"How to Summon a Fairy Godmother" by Laura J. Mayo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love fairy tales in general and have a particular fondness for the Cinderella story, so I was thrilled to read this fresh spin on a classic tale. Have you ever wondered what happened to the wicked stepmother and stepsisters after Cinderella’s “happily ever after”? "How to Summon a Fairy Godmother" by Laura J. Mayo offers an original and hilarious answer, filling in those gaps in an entertaining way. It’s a refreshing retelling of the Cinderella story and the first book in the ‘Fairies and Familiars’ series.

The book starts with the famous ball from the Cinderella tale and recaps her story. From there, it jumps 18 months ahead and follows 18-year-old Lady Theodosia Balfour (aka Theo). The Balfour family is having a tough time after Princess Beatrice (aka Cinderella) escaped their grasp. They’re facing financial difficulties, are banned from the palace, and are frowned upon by high society. Theo, considered the "ugly" sister, is rude, short-tempered, and nasty. While her sister Flo is engaged to her beloved, no suitor comes knocking on Theo's door.

 To resolve their money issues, Lady Balfour arranges Theo’s marriage to an elderly Duke. In desperation, Theo seeks a way out and finds a method to summon a fairy - the very same fairy godmother who supposedly helped her stepsister. She beseeches the fairy (Cecily) to help her get out of the marriage. Cecily agrees, but first, Theo must complete three tasks. Cecily’s familiars - a human-turned-mockingbird named Phineas and a cranky fox shapeshifter named Kasara - assist her in this endeavor. What follows is an entertaining tale.

I absolutely loved the story. Theo isn’t a likable heroine at first, but as you get to know her backstory, your perspective changes. The author does a fantastic job of explaining Theo’s behavior and challenging our preconceived notions about her. In this tale, characters aren’t simply black and white. Beatrice isn’t perfect, and Theo isn’t entirely wicked - she has redeeming qualities.

Though initially insufferable, Theo’s growth made me eventually like her and root for her. Her character development is well-fleshed out, making her more relatable. She’s sharp-witted, sharp-tongued, determined, and brave. Her transformation feels genuine, especially given how worthless she felt due to her upbringing.

The story starts slow, but the pace picks up after a couple of chapters. Aside from one repeated sentence in the same passage - “Not knowing what else to do,” which could be rephrased - the writing flows well. It’s very detailed, allowing you to vividly picture each character, place, and scene. The side characters and the banter between Theo, Kasara, and others add to the charm.

I also loved the humor throughout the book, which brought a light-hearted tone to the story. Despite this, the book also delves into some heavy themes like self-esteem and the need to be loved and accepted, which gives it depth. The book also explores issues such as toxic mother-daughter relationships, self-image, women’s plight in a patriarchal society, and how we adapt ourselves to society’s expectations.

To sum it up, I enjoyed the book immensely and would recommend it to fans of fairy tales and retelling who are looking for something original. I was thrilled to learn that another book in the series is on the way and can’t wait to read it. Full stars from me!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "How to Summon a Fairy Godmother" by Laura J. Mayo