This was a wonderfully gruesome twist on the classic Cinderella tale, narrated from the perspective of that not-so-evil step-sister, Eunice. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and how it presented a significantly different story compared to what we’ve heard before. I would be delighted to read more stories like this.

First of all I would like to thank @netgalley for the audiobook of We Kept Her in The Cellar in exchange for my review.

Second I would like to just say what the fuck. I tend to stick to spooky at best when it comes to horror so I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this book. I was prepared for kinda spooky Cinderella vibes.
Instead I got horrifying eldritch horrors, some to me intense body horror, nightmare inducing rats, and weird family ties.
But overall? Obsessed. What an intense, terrifying, glorious story to get to follow.
This was a very different and well done alternative pov from our “ugly stepsister” and monstrous version or a childhood classic. This book deals very heavily in gross so please be prepared and aware in case that isn’t your cup of tea. If that doesn’t bother you be prepared for an adventure of Eunice trying to be a good sister and learning the true meaning of sacrifice.
5 stars and would read again once the Cinderella themed nightmares stop. This is my new favorite princess retelling.

@crookedlanebooks thank you for putting an incredible piece out into the world, this is so different and we need more books that give such an unsettling feeling!

#wrgorman #netgalley #wekeptherinthecellar #crookedlanebooks #cinderella #cinderelllaretelling #horrorbooks #horror #horrorreads

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Horror is a genre that I tend to struggle with, because none of the few I've read really had an impact on me horror-wise. This one though? This one had me tense and anxious to see what would happen and just uneasy (not so much because of the gore, but because of the acts around it). That said, trigger warning that there is detailed human and animal mutilation, more on the human end. This also follows points of the Grimm telling of the tale, so there's some of the gore you saw in that.

The horror in this is what I'd say is more akin to soft horror. There's no explanation or anything as to the whys or hows. Cinderella simply exists, as do her rules. And the rules are a very fun aspect to this story. There were a few times I wondered why a rule wasn't at least attempted, but for the most part, the book stuck to those rules. Also, despite Cinderella being an Eldritch horror and a twisted individual, the book was good at making us feel a twinge of sympathy without just explaining away/absolving her actions for "poor little girl". There was also moments she seemed to actually have a messed-up type of care for Eunice. I dunno. Cinderella sucked on so many levels, but there were bits of depth to her outside of the monster.

My favorite thing about this book is how it explained Eunice's "wicked" actions. There were so many "aha!" moments where the things that came across as horrid in the normal Cinderella iterations were like "Eunice was only doing this because of the Cinderella rules, but to anyone else, she'd appear absolutely wicked."

So if you like dark retellings, I definitely recommend this. There were some bits that felt weird, and some repetition of things, but it was just so fun and enjoyable. Very glad I got this e-ARC! The narrator was also *insert Pacha perfection gif here*

ARC provided by NetGalley for an Honest Review
Don’t be fooled by the retelling aspect of this book. It is every bit the horror it claims to be and nowhere near the romantic fairytale we’re all used to. At times one could almost overlook the monstrosity that is Cinderella but then she goes and reminds you of how disturbing she is, so don’t expect a HEA. The tables have turned here and the story follows heroine Eunice, better known as one of the evil stepsisters. Only in this story Eunice is an innocent child burdened with the caretaking of her new sister, the same one that must always be monitored and locked away especially at night. Over the years Eunice masters her job of taking care of Cinderella, mostly so her young rule breaking sister does not have to. Eunice is such a sweet and innocent character it was easy to root for her and also hope for the best even knowing the worst is on the way. Personally I blame her stepfather and mother for all this. Surely children should not be saddled with a responsibility like this and I’m still kind of spooked they felt safe enough to both travel leaving their three girls alone; I mean it’s not like they were looking after puppies or a sweet baby. After so many years it only takes a single night and a single mistake for the entire kingdom to be at risk and literally no one has a clue what’s in store for them. The story felt pretty fast paced and once things really took a turn for the worst everything spiraled out of control. I guess in some ways there is a HEA, in that not everyone dies! It does get really gross and graphic but I guess that’s to be expected in a horror novel, the extreme grotesqueness of it really just took me aback, let’s just say it deals with pus and leave it at that… Good read and the audio was very well done and easy to listen to.

