Review Wednesday: Cinderella's Shoes by Shonna Slayton

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ CINDERELLA'S DRESS. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about Cinderella's Dress by clicking on the link: Review: Cinderella's Dress by Shonna Slayton

Title: Cinderella's Shoes (Cinderella's Dress #2)

Author: Shonna Slayton

1st Date of Publication: October 6, 2015

ISBN: 9781633751231

# of Pages: 400

Genre: Historical Fiction

Age Rating: 13+

Buy on Amazon

Book Description: 
The war may be over, but Kate Allen’s life is still in upheaval. Not only has she discovered that Cinderella was real, but now she's been made Keeper of the Wardrobe, her sole responsibility to protect Cinderella’s magical dresses from the greed of the evil stepsisters’ modern descendants.

But Cinderella’s dresses are just the beginning. It turns out that the priceless glass slippers might actually exist, too, and they could hold the power to reunite lost loved ones like her father—missing in action since World War II ended. As Kate and her boyfriend, Johnny, embark on an adventure from New York to Italy and Poland in search of the mysterious slippers, they will be tested in ways they never imagined.

Because when you harness Cinderella's magic, danger and evil are sure to follow...

Setting: 1942 (Post-WWII), New York, Italy, and Poland

Point of View:  3rd Person- Kate Allen

Goodreads Rating: 4.05

My Rating: 4.25

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The shoe is beautiful. Although shouldn't it be blue or clear like in the story.
View on Title: Cinderella's shoes are the main reason for the original plot so I wonder if there's something really special about them like the dress did in the first novel.

Pros:

• This novel seemed to have a little more mystery about it. In the first book, it was clear that the dress has magical powers, but in the second book, it wasn't clear whether Cinderella's shoes had special powers. There was also the mystery of whether Kate's father was really dead or not.
• This novel takes you further than just New York as Kate travels with the Princess and her granddaughter, Nessa, to Italy and eventually Poland.
• There is a lot more characterization in this novel.
• Johnny is pretty awesome as he seems to be extremely supportive of Kate and letting her do what she thinks is best. 
• The Princess's granddaughter, Nessa, is a girl who wants to understand her role and be more of an active part in Cinderella's dresses as she learns more about her role.
• When I was reading the first novel, I was wondering why the Cinderella's dress was handed to her aunt rather than her grandmother like what was supposed to happen. There is a reason for it.

Cons:

• The only issue had was that there wasn't really enough action in it. There could have been a little more action than there was in the book.

Shonna Slayton's Website:

http://shonnaslayton.com/

Other Recommendations:

The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki
Between the Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek

Review Wednesday: Cinderella's Dress by Shonna Slayton

Title: Cinderella's Dress (Cinderella's Dress #1)

Author: Shonna Slayton

1st Date of Publication: June 3, 2014

ISBN: 9781622663408

# of Pages: 322

Genre: Historical Fiction

Age Rating: 13+

Buy on Amazon

Book Description: 
Being a teenager during World War II is tough. Finding out you're the next keeper of the real Cinderella's dress is even tougher.
Kate simply wants to create window displays at the department store where she's working, trying to help out with the war effort. But when long-lost relatives from Poland arrive with a steamer trunk they claim holds the Cinderella's dress, life gets complicated.

Now, with a father missing in action, her new sweetheart shipped off to boot camp, and her great aunt losing her wits, Kate has to unravel the mystery before it's too late.

After all, the descendants of the wicked stepsisters will stop at nothing to get what they think they deserve.

Setting: 1940s (WWII), New York

Point of View:  3rd Person- Kate Allen

Goodreads Rating: 3.61

My Rating: 4.0

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The dress on the cover is absolutely beautiful and so is the girl modeling with the dress. It is mesmerizing for me to look at.
View on Title: I love reading fairy tales, which was intriguing because it only concentrated on Cinderella's dress rather than her shoes which I believe is the most important part of the original story since it continues the plot line of the original tale.

Pros:

• I love how it is set in World War II era. Many of my favorite historical fiction books are written in this time period because there are so many aspects of society that can be shown. This one specifically shows a couple aspects of World War II
• The fashion world while rationing in efforts to support troops and the war effort. It truly shows how people appreciated the little they were able to have while trying to make things beautiful during a time of struggle.
• This also shows immigration of those oppressed during the war through Kate's great uncle and great aunt who ran away from Poland. The United States became a refuge for those who were oppressed by the Nazis and their followers.
• Some of the things teens did for fun or dates are shown through going out to get shakes and trying to do little things to impress each other but in a 1940s way.
• The concept of "Keeper of the Wardrobe" was interesting because it is a royal duty given to a servant girl who knew and loved the real Cinderella who is Polish and has a complicated name that starts with a "K." The duty is handed down to each generation but it's a dangerous task because the step sisters' descendants come with a vengeance for the dress themselves.
• Kate Allen's character is an excellent way to show a young woman who is fighting for her own rights while fighting for the country she loves.
• I also love that I got to see some of the Polish culture and language that was most likely used during that time.

