A cute twist on what happens to Cinderella’s family after the end of her fairytale. I enjoyed seeing Aralyn discover what’s important to her and reflect on how her mother’s treatment shaped who she is. Aralyn embarks on a quest with lady knight Vee, who has preconceived notions of her. They have a contentious relationship but must overcome it for the sake of others. If you like fairytale retellings and adventures, then I recommend reading this. Thank you NetGalley and Disney Publishing for the arc.

Ok, this was way more interesting than I thought it was going to be. I love a Cinderella continuation story, and this was from the perspective of one of the stepsisters. Aralyn was intelligent, dedicated, and capable. Vee was a surprising addition to the story that I ended up loving.

I adore fairytale retellings and Cinderella is one of my favorite classics.. The chararacter growth throughout this series were great - especially the growth we see with the break from abuse. So much happens throughout the story that it keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time.

Decidedly middle of the road expansion of the Cinderella story that ultimately fails to grab. Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance!

This was an absolute delight!!! I am always down for a fairy tale retelling, but this was brilliant. A tale of redemption and found family, A Spark in the Cinders is downright creative with its world building of fey and royal courts. I couldn’t get enough of Vee and Aralyn and their journey and Moke does what few authors recently are not doing - she concludes the story. I immense satisfaction I had at the resolution makes this a must on my own shelf, not just my class library.

I eagerly am looking forward to the reread. The small details (like the foreshadowing of the prophecy) were amazing to see come together at the end.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this wonderful retelling. The above are my honest thoughts on A Spark in the Cinders.

I’m always super excited to read books based on fairytales and when I saw that A Spark in the Cinders was about one of Cinderella’s stepsisters, I knew I had to read it. However, it pains me to say that I didn’t love this, but that might be due to the current fantasy slump I find myself in. I really struggled to get through more than a couple of chapters at a time and half the time I’d forget what had happened between me putting this down and picking it up again the next day.

I did, however, really like the concept and I thought it was done pretty well. Seeing the world of Cinderella from the perspective of a stepsister is something that I really loved. Especially as this had its own twist and Aralyn actually wasn’t that mean to Cinderella. Well, she definitely was before the events of this book as those follow the original fairytale that we all know so well, but she goes through a huge development and actually teams up with Cinderella.

This is mostly down to Vee, who was probably my favourite character. She was completely stubborn and too headstrong for her own good, but she brought out the good in Aralyn. I didn’t realise this was going to be a sapphic story, which isn’t really said as I’m struggling to remember if any romance does occur between them, but it is very heavily implied.

The tasks to get the blade were deliciously tense and I particularly enjoyed the one in the cave, which I’m not saying anymore on as I don’t want to spoil anything. There are some really interesting settings and events that take part throughout A Spark in the Cinder.

I will say though, the pacing was a little off. Sometimes it felt like the story was going nowhere and then others moved way too fast. I’m actually struggling to remember how the book ended and I’m writing this review not long after finishing it. The resolution seemed a bit too easy and some elements of it were not explained. I’m now wondering if there will be a sequel or not.

Overall, A Spark in the Cinders is a fun and inventive twist on a story and characters that we all know well. I liked that it was inspired by Cinderella, but she wasn’t the main character. Unfortunately, the timing of me reading this was definitely off and I do wholeheartedly believe I would have enjoyed it more if I didn’t need a break from fantasy.

This story picks up where Cinderella (Ellarose) lets off. Ellarose's stepsister, Aralyn, must fight to save the kingdom with the help of Ellarose's guard, Vee. The only problem is that Vee and Aralyn do not get along.
Opinion
I was fortunate enough to listen to the audio book and have a copy of the e-book to read along. The narration was magical. The fairy godmothers had voices you would expect of the fae. Vee, a soldier, had a tough sounding voice and Aralyn's voice was also perfect. I believe the audio book was done with perfection.
The plot of the story follows the hero's journey. (If you don't know what that is, google it.) I was kept captivated, wondering what was coming next. I believe this book to be perfect for middle grade students and life long fans of fairy tales. Moke's ideas of what could have happened next were both magical and if possible with fairy tales, logical.
Many thanks to Net Galley, Disney Publishing and Disney Audiobooks for providing me with an ARC of this book.

