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Iffy Magic: Confessions of a Faux Fairy Godmother
Everybody knows the Cinderella story, but no one knows the lie.
There never was a fairy godmother, just Primrose Goodwing: a pixie whose magic always comes undone at midnight. Prim has just become the only Goodwing—ever—to fail her fairy godmother test. But she’s not ready to give up her wand yet.
Trading her wings to smuggle herself into the Mortal Vale, Prim dreams of proving her worth by whipping up a happily-ever-after for a human venture in the quaint kingdom of Lindonberg. Too bad Ember, the headstrong girl she picks, has her own ideas about happy endings that don’t involve the traditional castle and crown. Worse, Prim finds her heart torn by the wily shape shifter Calico, a descendant of Puss n’ Boots who hides a dark secret behind his spite for humans.
All Prim’s schemes unravel when she discovers that “perfect” little Lindonberg is entangled in a web of intrigue and spells that threatens to annihilate every kingdom in the Mortal Vale. Will her first fairy tale become her last? In a charming mix reminiscent of the beloved Ella Enchanted, S. E. Page’s Iffy Magic is the true tale of the pixie behind the girl with the glass slippers!
Book Review Highlights:
“An intriguing plot, an enchanting world—and great fun for the reader. The plot may take the Cinderella story for its inspiration, but the wonderful characters, ingenious plot and unfailing writing style make for a more layered, evocative and entertaining story than the original tale ever achieved . . . Readers of all ages will come to love Primrose Goodwing, the would-be fairy godmother, and the magical world she lives in.”
–Dean Hughes, author of over 100 published books including Soldier Boys
There never was a fairy godmother, just Primrose Goodwing: a pixie whose magic always comes undone at midnight. Prim has just become the only Goodwing—ever—to fail her fairy godmother test. But she’s not ready to give up her wand yet.
Trading her wings to smuggle herself into the Mortal Vale, Prim dreams of proving her worth by whipping up a happily-ever-after for a human venture in the quaint kingdom of Lindonberg. Too bad Ember, the headstrong girl she picks, has her own ideas about happy endings that don’t involve the traditional castle and crown. Worse, Prim finds her heart torn by the wily shape shifter Calico, a descendant of Puss n’ Boots who hides a dark secret behind his spite for humans.
All Prim’s schemes unravel when she discovers that “perfect” little Lindonberg is entangled in a web of intrigue and spells that threatens to annihilate every kingdom in the Mortal Vale. Will her first fairy tale become her last? In a charming mix reminiscent of the beloved Ella Enchanted, S. E. Page’s Iffy Magic is the true tale of the pixie behind the girl with the glass slippers!
Book Review Highlights:
“An intriguing plot, an enchanting world—and great fun for the reader. The plot may take the Cinderella story for its inspiration, but the wonderful characters, ingenious plot and unfailing writing style make for a more layered, evocative and entertaining story than the original tale ever achieved . . . Readers of all ages will come to love Primrose Goodwing, the would-be fairy godmother, and the magical world she lives in.”
–Dean Hughes, author of over 100 published books including Soldier Boys
- GenresFairy TalesFantasy
ebook
Published August 9, 2016
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About the author
S.E. Page
6 books8 followersS.E. Page is a poet, writer, editor, and hunter of secondhand treasures. A Pushcart Prize nominee, her poems have been published in various journals including Connecticut River Review, Oakwood, Star*Line, and NonBinary Review. She was the co-editor of 21 issues of Young Ravens Literary Review (2014-2024). She pens The Luniferous Gazette newsletter on Substack every Wednesday.
As a child she dearly wished her first initial stood for something adventurous and dashing like Seraphina or Sapphira, but she has grown comfortable with being a Sarah. Two of her three favorite words rhyme: splendiferous and stelliferous; the third word is a secret.
As a child she dearly wished her first initial stood for something adventurous and dashing like Seraphina or Sapphira, but she has grown comfortable with being a Sarah. Two of her three favorite words rhyme: splendiferous and stelliferous; the third word is a secret.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 17, 2017
I love a fairytale retelling and this one didn’t disappoint. This is a very original rethink of Cinderella, where Primrose the renegade pixie has taken it upon herself to be a young woman’s fairy godmother without the necessary qualifications or magic.
The creativity of this story is what set it apart from other retellings; it was different enough from the Cinderella story that we all know that it wasn’t boring or predictable, it looked more closely at the magical elements that control the story and the rules behind them. It also took a step back from the romance and kept at least one foot firmly planted in the realm of common sense, which was especially good!
