Review: The Glass Gate

The Glass Gate by Hanna Sandvig is a lovely portal fantasy from her Faerie Tale Romance series of fae retellings about characters from the real world who enter gateways to the land of the fae where they live out classic fairy tales. This book is similar to others I've read from this series and includes a few fun cameos. Hanna's books are unique because they all feature modern protagonists who are relatable to us as readers, allowing us to vicariously live out their fairy tales. This story draws inspiration from "Cinderella," though it has many unique elements that stand apart from other retellings.


Ella is an aspiring fashion designer who wants a break from her daily grind of helping out her stepfamily. Her mixed Japanese heritage has always made her feel like an outsider in the real world. It seemed like a no-brainer when her bestie Amber took her out for a nighttime getaway to the hidden land of Tír Na nÓg to party with the fae and finally have a chance to blend into a crowd. When she gets there, she meets Prince Tiernan, a fae who is bound by magic to find a bride by his 200th birthday. She is propositioned to pretend to be his girlfriend for a while so he could avoid potential matches from his family before his upcoming engagement ball. This seems like a great way to get away from her family for a while, especially since time moves more slowly in the fae realm.

What I liked about this book, as well as the Faerie Tale Romance series in general, is that the protagonists feel like real young women with real problems that are covered with sensitivity and grace. For instance, Ella struggles with anxiety and explains her mental health in detail without dancing around the issue. She also has lactose intolerance and identity issues from her mixed race. The incorporation of Japanese culture also made this book unique as a "Cinderella" retelling as I rarely see versions of "Cinderella" where her beloved mother's dress that she wants to wear to the ball is a beautiful kimono. Ella's fashion designer aspirations are equally relatable and reminiscent of the 2021 Amazon Prime adaptation of the story.

The romance in this book is cute, though it felt like more of a subplot next to Ella's career aspirations. Prince Tiernan comes off as stubborn and pompous at first, but he changes after getting to know Ella. The biggest obstacle between them is the fact that she hides her identity as a human. He is surprised by her kindness toward the fae servants since she is pretending to be fae royalty but doesn't act like one. This makes her the target of some assassination attempts, but the book is not violent and handles danger swiftly, allowing it to maintain its overall cozy feel. There are many times that the supporting characters outshine the main cast with their vibrant personalities and are the ones pushing for Ella and Tiernan to get together.

The Glass Gate is a charming addition to the Faerie Tale Romance series, offering a fresh take on the "Cinderella" tale with its relatable protagonist, vibrant supporting cast, and thoughtful exploration of mental health, identity, and cultural heritage. Ella is a unique version of "Cindrella" with similar goals to the 2021 streaming adaptation and lots of traits that make her stand apart from other interpretations of the character. With its cozy tone and sweet romance, this book is a delightful read for fans of fae retellings and fairy tale romances.
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