Cinder & Ella Product Review - Repost

Cinder and Ella

by Melissa Lemon

Cedar Fort, Inc.

as featured in the

2011 Christmas Books & Things, pg. 39

I originally posted this review as part of the Blog Book Tour back in June.  I'm re-posting the review as part of the Gratitude Giveaway and because it is featured in the 2011 Christmas Books & Things Catalog.

About the Book:  After her father's disappearance, Cinder leaves home for a servant job at the castle. But it isn't long before her sister Ella is brought to the castle herself. What Ella finds there starts a quest that will change her life and the entire kingdom. Cinder and Ella is a Cinderella story like no other, and one you'll never forget.

About the Author:   Melissa has had many imaginary friends (and enemies) since she was a child. Her vivid imagination had her writing stories and jotting down book ideas for years until she finally sat down and finished a novel. She is married to an awesome man and the proud mother of three children. Music is also an important part of her life and she shares time with her music students teaching them piano, cello or guitar. Melissa is a graduate of the University of Utah and currently resides in the Salt Lake area.  

Kay's Kritique:   Cinder and Ella is a fairytale with a twist. It's not a retelling - there's no fairy godmother, wicked stepmother or prince charming.  There is a little magic, a little romance, a little mystery, and a little adventure.  The cover really drew me to the book and I especially liked the Legend of the Trees. Ella's father told her,

    "This tree is my tree.  It has been around since the day I came into the world.  And it will always be here--growing and changing--as long as I am still alive upon the earth.  The trees, Ella, are very important.  They are a part of us. We all have a tree to take care of.  You can keep a tree alive by the way that you live.  And there is a tree that, as long as it is allowed to grow, will keep you alive."  

 The book is geared toward Young Adults, however, I saw a lot of symbolism in Melissa's retelling of this story that a Young Adult might pick up but Adults should. There has been a lot of "buzz" building about this book -- I reviewed it on a blog tour back in June -- 5 months before it was released.  I enjoyed it.