That said, the writing style didn’t really do anything for me – events unfolded very slowly and didn’t pack as much of a punch as I would have liked. I wasn’t really able to connect with any of the characters either, which I find always detracts from my enjoyment of a story. I think this is a book better suited to people who enjoy a slow burn with their fairytales and some internal monologue of the characters.
My favourite character in this book would have to be Ember (can you guess who she represents in the Cinderella world?!), she’s quite happily to deal with things on her own without any magical assistance, and has far loftier priorities in her life than marrying a prince.
I recommend this book to fairytale fans, especially those that love a good unicorn! This book is more about the adventure and the magic than the complexity of characters so if those are things that you love in books, you will adore this magical tale.
Reviewed by Nia on www.whisperingstories.com
The creativity of this story is what set it apart from other retellings; it was different enough from the Cinderella story that we all know that it wasn’t boring or predictable, it looked more closely at the magical elements that control the story and the rules behind them. It also took a step back from the romance and kept at least one foot firmly planted in the realm of common sense, which was especially good!
That said, the writing style didn’t really do anything for me – events unfolded very slowly and didn’t pack as much of a punch as I would have liked. I wasn’t really able to connect with any of the characters either, which I find always detracts from my enjoyment of a story. I think this is a book better suited to people who enjoy a slow burn with their fairytales and some internal monologue of the characters.
My favourite character in this book would have to be Ember (can you guess who she represents in the Cinderella world?!), she’s quite happily to deal with things on her own without any magical assistance, and has far loftier priorities in her life than marrying a prince.
I recommend this book to fairytale fans, especially those that love a good unicorn! This book is more about the adventure and the magic than the complexity of characters so if those are things that you love in books, you will adore this magical tale.
Reviewed by Nia on www.whisperingstories.com
January 4, 2017
Page's vocabulary makes me waffle back and forth between feeling inferior and feeling smarter for having read her book! She has a gift with words and I loved reading Iffy Magic.
Not so much a twist on the traditional Cinderella tale as it is a twist and also a telling from a different pair of eyes. It isn't just a ball that's at stake, but a whole world on the line. The stakes are so much higher and that drove me forward through the book.
Loved that the ending had the promise of more to come. Possibly more adventures for Prim?
Also... favorite character was Geomar the unicorn. Oh my heavens his lines were awesome. I just loved him so much.
Not so much a twist on the traditional Cinderella tale as it is a twist and also a telling from a different pair of eyes. It isn't just a ball that's at stake, but a whole world on the line. The stakes are so much higher and that drove me forward through the book.
Loved that the ending had the promise of more to come. Possibly more adventures for Prim?
Also... favorite character was Geomar the unicorn. Oh my heavens his lines were awesome. I just loved him so much.
January 1, 2021
I loved it! But I'm still waiting for the sequel!
March 13, 2017
Such a fun book. Mixed up fairy tales from the fairy Godmother's perspective. The book made me laugh out loud. Magic, a little bit of romance, lots of laughter. Highly recommend this book. I can't wait to hear more tales.
A fairy Godmother who fails the fairy Godmother test, but determines to go out into the world and prove she can do it. She makes a few mistakes, meets lots of interesting characters, and has a whole lot of fun and learning experiences along the way. Loved, loved, loved it!
A fairy Godmother who fails the fairy Godmother test, but determines to go out into the world and prove she can do it. She makes a few mistakes, meets lots of interesting characters, and has a whole lot of fun and learning experiences along the way. Loved, loved, loved it!
September 6, 2016
Iffy Magic is a delightful retelling of the classic Cinderella story. It is told from the perspective of Primrose Goodwing, a wannabe fairy godmother who can't seem to get her magic to work correctly. Hence the "only until midnight" part. You can read my full review over on MySF Reviews.
September 15, 2016
Fun characters, action, humor, and mystery abound in this unique fairytale. I hesitate to call it a retelling of Cinderella, because it's a completely new take with brilliant twists and turns. What a fun read for all ages.
I look forward to the next adventures that await Primrose Goodwing.
I look forward to the next adventures that await Primrose Goodwing.
January 7, 2017
Great new twist on fairytales. I loved the details from the beginning of the book that came to play in the end and as a writer I feel like (and appreciated) I could see where she got inspiration from.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews