real darkness that existed in the original fairytales (not the Disney version). Except this is far darker, with demons and maggots and the like! It’s not often you find so much gore in a retelling without there being zombies involved.
Retellings can be a tricky beast. Authors need to decide how similar they want their story to be to the original, and which details to change. For the first 10-15%, I struggled to get into the story because it was a bit too much like every Cinderella story I’d heard before. However, things started to get interesting as Ellison began to explore her dark magic more, and soon I was under a spell. (Haha see what I did there?)
I think the same can apply to the characters. It took me a little while to warm up to them, as they were a bit too predictable at first. But I slowly became interested in them. I never really connected on an emotional level, which is a shame, but I could appreciate elements about them. What this book did well was play with the idea of good and evil, and how it’s not as simple as we might like to think.
Overall, however, I did enjoy this take on Cinderella, especially with the historical magic and unexpected twists here and there. If you like retellings, the paranormal, and grey area characters, then give Cinderella, Necromancer a go!
September 8, 2017
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars!
Same Review Also Posted In My Blog: Dreamy Addictions
*ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Cinderella, Necromancer is an interesting dark retelling of Cinderella and I immensely enjoyed reading it. I’m actually not fan of Cinderella retellings but when the author asked for an honest review for this book, I couldn’t say no because I loved the synopsis and it’s really a strange combination that I’ve never read before. It’s a dark version of Cinderella. Even though I had few issues, the story is definitely refreshing to read and I have to say that it was a pretty good start for a debut. I really liked the plot, the setting and the wonderful writing style. I’m so glad it wasn’t an exact rip off of the original tale and I liked how the author incorporated the 15th century German Necromancy aspects into the tale.
The story follows sixteen year old Ellison aka Ella who lost her mother when she was young leaving her brother and her motherless. When her father finds happiness in a new wife, she can’t forgive him. If that wasn’t enough, It seems like her new step mother has two evil daughters who are going to be her new step sisters. When her father suddenly leaves the town for some unknown business, he leaves her and her brother in her step mother’s care. After her father leaves the house, her step mother finally shows her true face by replacing her sweet act. Ella soon changed from a noble lady to a servant in her own house. She was forced to serve her step mother and her new evil step sisters. One day, when she gets locked in her room for disobedience, she finds a secret passage that leads to her father’s secret room where she finds a key and a book of Conjuring which holds secrets to dark magic. When she visits her mother’s grave, she meets the alluring prince William who thinks that she’s a servant because of her dirty attire and he warns her not to roam around at night because of the new terrors that attacking their kingdom. Ellison wants to meet the prince once again in the palace festival but her new step mother refuses her request. To have everything she deserved, Ella uses the book of conjuring to raise spirits without knowing the consequences of her actions which later brings huge chaos.
Ellison is a wonderful protagonist and I’m so glad that she wasn’t another damsel in distress character who needs her prince charming to save her. She’s strong, witty, stubborn, spunky, and fun character who absolutely loves her little brother. I really liked Ellison’s little brother who is quite adorable. He enjoys her sister’s company more than others and he always looks forward to their story telling time. The relationship between Ellison and her brother is portrayed really well in the plot and we can pretty much see how much she cares for her brother. I also liked Prince William, he is a fun character who also harbors secrets of his own which is revealed as the story slowly progresses. Even though William played major part in this book, the whole story is mostly focused on Ellison and her family. The romance between Ellison and William is Okay-ish but I quite enjoyed the banters between them. I also liked Ellison’s step mother and step sister’s characters. I’d love to hate them too! I absolutely loathed them when they blackmailed Ellison by threatening to hurt her brother. The spirits Ellison conjures are totally creepy especially Curson. He’s quite dark and seductive spirit who gave me chills.
The plot is interesting and totally refreshing! To be honest, I was actually bored at the slow beginning but the pace eventually picks up when the night terrors starts around the kingdom. The concept of this book is unique. I pretty much loved the dark and gothic feel to it. When I saw necromancer on the title, I expected some raising the dead from their graves but it’s definitely not that. The twists in the plot really surprised me and I really loved the ending but I think it was a bit rushed. Nonetheless, I liked how everything wrapped up in the end. As for the writing, I loved it! For a debut, the author’s writing style is pretty amazing and totally captivating. There’s not much world building in this book but I enjoyed the whole setting and the atmosphere the author has created.
Overall, it was a good read! The story was much darker than I had expected and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s quite a unique retelling filled with dark magic, witch craft, action, intrigue and light romance.
Same Review Also Posted In My Blog: Dreamy Addictions
*ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Cinderella, Necromancer is an interesting dark retelling of Cinderella and I immensely enjoyed reading it. I’m actually not fan of Cinderella retellings but when the author asked for an honest review for this book, I couldn’t say no because I loved the synopsis and it’s really a strange combination that I’ve never read before. It’s a dark version of Cinderella. Even though I had few issues, the story is definitely refreshing to read and I have to say that it was a pretty good start for a debut. I really liked the plot, the setting and the wonderful writing style. I’m so glad it wasn’t an exact rip off of the original tale and I liked how the author incorporated the 15th century German Necromancy aspects into the tale.