Cons:

• The only thing that bothered me was that I wanted more from certain characters. I felt that it concentrated so much on Kate Allen rather than some of the other characters such as Johnny Day, her brother Floyd, and her mother.

Shonna Slayton's Website:

http://shonnaslayton.com/

Other Recommendations:

The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki
Between the Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabek

Review Wednesday: Spindle by Shonna Slayton

Title: Spindle

Author: Shonna Slayton
1st Date of Publication: October 4, 2016

ISBN: 9781633754935
# of Pages: 400

Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction/Fantasy

Age Rating: 13+

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:
In a world where fairies lurk and curses linger, love can bleed like the prick of a finger.

Briar Rose knows her life will never be a fairy tale. She’s raising her siblings on her own, her wages at the spinning mill have been cut, and the boy she thought she had a future with has eyes for someone else. Most days it feels like her best friend, Henry Prince, is the only one in her corner…though with his endless flirty jokes, how can she ever take him seriously?

When a mysterious peddler offers her a “magic” spindle that could make her more money, sneaking it into the mill seems worth the risk. But then one by one, her fellow spinner girls come down with the mysterious sleeping sickness—and Briar’s not immune.

If Briar wants to save the girls—and herself—she’ll have to start believing in fairy tales…and in the power of a prince’s kiss.

Setting: Late 1800s (Industrial Revolution) in Northeastern United States
Point of View: 3rd person- "Briar" (Briarly Rose Jenny)

Goodreads Rating: 3.72

My Rating: 4.00

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: This looks like it is magically through the shining lights, which really shows off the rose. I find it interesting how the main character is named after a specific kind of rose and this is the cover.
View on Title: Why a spindle? I know Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger with a spindle. Is the idea the same?

Pros:

• Similar to Cinderella's Dress by Slayton, this is less a retelling of Sleeping Beauty but a continuation of the story.
• This book kept me on my toes because I was constantly wondering who the evil fairy, Isodora, is. There was also the fact that no one is who they seem.
• Briar as a character is well rounded. She knows what she wants in life, which is to grow, but she can't abandon her family and must take care of them.
• I really enjoyed the good fairies. I thought that they were really fun but full of duty at the same time.

Cons:

• I felt that the Prince family name was a dead give away that they were related to Sleeping Beauty's prince. Even though the name was boring, I liked Henry's character for the most part.
• The only problem I had with Henry's character was that he seemed too perfect and head-over-heels for Briar Rose.
• I also had a problem with Briar Rose because she doesn't listen to what she is told and knows she shouldn't use the spindle but uses it anyway.

Shonna Slayton's Website:
http://shonnaslayton.com/

Other Recommendations:

Cinderella's Dress by Shonna Slayton
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine

Anticipation Friday: Spindle by Shonna Slayton

Goodreads Description
Set during the Industrial Revolution, Sleeping Beauty's happily ever after isn't the end of the story...

In a world where fairies lurk and curses linger, love can bleed like the prick of a finger.

Briar Rose knows her life will never be a fairy tale. She’s raising her siblings on her own, her wages at the spinning mill have been cut, and the boy she thought she had a future with has eyes for someone else. Most days it feels like her best friend, Henry Prince, is the only one in her corner…though with his endless flirty jokes, how can she ever take him seriously?

When a mysterious peddler offers her a “magic” spindle that could make her more money, sneaking it into the mill seems worth the risk. But then one by one, her fellow spinner girls come down with the mysterious sleeping sickness—and Briar’s not immune.

If Briar wants to save the girls—and herself—she’ll have to start believing in fairy tales…and in the power of a prince’s kiss.

Preorder on Amazon

Other info
Expected Date of Publication: October 4, 2016
Stand-Alone or Series: Stand-Alone
Genre: Historical Fiction

Why Am I Anticipating This Book?

• First off, it's historical fiction. I have not read any books written during America's Industrial Revolution, which should be a breath of fresh air. I'm not complaining and I really love World War II era books, but I'm just ready to read something different and more unique.
• I also love fairy tales and twists that could come to them. I have not read a twist on the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty yet so I am really excited about this one.
• I have read another work by this author and enjoyed it so I am sure I will enjoy this one just as much.
• The cover of the book looks interesting but beautiful which still continues to peak my interest