The Stepsister’s Tale

By: Tracy Barrett

Narrated by: Cassandra Morris

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

What really happened after the clock struck midnight? Jane Montjoy is tired of being a lady. She's tired of pretending to live up to the standards of her mother's noble family - especially now that the family's wealth is gone and their stately mansion has fallen to ruin. It's hard enough that she must tend to the animals and find a way to feed her mother and her little sister each day. Jane's burden only gets worse after her mother returns from a trip to town with a new stepfather and stepsister in tow. Despite the family's struggle to prepare for the long winter ahead, Jane's stepfather remains determined to give his beautiful but spoiled child her every desire. When her stepfather suddenly dies, leaving nothing but debts and a bereaved daughter behind, it seems to Jane that her family is destined for eternal unhappiness. But a mysterious boy from the woods and an invitation to a royal ball are certain to change her fate….

From the handsome prince to the evil stepsister, nothing is quite as it seems in Tracy Barrett's stunning retelling of the classic Cinderella tale.

©2014 Tracy Barrett (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Great Book, Sub-par reading (long review)

I have the physical copy of the book, as well as a e-copy of it, so I thought it would be nice to have it in audio form as well. I love this story a lot, the perspective and how well it paints the world around the characters, but the narrator with her almost monotone voice and awkward voice changes made the story fall flat when it came to emotions. Her phrasing and pacing were consistent and boring. Instead of portraying Mama as the stern, strict, and regal woman she was, she was portrayed as some average person. Mama, I feel, should have a strong and commanding voice, one that is confident, clear, and fine, like a true lady of the times would be, since it would convey that she held herself to a high regard even if her lifestyle is not what it once was. Maude was portrayed kind of shy, with a raspy voice, which is the opposite of how she is in the book. Maude is a out-spoken girl who is young and looks up to her sister but it never established that she is quiet, the only times she was quiet was when Mama was mad. Even when she first meets Ella, she TOUCHES Ella's hair and called her beautiful, without a second thought to her actions. Ella is a spoiled brat BUT the part with the comb, was read with annoyance in Ella's voice when she suggested to get a comb, but I feel it should have been read with child-like excitement (cause she's 13 and alone and probably wants to make friends with the girls she just complimented). Harry's voice is deep and bellowing, because he a big, round man who has strict rules when carrying business. Will's voice was raspy, not described like the book.

love the book, narrator did her best