Before Midnight: A Retelling of "Cinderella" (Once upon a Time)

Warning: Spoilers ahoy! I absolutely loved this. After finishing another Cinderella rewrite that left me wanting, I decided to download the kindle version of Before Midnight. The first chapter absolutely drew me in, and I couldn't put the book down until I'd finished. It's a quick read, but the prose is beautiful. The plot is well thought out, and the characters are well fleshed. Like the author, I too wondered what kind of father would allow a step mother to come in and turn his daughter into a servant, and because of this always rather liked the Disney cartoon version (first movie I ever saw in a theater as a child) that left Cinderella an orphan. Before Midnight leaves the father alive, like many of the original stories do, but fills in his story. You are left with understanding for the father, even if you still don't like him very much. I really liked how the step mother and two step sisters were written, the love interests, and Old Mathilde (the stand-in for the fairy godmother). My only complaint is that nearly everyone seemed to fall in love at first sight, I think it might have been nice to have the step sisters take a bit longer. I also would have liked to see the father stick around and try to make up for lost time rather than simply disappearing. But overall, I really enjoyed it and will be reading more from this author. 4 3/4 stars.

I am an absolute sucker for retold fairy tales, and even though the Once Upon a Time series is targets teen readers, I look forward to see what new spin each installment brings to old familiar stories. Cameron Dokey is the most prolific and - in my opinion - best author contributing to the series. In order to craft her own version of the Cinderella story, Dokey went back to the Grimm and Perrault versions of the tale. In a nod to the Grimms, there is a tree planted on the grave of Cendrillon's mother, a symbol of her mother's love and influence even after her death. Dokey also retains the French setting & names found in Perrault's tale. And, as found in both versions, Cinderella's father is alive, and plays a much bigger role in her life than modern readers are accustomed to seeing. Dokey then asks two questions - one, what if the father lives and is a negative influence on Cinderella's life, and two, what if her stepmother and stepsisters were not the wicked ones? Dokey's writing has a lyrical style and rhythm that immediately makes me feel like I'm reading an original fairy tale, and in a nod to modern audiences her Cendrillon is smart, assured, compassionate, and not afraid to speak her mind. Before Midnight doesn't take top honors as my favorite retelling, but it's a solid & enjoyable entry in the series.

I love how the author deeply thought about and researched this book to give both a fairytale-enchanting and very human plausible tale. There is much human heart understanding in this book and I enjoyed it in the shall we say -over 39 age range?

This book starts out very sad and mysterious, but as the story unfolds it pulls you in. This version is unlike any cinderella story you've ever read. When you meet the stepmother and stepsisters in the story, you're really not sure how the plot will go and you think you already know the story.....YOU DON'T. Cameron Dokey did her research for this book and the way her version goes is the most enjoyable and delightful cinderella story ever done. The story isn't too long or too short, it's just enough to satisfy and show that not only does Cinderella get her happy ending, but so does everyone else around her. I am now eager to read other books by Cameron Dokey; this one is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in 2011 and I look forward to more.

Great story from the traditional Cinderella, I enjoyed the plot and how it ties in together very well. Lots of good plot twists too. Recommend to all

I enjoyed this tell of what one might think is Cinderella. Different in the characters however you do enjoy them. Great for anyone who'd just like to spend sometime in a romance.

I have grown up having Fairy Tales read to me. And Cinderella was one of my favorites, I have read almost every rendition there is in my library but the same theme is in each and every one. Cinderella is bullied by Stepmother and Stepsisters and just sits at the fire side waiting for Prince Charming to come her way until the Fairy Godmother comes and makes her daydreams a reality. As I have gotten older It just got me to thinking does she not do anything for herself? The story just got boring! But This Book I am happy to say gave me a new look into the life and world of Cinderella. A way for the age old Fairy Tale to be a story that as you get older can spark the imagination and give new life into a Great story! I highly recommend this Book! You will not want to put it down.

Did not come with the advertised cover.