Review: Fairy Godmother's Inc. by Jenniffer Wardell

Title:  Fairy Godmothers Inc.

Author: Jenniffer Wardell
Publisher:  Jolly Fish Press
Publishing Date: April 27th 2013

Pages: 350
Genre:  Adult Fairytale Retelling  

Series: Stand Alone
Source: Paperback ARC 

  

In a world where fairy tale situations are as much a fact of life as death and taxes, everyone knows hiring Fairy Godmothers, Inc. is the best way to assure that your beautiful daughter or enchanted frog of a grandson will get the happily-ever-after he or she deserves. Sure, sometimes a little love potion is required to make sure those quotas stay up, but what Prince Charming doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

Kate, an experienced Fairy Godmother, who’s enough of a romantic to frustrate her rigidly rule-bound boss, has just received a specialty assignment from one of the company’s board of directors. Cinderella—Rellie for short—was placed with an appropriately wicked step family years before, and now needs the dress, ball, and handsome prince to complete her happily-ever-after. The fact that Rellie isn’t sure this is her dream come true—balls are fun, but princes tend to be less interesting than fluffy bunnies—isn’t something management considers a problem.

Complicating things a bit is Jon, the youngest son of the royal family, who meets Kate, and is smitten, but isn’t quite ready yet to reveal his true identity. After all, it’s his older brother Rupert who’s supposed to marry Rellie, which means pretending to be a lowly civil servant will give him the chance to spend more time with Kate. (As long as he can get the ball arranged, and stop Rupert from getting himself into trouble over his “self-actualization” business, he should have the perfect opportunity to explain everything and get started on making a little magic with the Fairy Godmother of his dreams.)

But, of course, things never ever happen as planned.

This story was filled with loads of fun. I received this book from the publisher and was excited to read it. I love fairytales and retellings. I didn’t know that I would be laughing out loud while I read the book. I was pleasantly surprised with the tone of the book and the hilarious characters. A little warning the book is a bit on the cheesy side but in a very good way. The story did stay true to the fairytale traditions of Cinderella… Fairy Godmother, Glass Slipper, Evil Stepmother and Stepsisters, Prince Charming. It did have all the elements needed but told from the point of view of the Fairy Godmother with a bit more of a modern edge. It was just great!

Kate is a Fairy Godmother, it is her job to fulfill the contract of clients when it comes to matching up their loved one. She is handed an very difficult contract (without knowing it would be difficult) to fulfill in one week. She must match up Cinderella with Prince Charming, the one that is heir to the throne. From the beginning the job is messed up. One week and no ball planned, there is a problem with the prince in question, and Kate herself seems to be falling in love. Loads of trouble. She must fight her feelings and work with what she has before time runs out for Cinderella and herself.

Loved this book. The style of writing was simple and very entertaining, the tone was built around humor, and the characters were all a mess and kept me on my toes.

I really enjoyed the overall tone of the book. It was not the original dark fairytale tone, or the sweep me off my feet Disney movie tone, it was “I can’t believe this is happening and I can’t stop laughing” tone. The characters were a bit over the top, the story was humorous, the Fairy Godmothers had a knack for messing up, and the royal family was very interesting.

The plot of the story was really creative and original. The idea may have come from an age old fairytale but the author did an exceptional job of making it her own. I really liked the idea of Fairy Godmothers working for a company and are assigned to those who have been contracted out to be matched. This makes sense to me, why some got one and some didn’t. I also enjoyed the story being told from the Fairy Godmother’s perspective. Cinderella’s Godmother had to go through so pretty hot hoops to get the job done. If Fairy Godmother’s Inc existed, I would want Kate, she is one determined Fairy Godmother.

The characters really got me going. Kate is a great character. She was written well and so very likable. I really can’t think of anything I didn’t like about her. She was a bit dense at times when it came to Jon but she was still great. Cinderella “Rellie” was a hoot. She cared more about the color pink and bunnies than becoming a princess but she would do anything to have a bit of fun, wear a pretty dress, and get away from her evil family. She seemed to act a bit immature for her age but I figured it was from being cooped up away from society for so long. Jon is a super nice guy. I can’t say I swooned over him, but he was totally lovable.

All the characters had something amazing and fun to add to this story. Add together quick pace, fun story, quirky characters, and a lot of mishaps and you get one great fairy tale. Another note of something I really loved, its an adult book, but very clean and reads like a young adult. 

It’s just one of those books that one reads just to escape reality and have a good time. I know I loved it and I am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Review: Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

Title: Princess of Glass

Author: Jessica Day George
Publisher:  Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publishing Date: May 25th 2010

Pages: 257
Genre:  YA Fairytale Retelling

Series: Princess #2
Source: Hardcover

  

Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program, whereby young princes and princesses travel to each other's countries in the name of better political alliances--and potential marriages. It's got the makings of a fairy tale--until a hapless servant named Eleanor is tricked by a vengeful fairy godmother into competing with Poppy for the eligible prince. Ballgowns, cinders, and enchanted glass slippers fly in this romantic and action-packed happily-ever-after quest from an author with a flair for embroidering tales in her own delightful way.

I was so excited to read the next installment for the Princess series by Jessica Day George. I loved Princess of the Midnight Ball and couldn't wait to get my hands of the Cinderella retelling, Princess of Glass. I was able to read the book quickly with a smile on my face. It was fast paced and enjoyable. 

Poppy is one of the middle sisters and this story is hers. Ever since the worn out slipper incident that ended after the death of a prince of two, the sisters are doing everything they can to make things right with other kingdoms. In this story Poppy is sent of to a kingdom to spend some time and possibly be married off. The only problem is that she doesn't want to dance. Ever since the Midnight Balls, she is put off about dancing. So she finds other activities during the dance such as cards. She does meet the prince, Christian , and he isn't to bad on the eyes.  We  also mix in another girl, a servant girl, who is not so nice and also wants the boy. Oh and on top of that, who needs evil stepmothers when you have evil fairy godmothers. I loved that little twist on the classic fairytale!

Another great fairy tale retelling. I loved it. I really enjoyed seeing another sister in action. So many of the sisters were itty bitty in the first book and not the focus that I didn't feel that I knew them very well. Wither there being 12 sisters it would take a lot to focus on each one individual. I am not sure why Poppy was chosen but I am glad she was. 

Poppy is fun, smart, witty, and just full of surprises. I think what I loved most about her is that she was very sassy and she knew what she wanted. She was not going to be pushed around. She wasn't going to do what she didn't want to do, like dance. The Midnight Balls left a very bad taste in her mouth for dancing, she goes to the ball but refused to dance. What does she do instead- play cards with the men. Loved it.  

I didn't quite gush over the prince like I did for Galen in the Midnight Ball. He was a good character. Seemed like more of a playboy to me. Not ready to settle down. Kind of a wise cracker. I think he was good for Poppy but I missed Galen for sure. Maybe others will like Christian more but I am still a Galen girl. 

I may have not been the biggest Christian fan but I did like the romance in the book. It was nice and very fairytalish like- even with all the sinister planning of evil doings going on. 

The writing was well done, I did find it seem to have the feel for a bit of a younger crowd this time. Maybe not as much meat as the fist book, but I still enjoyed it very much. It really did end to fast for me. I am very happy the dark side was kept in the story, I think that is one of my favorite things about Jessica Day George's farytale retellings... They are not all fluffy, warm feelings, and such. Nope they can get quite dark and evil. 

Another great fairy tale retelling from a great author. I can't wait to read the final book.