I’m a huge lover of fairy tale retellings, and scooped up Freya Marske’s CINDER HOUSE the moment I saw it. Marske’s version is a lush, Gothic delight, casting Cinderella as a ghost trapped in haunting her own home with her evil step-mother and step-sisters. There is known magic in Marske’s world, including fairies and sorcerers that push the traditional fairy godmother aspect into a new perspective, and curses cast not only on our heroine but her prince as well. Brushstrokes of queer romance add additional heart to Marske’s version of the story. Overall, a gem.

A slim novella that respects the boundaries of the original tale without diminishing what Marske brings to the retelling, the story doesn't break the rules of its own magic, relishing a tale spun in a gossamer and glass slippers.

This was billed as queer and gothic and it wasn’t really either of those things. At the surface level, maybe, but I wish it had gone deeper. The romance felt one dimensional and Ella’s feelings towards being murdered and then having to act as a servant to her killer were a bit tepid. An undercurrent of anger rather than incandescent rage. Maybe it’s just me, but I think I’d feel some rage.

Book Summary:

Ella hasn’t exactly had what most people would consider a normal teenage life. She was murdered at the age of sixteen, and instead of moving on to the afterlife, her spirit was snatched up by the house that loved her. Now, Ella spends her days caring for the house and heeding the orders of her killers.

She’s found ways to resist the confines of her ethereal life, from loopholes that let her leave the house to secrets stashed deep within the walls. When an announcement from the palace opens another opportunity for resistance, Ella knows she has to take it.

My Review:

Oh wow. Cinder House was such an amazing read! Let me be clear: I adore retellings, and I especially have a soft spot for Cinderella retellings. So I was probably destined to fall in love with Cinder House. However, this novella can easily stand on its own two feet. Remove the retelling element, and the tale would be just as strong. So don’t let that detail scare you off.

The beginning of Cinder House is rough, in ways not dissimilar to the classic version. Ella’s beginning is heartbreaking and actively upsetting on multiple occasions. So that part is admittedly a little challenging to get through.

Once Marske is done establishing her tale, the fun begins. This tale explored the limitations of magic, the mechanics of haunted houses, and in a way, the depths of human nature. The best and worst of humanity are tucked neatly into this one book.

The twists and turns were completely within keeping of the original tale, and yet entirely shocking at the same time. Freya Marske’s version successfully kept me on my toes from start to finish. My only regret is that it’s over, and I don’t have the power to read it for the first time all over again.

Highlights:
Cinderella Retelling
Haunted Houses
Gothic Romance
LGBTQ+

Trigger Warnings:
Death/Murder
Blood/Abuse
Animal Death (mentioned)

A tale as old as time, a horrible stepmother and her two bratty daughters use Ella as their slave only time Ella can't just escape. A story that spans over time, Freya Marske was able to pack a lot of worldbuilding and character development into such a short novella without it feeling rushed. I really enjoyed this retelling of Cinderella with Ella being trapped to the house she was meant to inherit and still being forced to do her stepmother and stepsisters bidding.

It is very evidence that Freya Marske is a gifted storytelling and is a very good writer, however, I got uncomfortable during Part 4. Though I liked how Prince Jules and Nadya were able to help move Ella's soul to a new space to haunt, I did not like the voyeurism aspect of the final few pages. While this story does span time, and Ella isn't still the young girl who fell down the stairs, Ella also hadn't been able to really grow up either. It felt icky and weird, and wholly unnecessary to mix sex into the story. Sometimes it's okay that Ella doesn't end up with the Prince and this was the kind of story where that would have made for a better ending. It went from a solid 4.5-5 star book story to 2.5-3 star story in a flash.

Thank you Tordotcom for the gifted ARC.

I liked the idea of Ella's ghost becoming tied up with the house that was meant to be hers. It put a fresh spin on Ella's existence as a servant to her step family. I also really enjoyed the short, descriptive prose, which is very reminiscent of a Grimm fairy tale. Overall, this was a very charming short story!

Freya Marske retells Cinderella in a queer, Gothic romance and I loved every minute of it.

Marske’s writing beautifully captures the story, while taking impressive strides towards a new understanding of the tale. This Ella finds both her people and her freedom as a haunting in the tale we all know and love.

If you like your retellings queer and ghastly then this one is for you!

Yes, yes, YES! I have been eagerly awaiting the ARC of this book, literally checking every single day to see if it was available because I cannot wait until the publish date to read it. I adore Freya Marske, and my adoration continues with Cinder House. Who doesn't love a queer, gothic Cinderella retelling, that's my question??? I'm going to be telling everyone I know about this one. Read it, and then read all of Marske's other books if you haven't already.

Freya has a real talent for animating the inanimate--for conveying emotion without relying on human expression--and this really shines in Cinder House. Ella as both ghost and house was fascinating, poetic, and achingly poignant. Moreover, the story doesn't break the rules of its own magic, and I hope you'll understand what I mean when you read it. All I can say is: I was immensely satisfied.

This was the perfect-sized morsel of a story, and I wanted to hold it in my mouth until it melted. I'll definitely be coming back for seconds.

I really enjoyed this story and stayed up late to finish because I couldn’t tell where it was going, despite retelling a very familiar fairy tale! Just the right amount of worldbuilding to fit into a novella, and Ella is a wonderfully compelling, likeable heroine.