I don’t even know how to begin describing the experience of reading Stepsister. At first glance, you could assume some (correct) things about the book: fractured fairy tale genre, focused on a side character from the original story, blah blah blah. But this book really surpassed my expectations on so many levels.
The characters:
Our protagonist is Isabelle, one of Cinderella’s so-called ugly stepsisters. She’s got a mean streak and some deep-seated jealousy issues. Nevertheless, she’s not all bad, and she’s trying to be better. Her negative aspects have simply clouded her self-judgment for far too long. She’s also bold and courageous, and she is a likeable character (unlike the mean protagonist of another fairy tale spinoff I have yet to finish).
Then there is the rest of the cast. Octavia, affectionately known as Tavi, also has more to her than meets the eye. She is smart and inquisitive, and both girls are chafing against society’s structural rules to follow their hearts. Ella and Felix are two other close figures from childhood whom Isabelle loses her relationship with and grows to hate--until they make their unexpected returns into her life. And, of course, who can forget the venomous Fate (yes, as in old-lady-who-knows-when-you-die Fate) and her cheeky adversary the Marquis de la Chance?
Each character seems fleshed out and well-considered, with detail, background, and witty, character-building dialogue. Donnelly’s characters are not simple and flat; they are complex, creative, and believable within the context of their world.
The plot:
I obviously can’t say too much here, but I will say this: there was not one moment I was bored. The story built, there were plot twists, and you could see the characters grow through what they experienced. Plus, I’m a sucker for a happy ending and the idea of circling the epilogue back to mirror the prologue. :D
The message:
As the author talked about in her author’s note, fairy tales don’t sugarcoat or hide scary realities from us. They openly tell us that there are dark and dangerous woods filled with wolves and monsters; they are profound in that way. But they also give us hope--hope that we can get out of our woods, whatever they may be, because we have the brains and the courage to do so.
There were a lot of deep and thought-provoking themes presented in this book. It spoke volumes into a lot of central human questions. Who and what am I letting define who I am, and is that what should be defining me? What does society expect me to do or become, and does that align with what I want for myself? What does it mean to be beautiful?
Truth be told, I walked away from this book feeling a little more inspired, a little more empowered, and a little more prepared for the uncertain future ahead. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone--a girl looking for a powerful novel to boost her confidence in herself, a fairy tale lover seeking more depth, a cynic who claims there’s no point or meaning in whimsical fairy tales, anyone. This one deserves a spot on the favorite book shelf (once there’s actually room there).
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