Stepsister

By: Jennifer Donnelly

Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle

Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

A startling, fiercely feminist re-imagining of Cinderella from the best-selling, award-winning author Jennifer Donnelly. 

Don't just fracture the fairy tale. Shatter it. 

Isabelle should be blissfully happy - she's about to win the handsome prince. Except Isabelle isn't the beautiful girl who lost the glass slipper and captured the prince's heart. She's the ugly stepsister who cut off her toes to fit into Cinderella's shoe...which is now filling with blood. 

Isabelle tried to fit in. She cut away pieces of herself in order to become pretty. Sweet. More like Cinderella. But that only made her mean, jealous, and hollow. Now she has a chance to alter her destiny and prove what ugly stepsisters have always known: it takes more than heartache to break a girl. 

Evoking the darker, original version of the Cinderella story, Stepsister shows us that ugly is in the eye of the beholder, and uses Jennifer Donnelly's trademark wit and wisdom to send an overlooked character on a journey toward empowerment, redemption...and a new definition of beauty.

©2019 Jennifer Donnelly (P)2019 Scholastic Inc.

What a precious story.

The Skinny:
After losing a few of her toes and a failed attempt at marrying Prince Charming, Isabelle encounters Cinderella's fairy Godmother, who tasks her with finding the lost pieces of her heart in order for her wish of being beautiful to be granted. Unbeknownst to Isabelle, there are far more important reasons to make her heart whole again. Chance is warring with Fate to change her future and save her from an untimely demise, but time is not on her side.

Thoughts:
Going in, I had no idea what an impact this book would have on me. I never thought I'd root for Cinderella's ugly stepsisters either; Donnelly did a fine job of reinventing those two girls into something of beauty, but not the superficial kind. Isabelle's journey to find the lost pieces of her heart is one that touched and warmed my own, leaving prints in it forever. It deftly paints the magic and beauty of the human heart and delivers an empowering message. I can't love it enough.

Bottom line: Stop reading this and buy your copy already!

Just Wonderful!

This is one of the most outstanding stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to! Halfway through the Audible book, I logged into Amazon and bought the hardcover for my library. Now, I want to buy a copy for every teenage girl I know!

Retelling of the Cinderella story

I’ve always loved fairy tales, so a retelling with one of Audibles best narrators (Jayne Entwistle) was a tempting choice. Well, it had some things to recommend it, but not quite enough to be really great. First, it was overly long, with a lot of good vs evil. Then there was the rather heavy handed message of female empowerment; nothing subtle about the message here. The narration is the best part of this audiobook.

Outstanding!

I highly recommend this book, it’s got just right mix of all the great ingredients: fantasy, action, romance, feminism, character development, etc. The characters are relatable and authentic and accurately convey the worst and best of all of us.

The narrator, by the way, nailed it.

Allow yourself to live in the story

Remember the Cinderella story loosely as you listen to this. This will not be exact, and I love it for that.I am an avid fan of the reasoning behind behaviors, and being able to understand why Ella’s stepsister(s) became who they were was enthralling.

Give the first few chapters to expect a storyline development and then be ready. This book is one of the better I have heard/read this year. So glad to have found this. On to Poisoned now!

Incredible story and story teller

Loved this take on Cinderella! I couldn’t stop listening. Story and narrator are wonderful! Jennifer Donnelly is one of the best writers ever!!!!!!!

I’ve never reviewed a book until now

This is not typically the type of book I would listen to but after reading reviews, I decided to give it a try. I’m so glad I did! I loved it! As a matter of fact, I enjoyed it so much, this is the first book I have ever reviewed!

Spoke directly to my heart and mind

This story is more than a twisted fairytale. There are deep truths that make you think , and poems that soothes your spirit. Thank you, Mrs. Donnelly, for writing this story. I needed to hear it.

Every girl should hear this story!

The dark inspirational story of what happens after the happily ever after for Cinderella. I laughed & cried, my heart broke and mended again. This is a story for those who have felt like they can never measure up to societies idealism of beauty but that you find your happieness by being your true you.

A wonderful new twist to an old story, I Loved It!

I really enjoyed the narrator. she kept my attention and breathless hanging on her words. Well done! I will read again and recommended to friends.