The story follows sixteen year old Ellison aka Ella who lost her mother when she was young leaving her brother and her motherless. When her father finds happiness in a new wife, she can’t forgive him. If that wasn’t enough, It seems like her new step mother has two evil daughters who are going to be her new step sisters. When her father suddenly leaves the town for some unknown business, he leaves her and her brother in her step mother’s care. After her father leaves the house, her step mother finally shows her true face by replacing her sweet act. Ella soon changed from a noble lady to a servant in her own house. She was forced to serve her step mother and her new evil step sisters. One day, when she gets locked in her room for disobedience, she finds a secret passage that leads to her father’s secret room where she finds a key and a book of Conjuring which holds secrets to dark magic. When she visits her mother’s grave, she meets the alluring prince William who thinks that she’s a servant because of her dirty attire and he warns her not to roam around at night because of the new terrors that attacking their kingdom. Ellison wants to meet the prince once again in the palace festival but her new step mother refuses her request. To have everything she deserved, Ella uses the book of conjuring to raise spirits without knowing the consequences of her actions which later brings huge chaos.
Ellison is a wonderful protagonist and I’m so glad that she wasn’t another damsel in distress character who needs her prince charming to save her. She’s strong, witty, stubborn, spunky, and fun character who absolutely loves her little brother. I really liked Ellison’s little brother who is quite adorable. He enjoys her sister’s company more than others and he always looks forward to their story telling time. The relationship between Ellison and her brother is portrayed really well in the plot and we can pretty much see how much she cares for her brother. I also liked Prince William, he is a fun character who also harbors secrets of his own which is revealed as the story slowly progresses. Even though William played major part in this book, the whole story is mostly focused on Ellison and her family. The romance between Ellison and William is Okay-ish but I quite enjoyed the banters between them. I also liked Ellison’s step mother and step sister’s characters. I’d love to hate them too! I absolutely loathed them when they blackmailed Ellison by threatening to hurt her brother. The spirits Ellison conjures are totally creepy especially Curson. He’s quite dark and seductive spirit who gave me chills.
The plot is interesting and totally refreshing! To be honest, I was actually bored at the slow beginning but the pace eventually picks up when the night terrors starts around the kingdom. The concept of this book is unique. I pretty much loved the dark and gothic feel to it. When I saw necromancer on the title, I expected some raising the dead from their graves but it’s definitely not that. The twists in the plot really surprised me and I really loved the ending but I think it was a bit rushed. Nonetheless, I liked how everything wrapped up in the end. As for the writing, I loved it! For a debut, the author’s writing style is pretty amazing and totally captivating. There’s not much world building in this book but I enjoyed the whole setting and the atmosphere the author has created.
Overall, it was a good read! The story was much darker than I had expected and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s quite a unique retelling filled with dark magic, witch craft, action, intrigue and light romance.
June 29, 2018
Review can also be found at Snow White Hates Apples.
If you’re looking for a Cinderella retelling that’s more true to the folk texts categorized as Tale Type 510A: Persecuted Heroine (such as the Grimm, Perrault, and Jacobs versions of Cinderella), F.M. Boughan’s Cinderella, Necromancer might just be what you’re looking for.
Initially, I was put off by the early chapters following the first one due to the narrative voice. It sounded awkward—very stilted/forced (particularly when lines like “Ah, _____” appeared) and it didn’t seem to fit the person I pictured Ella to be. However, as the story progressed, the narrative voice grew more natural, and this improvement made my overall reading experience better.
I was also rather put off by Ella’s character. She’s stubborn, has a sharp tongue, and thinks herself not susceptible to being a fool when she can be one. The selflessness and willingness to forgive and love which I view as a trademark of a Cinderella character isn’t constantly prominent as it typically is, and that’s what makes Ella refreshing. Unfortunately, her pride and naivety are her downfalls and while those traits make her more human, they also irk me more often than not. I don’t know how to properly explain this, but there are different ways how pride and naivety can work on a character. On Ella, it just doesn’t come off as endearing or simply not irritating to me. Nevertheless, I don’t hate Ella. I just don’t love her either.
Additionally, I found Prince William a little flat as a character. I was hoping for something more than the usual Prince Pretending to be Someone Else with Family Secrets He Can’t Divulge (aka the Mysterious Hot Guy who MC has a Crush on First Sight). But then again, this is fairy tale retelling with Ella’s POV being the only focus so I guess that it can be rather tough for William’s character to be better developed. Plus, Prince Charming is an archetype… Anyway, I like how William doesn’t have heavy influence in the story. He’s important, sure, and Ella has moments where her actions are chosen with him (and her ‘love’ for him) in mind, but he’s not the one and only reason for what she does.
All that aside, I love the darker aspects of and the action in the story. Ella has demons who grant her things instead of a fairy godmother, and the sacrifices she and her father have to make in order to use their powers for the better of the world are brilliant choices made by Boughan. The author also doesn’t hold back on the gory details and the side of me that loves horror greatly appreciates that.
Moreover, the antagonists are well written. I find them more believable and realistic compared to William, which is perhaps due to the fact that they are more present in Ella’s life than the prince. Celia’s defeat was a little anti-climatic, though. She’s supposed to be this huge and incredibly powerful evil being but Ella’s Overpowered and manages to defeat her with little major consequences. On one hand, I expected this since Cinderella (the fairy tale) got a Happily Ever After. On the other hand, I hoped for someone she loves to be lost and for that loss to be a new driving force in her life, or something along those lines in case there’s a sequel (and there is).
Still, I greatly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down once I got over the first few chapters, and I’m definitely going to pick up the sequel ASAP!
