This is another great sequel by a modern writer exploring the untold tales and context of a classic story (Wizard of Oz/Wicked; Huckleberry Finn/James.)  And it sparkles with imagination, insight, and poignancy every bit as much as the original classic.  In this case, we read the real story behind Cinderella.  Set in medieval France, the mysterious Cinderella (Cindy) has danced with the smitten prince and now heads to the castle to be married.  The step-sisters, who had also competed for the hand of the prince are rejected and dismayed:  Fredegonde (Freddy) and Javotte (Votte.)  

Freddy is a giant of a woman, who would have made a good looking man.  She was also intelligent, driven, and hard working.  But in that culture, all her qualities counted for nothing—for women had no rights.  Freddy is a tough, practical, hard-edged, driven farmer and businesswoman.  Votte, on the other hand, is tiny, delicate, a romantic, an artist, toothless, and suffers from incurable halitosis.  Well—she does have one tooth remaining. Even her loved ones cannot tolerate her breath.  

The step-mother is Isabel, twice widowed, and about to be kicked off the estate (for women cannot own property.)  The only hope for the future would be if one of her daughters got married.  But since Cinderella is the one getting married, and Cinderella is estranged from her step-mother and step-sisters, her marriage will do them no good.

It turns out that Cinderella didn’t find the prince or the castle as charming as she first thought.  They were both a disaster—leaving her feel trapped.  

Then, in a twist of plot, the prince decides to invite the step-sisters and the step-mother to the castle, prior to the wedding, to live as guests.  But before the wedding can take place, all three sisters have unexpected counters with men who vie for their affection:  Duke Lou (father of Prince Charming,) Enguerrand (a knight who is much more charming than Prince Galant—who hopes to marry the lovely Cindy), Count Guglielmo (who aims to stop a wedding and claim the lass for himself), and Lord Mercier (a wealthy merchant who develops a financial interest in one of the sisters.)  I won’t spoil it for you—but recommend this as a wonderful read.