Review: The Soulless Slipper

 One good "Cinderella" retelling deserves another. The Soulless Slipper is the second of three "Cinderella" adaptations by Abigail Manning. They say you shouldn't tell the same story twice, but when you can do so in such a unique and masterful way, then why not? The Soulless Slipper is part of Abigail Manning's Fairmyth Chronicles, which seamlessly combines classic fairy tales with famous Greek myths. This book gives the story of Hades and Persephone a romantic fairy tale flair. When I was in a creative writing class years ago, I wrote a short story that retold this myth with the twist that Persephone was secretly in love with Hades and ate the pomegranate seeds of her own free will so she could stay with him. The Soulless Slipper reinforces my girlish romantic fantasies and takes them a step further by weaving in the elegance and majesty of "Cinderella."

Priscilla has been forced to spend most of her life toiling away in the fields for her wicked stepmother. She suffers vast injuries and depends on the magic of her nymph friends to survive from day to day. When a selfish prince named Aaron becomes infatuated with her, he sends his uncle, Hayden, to go and fetch her. However, Hayden takes pity on Priscilla for her stepmother's mistreatment and comes to respect her a great deal after she rescues him. When Aaron tries to trick Priscilla into binding her soul with his at a royal ball, Hayden must intercept his nephew's ploy before it's too late. For her protection, he brings Priscilla to the "Underworth," this series' version of the Underworld, where he is bound. There, she learns the truth about her powers, her past, and the people who have been trying to take advantage of her for her entire life.

When I started this book, it felt like the author was trying to develop a traditional fae world where everyone has powers and travels through portals to other realms. Once it set in that it was based on Greek mythology, everything instantly fell into place. I realized that the characters were all alter egos of Greek gods hidden in plain sight in the first letter of their names. Priscilla starts with a "P" like Persephone, Hayden is obviously Hades, Zion is Zeus, Aaron is Ares, and both Priscilla's mother and stepmother's names start with a "D" like Demeter. The story became more enjoyable when I made this connection instead of just focusing on the "Cinderella" aspects. After it became apparent that this is more of a retelling of the Persephone myth than of "Cinderella," everything fell into place.

The romance in this book is swoon-worthy and different from any other "Cinderella" retelling. In this version, Prince Aaron wants to place the enchanted slipper on Priscilla's foot for nefarious purposes, and it is up to Hayden to protect her from him and the rest of the world. Priscilla falls for Hayden pretty quickly, which allows her to see through Aaron's ruse before he has the chance to claim her. She learns that she is more powerful and important than she realizes and is given far more agency than either Cinderella or Persephone had in their origin stories. As the ruler of the "Underworth," Hayden's dark yet reassuring presence gives off "Beauty and the Beast" or Phantom of the Opera vibes, making him a dark brooding love interest with a heart of gold.

The Soulless Slipper by Abigail Manning is a swoony retelling of "Cinderella" and "Hades and Persephone" that masterfully combines elements of both stories. With its unique blend of fairy tale romance and Greek mythology, this book is a must-read for fans of romantic folklore. Manning's writing is engaging, and her characters are well-developed and complex, with Priscilla being a strong and empowered protagonist. The romance is alluring, and Hayden's dark and brooding presence adds a delicious layer of complexity to the story. Overall, The Soulless Slipper is a fantastic read that will leave you spellbound and eager for more fairy tale mythology mash-ups.