Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire

Maguire delicately weaves the sense of familiarity with a heart wrenching tale of family and growing up into harsh reality. The intricacies of the plot make the story seem all the more complete. The historical setting brings in real people and they fit the characters in such a way as to credit Maguire’s research and consideration. The reality of Mirror Mirror is even harsher than that of Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, but never in any way that takes away from the story. The narrator’s each have their distinct voice and each pulls at you in their own way.

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire

Maguire spins Cinderella into a realistic historical Holland as seen through the eyes of one of the stepsisters. The sense of magic is still there but the average people can be just as terrifying as the imagined goblins. The three girls lie at the heart of the story instead of just the one and they are joined by a cast of believable and sometimes despicable others. The trials and tribulations are tough, and none of these girls are perfect in any way nor are they what they seem. Filled with wonderful surprises and twists. This is definitely not a happily ever after bedtime story but you still come out with a sense of wonder if nothing else at the power of storytelling.