Publisher: Entangled Teen
Publication Date: June 3rd 2014
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
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Synopsis: Being seventeen during World War II is tough. Finding out you’re the next keeper of the real Cinderella’s dresses is even tougher.
Kate simply wants to create window displays at the department store where she's working, trying to help out with the war effort. But when long-lost relatives from Poland arrive with a steamer trunk they claim holds the Cinderella’s dresses, life gets complicated.
Now, with a father missing in action, her new sweetheart, Johnny, stuck in the middle of battle, and her great aunt losing her wits, Kate has to unravel the mystery before it’s too late.
After all, the descendants of the wicked stepsisters will stop at nothing to get what they think they deserve.
My Rating: 4/5 stars
My Review: Cinderella's Dress is a beautiful tale that makes you feel like a kid again.
As soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I had to read this book. It's like it was made for me. Not only is it set in the 1940's but the characters are Polish. And who doesn't love Cinderella! Right?
The book was not what I expected, but it was still amazing and I must say that I loved it.
The setting of this story is what I loved the most about it. Which is something I'm not used to, since I usually care about the characters way more, but the setting really got me thinking. Usually when you think about WWII you think about the battles and all the men fighting, but this book gives you the insight of what the women who stayed in the country went through. I found this topic so interesting, how all the women had to do men's job and they were finally able to express themselves. The author did such a wonderful job with this, I definitely give her props for being so detailed and unique with it. Also this probably sounds bad, but I find the idea of war kind of romantic, seeing Kate write letters to Johnny and her brother definitely hit my soft spot. Honestly, hand written letters are so adorable and they just express how much you love someone, way better than texting! And when Johnny would say things like "Don't waste your kisses on any soldier" I just found that to be so romantic and cute. As sad as it is to say, I really wish that I could have lived in that period and experience such romance. Anyways, the author did an amazing job with the setting, it was my favorite part of the book and I wouldn't change a thing about it.
As for the characters. They were all very different and I definitely had mixed emotions about most.
Kate falls into the mixed emotions category. I wanted to like her, I really did. But some of the decisions she made were very childish and irresponsible. I know we all make mistakes and not everyone can be smart, but she really had her dumb moments. I don't want to say what they are just so I don't ruin the book for you, but if you read it, you will know what I'm talking about.
I really liked Johnny. I was a little iffy in the start, but as soon as he started writing the letters I was in love. And when he comes back wearing glasses, that just stole my heart. He`s not only smart, but he is an amazing artist, which I find really awesome in a character. If I lived in the 1940`s I'd want a Johnny of my own.
The rest of the family was okay. There was nothing too special about them though, other than the fact that they were Polish. It just felt really weird because we heard so much about her grandmother, yet she was dead. I felt like if you're going to talk about a character so much, you might as well have them be alive in the book. But I understand the feeling the author might have wanted the reader to feel.
What I found really strange is that no one really mentioned the history of Kate's family. Sure we get the first maid Nadzia, and then we see Kate and her Aunt, which creates a giant timeline gap that no one ever fills. Sure mysteries are great, but they're pointless if you don't find out the answer in the end.
Same thing goes with Kate's dad, and brother. It didn't feel like a true ending since we never know what happens to them. Is the dad found? Does the brother stay in Italy with a girl like he mentioned? Or did he return home? I feel like there was just too many loose ends with her family, and I didn't find it very enjoyable.
The Polish aspect was great in this book. Just being Polish and reading the words written in my language was pure happiness to me. This was another big reason that I enjoyed the book.
Even if you don't know the language, the author made it very easy with translations so that you know what's going on.
The thing I found really weird were the names. Katja is not a Polish name. In the beginning of the book, when the author is talking about name day, she says that Poland has a specific list of names that everyone has. Which is 100% true. No one names their kids Blue Ivy or something strange, there is a specific list of names and everyone has a normal name that falls to a date on the calendar. Katja is definitely not a Polish name, trust me I would know. I'm not sure if the author made it up, or shes trying to sound out the name Kasia but either way this is not a true Polish name, which kind of made me agitated throughout the whole book. Same with Elsie, even thought she mentions her other name, usually Polish people don't do things like that.
This book didn't really have any action in it. We get some during the last quarter of the book, but before that there's really nothing. Which I found quite strange since this book isn't really set on the romance aspect either. But somehow it managed to work fine.
I definitely encourage you to pick up a copy, especially if you love Historical Fiction because this book has a brilliant setting that's going to make you want to go back in time. And if you're Polish, pick it up too, its a pretty great read.
Thank you for stopping by my tour post. I'm very happy to show you this book on the day it comes out, I'm truly honored. Happy Reading.
About the Author
Shonna Slayton finds inspiration in reading vintage diaries written by teens, who despite using different slang, sound a lot like teenagers today. While writing Cinderella’s Dress she reflected on her days as a high-school senior in British Columbia when she convinced her supervisors at a sportswear store to let her design a few windows—it was glorious fun while it lasted. When not writing, Shonna enjoys amaretto lattes and spending time with her husband and children in Arizona.
Giveaway
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I've had my eye on this one. I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it as well if you get a chance to read it :)
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Aneta, I'm so glad to get a review that includes the Polish aspects of the novel. The Polish culture is so interesting to me. I'll have to think about the name thing for a bit. I wrote the first draft back in 2008 for NaNoWriMo, so it was a quick lay down of words. I've got a book of names that I usually thumb through to find my character names if I don't have one in mind already. Kate was originally something else, though it SO didn't fit her I don't even remember what it was. Elsie came with the name Elsie and I tried several times to change it, but nothing felt right. So, I stayed with my gut and explained the discrepancy with her first and middle name. As I think about the potential for another book, there might be an even more specific reason she (and her sister) have two names, going back in the family history. I do not want to irk the Polish people :) I did have a friend who was born in Poland give me some tips and pointers. Any mistakes left unchanged are my own. Thanks again for hosting my tour!
ReplyDeleteOh yes!! I would love to read a sequel to the book. And it would be absolutely fantastic to find out more about her family. I'm so glad your friend helped you out because the Polish was almost accurate. Thanks for writing such an amazing book. I'm looking forward to the sequel if you write one.
DeleteI was able to read an e-ARC of this book but would love to have a copy. I enjoyed the book very much as well - the scenes about window dressing were my favorite!
ReplyDeleteOh I know right. It was nice to read an eARC but the cover is so beautiful I just want to have a copy of it in person!
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Nice review
ReplyDelete