The author of Lady Tremaine treats us to a Cinderella reimagining from the point of view of the evil stepmother.
Carol’s Captivating Characters of May Link-Up
***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
On the last Friday of the month, I will write a post about my most captivating character of the month and create a Link Party (see link below my review)! In addition to hearing about the memorable characters that have captivated you, I also want this new project to facilitate new bookish friendships, help you find your book twin, and promote blog engagement. This link party will stay active for 30 days. In exchange for linking your post back to this one, I promise to visit every blog post that links up, leave a comment, and share your post once on #bookx and #booksky.
Captivating Character Link Up Details:
- You can use fictional or real characters/persons.
- Link up a review that specifically highlights a captivating character or person, or write a post dedicated to your most captivating character or person of the month.
- Please include a link back to this (monthly) post.
- Be kind: visit one other post in the link-up and leave a comment.
- #CaptivatingCharacters26
No blog? No problem! Share your most captivating character of the month in the comments.
Shoutout to Joanne @ Portobello Book Blog, HC @ the Irresponsible Reader, Laura @ Reading Books Again, and Carla @ Carla Loves to Read for linking up with me in April. Check out their posts!
Lady Tremaine
Is she evil or ambitious on behalf of her daughters?
Name of Captivating Character: Lady Tremaine (aka Evil Stepmother of Cinderella)
The reason she is captivating: ambitious, risk-taker, problem-solver, clever, determined, resilient
Book and Author: Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser
Genre/Categories: historical fiction, realistic fiction, family drama, fairy tale reimagining (without the fantasy)
Mood: determined (first 70%) …. the last 30% takes a darker tone
Author Rachel Hockhauser reimagines Cinderella from the point of view of the evil stepmother in a compelling and page-turning retelling or, as the author describes it, untelling.
Is Lady Tremaine Evil? In this reimaging, not really. We see a woman maintaining a crumbling household on her own, making ends meet with few resources, clinging to her former respectability, securing futures for her two daughters, raising a spoiled stepdaughter, and feeling disappointed/resentful when the stepdaughter gains the prince’s attention. We see a woman who finds the strength to carry on after the deaths of two husbands and fiercely loves her daughters, going to great lengths to promote and protect them.
“Marrying them well was the only chance I had to spirit the girls up and away from what life had dealt us.”
“What do children do except take without knowledge of the sacrifice behind the giving?”
What about the stepdaughter? In this reimagining, we see a petulant and spoiled side of the stepdaughter, and we have little sympathy for her. We realize the real strength of Lady Tremaine when the stepdaughter faces some danger (no spoilers) and the stepmother takes great risks to protect her.
“I resented her for all she had taken from me, and found I was still willing to give her so much more.”
What’s her strength? Lady Tremain’s strength is her devotion to her family, her determination, and her resourcefulness. This is a good thing until it isn’t. At around 70%, the story takes a dark turn, and we find out what Lady Tremaine is truly capable of. Lady Tremain is a fighter and demonstrates a fierceness that all women who protect their daughters might recognize.
Her secret weapon? Lucy, the peregrine falcon!
If the stepmother isn’t the villain who is? No spoilers!
A happy ever after? Even in a fairy tale reimagining we might expect a happily ever after. After a harrowing turn of events, we are treated to a more respectful and healthier stepmother/stepdaughter relationship, and there are hints of a hopeful future for Lady Tremain.
Overall, the reimagining of Lady Tremain (evil stepmother) is a fascinating character study that explores a mother’s determination, resilience, and sacrifice. A captivating character and compelling reading experience.
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
This was a 5-star read up to the 70% mark when it took a dark turn. The ending was a bit over the top.
Lovely cover… amirite?
Meet the Author of Lady Tremaine, Rachel Hochhauser
Rachel Hochhauser was born in Santa Barbara, CA. She graduated from New York University and has a masters in fiction from the University of Southern California. She lives in Portland, OR with her husband and two daughters.
I KNOW you’ve encountered some fascinating and interesting characters this month! Share them with us by linking up your review post!
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(open for 30 days)
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