Fairytales were never my kind of story, which is probably why I grinned when I read the premise for Ember. Cinderella wicked? Looks like Disney better go do a remake for one of their classics.

Bettie Sharpe has a brilliant story on her hands about a witch absolutely entranced by Prince Charming, though she does everything in her power to make it not so, even by cutting off her finger. It‘s through unexpected and grim courses of plot and action that I came to appreciate this story and finish it one sitting.

But I wasn’t crazy about the way the story was narrated. Even if Ember really is supposed to be wicked in this story I believed more could have been gained for the reader if they were able to draw their own conclusions through third person rather than first. A lot of opinions readers should have made on their own was given to you in story, which really took away some of the fun.

However, the narrative did not completely detract me from the reading, and I became quickly entranced myself by the plot and ironies within the story. The characters were fresh, and I dare saw I loved the kind stepsisters and stepmother, as well as Ember’s departed mother.

Perhaps the greatest asset to this story is the wickedness of Ember and her confusion throughout the story to get what she wants (as a witch will do what she can to get what she wants). The reader understands what she doesn’t about the Prince, which is powerful, but it could have been better masked and allowed to be more of a mystery.

The story is very involving though short, and an excellent read for those who wanted something more out of their fairytale.

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