A dark, twisted Cinderella retelling that fans of Sarah J. Maas and/or Melanie Dickerson are sure to enjoy.Magic can have deadly consequences.When the sudden and suspicious death of Eloise’s mother points to forbidden magic, Eloise is determined to bring her mother’s murderer to justice. She will stop at nothing to find the killer…even if the clues lead right to the palace gates and the prince’s … to the palace gates and the prince’s manservant, Kaven. He is irrational, volatile, and prone to knocking women off horses. Given his personality, it should be easy to find the proof she needs to place him in irons.
However, when dark magic is used, nothing is as it seems, and Eloise is about to learn that nightmares often hide behind fairy tale lives.
Fans of the Beastly Tales will not want to miss this new addition to the same world. Filled with magic, unexpected foes, and brooding, impossible men, this Tale of Cinder is sure to leave you burning for more!
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What a fabulous twist on the classic Cinderella fairytale! This is definitely a very dark tale, and definitely not like the Disney movie! This is NOT a book for younger readers. There are some really violent moments I wouldn’t want a younger reader to see. I’m trying to keep from writing any spoilers, as it will be a better reading experience with no knowledge of what’s going on. Book one is very light on the romance, but knowing that it’s a Cinderella re-telling, means it’s coming in the end. I could not put this down until I reached the end, and I’m dying to see what happens next. Poor Eloise & her sister Kellen (setting Kellen up for the next series -a “Snow White” retelling), I can’t even imagine being in their shoes. I was on the edge of my seat & did not see anything coming in this book even though I should have. I couldn’t put it down until I was done. Some total shock moments, and a definite book-hangover from this. This takes place in the same world as the author’s “A Beastly Tale”, but is totally independent from that series. So it’s not necessary to read that series to enjoy this one. This definitely ends with a cliff-hanger, but the kind you just can’t wait to dive into the next book to see where it’s going. This is a 3 book series for Eloise’s story. The 2 remaining books will release quickly, book 2 is set for August and book 3 is set for September. Both are already up for pre-order. I can’t wait to dive into book 2 to see where poor Eloise’s story ends up! I’ve already pre-ordered…
When the author said that she was going to be making a new series in the Beastly World, I couldn’t have been more excited, and she didn’t disappoint. The Tales of Cinder and Snow are going to be amazing if the first book, Defiant, is anything to go off of. Eloise is determined to find out what happened to her mother, Margaret, and Kellen attempts to unravel Margaret’s history. Meanwhile there is something even more sinister happening. Book 2, Disdain, will continue Eloise’s trilogy.
I’ll first say, Haag is one of my favorite authors. This was not one of my favorites from her though. Am I sorry I read it? Absolutely not! It’s a unique and dark retelling of Cinderella, so to speak. I think what I missed was the humor found in her other books, although there is really no place for it within these pages. I connected well with the characters and the story. I felt that it was a little slow to start. I expect that will change in the next book, as I will definitely be reading the rest of this set to find out.
Can’t wait to read the next one
What an imaginative and dark retelling of the Cinderella story. It begins with mystery and keeps us shrouded within throughout the entire story. And the ending had me begging for the next chapter in the tale.
When Eloise’s mother dies suddenly, she finds herself taking the blame and wonders how she and her sister are to survive. But magic is abounds, and when the worst kind darkens their door, her entire world it turned upside down. Enter a handsome stranger, who is a servant to the prince, and a cast of quirky characters, some as dark as night, and she’s faced with a caldron full of intrigue mixed with fear and uncertainty. Just when you think you have it all figured out, the story changes course. Eloise is left wondering who she can trust, how she will protect her sister, and how she’s going to survive what is yet to come.
This retelling of the young woman who lost her glass slipper in search of her Prince Charming is much darker and, I found, reminiscent of way the Grimm brothers may have told it than anything Disney would produce. Though dark and frightening at times, the story has a silver string of good magic threaded through it. There is also some trademark humor and an eccentric character or two that kept me thinking. The world this author builds is from that part of her I love to see best, and it has me looking forward to the rest of the story along with that of Eloise’s sister.
“Defiant” by M.J. Haag is intriguing, mysteries, and full of adventure. A twist on fairy tale stories, “Defiant” sends us on the adventure of Eloise, one of the twin daughter’s Margaret has in the prequal story, “Disowned” by M.J. Haag. Eloise is on the hunt to find out who killed her mother and it leads her towards Kaven. M.J. Haag does an amazing job writing Eloise’s story with many surprises. The development of the characters and the world is excellent. The supporting characters add much to the story. I also really liked the chemistry between Eloise and Kaven (the Prince’s servant) in their brief encounters. I would love to see more interaction between these two in future books. I’m very excited to see what the next book holds for Eloise’s story.
Dark and yet so beautiful
Do you ever find yourself finishing a book and gasping oh no!? what? I need more! Yea, this one will do this to you!.Is not the Disney fairy tale version but instead more of the original Cinderella retelling. It’s dark, twisted, heartbreaking with a splash off “enemies to lovers” romance…maybe. I’m still not sure. Is too early to tell but I do love those small moments the main heroine Eloise (Cinderella) had with her potential love interest. The best part is the sisterly love with Kellen (Snow). This is the story with Cinder and Snow!! How far would you go to protect the people you love? Eloise is smart and strong and she’s on a mission to find out what or who killed her mother. Everything points to magic; something that is forbidden and a big taboo if you get caught is death for sure. Abandon by their father, their aunt who they never met before has taken guardianship to a new level. Death bodies are piling up and the killer is getting closer! Can’t wait for the next book in this series Tales of Cinder and Snow. There is a prequel “disowned” that follows her mother’s life before this events. I highly encourage it! You will appreciate and love it more!