Review: To Shatter a Slipper

Three is the magic number for this review. To Shatter a Slipper by Abigail Manning is the third book I've read from the Shattered Tales series and the third "Cinderella" retelling I read from this author. Despite retelling the same fairy tale so many times, she still manages to find a new twist that makes the book feel fresh and original. This book has a similar plot to Disney's Cinderella III: A Twist in Time in which the infamous glass slipper fits another girl who must work together with Ella to reclaim her happy ending. It fits the theme of the Shattered Tales series because the "Cinderella" story is literally shattered when the glass slipper doesn't fit Ella, and it's an unexpected perspective swap that acknowledges and celebrates Cinderella's kind and gentle nature.

Kirsi has no interest in marrying a prince. She's more concerned with the restrictions her father placed on her relationship with Caden, a servant at the palace. Just when she thinks she found a spend time with him without her father's knowledge, the glass slipper prince's betrothed impossibly fits her own foot. She tries to protest and tell everyone it was a mistake, but her father won't let her. Not only that, but he tells her that if she doesn't marry the prince, he will get Caden fired, forcing him to fend for himself on the streets. Kirsi feels she has no choice but to go along with her father's wicked scheme. To make matters even worse, Cinderella's fairy godmother curses Kirsi so that any time someone sees her reflection, it shows Ella instead. When Caden learns of everything that transpired, he forms an unlikely friendship with Ella to help her reclaim her happy ending so that he and Kirsi can be together.

Despite the similarities to Cinderella III: A Twist in Time, this story stands on its own due to some key differences. There is no time travel or magic involved in the wicked scheme. Kirsi is not Cinderella's stepsister but instead, an ordinary girl with the misfortune of being stuck with a father who is as evil as Cinderella's stepmother. The prince takes a less proactive role in this story. Although it is meant to be a deconstruction, it sticks to the original stereotype that the prince knew nothing about Cinderella and fell in love after dancing with her for only a few moments at the ball. Though he immediately assumes that the first person who fits the slipper is the same girl without question, it is still established that Ella is his true love. Many modern "Cinderella" adaptations have challenged this trope by having Cinderella and the prince know each other beforehand with the slipper as a mere formality. Still, it's easy to forgive this transgression because it is more Kirsi's story than it is Ella's.

This book is significantly shorter than the other two "Cinderella" adaptations I've read by Abigail Manning. It is a perfect read for someone who doesn't have a lot of free time and needs a quick fairy tale fix or has a long list of books they are trying to get to. Considering its low page count, it does an excellent job of giving Kirsi a complete character arc from a submissive victim who feels she has no choice but to comply with her father's orders to someone who decides to take charge of her own destiny. Ella doesn't have the same arc and needs help every step of the way, but she isn't ostracized for this weakness and instead celebrated as a hard-working and deserving heroine. Caden is a great supporting character who uses his words to help Kirsi and Ella see the wrong of their parents' ways and how important it is to make things right for their future happiness.

In To Shatter a Slipper, Abigail Manning masterfully shatters the traditional Cinderella narrative, crafting a fresh and original tale that celebrates kindness, self-discovery, and the power of friendship. Through Kirsi's journey, Manning skillfully explores themes of agency, consent, and the importance of taking control of one's destiny. While Ella's story is expertly woven throughout, Kirsi's transformation from a victim of emotional abuse to a determined heroine is the true magic at play. With its concise yet impactful storytelling, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a quick yet satisfying fairy tale fix. Manning's unique spin on the classic Cinderella tale will leave readers enchanted, inspired, and perhaps even a little bit shattered – in the best possible way.