A Curse of Ash and Iron by Christine Norris – Review by Beverly Finnie

A Curse of Ash and Iron by Christine Norris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was different but I enjoyed it. The main reason I decided to read A Curse of Ash and Iron was because it’s a period piece based in Philadelphia. I do enjoy period pieces time and again, but the close to home aspect sold me. The rich history of Philadelphia is well known so I was curious on how the author was going to tap into that while telling this story.
Ellie has been cast as an essential version of Cinderella. However it’s with a twist. Nobody recognizes her and her father is still alive. The rest fall in grace with a stepmother who makes her life miserable. A step sister who is kinder than previous versions. She enlists the help of her best friend Ben to break the spell holding her hostage. Funny thing Ben hasn’t seen her in 7 years but he can see her for her true self.
Why is Ben the only one who can see who she really is?
Why did her stepmother treat her in this way?
Ben never thought he’d see Ellie again. But there she was one night at the Walnut Street Theater all grown up. What he didn’t understand was why nobody addressed her for who she was. Once Ellie broke it down for him, he didn’t believe her. Though it was so far-fetched, it wasn’t true.
Who believes in magic? Yet at the same time he wanted to believe in his illusions.
Does Ellie succeed?
Does Ben truly help her?
So many questions and so many answers. If you like period pieces, definitely a book you should be checking out.

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