If you’re looking for a Cinderella retelling that’s more true to the folk texts categorized as Tale Type 510A: Persecuted Heroine (such as the Grimm, Perrault, and Jacobs versions of Cinderella), F.M. Boughan’s Cinderella, Necromancer might just be what you’re looking for.
Initially, I was put off by the early chapters following the first one due to the narrative voice. It sounded awkward—very stilted/forced (particularly when lines like “Ah, _____” appeared) and it didn’t seem to fit the person I pictured Ella to be. However, as the story progressed, the narrative voice grew more natural, and this improvement made my overall reading experience better.
I was also rather put off by Ella’s character. She’s stubborn, has a sharp tongue, and thinks herself not susceptible to being a fool when she can be one. The selflessness and willingness to forgive and love which I view as a trademark of a Cinderella character isn’t constantly prominent as it typically is, and that’s what makes Ella refreshing. Unfortunately, her pride and naivety are her downfalls and while those traits make her more human, they also irk me more often than not. I don’t know how to properly explain this, but there are different ways how pride and naivety can work on a character. On Ella, it just doesn’t come off as endearing or simply not irritating to me. Nevertheless, I don’t hate Ella. I just don’t love her either.
Additionally, I found Prince William a little flat as a character. I was hoping for something more than the usual Prince Pretending to be Someone Else with Family Secrets He Can’t Divulge (aka the Mysterious Hot Guy who MC has a Crush on First Sight). But then again, this is fairy tale retelling with Ella’s POV being the only focus so I guess that it can be rather tough for William’s character to be better developed. Plus, Prince Charming is an archetype… Anyway, I like how William doesn’t have heavy influence in the story. He’s important, sure, and Ella has moments where her actions are chosen with him (and her ‘love’ for him) in mind, but he’s not the one and only reason for what she does.
All that aside, I love the darker aspects of and the action in the story. Ella has demons who grant her things instead of a fairy godmother, and the sacrifices she and her father have to make in order to use their powers for the better of the world are brilliant choices made by Boughan. The author also doesn’t hold back on the gory details and the side of me that loves horror greatly appreciates that.
Moreover, the antagonists are well written. I find them more believable and realistic compared to William, which is perhaps due to the fact that they are more present in Ella’s life than the prince. Celia’s defeat was a little anti-climatic, though. She’s supposed to be this huge and incredibly powerful evil being but Ella’s Overpowered and manages to defeat her with little major consequences. On one hand, I expected this since Cinderella (the fairy tale) got a Happily Ever After. On the other hand, I hoped for someone she loves to be lost and for that loss to be a new driving force in her life, or something along those lines in case there’s a sequel (and there is).
Still, I greatly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down once I got over the first few chapters, and I’m definitely going to pick up the sequel ASAP!
August 22, 2017
Cinderella Necromancer is a gruesome retelling, perfect for lovers of the macabre! It is both unique, and full of details from the original tale. This one is a true classic in its own, horrifying way.
Cinderella Necromancer was such a dark, gritty, gruesome tale, and I LOVED it! This one is such a unique retelling compared to others I’ve read. I loved the horrific details in the story and the terrifying plot twists. Who would have thought that such a cute fairy tale could be turned in to something of nightmares? And, this retelling is based off the fact that an ACTUAL book on Necromancy was found in Germany from the 15th century!
The plot seemed to follow the original tale, for the most part. And yet, it was full of surprises. The twist on the character personalities and the plot were extremely entertaining and satisfied the horror lover in me. The time period was portrayed well, and the imagery used was outstanding. I really felt like I could imagine everything that happened in the book! The characters were incredibly well written, as well!
Ella was a pretty unique character. She fit the tale and time period quite well. She was a kind, caring character that undergoes a major transformation to protect the ones he loves. She started off as an innocent, naive girl and quickly became a force to be reckoned with.
William, was a superb character. He did not have a heavy influence in the story, which was a refreshing take to not have the love interest thrown in the foreground, but he still had an important plot role. He was strong, dashing, and oddly mysterious. And the plot twist involving him at the end was pretty unique!
Celia, Charlotte, and Victoria were oddly satisfying villains! They were horrifically cruel to Ella and very terrifying! They each had a slightly different personality to stand against each other, but they fit the protagonists perfectly! I couldn’t imagine the evil mother and stepsisters written any other way than they were here.
I believe this has become my new favorite Cinderella retelling! It had terror, gore, action, evil spirits, and magic. If you want to satisfy both the fairy tale lover and horror fan in yourself, then look no further than Cinderella Necromancer! Rating this one 5 stars!
Check out my blog post for book quotes, and the blog tour! https://darquedreamerreads.wordpress....
Cinderella Necromancer was such a dark, gritty, gruesome tale, and I LOVED it! This one is such a unique retelling compared to others I’ve read. I loved the horrific details in the story and the terrifying plot twists. Who would have thought that such a cute fairy tale could be turned in to something of nightmares? And, this retelling is based off the fact that an ACTUAL book on Necromancy was found in Germany from the 15th century!
The plot seemed to follow the original tale, for the most part. And yet, it was full of surprises. The twist on the character personalities and the plot were extremely entertaining and satisfied the horror lover in me. The time period was portrayed well, and the imagery used was outstanding. I really felt like I could imagine everything that happened in the book! The characters were incredibly well written, as well!
