The Shadow in the Glass

by JJA Harwood

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402	3	63,195	(3.04)	1
A deliciously gothic story of wishes and curses - a new dark fairy tale set against a Victorian backdrop full of lace and smoke. 'Deliciously dark' Woman Magazine Once upon a time Ella had wished for more than her life as a lowly maid. Now forced to work hard under the unforgiving, lecherous gaze of the man she once called stepfather, Ella's only refuge is in the books she reads by candlelight, secreted away in the library she isn't permitted to enter. One night, among her beloved books of far-off lands, Ella's wishes are answered. At the stroke of midnight, a fairy godmother makes her an offer that will change her life: seven wishes, hers to make as she pleases. But each wish comes at a price and Ella must decide whether it's one she's willing to pay... A smouldering, terrifying new spin on Cinderella - perfect for fans of Laura Purcell and Erin Morgenstern.… (more)

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This book absolutely fell flat. The writing was good and I really wanted to enjoy the story but it really didn't go anywhere and I felt like I had wasted my time. (

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LiteraryGadd | Jan 16, 2023 |

This was a suspenseful story and had me guessing about how it would turn out from the start. When I thought the story was going in one direction it turned right around and went in another and didn’t relent right up to the end. A good entertaining read. (

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Arkrayder | Aug 10, 2022 |

Eleanor Hartley is pretty and 17 years old but fate has meant that she is a housemaid serving her lecherous guardian. Her only escape is the library where she reads avidly. One evening, whilst reading, she is visited by a strange woman who promises to fulfill seven wishes for Ella in return for her soul. Ella decides that as long as she doesn't use up all the wishes it is an easy bargain to make. Unfortunately she discovers that there is a price to pay
There are some rave reviews for this book and I started it eagerly but Ella is not a likable character so I found myself not actually caring about her fate. There is a nice juxtaposition of the fairy world against the context of early 19th century London but it was not enough and I struggled to finish the story (

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pluckedhighbrow | May 9, 2021 |

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Original publication date

2021-03-18

People/Characters

Eleanor Rose Hartley (Ella)

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Epigraph

Dedication

To Rosie, Jess, Georgie and Wei, for all their support and encouragement. This is, technically, all their fault.

First words

If anyone caught her, Ella would be dismissed on the spot.

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▾Book descriptions

A deliciously gothic story of wishes and curses - a new dark fairy tale set against a Victorian backdrop full of lace and smoke. 'Deliciously dark' Woman Magazine Once upon a time Ella had wished for more than her life as a lowly maid. Now forced to work hard under the unforgiving, lecherous gaze of the man she once called stepfather, Ella's only refuge is in the books she reads by candlelight, secreted away in the library she isn't permitted to enter. One night, among her beloved books of far-off lands, Ella's wishes are answered. At the stroke of midnight, a fairy godmother makes her an offer that will change her life: seven wishes, hers to make as she pleases. But each wish comes at a price and Ella must decide whether it's one she's willing to pay... A smouldering, terrifying new spin on Cinderella - perfect for fans of Laura Purcell and Erin Morgenstern.

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A deliciously gothic story of wishes and curses – a new dark fairy tale set against a Victorian backdrop full of lace and smoke.

Once upon a time Ella had wished for more than her life as a lowly maid.

Now forced to work hard under the unforgiving, lecherous gaze of the man she once called stepfather, Ella’s only refuge is in the books she reads by candlelight, secreted away in the library she isn’t permitted to enter.

One night, among her beloved books of far-off lands, Ella’s wishes are answered. At the stroke of midnight, a fairy godmother makes her an offer that will change her life: seven wishes, hers to make as she pleases. But each wish comes at a price and Ella must decide whether it’s one she’s willing to pay…

A smouldering, terrifying new spin on Cinderella – perfect for fans of Laura Purcell and Erin Morgenstern.

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