Review: Charm (A Cinderella reverse fairytale) by J.A. Armitage

Charm (A Cinderella reverse fairytale) by J.A. Armitage
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC of this book from the author via instafreebie in exchange for an honest review.  This is out tomorrow, I recommend grabbing a copy if you like fairy tale retellings.

I really enjoyed this Cinderella retelling, but in reverse. It is like Cinderella meets the Selection, and I really liked the original fairy tale elements that the author wove into the story but with a new twist. Main character Charmaine must find a husband, much like the prince from the original fairy tale we all know. Charmaine isn't interested in getting married, becoming queen, or palace politics like her other sisters. Charmaine wants to read and explore and be comfortable. Tragedy has befallen her family and leaving Charmaine next in line, and duty calls for her to find a husband at the ball and hold a wedding that her parents have already started planning. Never really one to play by the rules, Charmaine finds herself in the kitchens after hours with a kitchen hand named Cynder. Cynder is a mage, who can use magic with the aid of a wand, but magic is highly regulated and pretty much illegal in the kingdom of Silverwood. Cynder and Charmaine become fast friends during their nightly cooking and dishwashing sessions. As the 100 suitors chosen by her parents begin to arrive, Charmaine finds herself wishing she could spend more time with Cynder than anyone else. After narrowing the men down from 100 to 5, Charmaine must decide who stays and who goes. As she gets to know the gentlemen, she also learns the reason the Magi are so restricted in society and why her mother and father have kept that information from her. When more and more strange things start to happen and the palace wrongfully blame the Magi for the violent acts, Charmaine realizes that she can use her royal position and the man she marries to make changes in the world. Things don't exactly go according to plan, and Charmaine finds herself not only fighting for love, but for her people.

I loved this. If you like fairy tales, Cinderella, or the Selection this is the book for you. Cinderella is one of my favorite tales and I loved the Selection. This unique retelling is well written, and kept me on my toes until the end. I can't wait until book 2 to see where things go next.  It comes out in December and I'll be patiently waiting.  This is the first book I've read by J.A. Armitage, but you can bet I'll be checking out more of her stuff.