Ella was a pretty unique character. She fit the tale and time period quite well. She was a kind, caring character that undergoes a major transformation to protect the ones he loves. She started off as an innocent, naive girl and quickly became a force to be reckoned with.
William, was a superb character. He did not have a heavy influence in the story, which was a refreshing take to not have the love interest thrown in the foreground, but he still had an important plot role. He was strong, dashing, and oddly mysterious. And the plot twist involving him at the end was pretty unique!
Celia, Charlotte, and Victoria were oddly satisfying villains! They were horrifically cruel to Ella and very terrifying! They each had a slightly different personality to stand against each other, but they fit the protagonists perfectly! I couldn’t imagine the evil mother and stepsisters written any other way than they were here.
I believe this has become my new favorite Cinderella retelling! It had terror, gore, action, evil spirits, and magic. If you want to satisfy both the fairy tale lover and horror fan in yourself, then look no further than Cinderella Necromancer! Rating this one 5 stars!
Check out my blog post for book quotes, and the blog tour! https://darquedreamerreads.wordpress....
June 25, 2018
*I was provided a copy of both books in this series in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own
I spent a weekend of my life reading these two books because I was supposed to write a review for the Cinderella’s Inferno blog tour, and I somehow have shockingly little to say about them. However I still feel obligated to review them, so here we go.
Let’s start with the world building. I still have no idea where this series is set. I figured it was in some fantasy world that hadn’t been named, but the second book mentions England and the French, so it’s definitely set in our world. The blurb mentions Cinderella, Necromancer is based on a 15th century German grimoire, so does that mean it’s set in Germany? As far as I know it doesn’t say so in the text, though I did skim-read book 2. And when is it set if it’s set in our world? I really can’t tell you.
I also feel like the magic wasn’t well explained. Why do whatever William and his friends are exist (I forget what they’re called)? What was William even doing out at night if they had no idea what was actually causing the unexplained and unnamed problem?
Speaking of William, I’m pretty sure the reason for him lurking around Ellison’s housea bunch is never explained, so that’s kind of creepy. Also, he and Ellison have no chemistry. She just constantly criticizes him. That’s not a healthy relationship.
In my opinion, the way to identify a good Cinderella retelling is to look at how the step-sisters are handled. Do they feel like real people that could exist like the step-sisters in Geekerella? Or do they have seemingly no motivation for being unnecessarily cruel like in this series? Sure, the reason for Ellison’s sisters being piles of awful is sort of explained, but I had already given up on Cinderella, Necromancer by that point.
Ellison provided a really frustrating perspective to read from. She was super dense, and I feel like she was written younger than her given age. She was even more frustrating in book 2, because turns out she hadn’t actually learned the lesson she was supposed to have learned at the end of the first book.
If you hated Dante’s The Divine Comedy (specifically Inferno) I do not recommend book 2. I unfortunately did not make the connection, though I for sure would not have signed up to review it if I had. Maybe I’m the dense one.
I felt like the writing was trying too hard. The writing having this forced flowery feel to it combined with the actual story did not mix well. You have what is supposed to be this dark book filled with necromancy with writing that didn’t provide the required atmosphere to make that kind of book work. It was frustrating to read.
Most importantly for me was the fact that I had to take frequent breaks while reading these books. They exhausted me to read, and I skim-read book 2. I shouldn’t have to step away from the book I’m reading after 2 chapters because I can’t stand to continue reading.
Overall, I was not a fan of this duology, earning it an average rating of 1.5 stars out of 5.
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
I spent a weekend of my life reading these two books because I was supposed to write a review for the Cinderella’s Inferno blog tour, and I somehow have shockingly little to say about them. However I still feel obligated to review them, so here we go.
Let’s start with the world building. I still have no idea where this series is set. I figured it was in some fantasy world that hadn’t been named, but the second book mentions England and the French, so it’s definitely set in our world. The blurb mentions Cinderella, Necromancer is based on a 15th century German grimoire, so does that mean it’s set in Germany? As far as I know it doesn’t say so in the text, though I did skim-read book 2. And when is it set if it’s set in our world? I really can’t tell you.
I also feel like the magic wasn’t well explained. Why do whatever William and his friends are exist (I forget what they’re called)? What was William even doing out at night if they had no idea what was actually causing the unexplained and unnamed problem?
Speaking of William, I’m pretty sure the reason for him lurking around Ellison’s housea bunch is never explained, so that’s kind of creepy. Also, he and Ellison have no chemistry. She just constantly criticizes him. That’s not a healthy relationship.
In my opinion, the way to identify a good Cinderella retelling is to look at how the step-sisters are handled. Do they feel like real people that could exist like the step-sisters in Geekerella? Or do they have seemingly no motivation for being unnecessarily cruel like in this series? Sure, the reason for Ellison’s sisters being piles of awful is sort of explained, but I had already given up on Cinderella, Necromancer by that point.
Ellison provided a really frustrating perspective to read from. She was super dense, and I feel like she was written younger than her given age. She was even more frustrating in book 2, because turns out she hadn’t actually learned the lesson she was supposed to have learned at the end of the first book.
If you hated Dante’s The Divine Comedy (specifically Inferno) I do not recommend book 2. I unfortunately did not make the connection, though I for sure would not have signed up to review it if I had. Maybe I’m the dense one.
