Ash

By:  Malinda Lo

From Goodreads:  In the wake of her father’s death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, re-reading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.

The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King’s Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash’s capacity for love—and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.

Entrancing and romantic, Ash is an empowering retelling of Cinderella about choosing life and love over solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief.

I completely loved this book!  Retelling of Cinderella?  Fantastic!  Lesbian aspect?  Cool twist!  Fairies instead of a Fairy Godmother?  Awesome!

I thought Ash was a great character.  I didn't think the Stepmother or her stepsisters were horrible enough.  They were, but I didn't find them to be wickedly e-viiillll.  There could have been a little bit more of the Prince going on since that's kind of a big deal in the original story, but I can see why his character sort of fizzled away.

I'd definitely recommend this book.  Fans of Beastly would probably like this book.  It's a quick, easy read.  If you buy it, get it hardcover, look at that cover how gorgeous!