Cecilly in Cinderland

by Emily S. Deibel

After an epidemic sweeps through Havenshire, orphaned Cecilly becomes the guardian of two stepsisters: surly Rose and heedless Violet. When Vi almost ruins their chance to secure the patronage of Madame Ebenesse from the posh Hot Springs District, Cecilly panics and bribes the ghastly noblewoman with two rare coronation diamonds to save their seamstress’ shop. Remorseful and weary, Cecilly and her stepsisters halfheartedly wish for a respite from their troubles on Havenshire’s legendary Fairy’s Kiss geyser. To their surprise, stairs appear descending into the cone.

Cecilly’s family journeys deep into the earth, to a land pockmarked with geysers, hot springs, dragons, and Cinders-a race of magical beings eager to grant their wish. The longer she remains in Cinderland, however, the faster her family ties disintegrate. With the help of a prickly stable hand, Cecilly tries to repair their damaged family bonds before her sisters are lost to her forever. But more is at stake than just one family. Can an ordinary seamstress save a race of dragons, mend a man’s broken heart, find favor with a queen, and heal a divided city?

Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Young Adult

156 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2016

Reviews

[Emily S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My family traveled to Yellowstone National Park every summer to wander around the hot pots and geysers. After I had my third child, I took a trip there with just my mom and sister. We spent an evening at the Old Faithful Inn sipping hot chocolate and reading ghost stories. I remember looking out at the basin and thinking "This could be a very eerie and dangerous setting for a book." Ten years later here it is! It's kind of fun that Cecilly in Cinderland is coming out the same year Yellowstone is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

If you like fairy tales, magic, family ties, and a little Jane Austen Regency era thrown in for good measure, this book is for you.

[Em Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't count how many times the tale of Cinderella has been retold, but I can safely say that Emily S Deibel has succeeded in spinning a unique yarn. Evil stepsisters and fairy godmothers are no more, replaced by a cast of lovable -and some decidedly unlovable - characters, and a world more akin to Narnia than the usual obscure fairytale setting. 'Here' is both terrifying and mesmerizing, and the main source of unpredictability in the plot. Though, at it's heart, CECILLY IN CINDERLAND is a rags-to-riches Cinderella story, it also a wildly entertaining and imaginative tale of sisterhood, first love, strife, and finding oneself.

I was provided with a pre-release copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful departure from some of the heavier reading I've been doing lately. It is obvious from even the title that this is yet another retelling of the popular fairy tale. But I bet you've never read another version like this! While I am not a huge fan of the fantasy genre, I thoroughly enjoyed my journey to Cinderland. I thought the plot and the characters were very imaginative, the descriptions of both the characters and the environs were very detailed so that you felt like you were right there, and I particularly enjoyed how Cecilly and her prince end up together. (Aw, c'mon! You know how it ends!) The targeted audience is young adult age -- I think anyone, any age who enjoys a little adventure, a little romance and a little fantasy all rolled up in one would enjoy this quick, fun read!

[Sarahjane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this original story in a fairy tale style. Cecilly is a strong, kind heroine, while still being human and growing through the story. The fantasy world and characters were well described so I could picture things as they unfolded. I enjoyed the story telling, and the untraditional path to a happily ever after. An enjoyable read!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Solid book. Inventive place, creative creatures. Decent character development. I enjoyed the seamstress aspect of it. I probably read it in about 2 days and was sad to part with it when the story was over.

I have almost no negatives, I thought it was highly readable.

It deserves a better review than this!

[Alexandra Preston · Rating 1 out of 5]

In all honesty I couldn't finish this book. I really tried to but I absolutely hated Cecilly! Within the first few pages of the book we have Cecilly giving away something that wasn't hers to give. Her sisters diamonds...and yes, yes I know that she doesn't in the end, but still the fact that she even thought to without asking before hand just to secure a patron that she, lets be honest really didn't want, is horrible to me. She is essentially saying to her sisters "Hey let me steal the only thing left you have of your mother....I'll pay you back with work." Ooh...yeah, ya got me! Such a fair trade off.....NOT! And, I'm sorry, I know that we aren't supposed to like Madame Ebenesse but really the only thing that really seemed wrong with her from Cecilly's point of view is that she is fat (OMG the horror .....) and that she wants work completed to the agreed upon standard at the agreed upon time. I personally don't see anything wrong about that. I know that in the end she, Madame Ebenesse behaves like a brat and lies about Cecilly stealing from her but I personally believe that is just to accomplish a plot goal.
I just really couldn't get into this book. Maybe it was because I'm not the intended audience. Maybe it is because I'm really tired of both fat and skinny shaming in books (I mean seriously. Her maid bounces off Madame Ebenesse's ass....) It just...UGH! I'm just done. I can't make it through anymore of this book.

[Kristin Lenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful find! Before adding this book to my to-read pile, I couldn't resist taking a peek. I read the first page, and the second, and the third - I couldn't put it down! Cecilly is an engaging character, and I was immediately swept up in her story. This is a slim book, more of a novella, but the plot is complex, the characters have depth, the magical/mystical/spiritual elements are intriguing, and the prose is lovely.

I'll be honest, I wasn't sure if this was going to be a good fit for me - I don't read much fantasy and am not particularly drawn to fairytale retellings, especially one so well known as Cinderella. But I met Emily years ago through SCBWI and wanted to support her. The story begins with high stakes in a historical setting which pulled me in, and by the time the characters traveled to the fantasy world, I was already invested. In fact, I'd love to read an expanded version of this novel or a sequel - I so enjoyed my time with these characters.

[K. Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some unique twists. Instead of a pragmatic setting, Cecilly is pragmatic. And instead of a wishful, fanciful main character it is the setting that is literally wishful and fanciful. Instead of manipulative abuse in the family--the abuse comes from a distinct other while the family is loving, even if young. I started seeing these twists as almost Austen-like in it's discussions between being sensible and being taken away by fanciful sensibilities. Even though it is aged for younger readers, it made me stop and think a bit about the genre and about the lack of sensible characters within the genre.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book and the creativity that went into writing it. Fun story and quick read would recommend this to others. The story was different then what I expected and the more I read the more I liked it. Planning to see if the author has other books as I am curious what they would be like. I won this book in a goodreads giveaway, thank you!

[Cheri Clark]

Story captures you from the beginning to the end. I could not put it down.
Fantasy, Love, Adventure....Great read.