We Kept Her In the Cellar by W.R. Gorman officially holds the #1 spot for books I’ve read this year! I love me a fairytale retelling, especially when that retelling is gnarly, dark, and beautiful. This book gives a whole new perspective to the “Evil” stepsisters, Cinderella, and everyone’s roles in the story. This take on the old classic is definitely not for the weak hearted, squeamish, or sensitive. If you are into extreme horror and the retellings of old fairytales, I would highly suggest you go and grab a copy of this book! 5/5🌟🖤

Thank you to HighBridge Audio for the ALC, all opinions are my own.

This is a gruesome retelling based on Cinderella. Except there is no evil step mother or step sisters, only a creepy horror masquerading as a girl. This book is disturbing. If you like gory horror and just the weird stuff you will like this. I enjoyed the progression as Eunice got older and "grew up" with Cinderella.

The perfect book for the spooky season!

This retelling of Cinderella is absolutely captivating! The darker tone and creative twist make it an incredible story. I'm eagerly anticipating more works by this author! This is a must-read for anyone who loves Grimm's Fairy Tales or darker retellings.

***Thank you to NetGalley, W.R. Gorman, and HighBridge Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

I've been in quite the reading slump, and this book may have been just what I needed.

I'm sure everyone's heard that there's no such thing as a new idea, and in some way, I agree with that. After all, Cinderella's story has been told so many times before. Even so, I fully believe that it's never been told in this way before, even with the references to the original story, which could possibly date back as far as 7 BCE.

The characters were really interesting, as well. Though the narration style was a little limiting, it was interesting at the same time to have such a complex villain told from the protagonist's perspective, hearing their confusion and speculation.

I do wish that the ending felt a little more final. It's left very open, and it almost doesn't feel like an ending. Now, if that's the case, I more than welcome a sequel, but at the same time, I don't hold out hope. Even so, I'll be keeping an eye out.

There are always two sides to every story...
We Kept Her in the Cellar" by W.R. Gorman flips the classic Cinderella story on its head. Do you side with the humble, quaint Cinderella or the stepsister claiming Cinderella was the evil one?

This book is not for the faint of heart. The gore is relentless, with every grisly detail described so vividly that it leaves little to the imagination. Did I cringe a few times? Absolutely. But I couldn't stop turning the pages either. A gripping, intense read that I devoured despite the discomfort. Solid 3.5 stars!

Also rant enjoyed the narrator she did a great job of embodying Eunice and Cinderella. It felt like two actual people vs just someone doing two voices.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. Definitely enjoyed this with spooky season coming up

Thank you to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy.

This story is not your classic Cinderella, it’s a dark twisted version, and I am living for it. Told from the perspective of the step sister named Eunice, who is Cinderella’s sort of “caretaker.” I say this because she lives in the cellar. In this story, Cinderella is monster in the form a beautiful girl.
I was completely enthralled with this story. I enjoyed the dark and sicking nature of this Cinderella. Also, how the mice in the story are connected to her, but in the way you think. Very imaginative and interesting retelling, I would recommend this book to others who enjoy a fairytale with a side of gore. <spoiler>

Wow.

I didn’t know I needed a horror reverse Cinderella retelling, but We Kept Her In the Cellar by W. R. Gorman definitely proved to me that I did!

Like all good retellings this one follows the storyline well, but adds its own twists and turns and shocking ghastliness! I was surprised and pleased how the horror and grotesque nature of the monstrosity of the Cinderella character came together in this book.

I was literally on the edge of my seat awaiting the next surprise or plot twist to see how Eunice, Cinderella devoted stepsister makes out.

I listen to this in audio narrated by EJ Lavery and found that her voice work was a good pairing for this story. Lavery creates good distinction between her characters and provides an animated reading of the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge audio for the ALC of this.

I love a fairy tale retelling and especially loved this one where Cinderella was the villain and her stepsister the hero.

There were some body horror moments that were fairly gruesome, but they were only a couple.

This was my first book by this author but it won’t be my last.

The narrator was wonderful and did an excellent job.

This was a great book! I love reimagined fairy tales and Gorman does it in a way that also alludes to the Grimm and Disney stories before. Could not recommend this book enough.

This was an interesting take on the Classic Cinderella that we all know and love! I really enjoyed it even though it is not a book that would typically be in my comfort zone!

I super enjoyed this YA horror retelling of Cinderella! The nods to the classic darker fairytale pair excellently with this new take on a monstrous Cinderella. It’s also an excellent metaphor for living in an abusive household.

Dang! This book was a wild ride. I don’t know what I was expecting (Cinderella is by far my favorite) and this was a wild new take on it. Honestly starting into it I was unsure it was so completely different from what I was expecting but the way the author used all the classic elements and just spun them to her whim was absolutely incredible. I will definitely read this book again I would even read a sequel to this book if that ever happened. The ending totally blew me away and I had not at all anticipated what transpired. I am completely enamored with this book.

