Author: Freya Marske
Publisher: Tor.com
Released: October 7, 2025
Received: NetGalley
Find it on Storygraph | More Fantasy
Book Summary:
Ella hasn’t exactly had what most people would consider a normal teenage life. She was murdered at the age of sixteen, and instead of moving on to the afterlife, her spirit was snatched up by the house that loved her. Now, Ella spends her days caring for the house and heeding the orders of her killers.
She’s found ways to resist the confines of her ethereal life, from loopholes that let her leave the house to secrets stashed deep within the walls. When an announcement from the palace opens another opportunity for resistance, Ella knows she has to take it.
My Review:
Oh wow. Cinder House was such an amazing read! Let me be clear: I adore retellings, and I especially have a soft spot for Cinderella retellings. So I was probably destined to fall in love with Cinder House. However, this novella can easily stand on its own two feet. Remove the retelling element, and the tale would be just as strong. So don’t let that detail scare you off.
The beginning of Cinder House is rough, in ways not dissimilar to the classic version. Ella’s beginning is heartbreaking and actively upsetting on multiple occasions. So that part is admittedly a little challenging to get through.
Once Marske is done establishing her tale, the fun begins. This tale explored the limitations of magic, the mechanics of haunted houses, and in a way, the depths of human nature. The best and worst of humanity are tucked neatly into this one book.
The twists and turns were completely within keeping of the original tale, and yet entirely shocking at the same time. Freya Marske’s version successfully kept me on my toes from start to finish. My only regret is that it’s over, and I don’t have the power to read it for the first time all over again.
Highlights:
- Cinderella Retelling
- Haunted Houses
- Gothic Romance
- LGBTQ+
Trigger Warnings:
- Death/Murder
- Blood/Abuse
- Animal Death (mentioned)
Thanks to Tor.com and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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