Psychologically astute entertainment with a bite.
In this series opener, Benway offers a prequel to Disney’s animated classic Cinderella from the points of view of the original protagonist’s stepsisters.
Widowed Lady Tremaine, mother to Drizella, 17, and Anastasia, 16, and stepmother to Ella, more than lives up to her bad press. To repair the family’s tattered fortunes, she commands her daughters to compete with far wealthier young ladies at the prince’s upcoming debut party, hoping one of them will win his heart with her beauty and accomplishments. The sisters are reluctant and untalented students of music, but Drizella is nevertheless to sing, accompanied by Anastasia on the flute. Ella, 16, made a household drudge since her father’s death, is ordered to accompany her stepsisters as their servant. Lady Tremaine, sadistically ladylike, bullies and disparages her daughters; they in turn have a conflicted relationship with Ella, who sings beautifully, sews clothes for mice, and meekly accepts abuse. The sisters dread the ridicule their threadbare gowns and awful performances will elicit. Then, chance meetings offer both sisters the opportunities to escape to different lives, provided they can avoid detection by Lady Tremaine. Despite interludes of humor, hope, and joyful anticipation, the prevailing mood is dark. Illuminated by emotional intelligence, Benway’s humanizing backstories give these iconic characters a claim to readers’ sympathy while prompting pointed questions as to the genealogy of evil. Characters read White.
Psychologically astute entertainment with a bite. (Fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-368-07862-7
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Disney Press
Review Posted Online: Oct. 10, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2022
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart.
After praying to a Fate for help, Evangeline discovers the dangerous world of magic.
When her father passes away, Evangeline is left with her cold stepmother and kind but distant stepsister, Marisol. Despite inheriting a steady trust in magic, belief in her late mother’s homeland of the mystical North (where fantastical creatures live), and philosophy of hope for the future, her dreams are dashed when Luc, her love, pledges to marry Marisol instead. Evangeline desperately prays to the Prince of Hearts, a dangerous and fickle Fate famed for his heart that is waiting to be revived by his one true love—and his potentially lethal kisses. The bargain they strike sends her on a dark and magical journey throughout the land. The writing style fluctuates from clever and original to overly verbose and often confusing in its jumble of senses. While the pervasive magic and concept of the Fates as a religious system add interest, other fantasy elements are haphazardly incorporated without enough time devoted to building a cohesive world. However, the themes of love, the power of story, family influence, and holding onto belief are well rounded and add depth. The plot contains welcome surprises, and the large cast piques curiosity; readers will wish more time was spent getting to know them. Evangeline has rose-gold hair and, like other main characters, reads as White; there is diversity among the fantasy races in this world.
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart. (map) (Fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-250-26839-6
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
