Blog tour: Shadow in the Glass

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Welcome to the blog tour for The Shadow In the Glass by JJA Harwood.

More about the book…

Once upon a time Ella had wished for more than her life as a lowly maid. Now forced to work hard under the unforgiving, lecherous gaze of the man she once called stepfather, Ella’s only refuge is in the books she reads by candlelight, secreted away in the library she isn’t permitted to enter.

One night, while among her beloved books, a fairy godmother makes her an offer that will change her life: seven wishes, hers to make as she pleases.

But each wish comes at a price and Ella must decide whether it’s one she’s willing to pay...

More about the author…

JJA Harwood is an author, editor and blogger. She grew up in Norfolk, read History at the University of Warwick and eventually found her way to London, which is still something of a shock for somebody used to so many fields. When not writing, she can be found learning languages, cooking with more enthusiasm than skill, wandering off into clearly haunted houses and making friends with stray cats.

My thoughts…

How did this book end up in my hands? I was kindly gifted a copy of the book by the publisher so that I could join this tour.

Was it a page-turner? If there ever was a page-turner, this is it. The Victorian setting, the well-crafted characters and those seven wishes… oh, those seven wishes will make you rush through the pages!

Did the book meet my expectations? I have been reading a fair few fairy tale retellings over the past couple of years and this novel takes pride of place among my favourites. The Shadow In the Glass is mainly presented as a dark retelling of Cinderella but it is so much more than that. It is a true Gothic novel, with elements that will remind you of other tales too. Selling your soul to the devil? Well, hello Dr Faustus. A genie who grants you wishes? Hi there, Aladdin. Although, let’s be honest… a genie coming out of a book is much more appealing to me than one popping out of a bottle! All these themes are exquisitely woven together, creating something original and highly engaging.  

Three words to describe it. Dark. Fresh. Addictive.

Do I like the cover? Yes, it’s the first thing that grabbed my attention. It’s perfect for a dark fairy tale!

Have I read any other books by the same author? Not yet as this is the author’s debut novel. And what a brilliant debut!

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