Scullery boy Edward Bumstead dreams of escaping his life of
drudgery as a slave to his ugly step-brothers.
So when he has a chance to attend the royal ball, he thinks this could be his way to marrying Cinderella's daughter, Lucinda. But he hasn't reckoned on ruthless newspaper editor Thomas Chipstick, who is determined to use the princess to sell more papers - and he won't let anyone get in the way of his dastardly plans.
With his best friend Esmeralda and a band of ragamuffin outlaws, Edward finds himself consorting with witches, frogs and highwaymen in an adventure of cunning plans and fiendish escapades.
So when he has a chance to attend the royal ball, he thinks this could be his way to marrying Cinderella's daughter, Lucinda. But he hasn't reckoned on ruthless newspaper editor Thomas Chipstick, who is determined to use the princess to sell more papers - and he won't let anyone get in the way of his dastardly plans.
With his best friend Esmeralda and a band of ragamuffin outlaws, Edward finds himself consorting with witches, frogs and highwaymen in an adventure of cunning plans and fiendish escapades.
****4 Stars
This is like reading a pantomime, with all the elements for entertainment, a clever idea.
There are numerous over the top, larger than life characters, aspects of cross dressing, a rather crazy witch and the appearance of perhaps a fairy godmother ! The story starts at the end ...of Cinderella and ends.....well I'll let you find out.
It is written in a unique style, where the author is quite chatty at times and poses questions at the end of each chapter.
These questions are ready made for teachers, a great inspiration for 'what happened next' and looking at the style of fairy tales.
The story line is convoluted and the characters get into dreadful messes and situations, (as you would expect) and the author is clever with her plot and means of extracting the characters from their problems!
It is entertaining and has a young sense of ridiculous humour about it.
I think young readers will love the chaotic lives the characters lead and will enjoy the flamboyant writing style.
I recommend you have a look at the sample pages, light hearted easy reading is good for the soul !
I didn't give this 5 star because I have never been that keen on panto, it is a personal thing.
4 Stars for quality, style, entertainment and fun.
I am sure that young readers will rate this with 5 stars.
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