I was expecting a lot more from this book for sure. It tends to just show Ella as a victim, and awful things just keep happening over and over to her. I really was hoping for her to finally break out of this, but it feels like she never did. The retelling was super interesting because there was no Prince Charming, and Ella got herself out of poverty by relaxing her moral code, but I don't know how to explain it expect I was just expecting more. 

The fantasy elements of this are pretty limited. Expect a period piece with an almost gothic description of the world and town she lives in. The writing style itself is beautiful and that is consistent throughout the book. 

The POV from Ella's perspective was interesting and I feel like the characterization and relationships built were complex and we could feel them. However, the plot just felt like it was stumbling along, and it felt like I was waiting for the big moment or something really important to finally happen. I felt this all the way until the final chapter and it felt so anticlimactic. I don't think I'll ever pick this book up again to reread, which is why the rating is lower.