Magic at Midnight (Cinders Sparks, #1) by Lindsey Kelk

Magic at Midnight (Cinders Sparks, #1) Reviews

• 
  Mehsi

  A retelling of Cinderella, should be fun right?
  
  
  I was so excited about this book, it looked adorable, fun, and magical. Plus, I am a big lover of Cinderella retellings. I always love seeing people grab the original story and make something new out of it. But then I started reading it and it just wasn’t it.
  
  This book and I just didn’t work. There was just something off about it. A few things that have contributed: The ending which just felt like there was meant to be more, but then cut off. The writing style that felt weird, I am not sure how to explain this one, but sometimes a writing style just doesn’t work for me. That it took so long for a reveal that I already saw coming miles away? That Cinders was not really an interesting character? That she was actually kind of boring and bland. Sparks who was an annoying talking dog? Then again, I am already not a fan of the talking animals trope, it works if the story is about a world with only animals, but if it is a human + talking animal it generally doesn’t work for me. I guess all of these and more. It took me way longer than normal to read a book of this size and I have even put it down a number of times to do something else, eventually I just pushed myself to read it on in the hopes it would become better.
  
  As I said I did like that this was a retelling of Cinderella. But I also really loved seeing all the other fairy tale characters pop up or be mentioned. Like Belle and the Beast, Hansel and Gretel, and more. Yep, Cinderella (or Cinders as everyone calls her) is not the only fairy tale character in this world. The witch from Hansel and Gretel even lives in the forests near her home! So fun!
  
  I also loved the illustrations, they were so fun. Pippa Curnick has an adorable and fun style. I definitely want to see what else she has done.
  
  So yeah, all in all, not a book I enjoyed that much. 🙁
  
  Review first posted at
  https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
• 
  Evelyn Evertsen-Romp

  Ik ben altijd te porren voor een sprookjesachtige hervertelling, en Cinders is één van de grappigste die er te vinden is. Lekker chaotisch, droog en met onverwachte bekenden, deze is perfect voor meisjes van een jaar of negen.
• 
  Amy

  I mean this was utterly and completely delightful. Even though this is marketed at children I absolutely adored this and found it hilarious. Cinders is such a wonderful character; she had such heart and fight to her but was also so humorous. I love this alternate take on Cinderella and the modernistion of it! Brian is wonderful. Why should Brian be a male name eh?!
  
  The illustrations in this book were wonderful and just utterly brought this book to life. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series; I also love that characters from other fairytales pop up, such as Bo Peep and Jack and Jill! Just delightful, recommend for all ages!
• 
  Odette Brethouwer

  Oh, dit is geweldig! Het is echt heel grappig - ik heb meerdere fragmenten voorgelezen aan mijn man. Het is avontuurlijk, het is stoer. Het is alles wat je van een kinderboek van deze tijd verwacht. Love it! Nu al zin in de andere delen!
• 
  Bianca

  Super cute middle grade retelling. I adore Cinders 💖
• 
  Fabulous Book Fiend

  Oh i absolutely loved this book, it was so much fun and such a great retelling! If you're looking for a Cinderella retelling that give you the answers to what happens to Cinderella AFTER the prince finds out that she's the one who fits the glass slipper then this, my friend, has all the answers.
  
  
  
  Cinders is such a great character because she is such an awesome rebel. She is the cinders that we need for this modern era/ She pretends she has done the washing up when she hasn't. She really doesn't hate her sisters as much as she might and she loves to eat. I love that she is really someone we can all relate to.
  
  
  
  And then there is the magic, this book is full of magic, including Sparks and his powers. I love all the little powerful things that the two of them can accomplish with their magic and through the use of their magical friends and I can't wait to find out how this will affect future books in the series.
  
  
  
  You might start reading this book thinking that you've heard the Cinderella story before but really, you havent' you need to keep reading. And the ending of this book is way way apart from the beginning and sets up for the second and third book in this series that I am already excited about reading. Cinders and Sparks are headed out on more adventures and I can't wait to find out where they head to next!
• 
  Sonia Donelli

  
  http://www.esmeraldaviaggielibri.it/c...
  
  Cenere e Scintilla. La magia di mezzanotte e Cenere e Scintilla. Le fate della foresta di Lindsey Kelk con le illustrazioni di Pippa Curnick, libri per bambini pubblicati da HarperCollins il 3 settembre.
  
