by Jenny Nimmo
First published 1993
Princess Elen endures a wretched existence in medieval Ireland, trapped by those who should protect her. Her days stretch long with hardship and cruelty, each one darker than the last. She believes herself abandoned to this bitter life until her foster mother steps forward with an extraordinary secret. The woman possesses magical abilities that have remained hidden until now. With these newfound powers, everything Elen thought permanent begins to shift. Her foster mother's magic offers a path away from suffering toward something entirely different. This Irish retelling of Cinderella follows Elen as supernatural forces reshape her world. The magic her foster mother wields becomes the key that unlocks Elen from her prison of misery. What emerges is a story about the power of hidden guardians and the hope that can arise when magic enters the darkest situations.
Genres: irish-literature, fantasy, fairy-tale-retellings, historical-fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate
Tropes: found-family, supernatural-forces
Setting: Ireland
Period: Medieval
30 pages · Hardcover · Dial
Content warnings: abuse