Before Midnight.

Before Midnight

by: Cameron Dokey

Etienne de Brabant is brokenhearted. His wife has died in childbirth, leaving him alone with an infant daughter he cannot bear to name. But before he abandons her for king and court, he brings a second child to be raised alongside her, a boy whose identity he does not reveal. The girl, La Cendrillon, and the boy, Raoul, pass sixteen years in the servants' care until one day a very fine lady arrives with her two daughters. The lady has married La Cendrillon's father, and her arrival changes their lives.

As with Sisters Red (though this is definitely nothing like it), this was not my favorite retelling, but still a charming and solid read.

Smart and Sweet Heroine: CHECK
Cendrillon was a great version of the classic Cinderella. She gave life to a character that I always found somewhat too perfect in other classic versions. She had emotion and heartbreak and doubts, but she always loved others and, in return, was loved.

Brave and Loveable Hero: CHECK
While Pascal was likeable enough but I was sad we only really got two scenes of him. So in his stead I am going to talk about Raoul. He was just rough enough to be intriguing and just sweet enough to be cute. I loved when he finally figured it out even though he lost his mind for a second there. I think he deserved more than Anastasia, but she's the one he loved and you have to respect that.

Unique Plot and Original Story: NOPE
This was so very close to the Disney version of Cinderella. She added more politics which was interesting, but the rest of it was mostly the same.

Extraordinary Side Characters: CHECK
All the side characters added dimension and politics to the story. What with Raoul being who he was (if you know what I mean). I loved Old Mathilde and all her wisdom. I also loved that her stepmother was nice and loving when she needed someone to love. I loved Nicolo and Amelie and their blossoming love.

Plot Twists: CHECK
I actually did not see Raoul's little reveal coming at all. Of course, in hindsight it was obvious,but after the fact, isn't it always (hindsight bias)?

Quotes:

“Remember that yours is not the only heart that may be wishing for love.”

“Over and over, we start our own tales, compose our own stories, whether our lives are short or long. Until at last all our beginnings come down to just one end, and the tale of who we are is done.”