A Spark in the Cinders is a take on the Cinderella story where Cinderella's stepsister goes on an adventure of her own. While it sounded interesting it just wasn't my cup of tea and I didn't really care for the characters.

This wasn't great but it wasn't bad either. I do think that, while this is marketed as YA, it reads like a very young YA novel. Which isn't bad! But, it is just on the younger side of YA which isn't always my favorite. I didn't really enjoy many of the characters--I did like, though, that the characters used their combined strengths to accomplish their goals/save the kingdom. I can see why people will love this, it just wasn't quite for me.

As a brief pause from my themed months, I am unbelievably excited to share my first NetGalley review! “A Spark In The Cinders” is a high fantasy Cinderella sequel by the ever-talented: Jenny Elder Moke. This brand new novel releases TOMORROW, and I highly suggest picking it up, especially if you’re a fan of enemies to lovers, a not quite Disney-retelling, and strong LGBT female protagonists. This is the first book in what I can only imagine will become a series!

Following the marriage of “Cinderella” to the Prince, Aralyn of House Teramina is left to pick up the pieces of her failed attempt at winning the Prince and losing the help: her step-sister. Now considered a failure by their mother, she is forced to take on Ellarose’s former position, while her little sister becomes the new apple of their mother’s eye. Resentful and bitter, Aralyn is shocked when the Crown Princess of Novador calls upon her help. The kingdom is in ruin, and Ellarose predicts the throne is about to be overthrown. And unlike Aralyn, Ellarose never received training on how to rule.

Her day only becomes stranger as she discovers not only are her mother and sister abandoning her to the streets, but lo and behold, she too has a fairy godmother. Though not the strongest or sharpest of the fey, Lyra shares of a long-lost blade that has to power to save Novador and stop the impending forces of the powerful neighboring kingdom: Valley Banomel. The only problem is that the blade was broken into three pieces and hidden across the land ages ago.

It’s up to Aralyn to retrieve the blade, with the help of the ever-valiant lady-knight and right hand to Princess Ellarose: Vee. The near-enemies must learn to trust each other to survive the highest mountains, the quietest forests, the deepest caverns, and the worst possible parents imaginable. In the end, will Aralyn stay loyal to the mother that’s never loved her? Or will she become strong enough to break the chain of abuse?

My longest synopsis yet, but my goodness, for good reason. APitC is jam packed with adventure, let alone the incredibly intricate lore of the world and fey court. For a novel that’s only 362 pages, it’s amazing how seamlessly all the adventures come together without feeling too rushed.

And the character development. Woah! Let me be honest. I was slow reading this novel because of just how unpleasant Aralyn began, which is to be expected from an infamous wicked step sister. As many books as I adore about villains, I’ve never been one to root for them. Though as I turned the electronic pages, I found myself entranced and even caring for her. It goes to show just how ugly abuse is and what it can do to the psyche.

I loved this book, the story, the characters, and the fact that NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion chose me to review it. As silly as it is, I’ve preordered the book and I’m so excited to have a physical copy. If any of you love a good high fantasy, LGBT slow-burn romance, this is the novel for you. Thank you, Jenny Elder Moke, for the captivating story.

What a unique and fun way to continue the Cinderella story. This is such a different take on what may have happened after Cinderella left for her happily ever after that I am living for it. There are two sides to every story. Yes, Cinderella still has found her prince and is living in the castle but what of the step sisters. Those who were left behind. Their story continues. This was such a beautiful way to show Aralyn’s journey on finding herself. Acknowledging who she is outside of her mother’s influence, what she truly wants, and who she truly is. Each different task helps her become more of herself and I think it is such a beautiful transition. Readers are going to be swept up in this new world. One where even the worst of enemies can learn how to rely on those they least expect to. Also, I adore her fairy godmother. Overall, I think that readers are truly going to enjoy this new journey into the world of Cinderella.
Thank you to Disney Worldwide Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

This read more like a Middle Grade novel to me than a Young Adult book. Though I loved the idea of seeing it from the evil sister's perspective, I found Aralyn to be insufferable and petty, even with all the hints that EllaRose actually did love her as a sister (even after all they did to her). I liked Vee, although sometimes her "tough girl" act was a bit much, and EllaRose sometimes struck me as not very smart. I did love that all three women showed their different strengths and those strengths help them achieve the ultimate goal of saving the kingdom.

