Finished 10-24-09, rating 3/5, Fantasy, pub. 2009
I loved the scribbles in the margins, the notes in the front of the books that told their stories, the ways they passed from one person to another. “To Jennifer, Christmas 1921. May these words stay with you.” The stray phrases and numbers jotted on the side of a page – “Indian Taj, 74th Street” emerging from the margins of Utopia, “BUY PUMPKINS” blaring up at me from the back cover of To the Lighthouse. As I sat behind the register, carefull erasing the penciled marks, I felt as if each book had a secret to tell, only to me.
Chapter 1
Lil is a fallen fairy, one who broke the ultimate sin by falling in love with a human. And not just any human, but the fantasy of many a young girl, Prince Charming. Lil was the fairy godmother to Cinderella and in charge of getting her and the Prince to meet and marry, but she made the mistake of taking a peek at the Prince in advance and her heart’s fate was sealed.
Now, Lil is living as an old woman in New York City working as small used bookstore. The owner of the store is a friend who finally recovered from his divorce and when a beautiful young woman walks in to the store, Lil thinks getting them together will be her way back home. There is a charity ball coming up and the couple agrees to attend together and Lil can feel the fairy world coming for her.
This is not your average fairy tale retelling. It is dark and offbeat, which I liked, but Lil was not a character I fell in love with, even though I wanted to. I mean who wouldn’t love a fairy godmother? I liked the way the story was told, alternating between New York and her past life as a fairy. I really wanted to like it more, but it did keep me interested the whole way through.
I recommend this if you like fairy tale retellings or fairies.
This was a library copy.
Stacy's Books 
Thanks for the review…I have been very curious about this book.
Others have loved it.
I’m not crazy about fairy tale retellings, but my sister is, so I’ll tell her about this one.
I usually do like the fairy tale retellings, but this one didn’t quite work for me.
Interesting (but I would like anything that featured a bookstore!); hadn’t heard of this one before…
Ah, yes…it was a wonderful bookstore and Lil had the ultimate job. Why would she want to go back to fairy land?
I like the idea of the story – a fairy godmother can have feeling too. Too bad it didn’t work. I don’t think it’s for me either.
This fairy godmother didn’t seem to care for Cinderella much.
One more thing: I like the new picture (the red flower) in your side bar.
Thanks! I took this at the Denver Botanical Garden ths sumnmer.
Sounds like a fun fast read.
This sounds really fun – I’m going to go add it to my to-read list 🙂
Hope you like it!
I loved this book! I can’t wait to read her next release!
I have this in my TBR. Hope to get to it soon. So many books, so little time!
This book is on my wishlist, fairy tale retellings are my favorite kind of books 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it.
This is a surprising one. Hope you like it.
I really enjoyed this book. By the way, you’ve won my lastest giveaway. See here: http://www.stephanieswrittenword.com/?p=2183
Woo Hoo!
I tend to enjoy fairy tale retellings, and this one sounds fun.
It is a unique take on the fairy godmother.
hmmm…I’m curious so I’ll read it anyway. Haven’t read too many re-tellings anyway.
Thanks Stacy! Love the red flower, btw. Hope the puppy is well.
Max and Scout are both well 🙂