Reviewed by Jeanne
Ella is quite the homebody—literally. Murdered at sixteen, she is tethered to her
house while her stepmother Patrice and her two unpleasant daughters still order
Ella around. Ella longs to escape, to experience
life beyond the house but leaving the house seems to be impossible. She contents herself with writing letters,
hoping to find someone who knows enough about ghosts to help. Then she
discovers a way to leave, but only for a short distance and only until
midnight. Even so, the chance to see
people (even if they can’t see her, and even if it’s unpleasant when they walk
through her) is intoxicating. She loves
attending the markets, the ballet, and the theatre. She even meets someone who
can see and talk with her, even if it’s someone Ella is sure she can’t trust.
Then word comes that the King and Queen are holding a ball and
inviting all the eligible women of the kingdom. Prince Jule will be there to
dance and to choose a bride. Ella’s stepmother and her daughters are excited
and planning elaborate dresses to wear.
And Ella decides she is going to the ball—no matter the price.
Yet another take on the Cinderella story was not going to be
at the top of my reading list until I found out that she was a ghost. The possibilities were intriguing and I’m
happy to say that this novella went beyond my expectations. It’s atmospheric, dark, a bit dangerous, and
yet very satisfying. I really admired
the way the author kept so many of the features of the original while
definitely making the story her own.
A memorable tale, well told.
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