Review: Glass and Feathers

There are nearly as many "Cinderella" retellings as there are stars in the sky, but only a select few explore the hardships this abused peasant girl would have inevitably faced after her rags were turned to riches overnight. Disney attempted to do this with Cinderella II: Dreams Come True and failed miserably. Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix portrays a much more engaging depiction of Ella's difficult adjustment to palace life, which spawned two excellent sequels. More recently, Lissa Sloan took on this harrowing task with Glass and Feathers, a dark take on what happened after "happily ever after" that is heavily rooted in the Brothers Grimm adaptation of the tale.

Glass and Feathers is a darker take on "Cinderella" that isn't suitable for all readers. Although the book contains no spice, there is some body horror reminiscent of the ending of the Brothers Grimm adaptation, in which the stepsisters cut off pieces of their feet to fit the glass slippers. Initially, I was hesitant to continue reading in case the book turned into a full princess horror story, but the second half was not nearly as dark as the first half and offered cozier vibes. The book mirrors Cinderella's journey in reverse, beginning with her happy ending and spiraling into a quiet downfall in which she runs away from the palace due to imposter syndrome, believing herself unworthy of palace life and the prince's love.

I appreciate the originality of this book, since there are not many stories about Cinderella feeling unworthy of her happy ending, which makes perfect sense after she suffered a lifetime of abuse. She believes that the prince's love for her is part of the wishing magic that granted her the gown and glass slippers that she wore to the ball, and refuses to believe anything she tells her as she decides to make her own assumptions about his feelings. This was the part of the book that bothered me the most. Even though Cinderella's fears are warranted, she is so determined to cause her own downfall that she refuses to even try to hear out the man she married.

The second half of the book brings us to a new setting in which Cinderella finds a newfound family and tries to forget her old life, similar to the chapter of "The Snow Queen" in which Gerda spends time with the old woman in the rose garden. This is a quiet, cozy section in stark contrast to the foot mutilation at the beginning of the book that introduces new characters, particularly a charming little brother figure for Cinderella named Jack. The Brothers Grimm influence is even stronger here, as there is a heavy focus on storytelling with Cinderella reciting bedtime stories for Jack, including multiple references to "All-Kinds-of-Fur," another Grimm tale that is similar to "Cinderella."

Glass and Feathers is a thought-provoking and darkly original retelling of "Cinderella" that explores the complexities of its titular character's psyche as she navigates the challenges of palace life. While the book's tone can be uneven, with the second half offering a welcome respite from the psychological horror and gore of the first, its portrayal of Cinderella's inner turmoil and struggle with imposter syndrome is both relatable and poignant. Lissa Sloan's clever references to the Brothers Grimm's original tale add depth and texture to the narrative, making Glass and Feathers a compelling read for fans of fairy tale retellings and dark fantasy. Be prepared for a more mature and introspective take on the classic tale before diving in.