A Spark in the Cinders - by Jenny Elder Moke (Hardcover)

About the Book

"In a kingdom on the brink of ruin, one wicked stepsister will use her wits, cunning and fortitude (plus a little help from her fairy godparent) to embark on a dangerous quest for a magical relic that will save her people"--

Book Synopsis

Holly Black's The Cruel Prince meets Jennifer Donnelly's Stepsister in this fairytale reimagining about a kingdom on the brink of ruin, and one wicked stepsister's journey to become the heroine of her own quest.

Aralyn has lost everything - the coveted glass slipper, the prince's hand in marriage, and her only chance to save her mother and sister from destitution. Now she spends her days sweeping the cinders and washing dresses as her stepsister Ellarose once did, plotting her revenge against the girl who robbed her of her future.

But when Ellarose, now the princess, comes to beg her help with saving the kingdom from ruin, Aralyn sees the opportunity to seize everything she's ever wanted. She discovers a prophecy, an ancient blade from the original fairy godfather of the kingdom of Novador that could restore the kingdom to its former prosperity. She's determined to find the missing pieces of the blade and use its power for her own gain, even if it means dragging her bumbling fairy godmother and an annoying lady knight along with her.

But as Aralyn has to put her trust in others to survive the challenges of retrieving each lost piece of the blade, she begins to question everything her mother has taught her about surviving in life. Maybe the prince was never the key to her future, and maybe she'll have to fight to find her own happily ever after.

Review Quotes

PRAISE FOR A SPARK IN THE CINDERS

Forget everything you think you know about a certain wicked stepsister. Filled with suspense and magic and adventure, this is anything but your typical fairytale retelling.--Jen Calonita, New York Times bestselling author

PRAISE FOR CURSE OF THE SPECTER QUEEN

"This lush, high-stakes, adventure tale has it all--a rollicking plot, a sweet slow burn of a romance, and a heroine on an epic journey filled with ciphers, curses, and twists that kept me guessing at every turn. A delightful read from start to finish, Curse of the Specter Queen is one of my new favorites."--Alyson Noël, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Immortals

PRAISE FOR HOOD

A twisty, fast-paced adventure that will be an excellent addition to every collection, but especially where mythology, legend, and historical fiction are in demand.--SLJ

PRAISE FOR HOOD

Moke does the Robin Hood tale justice, imbuing the legend with historical accuracy and a good dosage of the classic, jovial shenanigans of the Merry Men, outlandish disguises and cunning feats included. The focus on the children of legendary figures allows some wiggle room to play on the old tales, and romance fans will be pleased by the simmering relationship between Isabelle and one of the Merry Men. The story is by turns romping and tragic, and the resounding theme of fighting injustice and oppression rings true for present times.--BCCB

PRAISE FOR HOOD

With a strong and appealing female lead and the younger generation of Merry Men at the center of this novel, readers will be engaged and excited by this new look at a familiar story. The quick pace, daring rescues, and, of course, plenty of archery will keep the pages turning... An exciting read from beginning to end.--Kirkus


Forget everything you think you know about a certain wicked stepsister. Filled with suspense and magic and adventure, this is anything but your typical fairytale retelling.--Jen Calonita, New York Times bestselling author

About the Author

Jenny Elder Moke is a young adult author of HOOD and the Samantha Knox series. When she is not writing, she's gathering story ideas from her daily adventures with her two rapscallions and honing her ninja skills as a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Jenny lives in Denver, CO.