Peacock Flock Book Review #6 - Before Midnight

Peacock Flock Book Review #6

Before Midnight

Author: Cameron Dokey

Length: ~ 193 pages

Genre: Fantasy (Fairy-tale retelling) 

Heat level: Clean

Stars:  5  Fantabulous Purple Stars 

          

Book Summary:

Etienne de Brabant is brokenhearted. His wife has died in childbirth, leaving him alone with an infant daughter he cannot bear to name. But before he abandons her for king and court, he brings a second child to be raised alongside her, a boy whose identity he does not reveal.

The girl, La Cendrillon, and the boy, Raoul, pass sixteen years in the servants' care until one day a very fine lady arrives with her two daughters. The lady has married La Cendrillon's father, and her arrival changes their lives.

When an invitation to a great ball reaches the family, La Cendrillon's new stepmother will make a decision with far-reaching effects. Her choice will lead La Cendrillon and Raoul toward their destiny -- a choice that will challenge their understanding of family, test their loyalty and courage, and, ultimately, teach them who they are.

Review:

A retelling of Cinderella. In this version Cinderella has been given the french name for a child of cinders: Cendrillon. Although her real name is Constanze after her mother. One thing that surprised us about this book is the fact that Cendrillon's father is still alive. He never dies and is actually intergral to the plot. We love the fact that in this version, there's intrigue, there's war, there's a lot more action than we've seen in the many retellings of cinderella out there. (Any other Cinderella book out there have a kidnapping that you know of? We haven't come across one yet) And unlike the previous review of 'Belle' where having the meeting between the romantic couple so late in the book didn't work, the fact that Cendrillon didn't meet the prince till close to the end of the story fit well. In this book it was written in such a way that we loved it. We had that giggly awe and sigh as we read the scene where she dances with her prince. The very next day after we finished this book, we reread the entire ending. Pumpkins have a significance for Cendrillon which makes it all the more lovely when they come back into play with the coach to get to the ball. In addition the secondary characters were well done, and we liked the side plots and seeing things tie up so nicely. We will definitely be picking this book up again and again. 

That's it from the flock!