I felt like the writing was trying too hard. The writing having this forced flowery feel to it combined with the actual story did not mix well. You have what is supposed to be this dark book filled with necromancy with writing that didn’t provide the required atmosphere to make that kind of book work. It was frustrating to read.
Most importantly for me was the fact that I had to take frequent breaks while reading these books. They exhausted me to read, and I skim-read book 2. I shouldn’t have to step away from the book I’m reading after 2 chapters because I can’t stand to continue reading.
Overall, I was not a fan of this duology, earning it an average rating of 1.5 stars out of 5.
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
September 4, 2017
(
I received this book free in exchange for my honest review
)
This dark tale on a old classic isn't something you should pass up! I love retellings, and though Cinderella's isn't one of my favourite fairy tales, I was entrance with this read from the first page until the last!
This isn't your normal retelling. It's dark, twisted and a little frightening. We are taken down a different; what if rout, and in this story Ella isn't the perfect sweet girl form disney. She is relatable, she's flawed and she is badass. The romance, it isn't shoved down our throats, it's steady, it's natural and it has you rooting for them.
I like the little brother aspect, it gave Ella something extra, a desperation you can call it. And it to me gives her a real reason for not packing up and leaving the abuse. She loyal to her family, and she'll stop at nothing to be with/save them.
This is a solid read that I highly recommend. Though it follows the Cinderella plot, it is anything but the story we're use to. This twist tale of love, sorrow and death will have you on the edge of your seat. Don't turn off the lights
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
This dark tale on a old classic isn't something you should pass up! I love retellings, and though Cinderella's isn't one of my favourite fairy tales, I was entrance with this read from the first page until the last!
This isn't your normal retelling. It's dark, twisted and a little frightening. We are taken down a different; what if rout, and in this story Ella isn't the perfect sweet girl form disney. She is relatable, she's flawed and she is badass. The romance, it isn't shoved down our throats, it's steady, it's natural and it has you rooting for them.
I like the little brother aspect, it gave Ella something extra, a desperation you can call it. And it to me gives her a real reason for not packing up and leaving the abuse. She loyal to her family, and she'll stop at nothing to be with/save them.
This is a solid read that I highly recommend. Though it follows the Cinderella plot, it is anything but the story we're use to. This twist tale of love, sorrow and death will have you on the edge of your seat. Don't turn off the lights
Happy Reading
-E.A. Walsh
September 3, 2017
This is one of those books you stay up all night to finish. It is a Cinderella retelling with magic, evil spirits, and necromancy. My first impressions were 1) wow this is pretty dark and 2) I'm not sure if I really like Ellison. That being said, she grew on me quickly, changing from a sort-of spoiled rich girl to a bad-ass-take-no-crap character when the situation called for it. Obviously your vapid Disney Cinderella isn't going to open an ancient grimoire and call forth spirits to do her bidding. She was the right character for this story.
Aside from the magic and dark stuff (I won't say too much to avoid spoilers), my other favorite part of the book was Prince William. In other retellings, the prince is always sort of this 1-dimensional character. I really liked that William has more to him than that. As much as I don't really like cliff hangers and drawn out trilogies, I was sort of hoping at the end that this wouldn't be a stand alone, so that we could learn more about William and some of the other characters in a sequel. I would definitely read a sequel if there is one coming (hint hint)!
Definitely recommended!
Aside from the magic and dark stuff (I won't say too much to avoid spoilers), my other favorite part of the book was Prince William. In other retellings, the prince is always sort of this 1-dimensional character. I really liked that William has more to him than that. As much as I don't really like cliff hangers and drawn out trilogies, I was sort of hoping at the end that this wouldn't be a stand alone, so that we could learn more about William and some of the other characters in a sequel. I would definitely read a sequel if there is one coming (hint hint)!
Definitely recommended!
September 15, 2017
This is such a deliciously creepy, unique twist on the original Cinderella story. Ellison is an empowered and compelling heroine, she’s willing to do anything for her younger brother and she has to do it on her own—there’s no fairy godmother in sight to rescue her. The supporting characters are fantastic too—well-drawn and compelling. I especially loved Willem. And though the plot follows the story of Cinderella, I never found it predictable. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what would happen.
This is a perfect book for this time of year, but read it with the lights on!
This is a perfect book for this time of year, but read it with the lights on!
September 5, 2017
Dark, atmospheric and totally mesmerizing!
This is a reimagining of Cinderella unlike any I'd read before. Ella is the perfect heroine: she is witty and spunky but she also cares deeply about her family, especially her brother. Unlike other Cinderella stories, which rely on a fairy godmother to save the heroine, Ella has to save herself. She uses magic to help her brother and herself.
I loved the prince and the slow unfolding of his story as well. I never thought this book was predictable, and I couldn't wait to keep turning pages to see how it would end. Fans of Grimm's fairy tales will adore this book!
This is a reimagining of Cinderella unlike any I'd read before. Ella is the perfect heroine: she is witty and spunky but she also cares deeply about her family, especially her brother. Unlike other Cinderella stories, which rely on a fairy godmother to save the heroine, Ella has to save herself. She uses magic to help her brother and herself.
I loved the prince and the slow unfolding of his story as well. I never thought this book was predictable, and I couldn't wait to keep turning pages to see how it would end. Fans of Grimm's fairy tales will adore this book!
November 28, 2017
This book made the most perfect hate read. It was so ridiculous it was entertaining like Batman & Robin and Birdemic.
