Once Upon a Time... discussion

I discovered this book through Eustachia Tan's five-star review...

I've been trying to figure out what this book reminds me of, and I finally got it. It reminds me of the Taiwanese dramas I used to watch - like Magician of Love, Meteor Garden, It Started With a Kiss, etc. I would be squealing throughout the whole book, occasionally have to stop for a while, but would still watch the next episode. The romance in the book (and the heroine) reminded me exactly of this.

The Ugly Stepsister is a twist on the Cinderella story. Kat, a gangly bookworm, accidentally rips a book and falls into the Cinderella story - as the ugly stepsister! But things are strange... Read the rest here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... (after you read the book!)

Sounds fun, huh?

I'm in the middle of the unedited version of The Stand (that's a lie, actually only 22% in to the 1,000 page book!) I'm looking forward to reading this as soon as I finish that!

Just got it in the mail (actually had to buy this one!) so will probably start it tomorrow.

Awesome, Lisa! I'm making decent time with The Stand, so hoping to start by next Monday.

Actually didn't get it started this weekend - was enjoying my other book too much.

I enjoyed the story. I was able to read it in one evening and was pleasantly surprised by the book. The slight twist at the end was endearing.

I don't think I can join you guys, but I'll try to join the discussion so that I'll know whether it's worth reading and/or buying.

I'm happy knowing you enjoyed it, Shana. Do you think it's a good retelling of Cinderella? I do think it's an interesting story, as the heroine is not Cinderella. And I think that one alone is already a good twist, in my opinion.

@Heidi, just want you to know that I watched Meteor Garden (but then who didn't as it was a huge thing in Asia years ago :)) and It Started With A Kiss and love it, though I prefer the Japanese version than Taiwanese, like Eustachia Tan. I guess I know her feeling about those TV series. And now I'm more curious of the book.

Rachmi, to answer your questions, I believe that this story isn't your typical Cinderella story. I kept waiting for the elements of the Cinderella plot to occur ( as did the main character) and was pleasantly surprised at the different turn of events. I felt it was more like the Disney twist on Maleficent, the main fairy tell idea is there, however, it is from a different point of view than the traditional. Also, I enjoyed reading how the author portrayed Kat's struggle with the different culture than a modern day one.

Shana, it's good to hear from you:) Are you a super-fast reader, lol? It says the book is 452 pp! I really enjoyed Malificent, so to hear this book is full of surprises is wonderful.

Me too, Rachmi, Eustachia's review made me really curious.

I also liked the idea of the MC being a bookworm;)

I'm hoping to start it next Monday!

Anyone else?

I just started it earlier today while waiting for my grandson to finish an activity, so didn't get far, but I'm enjoying it so far. I'm thinking that we all will identify with Kat, the main character, because she is a serious bookworm. She even describes herself in terms of literary characters (Jo March and Anne Shirley) We can all relate to having too many books and not wanting to part with them, as well as getting excited opening up boxes of books that we haven't seen in a long time.

OK I made it to chapter 10 and have to say that I am very pleasantly surprised with this book. I was kind of dreading this one, since Cinderella is probably my least favorite of all the fairy tales. I had never really found a retelling or movie version of the original tale that I REALLY liked (including Cinder, even though I was surprised at that one)This one is delightful so far! None of that nonsense of love at first sight simply due to appearance. Although Kat did have a few moments of "woe is me", who wouldn't in her situation. She didn't just accept it and wait for someone to rescue her, she is working toward her own rescue. I am loving all of the literary references as well.

Lisa wrote: "OK I made it to chapter 10 and have to say that I am very pleasantly surprised with this book. I was kind of dreading this one, since Cinderella is probably my least favorite of all the fairy tales..."

Hey Lisa, that is such good news! I am so glad that you are enjoying it. Now I can't wait to get started reading it, lol.

Hi! I'm Tirza. This is actually the first monthly discussion I've participated in.

I just finished the book! I would probably say that I started out a bit apprehensive and, like Lisa, I haven't found a really engaging retelling of CInderella. I quite enjoyed this one!

And YES - the literary references made me a little giddy with excitement!

Looking forward to discussing it with you all!

Hi, Tirza! So glad that you could join our discussion and that you enjoyed the book. This one just keeps totally surprising me with how much I like it, but I know it is simply because it is so very different than the original tale. For one thing (view spoiler)["Cinderella" doesn't even know that she is actually entitled, so she naturally accepts her fate as a servant, but still keeps her dignity (hide spoiler)] I am getting close to the end and admit to having very mixed feelings at this point, just like Kat is having mixed feelings about what she knows she should and must do, and what she wants to do.

Yay for happy endings with a twist!

Tirza wrote: "Hi! I'm Tirza. This is actually the first monthly discussion I've participated in.

I just finished the book!"

Hi, Tirza. So glad to have you join in!

So...I have started it. I'm at chapter 5. Okay. It's cute, but did anyone think of UnEnchanted? Klutzy girl, hot guy, single overworked mother, younger sibling, a fairy tale book that comes to life?

Admittedly, it's been a while since I read that Unenchanted, but no it really didn't. There are too many differences. In addition, in that series there are so many characters that I dislike, while in this book I really like most of the characters

Originality is something that really turns me on in a book!

Agreed, Heidi. As you know, I loved the Unfortunate Fairy Tale series (although I still haven't gotten to the last one - think I need to read all of them again!) The Ugly Sister was original enough for me, especially since I expected to dislike it.

So... I finished the book:) Mmmm...and I had mixed feelings about it. What I loved: (view spoiler)[I thought it was pretty awesome that Kat went to bat against child labor and that fed into her confidence when she returned home. I thought that in itself was a great fairy tale retelling twist. Finally, the fairy tale heroine moves beyond ballgowns and romantic intrigue:) I thought that was pretty awesome! (hide spoiler)] What was not so hot for me: Kat's "voice" didn't really draw me in. It's not that I disliked her character, but there was a mild snark that just didn't work for me. Possibly because I'm just tired of reading snarky MCs? It didn't always feel genuine. I loved the "fairy godmother" and Poppy:) I figured out the end early on, but that was okay.

Couldn't agree more with your spoiler, Heidi! I also agree with your feelings about the "fairy godmother" (finally someone explaining why she had to use other items and the time limit) and Poppy. Actually, the depth of all the side characters is one of the main things I enjoyed about this book. So often in fairy tales, or actually any book, the only characters that the reader really gets to know are the main character or two. In this tale, I really felt like I got to know so many of the secondary and even minor characters.

Why do I always drag my feet about starting these books lately when I have loved the last. . . I don't know how many but definitely the last three. I think I have liked all of them actually, even aside from the ones I loved (tiger lily).

I don't know what keeps me from rushing right in. it's strange.

but your comments are encouraging and I'm finally ready to start it tonight!

Hope you enjoy it, Diane!