Rendersella Review: First Line Friday

Rendersella Review: First Line Friday

Welcome to my Rendersella review on this First Line Friday. Rendersella is the newest release from author Amy R. Anguish. It just released from Scrivenings Press on Tuesday, and I can’t wait to tell you about it. But first, the first line.

First Line of Rendersella

“Once upon a time”–Daddy used his best fairy-tale voice as he read the story, snuggled on her bed–”there was a girl named Rendersella.”

My Rendersella Review

I’ve read all, or nearly all, of Amy R. Anguish’s books, and this one is my favorite. It’s a fairy-tale retelling of Cinderella, and having grown up with the comical Rindercella version told to me, I appreciated the play on the traditional name. And having the main character named Ella Renders was a great choice. This story is a quick and easy read, as any fairy-tale should be.

All the elements of the original are present in this new version. There are even a few nods to the tale from the characters themselves, who are smart enough to see the similarities their lives share with the fairy-tale. Ella is the orphan, unloved by her step-mother and tormented by her step-sister. There is a prince of sorts and a fairy godmother, though her magic is of the wisdom and faith variety. The slipper is there, though not as you’d expect. And even the pumpkin makes an appearance. The only things missing were mice, but since those were from the movie version, I concede they would be an unnecessary addition.

While Ella, the prince, and the fairy godmother are all easily lovable, making you cheer for them from the start, it’s not because they are perfect or lack depth. Ella and her friends do have struggles, other than the typical fairy-tale trouble. They do make mistakes. And they are people of faith. I love that the author brought faith into the story. How much better would the “real” Cinderella fared if she’d had God to lean on instead of a fairy godmother?

While most stories have a bad guy or at least someone standing in the way of the heroes goal, the author of Rendersella took full advantage of  the opportunity to really let the villain’s nastiness shine through. I like that the badness wasn’t watered down as it allowed the story to keep the fairy-tale feel.

For my Rendersella review, I give the story five stars. And I recommend you check it out. If you love a good fairy-tale, you don’t want to miss this one.

More About the Book

If you enjoyed my Rendersella review and want to find out more about the book, come back Monday for my Main Character Monday interview where I sit down with Fae, Ella’s fairy godmother.

And if you’d like to hear someone else’s opinion about the story and enter a giveaway. Check out Reading is My Superpower’s post.

If you’ve heard enough and are ready to get your copy. You can get Rendersella here.