Book Review: The Shadow in the Glass by J.J.A. Harwood

 

Eleanor aka Ella was once treated like the daughter of the woman of the house. But things changed drastically when Mrs. Pembroke died and Mr.Pembroke became her guardian. Ella was sent below stairs. All of her privileges removed, she worked hard as a housemaid. Her hands become red, dry, and cracked from the hard work. 

Ella's one pleasure is when she sneaks into the library late at night and reads. Books transport her away from reality. And it is here she meets the shadow woman. The shadow woman comes across as some type of fairy godmother at first, but as things progress there are elements of Faustian type stories. For every wish Eleanor makes, there is a terrible price. And if she makes all the offered wishes, she will pay the ultimate price of her soul.

This story is definitely gothic in nature. The atmosphere is dark, grimy Victorian London. Even Granborough house is dark and crumbling. There is a perceived innocent and paranormal elements. And there is much mystery. 

The book is well plotted generally. It is a little slow in parts, but makes up for that later. 

I kind of liked Eleanor at first. As the book goes on, it gets a little harder to like her even if it is easy to understand why she would make some of the choices she does. Some of the other characters are hateable - Mr. Pembroke, for example. Some more likable, think Charles Pembroke.

Overall, the book is well written. I wasn't crazy about the ending, but it fits. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's definitely an interesting take on a Cinderella story. It's worth the read. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect the content of my review.

Teaser Tuesday: The Shadow in the Glass by JJA Harwood

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

All the heat leached out of Eleanor. She couldn't stop staring at the woman's flat, black eyes. They were totally empty, as though someone had poked a finger through the eyes of a painting. (12% through on my Kindle)

The Shadow in the Glass by JJA Harwood was published March 18th, 2021 by Harper Voyager.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday: The Shadow in the Glass by JJA Harwood

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Eleanor crept down the servants' staircase. It was gone midnight - she'd heard the chimes and flinched, as she always did - and the house was quiet. The smell of rain oozed under the gap of the door to the second-floor corridor, and over the sounds of it falling Eleanor could hear something scrabbling behind the cheaply plastered wall. (26% on my Kindle)

 The Shadow in the Glass by JJA Harwood is expected to be published March 18th, 2021 by HarperVoyager. The teaser is from an advance reader's copy. Therefore, neither the teaser nor its place in the book is set in stone.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #364: The Shadow in the Glass by JJA Harwood

 

Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

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.

The Shadow in the Glass by JJA Harwood is expected to be published March 18th, 2021 by Harper 360. 

Why am I waiting on this book? I' enjoy retellings. This one sounds interesting for two reasons. One is the gothic bent. The second is it's a Cinderella retelling. I haven't run into many of those at novel length, though there are a few I'm aware of including Confessions of an Ugly Step sister by Gregory Maguire.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!