  Questi due libricini sono un amore quindi anche senza leggere la mia recensione dovete correre in libreria (o su Amazon) a comprarli per regalarli alle vostre nipotine o alle vostre figlie dai sei ai dieci anni. Io li custodirò gelosamente in attesa della pubblicazione del terzo volume che spero arrivi presto.
  
  Cenere è il diminutivo di Cenerentola, ma non pensate di trovarvi di fronte alla fiaba che già conoscete narrata in modo più contemporaneo, no no, qui Cenere è una ragazzina e ha un fido compagno di avventure dal nome Scintilla oltre ai topolini vari che le tengono compagnia.
  
  Cenere ha una matrigna e due sorellastre ossessionate dal Principe e i lavori domestici le vengono affibbiati come punizione per le sue marachelle non perché è tenuta prigioniera. Ha ancora il padre a cui vuole un gran bene e che la tratta come una principessa, ma la madre è venuta a mancare quando era piccina e non ricorda molto di lei.
  
  La cosa che più mi ha fatto sorridere è la sua lingua lunga, si caccia spesso nei guai perché non sa tenere a bada i suoi pensieri e proprio questo suo modo di essere così avventato le fa scoprire una cosa incredibile…Cenere è magica! Non subito se ne capacita, in fondo lei ha solo desiderato che la pila di piatti e stoviglie si lavasse da sola, ma non è certa di ciò che ha visto. Poi esce in cortile alla ricerca di Scintilla per andare con lui a correre e ruzzolare nei campi riempiendosi di fango e cosa succede? Scintilla parla. Non è possibile che si sia avverato il suo desiderio. Ma inizia a credere che qualcosa di strano in lei ci sia quando dal nulla appare la sua fata Madrina, di nome Igor (è una donna ve lo posso assicurare) che le comunica che è tutto vero, certo deve lavorarci perché la sua magia è piuttosto instabile, ma fa parte di lei.
  
  Così quando le si presenta l’occasione di testare la propria magia, contro il parere del padre e la volontà della matrigna, trasforma i suoi abiti in un elegante vestito da sera, fa diventare Scintilla un cocchiere e i topolini dei cavalli, crea la sua carrozza e si reca al ballo a palazzo, indossando le scarpine di cristallo appartenute alla madre, certa di vivere una serata emozionante. Peccato che al suo arrivo trovi un vero mortorio e per divertirsi un pochino finisca a nascondersi sotto al tavolo del banchetto. Proprio qui incontrerà il Principe Azzurro che sta fuggendo esattamente come lei. Un Principe che non ha nessuna intenzione di prender moglie ma se proprio è necessario vorrebbe che questa fosse Cenere. Purtroppo però Cenere deve fuggire perché la mezzanotte si avvicina e tutti i suoi incantesimi svaniranno. Ecco non proprio tutti, qualcosa non tornerà com’era prima e sarà di aiuto a Cenere per la sua fuga nella Foresta Oscura. Ma da cosa sta fuggendo Cenere accompagnata dal fidato Scintilla?
  
  Gli umani e il regno fatato vivono due esistenze che non devono entrare in contatto, non si fidano gli uni degli altri e potrebbe scatenarsi una guerra. Cenere sa di non essere una strega e di non aver intenzione di far del male a nessuno per questo si mette in viaggio, deve raggiungere il Paese delle Fate trovare sua madre e scoprire cosa le è stato nascosto fin da quando era bambina. La sua traversata doveva essere solo con Scintilla, ma si aggiunge Hansel (proprio quello) che deve fuggire perché ha fatto qualcosa che non era il caso di fare, come è nella sua natura. Così l’avventura di arricchisce di un personaggio di tutto rispetto, ma non è il solo perché i tre avranno a che fare con una famiglia di orsi che tutti noi consociamo bene e con Raperonzolo. Io amo le fiabe contaminate, mi piace tantissimo quando vengono mischiate e i personaggi entrano in contatto rivelando altri aspetti del loro carattere.
  
  Cenere e Scintilla è una trilogia per bambini davvero splendida sia per il testo che per le illustrazioni che cattureranno l’attenzione di tutti i bambini e anche di noi adulti. Mi sono divertita un mondo a scoprire questa nuova versione di Cenerentola e devo ammettere che, benché sia una delle mie fiabe preferite, il carattere di cenere così aperto, avventuroso e sopra le righe mi ha conquistato fin dalla prima pagina. Una versione rock e scanzonata di una delle fiabe più famose. Assolutamente da non perdere!
• 
  Steff Fox

  |
  Read on Reader Fox |
  
  
  
  Just a tiny tickling in the tip-pity-tips of her fingers.
  