We Kept Her In the Cellar BLEW ME AWAY. I entered into this novel expecting a fun, if somewhat forgettable, reading experience. What I found was a razor sharp, innovative, exhilarating thrill ride that had me gasping and practically screaming in disgust. I loved this so much!

I'm a sucker for a good re-telling! This was a dark Cinderella re-telling that I have my fingers crossed there will be another one so we can continue to follow their story. There were many times where I said 'WHAT' out loud while listening. I recommend this to anyone who loves a good dark story.

5 stars

Wow! As soon as I found out this was a Cinderella reimagining with Cinderella being the villain I was on board! I never thought I'd be rooting for the "evil stepsisters" in any way, but wow this blew my socks off.

Perfect way to start my spooky season reading. It was deranged and demented and gross. I don't read a lot of horror (I'm a scaredy cat), but this was perfect. It had all the Cinderella elements we know and love, but with a horrific twist. The climax was honestly not what I saw coming and it was perfect. Eunice was such a complex character to me. Like, trying to save everyone from Cinderella even at her own detriment and villainization. It truly was a great to watch how it all unfolded. The whole ball/glass slipper/prince marriage part of the story kept me on the edge of my seat!

The audio was fantastic! EJ Lavery was perfect. The way she emoted made me FEEL her anxiety and fear. You could feel the doubt and false bravado in Eunice when "commanding" Cinderella. She's honestly super effing creepy I couldn't stand it at times. There are rules that must be followed and bad things happen when they don't.

Honestly, I listened to this entire book in one work shift. I just couldn't stop listening! I didn't want to stop! I had to know what was going to happen next. I set my timer to stop after the next chapter and kept saying, "Oh, no, I can't stop here...just one more chapter." And before I knew it, I was done!

Thank you, NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for the ALC!

I love a book that perfectly blends a dark fairy tale reimaging with monsters, body horror, and something that felt new.

I stumbled across this audiobook on the day it was published so I wanted to get this out as quickly as I could, but it was so incredibly good. I consumed this audiobook in about 2 sittings. I hated hitting stop because I was so engrossed in wanting to know where the story was going to take me.

We all think we are familiar with the story of the wayward Cinderella who's been locked away by her wicked step family because they are "jealous" of her beauty. However, in this reimagining, Cinderella is a TRUE monster deserving of being kept from the public. She feeds on energy and I don't want to give away too much more than that without stepping into spoiler territory, she has some truly horrific powers if she gets her hands on an unsuspecting victim.

I loved the twists and turns in this tale and the perspective of her step-sister Eunice who is determined to keep this family together even if it means she has to give up her own freedom to keep Cinderella from terrorizing others. I cannot wait to share this book with other people. It is truly perfect for anyone who loves dark, gruesome fairy tails with not-so-happy endings.

This book was perfectly delightfully creepy. It is a horror book, first and foremost, but it was also a look into the concept of glass children. The step sisters life is examined in a way that shows how they had to sacrifice everything for Cinderella. I also really really like how Gorman goes back into the original mythology of the fae, the evilness and cruelty from the original stories.

I really don't consider myself a fan of "twists" on fairy tales, but this was so much fun. Clever, original, quietly horrifying.

Well this was certainly a gory twist to the fairy tale of Cinderella! In this version of the story Cinderella is a monster who must be kept under lock and key in the basement of her parents home. Eunice, her stepsister is in charge of feeding and caring for Cinderella, a very dangerous job. When Cinderella escapes to go to a ball at the palace all hell breaks loose and Eunice must deal with the fallout, which unfortunately is quite gruesome. This really was a fun is frightening take on the tale of Cinderella and fans of fairytales and horror novels will enjoy this twisted tale. Recommended. 4 stars
Many thaks to Net Galley and Highbridge Audio for a chance to listen to an ARC version of this novel.

WE KEPT HER IN THE CELLAR
WR Gorman
09/24/2024
Crooked Lane Books

What a twist on the Disney Cinderella story! A dark and gruesome retelling that you will not forget.

Cinderella is the evil stepsister. Yep, you read that right. Eunice, is tasked with taking care of Cinderella because she is possessed with dark and terrifying powers. If the rules are followed for her care, then everyone is safe. Like the story of old, there is a prince and there is a ball and that most coveted invitation is an escape for someone.

This book is nearly impossible to write a review for without spoilers because it starts immediately and to be honest, whether you are reading it, or listening to it, it is a nonstop ride. The narrator made an already immersive ride so much more vivid. I didn’t want to get out of the car at one point! Told from the first person’s POV the details that are provided makes this come to life and the foreshadowing… ahh!

Let me leave you with this, what likes underneath Cinderellas human form is both horrific and terrifying. Horror fans cannot go wrong with this one.