Age: 8th-12th grade

A Cinderella remake with a more complex storyline. After her mother then her father dies, Ash is left with a cruel and manipulative stepmother and her two daughters: a greedy, savage stepsister and a misguided yet slightly rebellious stepsister. In order to cope without her parents in her unfortunate life, Ash seeks refuge in the fairy tales of olden days when such magic existed. Ash seeks out a final escape from her unwanted life in the fairies that still may exist in the Woods, even though the tales caution against the misleading happiness of the fairies.
One fairy falls in love with the fearless girl and gives her occasional companionship but fears for her entrance into the eternal life of the fairies. Just as Ash seeks to give herself completely to the fairy world, she encounters a kind Huntress of the King. Ash gradually falls in love with the Huntress and now must separate her enraptured--yet loveless--connection with the fairy prince.

A great book for those who enjoy fairy tales but seek more complexity.