Blurb:

In this fast-paced story full of adventure and romance, Cinderella is more than just a servant girl waiting for her prince—she’s a tough, fearless girl who is capable of taking charge of a dangerous situation. Seeking to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother, Cinderella perfects her ninja skills and magic talents in secret, waiting for the day when she can break free and live happily ever after. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next—but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you’ve ever read!

My Thoughts: I loved fairy tales as a kid and Cinderella was my absolute favourite (I watched the Disney movie so many times I knew it by heart when I was around 4-5), so of course when I heard about this extraordinary retelling of my favourite childhood  fairy tale my curiosity was piqued.

The Twisted Tales series is described as

Adventurous fairytale adventures where the heroines are very capable of saving themselves, but also get their handsome princes. Fast-paced fun stories, full of danger, adventure and romance.

I couldn’t sum it up better. These are exciting fairy tales with modern, independent strong and fesity heroines who are the Buffys of classic fairy tales.

Cinderella: Ninja Warrior has everything of the original fairy tale we loved as children but what it has in addition is the feisty heroine training to be a ninja warrior (lol) with a cute spin on the pumpkin and fairy godmother and heaps of humour and winks to the the original story.

Besides Maureen McGowan’s easy to read and naturally flowing writing style and the humour behind the symbolism of the story, what makes Cinderella: Ninja Warrior unlike any other story is that here, you, the reader decide how you want to shape the story! At crucial crossroads you have the choice between several possibilities and depending on your decision, you can read the story in 8 different ways! (After I finished it I wanted to re-read it immediately just to see how things would turn out if I chose a different path 🙂

Cinderella: Ninja Warrior has everything a fairy tale should have and even more:

– a nice heroine the reader can sympathise with
– a fresh and young take on the dashing prince making him cute and fun to be with
– scary villains
– heaps of magic
– lot of fun and action
– and of course the heartwarming romance of the tale is still present:

“Thank you.” She looked into his eyes and felt the strangest conflicting sensations. It was as if she were melting, yet becoming stronger at the same time. Stronger than she’d felt in her entire life.

When the prince asks for Cinderella’s hand in marriage, he says:

“I want your life to be wonderful, everything you’ve ever wanted or imagined. I don’t want your life to be something you have to get used to.”

Verdict: I might have expected this book to be ridiculous based on the title, but it was a great surprise. Cinderella: Ninja Warrior is a wonderful, fast paced, fresh retelling of the classic fairy tale with a modern, strong and independent heroine and a charming, cute, boy-next-door prince. There is lots of fun and action, the entertainment is guaranteed! 😀

I thouroughly enjoyed Cinderella: Ninja Warrior (and can’t wait to read Book #2 Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer), so I give it 4.5 bookies!