The Glass Gate: A Cinderella Retelling by Hanna Sanvig Review

Hanna Sandvig has quickly become one of my favorite authors with her Faerie Tale Romance series. Her first book The Rose Gate is a great modern take on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. Her most recent release The Glass Gate is a fantastic retelling of Cinderella filled with fashion, fake courtships, an evil king who must be stopped, a tiny dragon and of course true love.

The Glass Gate begins with a young Fae Prince Tiernan (future king of the Seelie Kingdom) making a deathbed vow to his dying mother that he will find a bride by his 200th birthday. If he fails to do so his father King Fiachra will choose a wife for him instead. Since his promise is a magically binding one Tiernan must obey or suffer the consequences. Years later he has given up on a love match and only wants a spouse who will help him further his goals. His wicked father however is determined to have his son marry a bride of his own choosing and threatens every girl Tiernan shows even the slightest bit of interest in. With so little time left Tiernan's friend suggests he try to throw his father off by pretending to have girlfriend while others secretly search for a good future queen candidate. While reluctant Tiernan agrees to the plan when a mysterious young Fae girl named Ella from the illusive Isle of Mist court volunteers. However, little does he know that Ella is not what she seems. Ella a human girl works day after day for her awful stepmother Kimberly and not so nice (and very messy) stepsisters Madison and Hailey wedding dress boutique. Unable to bear the thought of living under their roof forever Ella secretly saves up as much money as she can and plans to enter a fashion competition whose grand prize is a scholarship to the school of her dreams. However, she needs inspiration to make her designs stand out. One day her friend Amber invites her to a party and dresses her up to look like a fairy tale princess. Turns out the party isn't in their own world but in a faerie realm Ella never knew existed. Finally feeling inspired by the Fae's fashion Ella needs and a reason to stay longer. When she overhears Prince Tiernan's need for a fake girlfriend she offers to play the part despite the dangers. If she can just pretend to be a Fae, avoid his father, and secretly study the different types of Fae fashion, and not fall in love with the charming prince she will be fine. She'll even get to go to a ball! But when a fake relationship starts to feel more and more real for both of them how will events play out? Will they find the love neither of them expected (just like a certain meddling fairy godmother has planned) or will uncertainties and lies be the death of their relationship when the clock strikes midnight? You must read to find out. :)

The Glass Gate has risen the ranks as one of my favorite Cinderella retellings. While I wouldn't say the story is as groundbreaking as the twist on Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Livine was, it is still a very enjoyable read. It was wonderful to see more of the land of Faerie instead of being restricted to one court. I loved Ella and Tiernan as a couple and knew they were meant for each other even when they promised each other they that they would never fall in love with one another. 

I could personally relate to Ella since she like myself suffers from anxiety which can make one feel paralyzed when trying to defend myself. When Ella finally found her courage to stand up to her stepfamily, I felt a great deal of satisfaction and hoped that I could be more like her. Tiernan was a good version of Prince Charming since he is known to be extremely charming in public eye. But when it's just him and his friends he can let the facade fade and acts like his true self. He is secretly burdened with having to walk the balance of dutiful son to his father while secretly helping out as many of his mistreated subjects as he can. His father is a cruel powerful tyrant who he must tread carefully around for both his sake and others. I could understand his fear of becoming like his father if he lost a loved one, but it still made me happy when someone knocked some sense into him. It was deeply satisfying. I also love that he bought Ella a dragon egg that hatched into the cutest, mischievous small dragon ever. It was so adorable!

Overall, The Glass Gate was a great continuation to the Faerie Tale Romances series. I give it 5 out of 5 stars. The only real complaint I had about this book was that I would have liked to see more of her stepfamily and find out how they were managing by the books end. But that aside this is a must read for any fairy tale and Cinderella lover. I look forward to the next book in the series and hope it will come out sooner than later. Until next time. :)