Overall for me it wasn't bad but it wasn't great. I think there will be plenty of people who will enjoy this more than I did.

Thanks to NetGalley & Disney Publishing for this ARC.

This was a fun adventure for one of Cinderella's stepsisters after the traditional Cinderella story ends. We learn more about Aralyn and have insight into her thoughts and feelings as she goes on a quest with Cinderella's (who is now the princess) protector, a lady knight. Together they are trying to save the kingdom. It has an enemies to lovers romance and good female empowerment from Aralyn, Cinderella, the knight, and Aralyn's fairy godmother. I did feel it was missing something. It maybe needed more world building or more fleshing out of the plot. But I enjoyed it and I think YA readers would like it too.

What a fantastic concept! This book follows one of Cinderella's stepsisters- who I always thought was just misunderstood honestly- and gives the story such a great spin! We get the other side of the story, as the step sister Aralyn creates her own path. When her Aralyn fails to stop Cinderella's happily ever after, the mean step mother puts her other sister forward, discarding Aralyn.

I LOVED this shift in narrative. I personally began to see Cinderella in a new light- she's too kind and too giving, and often makes stupid decisions with her 'heart'. This story gives it a dark turn, and Aralyn- well knowledged on the court- decides to help out poor Cinderella so she can make her future a success. Along the way, Aralyn makes friends and also finds love! I adored how this story was told.

Such a refreshing concept and a great execution! I fell in love with out protagonist, and I couldn't get enough of the writing! Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the e-arc!

Although this isn't the first time an author has tackled Cinderella from one of the "wicked" stepsisters POV, Moke puts their own spin on it. This is a fun addition to any collection of fairy tale retellings.

What happened after Cinderella won her prince? Her stepsister Aralyn certainly knows, as her mother AKA the evil stepmother, is furious with her failure to win the prince, and is nowhere near done with her schemes to take power and riches. So when Cinderella unexpectedly asks Aralyn for help she agrees, thinking it's a way back into her mother's good graces. When that favor turns into a quest to save the kingdom, Aralyn, accompanied by the princess's female knight protector Vee and her own, quirky new fairy godmother, Aralyn not only discovers that her family isn't what she thought, neither is her stepsister. In addition to being a wonderful twisted fairytale, which I always love, this has characters with depth and flaws, new sorts of adventure, delightful humor, and redemption for more than one character. I read this book in one sitting, and highly recommend it to all.

I’m a big fan of reinvented/reimagined fairy tales in any form, especially when we get perspective from a secondary character and also see what happens after “Happily Ever After”. In A Spark in the Cinders, we see Aralyn, one of Cinderella’s wicked stepsisters, in the aftermath of the prince finding Cinderella. She’s bitter and defeated. The absolute best thing about this book was the character development of Aralyn. Seeing her let go of her anger, entitlement and the emotional abuse and neglect her mother inflicted upon her was such a beautiful story. And of course, her journey with the lady knight, Vee, who had similar familial trauma to work through. The enemies to lovers story was slow burning and simmering from the get go and I really enjoyed that. They took the time to get comfortable with each other and also trust one another. I also loved how the fairy godmothers/godfathers came into play, that was very interesting. I will admit, some of the fairy lore was a little confusing so I took those parts a little slower so I didn’t misunderstand anything. The story did feel slower in a few parts, but never enough to make me lose interest. There was action, intrigue, redemption and great moments of friendship. I think this is a great addition to anyone who enjoys the story of Cinderella and also for those who enjoy villains becoming heroes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! It was so fun, and I'm a big fan of this writer. I was engaged from start to finish, and I could not put this one down. I hope Disney Publishing continues to work with this author!

Thank you for an advanced copy! I loved the characters, the plot, the pacing...literally everything!

“Mercedes Lackey, but make it queer” is probably the best description I can give to this book. Following Cinderella’s happily ever after, this book is chock full of the best tropes fantasy has to offer. Even in its relative predictability, Jenny Elder Moke has crafted a work that is enjoyable to read (which I did cover to cover in about five hours).

I wasn't gripped, not even really based on anything in particular. The writing was solidly okay, and as I was reading, it just felt derivative. We don't have a ton of young adults visiting out libraries, so books without any crossover to middle grade or to adult are usually a no. I really don't see adults getting into this. I stopped a couple chapters in.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney for the ARC.