Forget about Disney, forget about pretty songs and cute animals, Stepsister is the world of Cinderella for the 21st century. It is a tale about beauty, but the beauty that comes from within; and the acknowledgment that only when you are really true to yourself will you feel and be beautiful.
The book begins towards the end of the traditional Cinderella fairy-tale; Isabelle and Octavia, the ‘ugly sisters’, are humiliated as their feet do not fit the dainty glass slipper, no matter how they mutilate them. They stand by as their step sister Ella wins the heart of the handsome prince and leaves for a better life. We all know that they go on to live ‘happily ever after’, but what about the ugly sisters.
We discover that they are left with their ambitious mother; both of them knowing that they will never be able to make her happy, as they do not want what she wants for them. Octavia is studious and loves her books about science and maths. Isabelle is brave, fearless and strong-willed. Neither of them are what society has deemed ‘ladies’ should be. Both of them know that it will take more than just a man in their lives to make them happy. They want to do more and achieve more than merely being an adornment on someone’s arm.
The book focuses on Isabelle, and as she tries to make her way in life she learns she has to be truthful to herself; she remembers the three sisters playing together when they were young, so what had happened to her in the intervening years to harden her heart and turn her into a bully who made her stepsister’s life so miserable. As she begins to look deep into herself and visit some painful memories, she gradually begins to challenge her unwanted destiny.
Meanwhile, far, far away, three sisters - a maiden, a mother, and a crone - are drawing maps – each one a human life. They are the Fates, determined that Isabelle will stay on the path they have chosen for her, but Marquis Chance appears with his belief in making your own path in life, offering Isabelle help in finding her own in life.
This is a far stronger and more interesting reimagining of a fairy tale than similar outings rom other authors. Not only do we see events from the traditional antagonist’s point of view as we have come to expect, but this is a book written for today’s young women who want books that reflect their battle in society to be recognised as equals. Stepsister is Isabelle’s story and as the plot progresses it is wonderful to see how she gradually begins to challenge the expectations that have been placed on her. As she achieves each small success her confidence grows giving her the courage to face her next challenge.
Don’t think that this is just a cautionary progressive tale though, it is more than that. It has action, suspense, thrills and of course a little romance. It also has magic, and the battle between Fate and Chance is an interesting device to encourage readers not to take the easy option of trusting their life to fate. The book encourages readers to challenge their own and others expectations, and to take responsibility for their own lives – take a Chance.
The book begins towards the end of the traditional Cinderella fairy-tale; Isabelle and Octavia, the ‘ugly sisters’, are humiliated as their feet do not fit the dainty glass slipper, no matter how they mutilate them. They stand by as their step sister Ella wins the heart of the handsome prince and leaves for a better life. We all know that they go on to live ‘happily ever after’, but what about the ugly sisters.
We discover that they are left with their ambitious mother; both of them knowing that they will never be able to make her happy, as they do not want what she wants for them. Octavia is studious and loves her books about science and maths. Isabelle is brave, fearless and strong-willed. Neither of them are what society has deemed ‘ladies’ should be. Both of them know that it will take more than just a man in their lives to make them happy. They want to do more and achieve more than merely being an adornment on someone’s arm.
The book focuses on Isabelle, and as she tries to make her way in life she learns she has to be truthful to herself; she remembers the three sisters playing together when they were young, so what had happened to her in the intervening years to harden her heart and turn her into a bully who made her stepsister’s life so miserable. As she begins to look deep into herself and visit some painful memories, she gradually begins to challenge her unwanted destiny.
Meanwhile, far, far away, three sisters - a maiden, a mother, and a crone - are drawing maps – each one a human life. They are the Fates, determined that Isabelle will stay on the path they have chosen for her, but Marquis Chance appears with his belief in making your own path in life, offering Isabelle help in finding her own in life.
This is a far stronger and more interesting reimagining of a fairy tale than similar outings rom other authors. Not only do we see events from the traditional antagonist’s point of view as we have come to expect, but this is a book written for today’s young women who want books that reflect their battle in society to be recognised as equals. Stepsister is Isabelle’s story and as the plot progresses it is wonderful to see how she gradually begins to challenge the expectations that have been placed on her. As she achieves each small success her confidence grows giving her the courage to face her next challenge.
Don’t think that this is just a cautionary progressive tale though, it is more than that. It has action, suspense, thrills and of course a little romance. It also has magic, and the battle between Fate and Chance is an interesting device to encourage readers not to take the easy option of trusting their life to fate. The book encourages readers to challenge their own and others expectations, and to take responsibility for their own lives – take a Chance.