Review: Slippers and Thorns

Slippers and Thorns is the first book in the Roumaterra Chronicles, a series of combined fairy tale retellings by Erin Halbmaier. This book is different from other combined retellings because it takes place during the aftermath of both stories. It is a loose retelling and sequel to "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty" with similar themes to Just Ella and Glass and Feathers. According to the author's notes, this book was intended to be a short story and was expanded into a 90,000-word novel. Regrettably, the combination of slow pacing and frustrating character decision detract from the extended length of the book.

This book begins after the events of "Cinderella." Princess Ella's marriage to Prince Mike is on the rocks. Similar to the Disney sequel, Ella has a difficult time adjusting to palace life due to having more experience as a maid than as a princess. Meanwhile, Mike is overwhelmed by his princely duties and doesn't have time for his wife, creating opportunities for other ladies in court to flirt with him and forming a series of misunderstandings. A vengeful Ella flirts with a palace guard who gives her archery lessons, and their marriage problems soon become everyone's problems. The two are sent to renovate an old castle together as a last-ditch attempt to restore their bond.

The biggest twist in this book involves an old curse on the castle that ties into the other fairy tale the book is based on. However, the twist comes so late in the story that it seems hard to root for Ella and Mike to continue trying to work through their differences by that point. The unwanted newcomer forces Mike to confront his feelings toward Ella and decide if their marriage is worth saving. It was interesting and would have been effective in a short story or novella, but it feels too little too late the way it is.

I am a big fan of Margaret Peterson Haddix's Palace Chronicles and thoroughly enjoyed the twist in Just Ella, in which becoming a princess did not solve all of Ella's problems. A fairy tale story about a troublesome marriage is an interesting concept that has not been widely explored, but I feel that the length of this book gets in the way of its message. If it had taken less time for Ella and Mike to resolve their differences, it would have been more believable as a reader. Due to this book's extended narrative, it takes too long to accept that they were able to overcome the obstacles standing in their way.

Overall, Slippers and Thorns by Erin Halbmaier has intriguing themes and a unique take on the aftermath of "Cinderella" and "Sleeping Beauty." However, the story's slow pacing and frustrating character decisions do not align well with the book's length, making the eventual twist feel like a late addition rather than a satisfying payoff. Fans of troubled royal marriages and fairy tale sequels might find something to appreciate in this book, but the execution doesn't quite live up to its promising premise.