  I'm honestly not sure if I would have liked Lindsey Kelk's Cinders and Sparks: Magic at Midnight had I read it as a child, but I sure didn't love it now. If you're looking for an over the top fanciful (and mildly annoying) Cinderella retelling, 'good golly gosh' this is a book for you. But, if you find excessive cutesy language and ridiculous characters really hard to read through, I'd skip it.
  
  It's Not Bad...
  
  I'll stand by this statement. This isn't a bad book. I just didn't like it. The majority of my distaste existed in the form of a talking dog, Sparks. Not only was he painfully annoying, but he kind of existed as the 'point out the obvious' character. And while I'll admit that he, like much of the book, is unique, I just didn't enjoy it.
  
  Similarly, I'll say this much: Kelk's book is very unique. There's a lot that's new to the Cinderella tale that you definitely don't expect. In some ways, it's very impressive. But it's also filled with a bunch of silliness that takes a lot away from my ability to appreciate the nuanced pieces. And, that said, I did really like this Cinderella's prince. I just wish he had been a little bit more involved in the story.
  
  And I wish we'd seen less of Sparks and the fairy godmother, Brian.
  
  An Interesting Ballgown
  
  The artwork in this book is actually pretty great. I kind of loved all of it, and I was especially excited to see the diversity in how the royals were portrayed. The art, like the novel, was quite unique. And while I'll admit that it wasn't all to my taste, I think the kids will absolutely love it. And if you're like me, your favorite moment with both illustrations and story will be hidden underneath the snacks table at the ball.
  
  I Wasn't Expecting...
  
  I wasn't expecting a series, I'll be honest. And in its conclusion, Magic at Midnight kind of fell short for me. I think the fact that this book was setting up for a series is partially why a large portion of the novel didn't work for me. Cinderella's entire experience at the castle after the found her, quite frankly, sucked. It was awful the way they got her to go there in the first place. I legitimately cringed the entire time I was reading it.
  
  And the one moment that Kelk had to move this novel in a good direction was completely foiled when Joderick didn't join in running to the trees -- you'll know what I mean if you read it.
  
  So, yeah. It was okay.
  
  I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
  
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• 
  Eve beinguniquebooks

  In this reimagined version of Cinderella we meet Cinders and her loyal dog Sparks as they live with her palace designer dad, step mum and step sisters whom still the latter detest her and give her all the household chores.
  
  
  
  However as Cinders makes it to the ball thanks to her fairy godmother Brian showing Cinders she can perform magic, its there she meets Joderick, a young prince looking to marry...
  
  
  
  Though, Cinders doesn't know the royals believe fairies to be dangerous and unkind to them and set about trying to keep them away and end them!
  
  
  
  As Cinders battles with her mind over what to do to save the fairies and keep the royals happy, she can't hide the fact she can perform magic and soon trouble happens in the castle as she gets sent away she finds herself searching for help, her fairy godmother and a cast of other fairy tale characters may be able to help her, if she finds them...
  
  
  
  Cinders in this book has been touched with a modern edge that works, it's fun and fascinating to get lost in such an enchanting tale and is left open for a book two set to have more adventure within for us!
  
  
  
  Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
• 
  Book Gannet

  This is a fun fairytale retelling that makes Cinders less a victim abused by her step-mother and step-sisters, and more an independent-minded young lady whose step-family really don’t understand her. There’s also a talking dog, lots of wish-magic and tonnes of other fairytale and children’s rhyme folk thrown in (Jack and Jill, Jack and the Beanstalk, Bo Peep, Hansel and Gretel, to name just a few).
  
  The story is okay, quickly disposing of the famous ball and slipper scenario, but it was kind of thin and definitely felt like one story cute into pieces rather than the first well-rounded installment of an adventure. It’s fun enough and enjoyable, but it’s not massively memorable compared to all the other alternative-Cinderella’s out there, and the abrupt ending is kind of annoying.
  
  Pippa Curnick’s illustrations are great, though, and added a lovely extra layer of magical fun to the book. In all, an easy and fun read, that looks good and isn’t too complicated. If you have a young reader in your life who loves all things fairytale, then they’ll probably like this too.
  