September 7, 2017
As usual, I try to keep my reviews as spoiler free as possible and with this book, it's going to be SO hard!
First off, let me start with saying I don't read YA because I generally don't like the genre. BUT I adore Grimm fairy tales and Hans Christian Anderson, so this peeked my interest incredibly. I was not disappointed. I enjoy a darker tale and am a fan of urban fantasy so I was excited.
This story was incredible, not only was it well written and easy to read, but the imaginative retelling was unique and quite inspiring. I was turning the pages feverishly and definitely sacrificed some sleep (no regrets!). I came across a few scenes that where so gripping I would actually gasp out loud and its in large part due to the talent of the authors writing.
This isn't just a retelling of Cinderella but a story of enduring love, strength and faith. Ella was the perfect main character, she's sixteen and defiant but loving. Naive but strong and willing to learn.
The stepmother and stepsisters where my favorite characters because they were written so deliciously evil and gave me chills. The perfect villains.
I could not put this dark tale down and neither will you!
First off, let me start with saying I don't read YA because I generally don't like the genre. BUT I adore Grimm fairy tales and Hans Christian Anderson, so this peeked my interest incredibly. I was not disappointed. I enjoy a darker tale and am a fan of urban fantasy so I was excited.
This story was incredible, not only was it well written and easy to read, but the imaginative retelling was unique and quite inspiring. I was turning the pages feverishly and definitely sacrificed some sleep (no regrets!). I came across a few scenes that where so gripping I would actually gasp out loud and its in large part due to the talent of the authors writing.
This isn't just a retelling of Cinderella but a story of enduring love, strength and faith. Ella was the perfect main character, she's sixteen and defiant but loving. Naive but strong and willing to learn.
The stepmother and stepsisters where my favorite characters because they were written so deliciously evil and gave me chills. The perfect villains.
I could not put this dark tale down and neither will you!
August 26, 2017
Cinderella Necromancer by F.M. Boughan
Reviewed by Angi
So yea...retelling of a yet another fairytale right? Sooo very wrong. On...So…. Many….Levels!
This is dark and twisty and not in a Merideth Grey kind of way if you know what I mean.
At first i thought that it was going to be same ole same ole, started out mom dead, introduce evil step mom and bratty evils step sisters.
Then hello secret passageway...secret book...secret key dad snuck to her. Add a curious Prince who pops up randomly, an ill little brother and a whole lot of magic and what you get is a whole lot of new storytelling.
This book is great. The depth of the characters really moved me I loved that this was set in medieval time and still has a fresh feel.
The author has been added to my follow list because the talent is unmistakable. She truly has a way with stories. If you don't like retellings that's ok I'm not a fan either but this one's different give it a chance!
Reviewed by Angi
So yea...retelling of a yet another fairytale right? Sooo very wrong. On...So…. Many….Levels!
This is dark and twisty and not in a Merideth Grey kind of way if you know what I mean.
At first i thought that it was going to be same ole same ole, started out mom dead, introduce evil step mom and bratty evils step sisters.
Then hello secret passageway...secret book...secret key dad snuck to her. Add a curious Prince who pops up randomly, an ill little brother and a whole lot of magic and what you get is a whole lot of new storytelling.
This book is great. The depth of the characters really moved me I loved that this was set in medieval time and still has a fresh feel.
The author has been added to my follow list because the talent is unmistakable. She truly has a way with stories. If you don't like retellings that's ok I'm not a fan either but this one's different give it a chance!
September 1, 2017
it's Cinderella as a dark witch, what more do you need to know?! be sure to look for my full review coming soon to blog Book Review Becca
September 20, 2017
***Disclosure: I received a free copy in exchange for a review.***
What’s Good: How about the opening line for starters- “Blood. The blood of my enemies drips down my forearms, fleeing the confines of the spaces between my fingers, traveling toward freedom on the cold, stone floor.” Got your attention, yet?
This is a very imaginative twist on the fairytale. Everything old is new again in this one. There’s a few homages to the classic version of the tale, but ain’t no fairy godmothers floating around here. Nope- what comes to Ella’s aid is far more disturbing and best left undisturbed. Author F.M. Boughan cites researching historical texts and grimoires on necromancy, and it shows. Well done!
The necromancy comes into play as part of the struggle between Heaven and Hell, the forces of Good vs the armies of Evil. Ella’s struggles with what she’s doing and why are valid and believable. As her power grows, she thinks she’s come to terms with the price of it, but then she realizes that price is greater than she’s willing to pay. But will she be strong enough to do so anyway?
There’s several twists on the tale that’ll keep you involved; it’s like a full-on rendering of the original Brothers Grimm version- you know, with the sisters cutting off parts of their feet in order to fit the glass slipper and whatnot. Often gory and gruesome, this one ain’t for the faint of heart.
What’s Bad: Ella’s also a bit of a dunce. The author does a good job of putting you inside Ella’s head and making her feel like a vibrant, three-dimensional character, but too many times in the story she never bothered to question anything or stop to consider the consequences of her actions. She’s got a book of demonology/necromancy in her hands, but never bothers to read any further than what she needs to get what she wants yet always wonders about the dangers of abusing such power… maybe ya ought to flip a few pages ahead and find out??? She’s constantly skulking about the house trying to sneak around her new stepmother and siblings trying to learn things, only to bump, bang into or trip over something, leading to another Steve Erkel moment, “…oh, did *I* do that?!?” After a while you can pretty much see when they’re coming up.
