Shard of Glass by Emily Deady

Sometimes you just need a good reread. So I did. I don't know how many of you are eagerly anticipating my next review, but in case you are, this is a rerun. Still a favorite, I've probably read it three or four times since it was published in 2020, if that means anything. If you want a solid fairy tale series, this is it. And the final book in the series is coming out next month, so it's a good time to reread them all.

Shard of Glass by Emily Deady was a beautiful new take on a very familiar story. Ashlin and her prince didn't meet at the dance. Instead, they meet when Prince Onric and his brother are caught in the storm and need to spend the night in her barn. Hiding his identity, Ashlin feels comfortable talking with him, but forgets to ask his name and doesn't expect to see him again. When she takes a job as a palace servant, she is embarrassed to find out who he is and also to constantly see him everywhere. Could it be that he is as drawn to her as she is to him?

Ashlin is not a typical Cinderella in the way she loves her step-mother and step-sister and truly believes they care for her as well. She also feels partly responsible for the death of her father and the suffering his death has caused her family, so she feels no resentment toward either of her remaining family members. However, that makes the domestic abuse worse. And several people, including Onric, call it out. Over the course of the story, Ashlin learns what is and what is not her responsibility and begins to stand up for herself. Several people in the story offer her a way out at various points, but it is up to her to choose to take it.

Onric is a darling of a prince, not perfect, but not snotty either. He likes Ashlin and even though he thinks she is just a servant, he doesn't treat her differently in any way. He even asks his mother for the ball to include commoners because he wants Ashlin to attend (and the queen agrees, knowing that's why he wants her to)! Onric also chooses to trust Ashlin when people lie about her, which is unlike royalty in many fairy tales.

Ashlin's step-mother and step-sister were weak villains, powerless apart from the power Ashlin gave them. So when she decided she was done, so were they. The true villains of the story have yet to make an appearance. They are the Majis, magic users who once wreaked havoc on the land and are returning. For the majority of the story, we hear only rumors of their abilities. But magic is seen as evil and anyone researching it will be severely punished. Of course, that also makes it fun the few times we see magic at work. And yes, there is still a fairy godmother of sorts.

Shard of Glass was beautiful story with fabulous characters. The end clearly pointed to the next fairy tale retelling. I received an ARC from the author and reviewed it after I stayed up all night reading it because of how amazing it was.

Buy a copy for yourself and join me in rereading the series on Emily's discord server, Enchanted Needle Gazette.