  (Review copy provided by the publishers via Amazon Vine.)
• 
  Nika Schnarr

  A funny Cindereall retelling and a lof of new elements. It is a nice story for children or little Princesses who love cinderella.
  
  Cinderella mal anders. Eine echt
  süße lustige Geschichte für alle die Cinderella mögen. Endlich wurde für mich die Frage geklärt, warum Cinderella eine gute Fee hat. Cinders ist ein toller Charakter. Sie drückt sich auch mal vor ihrer Hausarbeit, liebt Essen und tobt gerne draußen herum. Auch erfahren wir endlich, was nach dem Ball passiert, welches Leben im Palast auf Cinders wartet und warum es überhaupt einen Ball zur Eheschließung gab. Viele liebe volle Details wurden hier eingebracht und Fragen beantwortet, die man vorher nie an das Märchen gestellt hat. Gegen Ende des Buches löst sich die Geschichte dann immer mehr vom Märchen und es entwickelt sich eine eigene Geschichte. Doch die Märchen-und Feenwelt wird nicht verlassen und es verspricht, dass wir noch viel mehr „Bekannte“ aus anderen Märchen treffen und neue Figuren kennenlernen dürfen, denn die richtige Reise beginnt jetzt.
• 
  Amy (Golden Books Girl)

  In her first book for a young readership, Lindsey Kelk reinvents the story of Cinderella and tells it from the perspective of Cinders as discoveries about her family and the infamous prince`s ball change her life forever. Cinderella is one of my favourite fairy tales so I have to admit I was hoping for a few more homages to past versions than what was there, but I did enjoy the ones that were and there were some really great mentions of other fairy tales that I liked a lot. This was a really sweet, short read and I had a lot of fun while reading it. I thought the story was well paced and engaging, and I quite liked the addition of Brian/the mystery surrounding the fairies, which seems like it will continue into books two and three and has me fairly interested in picking them up at some point after they`re out. Finally, I also enjoyed Pippa Curnick`s illustrations throughout, particularly those of Cinders` dog Sparks. 4/5
• 
  Pauline

  Magic at Midnight by Lindsay Kelk is the first of three titles in the Cinders and Sparks series planned for this year with gorgeous illustrations by brought to life by acclaimed picture book illustrator, Pippa Curnick. It is a funny reimagining of the Cinderella story, combining adventure, magic, talking dogs (who love sausages), and a feisty heroine. Readers will also enjoy the cameo appearance of neighbours Jack and Jill and Little Bo Beep and her sheep. As well as a lot of laughs and challenging of stereotypes it gives the message to children that as long as they can follow their dreams and hopes, and help others who are different from them to achieve their dreams and hopes, then the world is theirs. It’s a book about humour, magic, acceptance, difference and kindness.
  
  Suitable for 7+
  
• 
  Hannah Heartss

  This is a children's book for readers aged between 7-9 but I must say, I really enjoyed it and found myself laughing out loud at certain parts. I think this would be a great book to read with kids as there are some elements that not just for the kids, like getting in touch via DMs - unexpectedly hilarious.
  
  It's a fresh and up to date take on Cinderella and Cinder's has a talking dog - it doesn't get much better than that! Sparks, the dog in this book, is a very sassy character and I loved him. One of my favourite things about this book was the other classic characters making appearances, Jack and Jill were her neighbours and Little Bo Peep and her sheep were even at the ball! I loved how unique this was compared to other Cinderella retellings and I loved how she could use magic.
• 
  Christina Reid

  A cute, humorous retelling of Cinderella which continues the story after the traditional 'they lived happily ever after'. Cinders ends up in the palace with her talking dog Sparks, an unreliable, scatty fairy godmother named Brian and mysterious magical powers which seem to respond to her every wish. Life in the palace means no more chores, but also no more of many of the things she used to do for fun. I want to find out more about the fairies so I will be reading Book 2! I liked that Prince Joderick and his family were not white as it is nice to see the diversity of our society reflected naturally, without it even being commented upon.
  This would be perfect for readers aged 7+, particularly if they have previously enjoyed Witch Wars, Amelia Fang or Witch for a Week
• 
  Michelle

