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Anastasia
When the farm where she lives begins to die, Anastasia's father casts out her mother and sister in order to save it. In revenge, her mother takes Anastasia as well. The three of them move to a strange town where the streets never stay still, and only the rats know way.
They are saved from a squalid life when her mother unexpectedly remarries, but Anastasia does not know quite what to make of her new stepsister, and before she can truly settle into yet another life her mother begins to act strangely and her sister grows deathly ill...
They are saved from a squalid life when her mother unexpectedly remarries, but Anastasia does not know quite what to make of her new stepsister, and before she can truly settle into yet another life her mother begins to act strangely and her sister grows deathly ill...
- GenresLesbian
108 pages, ebook
First published July 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 30, 2018
This is a novella loosely based on Cinderella. There are things that are mentioned but never followed up on, like why does Elle lay in the fireplace when Anastasia and her family first meet her? The magic system, the rats, the moving streets are all mentioned but not really pivotal to any of the events. I would have liked to see all of those play more of a role in the story. The girls, Elle and Anastasia, get by on their wits more than anything else. The budding attraction is cute. Nevertheless, despite its flaws, I enjoyed reading the story; I wanted to see how it would all end.
July 24, 2017
This was a very short twist on Cinderella. There was so many ideas that had potential that were never fully developed. What was the significance of the oranges, the rats, the constantly shifting town? What is Sasha's story? What was the curse? This would have been so much better if these things either were fleshed out or never introduced.
October 16, 2014
Anastasia’s father casts out her mother and younger sister, suspecting that they’ve corrupted the magic that kept his farm producing well. Anastasia, still a child herself, goes with her mother. Soon her mother remarries and Anastasia has a new step-sister who likes to sit covered in ashes, Elle. This sets in motion an interesting re-telling of Cinderella.
As a fairy tale, it was an interesting read, but as a romance it failed. I was fortunate enough to get an ARC from NetGalley, and it came with a warning that this was not an explicit romance. I have no problem with that, especially when I know it going in. My problem with the romance was that I felt like their attraction to each other came off as sisterly. This is due, in part to their young (elementary school) ages when they meet each other. To me they always seemed like sisters.
I also had a few problems with the world building in the story. It’s presented as a place where women have few options. Ana’s mom prostitutes herself to keep them in a crappy apartment before she marries Elle’s rich father. Later mom encourages Ana and Elle and little sister to attend the prince’s ball because marrying him will keep them safe in the future. So, this picture is painted of the world, but then things happen that seem out of place in the world. Ultimately Ana and Elle’s financial problems are solved through connections they made, not marriage. That’s cool with me, but it really caught me off guard in the world the story took place in.
There was a Big Bad in the story that I enjoyed, but it felt a little rushed into the last part of the book. It was also handled fairly easily. That actually worked for me, since I don’t particularly care for suspense, but I know others might have a problem with it.
I’d recommend this book for someone who enjoys a fairy tale retelling, but it didn't really work for me.
As a fairy tale, it was an interesting read, but as a romance it failed. I was fortunate enough to get an ARC from NetGalley, and it came with a warning that this was not an explicit romance. I have no problem with that, especially when I know it going in. My problem with the romance was that I felt like their attraction to each other came off as sisterly. This is due, in part to their young (elementary school) ages when they meet each other. To me they always seemed like sisters.
I also had a few problems with the world building in the story. It’s presented as a place where women have few options. Ana’s mom prostitutes herself to keep them in a crappy apartment before she marries Elle’s rich father. Later mom encourages Ana and Elle and little sister to attend the prince’s ball because marrying him will keep them safe in the future. So, this picture is painted of the world, but then things happen that seem out of place in the world. Ultimately Ana and Elle’s financial problems are solved through connections they made, not marriage. That’s cool with me, but it really caught me off guard in the world the story took place in.
There was a Big Bad in the story that I enjoyed, but it felt a little rushed into the last part of the book. It was also handled fairly easily. That actually worked for me, since I don’t particularly care for suspense, but I know others might have a problem with it.
