Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Publishing for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, what a fun twisted ride this book was! We Kept Her in the Cellar is a horror retelling of Cinderella, told from the prospective of Eunice, Cinderella's stepsister. Eunice and her sister Hortense are excited to meet their future stepsister, Cinderella. From the first chapter, you as the reader quickly realize that this is not your typical Cinderella!
I really enjoyed how the story parallels the classic story we all know, but with a grisley twist!
Definitely a fun read for sure!

Oh my... this book... I am speechless.

A delicious newfangled take from the common Cinderella fairytale that we are used to. We Kept Her In The Cellar by W.R. Gorman is horror; a savory long overdue, intertwined with the idea of family and fate, served hot in an anxious yet armored point-of-view by one of the stepsisters of Cinderella.

When I say this is an entirely mystifying story of what reeks beyond the enchantment of evil — I mean it. Although some may say that this terrifying piece of literature is not as brutal, it doesn't erase the fact that its gruesome plot will be relished in its presence forever. Bloody is the word. Trust, it will NOT go soft with you either.

The horror in this book is UNMATCHED, it gave me chills. Definitely a new favourite of mine!

The start was slow but picked up and didn't go back down until the end.
My advice, stick with it! you wont regret it

FIVE STARS!!!!!

this is probably one of my favorite books ever!! While it’s definitely a fantasy, THE HORROR in this book, is top tier! I was scared, disgusted, some parts made me giggle. I loved the details that were similar to the Disney Cinderella. This really felt like a horror Cinderella story. It did not disappoint!!

I have to add, THE FEET was probably my favorite part.

Unsettling. If I had to describe this book in one word, that's what it would be—unsettling.

I will say that it starts a bit slow. But the second half of the book is a dark riot. It is tension filled and extremely graphic. And what I loved most is that it constantly challenges perception. This is a horror book. This is a horror book with monsters. Yet the real monsters in this book are of the human variety—the creatures that know better, and yet still act monstrously.

This book left me wondering... Does this story have a hero? Maybe we're all just villains in our own lives.

Dark and thought provoking. You wont think about family quite the same after this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I am in two minds about this book. On one hand, it is a horror novel, with really well-written violence and gore and a very distinct Lovecraftian influence. On the other, it is definitely not written in a way that makes it an adult book, and unfortunately I didn't think that it delivered on the brief to give a true horror experience in that sense.

I was also a little let down by the fact that it all played out a little on repeat - the routine of the 'sister' position grew a little tired after a quite a few re-hashings of it. I did wish that there was an ending that was perhaps a bit more final too. This book didn't really read like it needed a sequel, but it was left open enough that the possibility was there. Eunice was a little bit of a stereotype, and was just a bit too happy to take things as they came in a situation that really didn't call for it.

In summary, the horror in this was fabulous and really well done, particularly the body horror side. Beyond that though, I didn't connect with it as well as I would have liked. I imagine that there is a younger version of me that would have found this absolutely fabulous.

Creeeeeeeepy! This creepy, horror take on Cinderella was everything and something I didn't know that I needed! I really liked getting a different view of the stepsister and seeing Cinderella as the "villian". This was a well written book and keep me turning pages until the very end!

We Kept Her in the Cellar is a weird little retelling with a simple premise. What if the entire Cinderella story was basically exactly the same beat for beat on paper, only theres something going on in the background. Imagine watching the Disney classic, but one of the ugly stepsisters ends up opening her mouth and saying "look, all of this happened because Cinderella is a monster beyond human comprehension"?

Eunice has lived her entire life knowing that Cinderella is a monster. That she can control rats and mice, bend reality to her will, and even eat people's minds. But Cinderella has rules. You must listen to family. Chores placate her. And don't you dare look upon her at midnight.

I was so impressed with how this book bended the plot points of the original legend to fit the books premise. It was all so skillfully done with quite a lot of attention to detail to thread every element of the story in and add horrific implications.

Eunice is a wonderful and incredibly likable heroine that is easy to get attached to in around 200 pages. I was also taken with the rest of Cinderella's so called "evil" family- W.R. Gorman has very charming prose that beckon the characters right off the page. Cinderella made my skin crawl, I truly was rooting against her at every angle.

Much like T Kingfisher, this fantasy horror has quite a few elements of both- It is not a strict horror and makes a strong attempt to build and play off of a fantasy world- but those moments of darkness rival even the most terrifying tradition horror story.

We Kept Her in the Cellar is a very short and easy read that will absolutely appeal to people who love villain origin stories and "villain side of the stories". This is probably my new favorite in a sea of really great Cinderella retellings I have read.

5⭐️!!! Holy hell that was so good! A dark fairy tale horror retelling of Cinderella. This is a mix of horror and fantasy. But don’t be fooled if you’re only a fantasy reader, this is HEAVY on the horror!

I loved every second of this! This is an arc that comes out in September (got it on Netflix galley) and it is a MUST read if you’re into fantasy retellings and are a horror reader. It’s compared to T. kingfisher, but I think this was sooo much better than the one I read by that author.

I will definitely read more by this author!!

This was really gripping, with fascinating worldbuilding. The cover doesn't indicate the quality of the novel, and should be more sophisticated and elegant.

Anyone who knows the story of Cinderella knows she was mistreated by her step mum and siblings and kept away isolated in a grey space on her own. BUT what if locking her up and isolating her wasn't so much because of cruelty but for the safety for everyone else?

What a scrumptious, horrific retelling of our Disney favourite, Cinderella as a malevolent demon through the POV of her step-sister Eunice (whom in this book is sooo far from being evil). You'll look at EVERYTHING you know about the Disney film with a completely different set of eyes. What that carriage, that beautiful shimmery gown was actually made up of, her beauty, and the real reason she had to leave the ball right before midnight.

