Stealing Glass

“Stealing Glass” by Liv Strom intricately reimagines the Cinderella narrative within a dystopian framework, crafting a tale characterized by deceit, secrets, and lies. Vanya, coerced by her stepfather, assumes the role of a foreign princess, propelling her into a distinctive journey alongside Prince Dimitri that intertwines revenge and political intrigue.

Employing dual perspectives, the narrative unveils the intricate minds of Vanya and Dimitri through innovative twists, blending Cinderella elements within a realm defined by Halloween aesthetics and magical elements. The characters, notably Vanya and Dimitri, navigate the complexities of enemies-to-lovers dynamics amidst a backdrop of mythical elements, skillfully balanced by intense action and well-paced developments.

The exploration of darkness, encapsulated in Vanya’s journey of self-discovery and Dimitri’s relentless pursuit of revenge, unfolds against the backdrop of societal divisions, alluding to the possibility of a revolution. Despite some concerns such as limited dialogue, occasional repetitiveness, some typographical errors, and a suspenseful conclusion, the book’s creative freedom significantly contributes to overall satisfaction. “Stealing Glass” emerges as a sophisticated and enchanting YA romance, offering a promise of increased intrigue in the sequel while encapsulating the essence of a Halloween-inspired fantasy world.

Stealing Glass | Rating: 4 Stars | Genre: Dystopian / Fantasy / Young Adult | Tags: Fairy tale retelling, Dual-Pov, YA | Author: Liv Strom | Publisher: SM Press | Pages: 389 | ISBN: 9783907446034 | Purchase
Author: Liv Strom
Liv Strom is a Swiss-Swedish writer of speculative fiction, often featuring strong women. Her stories have appeared in Apex, Hexagon SF Magazine, and Mystery Magazine, among others, and been included on Tor's Must-Read Speculative Fiction and reviewed on Locus.
Her first novel The Last Spiritwalker is a dark contemporary road trip where no one is safe, while her Tales of Bones and Roses series retells fairytales in the city of Tal, where epic fantasy and romance meets.

When not writing, she raises her three wild children on fairy tales.