Cinderella and the Beast

Starred review from October 7, 2024
Instead of waking up in the cellar of her deceased royal librarian father’s home, 12-year-old Ella, who has a glass leg, finds herself in the home of a traveling merchant fallen on hard times. Out of kindness, she takes his place in meeting Neesa, the mysterious beast of the woods. Now imprisoned in Neesa’s magical castle, Ella must help her break her beastly curse before time runs out. Meanwhile, the merchant’s 12-year-old daughter Belle, who intended to help restore her father’s business, winds up trapped in Ella’s cellar and magically compelled to act as a servant to Ella’s cruel stepmother. To escape, Belle must recover her deceased mother’s enchanted locket and ally herself with the kingdom of Miravale’s young prince Amir, who seeks Ella. Debut author Bussing skillfully balances whimsy with danger as the protagonists find adventure, freedom, and new friendships. In this delightful fairy tale mash-up, a series launch, Bussing employs familiar tropes and set pieces in new and unexpected ways, weaving them together in a manner that both respects and reinvents the source material. Ella and Belle read as white; Neesa and Amir have brown skin. Ages 8–12. Agent: Laurel Symonds, KT Literary.