I went into this story with little expectation and little to know information on what it was about and I regret nothing. I quite enjoyed it actually. The writing style and descriptions kept me engaged throughout the book. The imagery the author was able to portray with their words was amazing and horrifying and I loved that!

The audio was great as well! The narrator did an excellent job with all of the characters. They were distinct and memorable. Also, they did great with managing the emotional aspects in their voice.

Thanks to Highbridge Audio, NetGalley, W.R. Gorman, and narrator E.J. Livery. Eunice is used to living by three simple rules: 1) Always refer to Cinderella as family. 2) Never let Cinderella gain access to rats or mice. And 3) Never upon Cinderella between the hours of twelve and three a.m. This is not your average retelling of Cinderella but it is quite enjoyable if you like a bit more gruesome story. This Cinderella story will definitely not be the happy ending Disney version but the author has reached back to Grimm Brothers fairy tales original story and ran with all the horror and drama that made their stories life lessons that parents once told their children. I loved the idea that Cinderella was in fact the evil sister and her stepsisters were victims of her cruelty. The fact that her father made them lock her in a cell in the basement plays up the idea that her family has made her be their little servant girl. The twists that brings about the end are done wonderfully and I look forward to reading more from this author.

I really, really, really liked this book. I feel like the ending could have been a bit better, which is why I can't I say I "loved" this book. But I did like it very much. And if the ending had been slightly better, I would have loved it.

So, first and foremost, this is not a Cinderella re-telling for children. I mean, I would have loved this book as a child, but it's not a happy-go-lucky tra-la-la kind of fairy tale. Haha. Instead, it's.... dark and kind of unhinged. Even disgustingly nasty at times. Haha. But that's why I liked it so much.

It's a fairy tale retelling in the vein of Neil Gaiman's "Snow, Glass, Apples," but with a darker, more Lovecraftian vibe. SPOILER ALERT: Cinderella isn't the poor innocent victim we all believed her to be. :-p

I don't even really know what genre this fits into. It's a little bit of fairy tale retelling, horror, sci-fi, and fantasy all rolled into one. There are elements of all of those things -- sometimes all within the same chapter. Haha.

But, yeah, it's dark. And it's unbelievably gross at times (nothing super gory or anything -- just surprisingly gross for a version of Cinderella.) And yeah, I loved that about it. It sometimes felt a little childishly written, but that could have something to do with the narration style, which is told from one of the stepsisters' POVs. (A child is telling the story, so the childlike tone isn't that off-putting.)

The author also did a masterful job of pulling all the key elements of Cinderella into this book and giving logical explanations for them in this darker context. ANOTHER SPOILER ALERT: Gus isn't the cute t-shirted mouse we know and love, but Cinderella DOES have an .... let's call it 'affinity' ... for mice. Haha.

If you're looking for the typical "fairy tale happy ending," you aren't going to get that with this book. But if you like dark, twisted retellings, you should definitely give it a try.

I love a good twisted fairytale. This book did not disappoint!
Think, Cinderella meets Venom! I wasn't sure I was going to love this book as it started a little gory, but I was so wrong! I started this on a flight and finished the next day!
I hope this becomes a series, because I will be reading book #2!!

An interesting take on the story of Cinderella. It sets up for a book 2.
Though my library doesn't buy audio books I will buy the physical book for sure.

!! Free copy in exchange for review !!

getting into this i thought it would be your average retelling of a classic fairytale with a bit of a horror spin on it but this was far better than i could have imagined! it was told so well and there i liked how the author came up with a completely new creature instead of reusing some overused thing like a demon or ghost, i felt like it really added to the story and i loved how much we got to learn about cinderella throughout the story.

it WAS really creepy thought so I might have some trouble sleeping for the next few days but i feel like this is one of those stories that make it worth it.

def creepy.

The most perfect horror retelling I’ve ever read! I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into when starting this but it was great!