Body horror is 1000% on this. Barely started on the book and you'll already get chills ALL OVER. If you're a fan of Junji Ito and the imagery in his horror mangas, this is 10000000% for you. Seriously though, just think about "concentric circles of dentition" :-0

This was exactly what I needed. A dark and twisted Cinderella retelling that is actually told her the POV of her stepsister which was super neat AND Cinderella has these really interesting powers AND our stepsister has to take care of Cinderella…I was SOLD on this book by the description alone.

This book was very much so as referred to…dark and twisted but oh in the most amazing ways! You felt the knot in your throat or your stomach as you read, the heart raced, your mind was going fast, this was a pretty even book, not too fast but not too slow which was nice. I loved some of the characters and a few of them I didn’t care for and could have done without lol. This book will definitely be for you if you love a good retelling that is literally flipped all the way around and love dark twisted stories. Also….dont look at Cinder between 12-3…just don’t…..

Easily a top read for the year for me. The vibe and everything jived with me 100%.

Pub Date: September 24, 2024

Thank you @netgalley ,@crookedlanebooks and author for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

We Kept Her in the Cellar is an interesting retelling of Cinderella with a Lovecraftian spin. I was all in for a dark and twisted fairytale
The story is told theough the eldest sister Eunice whose mother marries a man with a daughter named Cinderella. But Cinderella wasn't a normal girl, she had evil powers, ravaged mice, and couldn’t be looked on between midnight and three. Eunice is in charge of caring for Cinderella as well as protecting the family from Cinderella. But when Cinderella is invited to the ball things go horribly wrong, and it is a battle for who will survive.
we kept her in the cellar

To me this story read like a YA book, aside from the graphic gore. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it in the end, but I can say it was memorable and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. I really wish we were told more about Cinderellas power’s and what she actually was. If you are into fairytale retelling’s with a gory twist this may be what you are looking for. I would definitely read book 2.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange of my honest review.

What do you get when you mix Cinderella with Cosmic Horror? You get a gloriously gruesome fairy tale! What a story!

Oh, this is DARK. While there are a few touches of humor here and there, the author has given us Horror with a capital H.

I also love the fact that this is a decidedly non-Disney Cinderella – the author includes all the gruesome bits we love.

A wonderfully entertaining and very squirmy read!

• ARC via Publisher

Unexpected and fun retelling of Cinderella with some Lovecraftian creatures thrown in. Would read a sequel.

What if everything you've ever known about Cinderella was only a small piece of the truth?

Told from stepsister Eunice's point of view, We Kept Her In The Cellar reveals a side to Cinderella you've never before heard. Not entirely human. Part unknown creature with vile powers and a list of rules that must be followed to keep those powers in check.
Eunice's character was so likeable and relatable. Her interactions with Prince Credence were great, I loved their dynamic. I enjoyed the way the family had to come together in many ways throughout the book.
The best part was the details from the classic story line that were pulled in and made to fit this dark side of the tale.
Twisted, gruesome, and dark were the growing theme throughout.
I give this one a high 3.5 stars 🌟

Thanks to Crooked Lane Publishing and net galley for the ARC and chance to give my honest opinion

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

I found the concept that Cinderella is the evil one and not her sisters extremely exciting. I also found the way the chapters were divided really exciting. At the beginning there are chapter rules that the family must follow towards Cinderella.

The writing style is great and it is super easy to read.

You are in the story from the very start and it is immediately exciting so that you want to stay with the story.

However, the story unfortunately did not develop well enough for me. Many emotions were rather superficial or only mentioned briefly.

I also found the ending extremely unsatisfying. Unfortunately, "We kept her in the cellar" is one so far that I cannot rate very highly. Interesting idea that had so much potential - but in my opinion it was not exploited.

Thank you to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars, rounded up

I expected to LOVE this story - I'm a real sucker for a well-written fractured fairytale retelling- but this missed the mark for me in a few areas.
While the premise was fantastic, imaginative, and full of gory body & cosmic horror; I found that Eunice as a character fell flat for me.
The first 25% of this book read entirely like a YA story would have. If it weren't for the scenes of brutality, the entire story would've followed suit.

Overall, I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys brutal body-horror with a touch of Lovecraftian horror.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of We Kept Her in the Cellar.

I'm always game for a fairytale retelling and the premise of We Kept Her in the Cellar had me hooked from the first line.

First, there's plenty of blood, horror, violence, and limbs flailing around so if you're the queasy type, look away.

Second, why is her name Cinderella since she lives in the cellar? Another reader mentioned that, and that reviewer is absolutely right.

Third, I would have liked more exposition on Cinderella; is she a product of witchcraft? A demon? Is she only bent on destruction? Where did these rules come from? How did her father figure them out?

Fourth, Eunice is the narrator, but she's a dullard and an unremarkable character. She's not witty or charming or smart.

She's portrayed as knowing how to 'handle' Cinderella and they have this bond, but only because Eunice hasn't renounced their sibling bond through marriage.

Fifth, the narrative isn't suspenseful or as dramatic, even with all the violence and gore. Those scenes break up the monotony of the narrative of Eunice going about her day, keeping her youngest sister safe, feeding Cinderella, etc.

We spend a lot of time in Eunice's head and it's not interesting.

I expected the ending, but it was anti-climatic. A bond between Cinderella and Eunice? Why?

Also, why didn't Cinderella fly away a long time ago?

I do like a twisted tale. I feel like there is great creativity in making an old tale a new one, taking hold of something well known and adding a personal shine to it.

In this case the shine is fresh blood in the case of this book.

It is horrific, gruesome and creepy all in the best of ways.

"There are always two sides to a story. This dark and twisted reimagining of Cinderella, told from her stepsister's POV, is perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher and Naomi Novik."