A Curse of Ash and Iron by Christine Norris – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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

This was an enjoyable retelling of the Cinderella story with a Steampunk twist, which had me hooked throughout. Set in Philadelphia in 1876, in a world that has automatons and steam powered ‘motor cars’, and childhood friends Benjamin Grimm and Eleanor Banneker are reunited. However, Ben’s delight soon turns to dismay when he learns that Eleanor has been under a spell, put on her by her stepmother, for the last seven years and she’s been forced to live as a servant in her own home.
Ellie had spent years bewitched under her stepmother’s watchful and unforgiving eye, whilst being hidden in plain sight. Ellie becomes hopeful when having met Ben again, he seems immune to the magic binding her and their friendship is rekindled. However, the couple must find away to break the curse before midnight on New Year’s Eve, or both Ellie and her father will be bound forever. I felt immersed in the storyline and engaged with the characters. The intriguing storyline and plot twists kept me happily turning the pages, whilst both the setting and characters were brought vividly to life by the descriptive narrative.

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