I listened to the audiobook which brought the creepy factor to a whole other level! I loved the whole mind shift of turning Cinderella into the villain of the story - it definitely shifted it from a fairy tale to a horror story, for sure! The audiobook was engaging and really brought the story to life - it was very well done!

This was every bit as horrific as it promised to be. Cinderella as an eldritch horror was an insane read that I truly enjoyed
The audiobook performance made the story come alive

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I love fairy tale re-tellings and especially enjoy a good dark retelling. I'm not sure I'v read one where the retelling went this dark. We Kept Her in the Celler is a story that reimagines Cinderella especially around her relationship with her two new stepsisters. This is hard to write without giving away anything but Cinderella is kept in a bedroom in the Cellar and infrequently allowed to spend time with her family. There is a reason for this as things are much safer when Cinderella is locked away. This story was very fast paced and plotted well. I enjoyed how messy this one did get and its a great pick for an October read. This is as much horror as it is fairy tale so be forewarned of what you are getting into. The book does have a well done ending but we are left with a hint that there could possibly be more to come from this story.

Wҽ Kҽρƚ Hҽɾ Iɳ Tԋҽ Cҽʅʅαɾ
by: W.R. Gorman

Sɱαʅʅ ႦʅυɾႦ: Eunice lives her life by three simple rules: One, always refer to Cinderella as family. Two, never let Cinderella gain access to rats or mice. Three, never look upon Cinderella between the hours of twelve and three a.m. 

Fαʋσɾιƚҽ ƈԋαɾαƈƚҽɾ: Definitely Eunice! She’s so brave and smart! She would do anything for her family and keeps a cool head. I admire her for her dedication and strength!

Wԋαƚ I Lιƙҽԃ: I could not stop listening to this book! Who knew I needed a horror retelling of Cinderella. The pace was perfect, and I absolutely loved the ending! I never knew what was coming next and I love that about a book.

I’m itching for more retellings like this! I would 10/10 recommend for those who enjoy this genre. As always, check triggers before reading/listening. I enjoyed this so much, and I hope you do too!

Thank you NetGalley, RBmedia and W.R. Gorman for this audio copy.

Like if Lovecraft and Disney had a baby. Entertaining read playing with the story of Cinderella. I wasn't a fan of some of the dark fantasy elements, but that's more of a me thing rather than it not being done well. But it was an interesting quick read.

Cinderella meets Lovecraft is the perfect way to describe this book. Told from the step sister's perspective allows the read to view Cinderella as a monster while also showcasing the importance of family bonding when not blood related. I consumed this book in one day it was so good!

Thank you to NetGalley, W.R. Gorman, and HighBridge Audio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this spin on the fairytale. Cinderella is not only the antagonist, she's also an Eldritch horror. This was a great listen for spooky season. It would've been four stars for me, but I subtracted one because of some of the repetitive descriptions. Every time Cinderella's eyes were described, I was pulled out of the story.

I had to go back and check after the first few chapters to make sure I was really reading a debut. I instantly thought that it had a distinct voice and perspective, but was also impressed with how quickly and seamlessly the book was able to set up the rules of the world and start seeding details for later plotbeats.

This story answers the question of 'wtf could be the explanation for the series of events in the original Cinderella story' if the stepsister was the hero and was actually behaving rationally. And I think it overall accomplishes its goal.

I did feel a little foolish that it took me so long to recognize the specific Disney Cinderella influences vs the original Grimm ones. But I think that just speaks to how well integrated and natural they felt within this story.

While the story is fairly tame for the first 20-25% or so, the body horror and other horror elements goes straight to 11/10 pretty rapidly. There wasn't a trigger warning page in my arc but I sincerely hope there will be by the time this releases. Cause dear lord.

Audiobook Notes:
I wasn't expecting an American accent for some reason, but I think that the narrator does a good job with the material. They have a pleasant cadence/delivery and each character is clear and easy to distinguish.

This was an interesting book. This is not my typical genre so this didn't appeal to me the way I wanted. It was a little too dark for me.