There’s a few WTF moments in the plot that threaten to derail things. The night Ella’s father disappears he gives her something before he leaves- literally placing it in her hand. Does she look at it right away?- no. When does she look at it? Right after she sneaks out of the house in the dead of night, crawls under the locked main gate, runs all the way through the village to her mother’s grave, calls out to her mother’s spirit, meets a mysterious stranger who protects her from some Things That Go Bump In The Night, and sees her back to the village. Only after she’s safely home again after all that does she actually OPEN HER HAND to see what it was her father gave her. *facepalm*
The disappearance of Ella’s father made almost as much sense as all that did. For storytelling purposes he had to be out of the picture, sure, but… his reasons made no sense. It’s the usual “I had to leave to protect you” nonsense, except that he’s the one who created the problem in the first place by marrying Celia and knew full well what was going on, so clearly the best solution was to leave a bunch of people- including his own children- who’ve no idea about any of it at the tender mercies of some seriously malicious individuals and hope for the best. *double facepalm*
What’s Left: an entertaining, if flawed, work that you’ll enjoy reading. If all the Fairy Tale Re-imaginings are starting to get stale to you, this one’ll be a bit of fresh air.
What’s Good: How about the opening line for starters- “Blood. The blood of my enemies drips down my forearms, fleeing the confines of the spaces between my fingers, traveling toward freedom on the cold, stone floor.” Got your attention, yet?
This is a very imaginative twist on the fairytale. Everything old is new again in this one. There’s a few homages to the classic version of the tale, but ain’t no fairy godmothers floating around here. Nope- what comes to Ella’s aid is far more disturbing and best left undisturbed. Author F.M. Boughan cites researching historical texts and grimoires on necromancy, and it shows. Well done!
The necromancy comes into play as part of the struggle between Heaven and Hell, the forces of Good vs the armies of Evil. Ella’s struggles with what she’s doing and why are valid and believable. As her power grows, she thinks she’s come to terms with the price of it, but then she realizes that price is greater than she’s willing to pay. But will she be strong enough to do so anyway?
There’s several twists on the tale that’ll keep you involved; it’s like a full-on rendering of the original Brothers Grimm version- you know, with the sisters cutting off parts of their feet in order to fit the glass slipper and whatnot. Often gory and gruesome, this one ain’t for the faint of heart.
What’s Bad: Ella’s also a bit of a dunce. The author does a good job of putting you inside Ella’s head and making her feel like a vibrant, three-dimensional character, but too many times in the story she never bothered to question anything or stop to consider the consequences of her actions. She’s got a book of demonology/necromancy in her hands, but never bothers to read any further than what she needs to get what she wants yet always wonders about the dangers of abusing such power… maybe ya ought to flip a few pages ahead and find out??? She’s constantly skulking about the house trying to sneak around her new stepmother and siblings trying to learn things, only to bump, bang into or trip over something, leading to another Steve Erkel moment, “…oh, did *I* do that?!?” After a while you can pretty much see when they’re coming up.
There’s a few WTF moments in the plot that threaten to derail things. The night Ella’s father disappears he gives her something before he leaves- literally placing it in her hand. Does she look at it right away?- no. When does she look at it? Right after she sneaks out of the house in the dead of night, crawls under the locked main gate, runs all the way through the village to her mother’s grave, calls out to her mother’s spirit, meets a mysterious stranger who protects her from some Things That Go Bump In The Night, and sees her back to the village. Only after she’s safely home again after all that does she actually OPEN HER HAND to see what it was her father gave her. *facepalm*
The disappearance of Ella’s father made almost as much sense as all that did. For storytelling purposes he had to be out of the picture, sure, but… his reasons made no sense. It’s the usual “I had to leave to protect you” nonsense, except that he’s the one who created the problem in the first place by marrying Celia and knew full well what was going on, so clearly the best solution was to leave a bunch of people- including his own children- who’ve no idea about any of it at the tender mercies of some seriously malicious individuals and hope for the best. *double facepalm*
What’s Left: an entertaining, if flawed, work that you’ll enjoy reading. If all the Fairy Tale Re-imaginings are starting to get stale to you, this one’ll be a bit of fresh air.
August 12, 2017
I received a free ebook in exchange for my honest review.
I am so over retellings, but I LOVED this imaginative twist on Cinderella. It's dark, engaging, and truly an unexpected version of the timeless classic. Instead of a fairy godmother, Ellison takes matters into her own hands and summons demons to do her bidding at the risk of losing that which she loves. The horrible step sisters invoked this insanely strong feeling of anger as they were just so, so awful. I wanted to gouge their eyes out, truth be told. The characters are well written, they have great chemistry, and there's so much mystery that goes into the plot to build up to the end.
The only thing I was confused about is why it's called Cinderella when the main character's name was Ellison. I liked the change of name, since it felt fresher, but I just didn't understand the difference with the title. But this is a dark and twisted story that will keep you turning the pages!
I am so over retellings, but I LOVED this imaginative twist on Cinderella. It's dark, engaging, and truly an unexpected version of the timeless classic. Instead of a fairy godmother, Ellison takes matters into her own hands and summons demons to do her bidding at the risk of losing that which she loves. The horrible step sisters invoked this insanely strong feeling of anger as they were just so, so awful. I wanted to gouge their eyes out, truth be told. The characters are well written, they have great chemistry, and there's so much mystery that goes into the plot to build up to the end.