I’d recommend this book for someone who enjoys a fairy tale retelling, but it didn't really work for me.
September 13, 2014
Rating Clarification: 3.5/5
This is a Novella (longer than a short story, shorter than a novel) that took me just under an hour to read. Was it a pleasant hour? Read on!
Anastasia is the daughter of Lord Aiden and his wife Anoria. He has 70,000 acres of orange trees. But when Anoria gives birth to her second daughter, Griselda (who looks nothing like her parents), the crops begin to die and Aiden insists that Anoria leave with Griselda immediately.
Anastasia overhears and leaves with her mother and sister. Anoria marries again, and gains a stepdaughter, Elle. When her new husband dies, Anoria is left to take care of the three girls alone. Just as the girls are beginning to enjoy their new life, Anoria begins to act very strangely, and Griselda gets desperately ill.
It's basically Cinderella, with a lesbian twist - one that is done tastefully. There's no profanity or sex in here, just a sweet fairytale told in a different way. There are dark elements, like mysterious potions, rats that can be bribed to lead you anywhere you want to go, and roads that change suddenly.
It was a little bit rushed at the end and I would have liked a longer story, but there are definitely worse ways to escape for an hour. Pleasantly surprised!
Thanks so much to Less Than Three Press for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley.
This is a Novella (longer than a short story, shorter than a novel) that took me just under an hour to read. Was it a pleasant hour? Read on!
Anastasia is the daughter of Lord Aiden and his wife Anoria. He has 70,000 acres of orange trees. But when Anoria gives birth to her second daughter, Griselda (who looks nothing like her parents), the crops begin to die and Aiden insists that Anoria leave with Griselda immediately.
Anastasia overhears and leaves with her mother and sister. Anoria marries again, and gains a stepdaughter, Elle. When her new husband dies, Anoria is left to take care of the three girls alone. Just as the girls are beginning to enjoy their new life, Anoria begins to act very strangely, and Griselda gets desperately ill.
It's basically Cinderella, with a lesbian twist - one that is done tastefully. There's no profanity or sex in here, just a sweet fairytale told in a different way. There are dark elements, like mysterious potions, rats that can be bribed to lead you anywhere you want to go, and roads that change suddenly.
It was a little bit rushed at the end and I would have liked a longer story, but there are definitely worse ways to escape for an hour. Pleasantly surprised!
Thanks so much to Less Than Three Press for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley.
August 14, 2015
Anastasia is a fairy tale. It's written in fairy tale style, a story that is told rather than shown, with lots of mystery. Too much mystery, at times, for me to figure out. People are cursed, villains are confusing, there are magic potions. But Anastasia is a competent, admirable heroine. She takes care of her adorably wicked little sister. She tries to bond with her new stepsister.
The interaction between the three young members of the family is compelling. I read this story fast, not wanting to put it down. There's a lesbian aspect, however it's more chaste than seductive. It's enough of a love story to feel satisfying without being a love story. In fact, it's what I usually want from more "mainstream"/non-romance books. "Okay, just like that, but more gay." So here's a fairy tale with a little bit of gay, but much more fairy tale. If this is your genre, you'll be happy adding this to your collection.
**I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads**
~C. E. Case
The interaction between the three young members of the family is compelling. I read this story fast, not wanting to put it down. There's a lesbian aspect, however it's more chaste than seductive. It's enough of a love story to feel satisfying without being a love story. In fact, it's what I usually want from more "mainstream"/non-romance books. "Okay, just like that, but more gay." So here's a fairy tale with a little bit of gay, but much more fairy tale. If this is your genre, you'll be happy adding this to your collection.
**I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads**
~C. E. Case
November 2, 2014
I really liked this novella! I started with no expectations, but small details really surprised me and added to the charm. It's not an explicit romance and if you are looking for that, this isn't for you. The romance, when it developed, was very heart warming and fluffy. If you love fairy tale retellings with a twist, pick this up for a delightful quick read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews