Rating: 
Summary: Happily ever after or is it?
Review: That's the premise that the author starts with and carries it to a new conclusion. Mercedes Lackey takes us behind the scenes of fairy tales and gives a brand new slant to them. She has gone in for romance with a big twist of fantasy. The heroine was to be Cinderella but her prince never came. For that matter, neither did her Fairy Godmother. Instead, Elena (or Cinderella) has to find her own future and ends up becoming a Fairy Godmother. She, of course, does meet a prince charming who isn't so charming and turns him into a jackass. The plot twists and turns and adventures keep you smiling throughout the book. And,as Elena finds, being a fairy Godmother is very hard work. But, in the end, she finds true love and romance in addition to fighting an evil wizard. A new approach for Mercedes Lackey that keeps you mesmerized. And for all you fantasy readers, this one is a definite keeper for your bookshelf.
Rating: 
Summary: Charming new twist on Fairy Godmother idea (but derivative!)
Review: This book is a very nice read. It has an amusing premise, that "The Tradition" that creates and guides fairy tales has a life of its own, and that sometimes, fairy tales need to be modified! The characters were sympathetic and the plot was interesting enough to keep me reading. Lackey obviously enjoys world-building; she has the details of her world worked out very nicely. That being said, most of the book is derivative, of her own works, if not from others (i.e. the Elven Court motif). How many times are we going to read about the deserving person (such as Talia or Vetch or Vanyel or Lavan or Rose) who emerges from an oppressive destiny to settle into a new life? Following that is a period of apprenticeship, a major test of some kind, and then True Love (well, Vetch found his with a dragon and Laven with a Companion), but True Love nonetheless. Then - either a happy ending or Final Challenge that result's in the protagonist's death. I enjoy Ms. Lackey a lot, but I wish she would spend a little more time challenging her characters and fleshing them out a bit before she starts writing. I hesitated between three and four stars, but four won, as I did enjoy this book very much.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: This book was a nice change from Lackey's typical work. It was a bit lighter of a read, but good nonetheless. The characters were great, and I loved the spin on a classic fairy tale. I was actually sad to have the book end...I wanted more!
Rating:
Summary: Not Actually Cinderella.
Review: This book was really good for the most part. I thought the plot was unique. It started out looking like a cinderella book but became something much different. It is a bit longer and more drawn out than I thought it would be. It is worth reading if you would like something to cleanse your mind and enjoy a less than epic book. It was fun to read.
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