The only thing I was confused about is why it's called Cinderella when the main character's name was Ellison. I liked the change of name, since it felt fresher, but I just didn't understand the difference with the title. But this is a dark and twisted story that will keep you turning the pages!
December 2, 2017
F.M. Boughan's debut novel hits right on the mark. The story dives into action and intrigue immediately and never lets up. The characters are compelling and beguiling. This isn't just another retelling of the classic Cinderella, but a complete reimagining of the heroine and the fate that befalls her. 'Ella' is clever, funny, and exudes the inner strength that most of us only wish we had. Still, her character is relatable and endearing. The story takes a decidedly dark turn into the world of the supernatural, with Ella engaging in far more adventure than just waiting for her prince to come. I recommend giving yourself time to read this one, because it's very hard to put down. Perfect for teens and adult lovers of YA fiction. Thumbs way up, and I can't wait to see what Boughan has in store for us next.
September 12, 2017
Cinderella… Cinderella…
Did you know that the first or let’s say, the oldest known version – around 7 BC - of Cinderella is, in fact, the story of a Greek courtesan from Egypt (Rhodopis was her name) whose sandal was stolen by an eagle and carried to the king? Mesmerized by the beauty of the sandal and by the oddity of the event, the king sent his men to find the owner, and, at the end, the king married Rhodopis.
So, from Strabo (yes, the Strabo in his Geographica), via Aelian (a Roman orator) and even Herodotus (once again, the Herodotus) and, after that via, the now almost unknown by the big public, Giambattista Basile, then Charles Perrault and the well known Grimm Brothers, entire generations indulge themselves in Cinderella’s story. Why this introduction? Because I wasn’t (and maybe I’m still not, but I'm working on it) a big fan of retellings, but in the light of such history how can I oppose to them? Better or worse, they will continue to appear and try their luck with readers and time.
In what regards Cinderella, Necromancer, the story has the right to walk tall. Closer to Grimm Brothers’ version, which was not written for children and represents an adaptation of the oral presentations part of the German folklore, Cinderella, Necromancer has all that is needed to be successful.
Closer to Grimm’s version because, like the title requires, there are dead people involved and when the dead are summoned, the playground it’s open for gore. Therefore, do not let you fool by the “cute” cover! You’ll not get a story in which everything resolves itself easy peasy. Yes, there is a little bit of naivety (but explicable), there is the battle between good and evil (of course!) a bit a romance (obviously!), but also there will be: violence, victims, sacrifice. The HEA is not sure to happen or under what form.
What I liked, except the fact that is clear that Mrs. Boughan made her homework, is the way in which she changes the characters. Even if the world has medieval features and mores, Cinderella get a very active role, she has to make choices – good or not so much, and to actually fight against the evil, the Prince doesn’t just wait for her, and, what I really liked, is that the death of Cinderella’s mother gets a purpose instead of being just a casualty of her time or an excuse for the story.
At the end, the story isn’t as dark as Grimm’s because not the people are the heinous, but… you’ll see for yourself.
On short, I read it with pleasure and I can recommend it to you!
http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/2017...
Did you know that the first or let’s say, the oldest known version – around 7 BC - of Cinderella is, in fact, the story of a Greek courtesan from Egypt (Rhodopis was her name) whose sandal was stolen by an eagle and carried to the king? Mesmerized by the beauty of the sandal and by the oddity of the event, the king sent his men to find the owner, and, at the end, the king married Rhodopis.
So, from Strabo (yes, the Strabo in his Geographica), via Aelian (a Roman orator) and even Herodotus (once again, the Herodotus) and, after that via, the now almost unknown by the big public, Giambattista Basile, then Charles Perrault and the well known Grimm Brothers, entire generations indulge themselves in Cinderella’s story. Why this introduction? Because I wasn’t (and maybe I’m still not, but I'm working on it) a big fan of retellings, but in the light of such history how can I oppose to them? Better or worse, they will continue to appear and try their luck with readers and time.
In what regards Cinderella, Necromancer, the story has the right to walk tall. Closer to Grimm Brothers’ version, which was not written for children and represents an adaptation of the oral presentations part of the German folklore, Cinderella, Necromancer has all that is needed to be successful.
Closer to Grimm’s version because, like the title requires, there are dead people involved and when the dead are summoned, the playground it’s open for gore. Therefore, do not let you fool by the “cute” cover! You’ll not get a story in which everything resolves itself easy peasy. Yes, there is a little bit of naivety (but explicable), there is the battle between good and evil (of course!) a bit a romance (obviously!), but also there will be: violence, victims, sacrifice. The HEA is not sure to happen or under what form.
What I liked, except the fact that is clear that Mrs. Boughan made her homework, is the way in which she changes the characters. Even if the world has medieval features and mores, Cinderella get a very active role, she has to make choices – good or not so much, and to actually fight against the evil, the Prince doesn’t just wait for her, and, what I really liked, is that the death of Cinderella’s mother gets a purpose instead of being just a casualty of her time or an excuse for the story.
At the end, the story isn’t as dark as Grimm’s because not the people are the heinous, but… you’ll see for yourself.
On short, I read it with pleasure and I can recommend it to you!
http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/2017...
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