  What a fantastic read! This book revolves around Cinders (short for Cinderella), her adorable talking dog - Sparks and her adventures! Similar to the original Cinderella, Cinders is responsible for all the chores in the house while her evil step mother and step sisters lounge around the house. However, don’t be fooled. This is where the similarities end as this is not a traditional retelling of the classic. This book is so so much more and has a lot more adventures including with Cinders’ Fairy Godmother (Brian) and HRH who loves to bake brownies. Although this book is written for middle graders, it’s certainly necessary for adults like me who are still young at heart.
• 
  Lara Samuels

  I wanted to like this book but it frustrates me when an author tosses in a curse word just because. The use of hell didn’t illustrate the character or advance the story at all. Even if it didn’t have the random use of hell, the story dragged on in the middle and came to a very abrupt ending. The author is setting readers up for a sequel but wrote chapter 1 of the next book (which will have to be repeated in book 2). I would. It recommend the purchase of this book for school or classroom libraries as funds are usually tight and this has too many problems.
• 
  Amy Hodges

  This is a very modern retelling of Cinderella. Cinders and her talking dog Sparks are the main characters. While I personally didn't love this version, I think many of my younger students would. It is a good addition to my fairytale section and I see it being popular with my seven and eight year old students. I will also be on the lookout for the second book to help wrap up some of the loose strings at the end of this one.
• 
  Emilee (emileereadsbooks)

  Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's for a free digital copy.
  
  The first in a series of books of Cinderella retellings. I thought it was a fun and imaginative book, tying in other fairy tales and modern technologies into the story as well. I like that Cinders is a more independent girl who knows what she wants and learns to stand up for herself. This book does end on a cliffhanger, so kids will want book 2 right away!
• 
  Jaymie

  [I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
  
  3.5 stars = Good+
  
  A cute fractured fairy tale that starts with a Cinderella story but where Cinders has magic. That then launches the larger story of Cinders in search of the truth of who and what she is and what that means for her future. This feels on the young side of middle grade and should be a fun series for kids.
• 
  Lilyfae

  The Cinderella trope is a bit of a bug bear truth be told with me. I dislike the surrendered nature of the original fairy tale with the doing as you’re told Stepford domesticity message to being ‘saved’ first by a Fairy Godmother then the Prince and then the factor of consent and choice in marriage to Prince and so much more including ‘beauty standards’ and it all gives this message that if you let people walk all over you a Prince will come and save you.
  Oh how wonderful it is that Lindsey and Pippa have turned ALL that on it’s head quite literally and aimed it at the vulnerable group of Early Chapter books.
  
  Cinders doesn’t do as as she is told, doesn’t quite fit in, isnt conventional princess type with her sticky outrageous hair and constantly dirty clothes. She doesn’t enjoy parties and Balls even if she is curious about them and doesn’t want to be a picture perfect princess she wants to choose and control her own destiny.
  She offers much to the young reader whether it be self acceptance that you can be amazing, inspirational and magical even if you don’t look like something out of Toddlers and Tiaras but also that it tells girls they don’t have to settle for Fairytale tropes if it doesn’t suit them AND that they CAN save themselves and are worthy of saving too just like Cinders.
  
  Such a wonderful and fun filled book I cannot wait for the next instalment.
• 
  Soup

  Playful and funny multiple-novel retelling of the classic story of Cinderella and (in a rather less classic twist) her talking dog. Familiarity with both fairy tales and nursery rhymes will improve the reading experience, but is not necessary to enjoy either headstrong Cinders or her mishmash fantasy/modern world. I'll be looking for the other two books in the series for sure.
• 
  Casarah Nance

  A fun and unique twist on familiar fairytales. My kid gave this five stars saying she loved the twinkling fingers and the mouse horse. I gave it four, as much as I enjoyed some of the silly wit and banter, at my age all the renditions of fairy tales seem overplayed. This really felt like it was written for kids of this generation.
• 
  Fern

  Who needs a fairy godmother to make your wishes come true when you can just do it yourself.. Cinders and Sparks is Cinderella with a fantastic twist! Because Cinders will go to the ball, but nothing will go to plan...
  
  Refreshingly funny and full of magic, adventure (and cake!), Cinders and Sparks will be enjoyed by boys and girls alike.
  
  Can't wait for book 2!
• 
  Rosina

  Honestly I just picked this book up as I saw it and I love Lindsey Kelk but it was funny and cute and a wondeful fairytale retelling for young kids. I'd have loved it as a kid and I loved it as an adult.