Another Cinderella

by Victoria Bastedo

Cinderella’s stepsister meets an imp, a tinker, and her true self.It just isn’t fair that Cinderella ends up with the prize and Atlantia is stuck with the drudgery. Instead of a godmother, Atlantia gets an imp. Instead of a romantic coach ride to a magnificent ball, she ends up down a side street at the wrong end of town. And instead of a handsome Prince, the only man interested in her is an impertinent tinker. Obviously, something needs to change. Atlantia just didn’t expect the transformation to begin with herself. Was it possible God wanted her to learn something, not only about escaping hardship, but also about herself?

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2017

About the author

I, Victoria Bastedo, acknowledge the Most High God. He is the One Who gave me the gift of writing. The Father, Jesus His son, and the Holy Spirit. God Almighty is the One I serve, and I am thankful for all of His gifts. Amen

I was born in Kansas City, Mo, in the very early sixties. Called the City of Fountains, one of my favorite memories is when my mom took us kids to play in one of the fountains. We climbed on the horses. Stood on the spewing nozzles. Threw in pennies and dived for them again with our eyes closed. But while my siblings tried to invent crazy near-dangerous fountain feats, I played to the side, my mind busy. I was inventing an adventure, with some high fantasy elements. The journey to becoming a writer has been a fun one for me. God blessed me with an active imagination characterized by the glazed-over-fogged look on my face. I'm a Christian, a wife, and a mother of six and now a proud grandmother.

Kirkus said of my book, Mini-Droids and Tea: "Bastedo (The Time Mechanic, 2018, etc.) generously packs this short, delightfully eccentric novel with drama: Penelope’s tea shop just barely makes ends meet, and she’s doggedly pursued by a creepy stalker who won’t take no for an answer. And Colepepper suspects he’s under surveillance, potentially by a business rival, and that his ever popular devices have been “hijacked.” The author’s story is artfully outlandish—somehow both deeply implausible but also entirely authentic. The quirky plot almost reads like a comic fairy tale—even the names of the two protagonists have a cartoonlike character to them. Bastedo achieves a comic lightheartedness that rises above simple frivolity—Penelope in particular is a complex, layered character, both fiercely independent and earnestly vulnerable. The result is a charmingly readable effort, humorous and tender.

A sweet, spirited tale of love rediscovered."

Here's a recent praise quote of my Young Adult Fantasy, Roots Entwine. (Self-Publishing Review):

'Roots Entwine by Victoria Bastedo is an entertaining and heartfelt young adult fantasy adventure. Young adult fantasy adventure novels, when done well, make for exciting reading. But the good ones offer more. Roots Entwine does just that.



The driver of this story is the plot. Bastedo provides enough twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. As the excitement builds, the reader starts to realize that not everything is as it seems. The major twist at the end leaves hope that the story isn’t over. Could a sequel be in the works?

Roots Entwine is packed with action that will keep the reader’s interest. Young adult readers will cheer for the boy who’d remained hidden for most of his life to finally find his way.'

Reviews

[Rachel Barnard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cinderella marries Prince Charming and gets her happily ever after. But what of her stepsisters and stepmother? Alexandria and Atlantia are left without their free laborer and while pockets grow emptier, the three women grow hungrier. It isn’t proper for any young lady of merit to work in the household, but Atlantia is too hungry to care. A pan of eggs turns into washing the windows and sweeping the floors. Too soon, Atlantia will feel like the new Cinderella. But she’s too stubborn to let her mother or sister boss her around!

God is very present in this novel, as well as the journey toward Him, but religion is not the focus, nor is it ever really talked about in this book. It is refreshing to see God present without religion. Is it true that a transformation of soul and personality can take place without God or without a belief in God? I like to think that many other factors helped in Atlantia’s complete transformation and that anyone in her situation could have been transformed, but only with God could she endure. Those with true and sometimes blind faith in Him are able to stay calm in the face of chaos and kind in the face of evil and endure in the face of unending torture. This is an interesting explanation for how Cinderella endured so many years as the servant to her stepmother and stepsisters and endured their cruelty for so long. This is also an explanation as to how she was able to forgive them and wish them no ill will once she’d been taken out of that situation.

I absolutely love the bad guy’s perspective and especially love seeing the complete transformation of a character that is realistic. I wish all bad guys in real life or even people who make bad decisions or used to be mean can about-face and become good people. I like to believe we all have the potential to be good people and that we all want to be good people deep down. Bastedo’s book is a thought-provoking discovery into how a good person can bloom out of a spiteful and mean person.

I enjoyed the changing POV’s – from Frey to Atlantia to Theo and getting multiple little stories along the way. It was interesting to view Cinderella’s story from afar, through the eyes of those around her, especially as this story takes place after her well-known tale.

I absolutely adore fairy tales and fairy tale adaptations and this book was no exception. It was enjoyable to read, fast-paced, and fulfilling. It was exciting to watch the characters, especially Atalantia, grow and change and to get an up close and personal view of their thoughts and feelings.

I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.

[Anemone Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising and delightful

When I picked this book up, I was expecting just another fantasy redo, with Cinderella’s sister expanded on and explained. I got that, but so much more! In the first couple of chapters I felt like I could predict the entire book, and it was just going to be a very brief dance, over quickly and meaningless in the long run. But I was very mistaken. The twists and turns and characters in this book are delightful and entertaining. I will definitely be looking up this author’s other works!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this "after story" and what could have happened to Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters when she left. The characters were fleshed out, the tension and pacing were really well done and I really wanted to see if Atlantia would get her own happily ever after so I was turning pages long into the night to find out if she did!

I'll definitely be looking for more from this author.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5.0

This book is a surprising after-story with all new people, but includes the familiar faces of Prince Charming and Cinderella.

Read full review in the 2017 December issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[NativeHorse Conservatory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Altered reality

Under the hardened thoughtless shell that covered the eldest sister's heart was an intelligent girl. Thrust into a servant's position by a grasping embittered mother she gets an education in humanity.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many fairy tale related books and this is the first that is from a Christian view point. I found that quite refreshing!