What happens when Fate and Chance make a bet over a map? Most readers know that 3 fates exist. Shakespear let us in on their secrets. They make maps not of territories, but of peoples lives. And sometimes, with a little help, these maps can change. Chance wants to help save at least one of the Ugly Step Sisters. He knows a bit about the family history and he thinks there can be a redemption arc.

Isabella is the stepsister that cut off her toes to try to fit into the shoes. Not because she wanted to, but because her mother demanded it. It will affect her for the rest of her days. The entire kingdom knows who she is, and what her family tried to do, both to Ella and to the prince. They are seen as the worst members of the community, and are treated as such.

Isabella has always known she was ugly. When she was younger and able to ride, play games, climb trees it does not matter. However when she gets older and her mother insists she finds a nobel husband, her looks become a big deal. Neither she, nor her sister can find suitable suitors. Which is what leads to the bashing of Cinderella, and trying to trick the prince. But this story looks at what happens next. When Chance comes calling so that Isabella might make a new life. It will be a hard life, but maybe she can change it to the life she really wants.

For honesty’s sake, if I was reading this, it would have been a wasted book because I would have DNFed it before I was a ¼ way though. The audiobook almost didn’t make it either, but the ability to speed up the reading helped a lot. The book moves along very slowly, and the audiobook reader for this title just drags it out even worse. On top of that, beauty is such a thing in this book. Isabella asks the fairy queen to give her beauty, and the fairy queen says she will only grant this wish if Isabella can find all three pieces of her broken heart. This book is that quest. But once again, the main character continually laments her looks, and shows the reader why she can't get ahead because she is considered ugly. However, she is seen as smart. And her other sister, is even smarter. I give this book such a high rating for the second part. Between the play that Chance creates, to the person that Isabella becomes, to the motives of both her sisters, the story is an interesting look at a character normally considered a villian. Overall a nice listed (at 1.75 speed), but not a great one.
#KillYourTBR #retelling
#Booked19 #new2019
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#BNFantasyChallenge #historicalfantasy
#SFFTBRChallenge #retelling