This is another one of those fairytales I'm not very familiar with. I think I encountered one or two other retellings of this tale and that's about it. However, that also makes reading this book fun in a different way. Instead of knowing what's to come everything is a surprise for me. I was therefore really happy I got an arc to dive in before everyone else can.

What I loved about this book is that it's really capturing that true fairytale vibe. That means that the characters in this story might not have the kind of depth other characters can have and yet I was never bothered by how fast their romance developed or how little I knew of them. The author did a great job using not that many words, but still showing us a lot.

I also quite d how the Glass Castle came to be in this story. I have no clue if it happens the same way in the original tale, but in a way the Glass Castle was a curse that had to be broken, while it was also a sign of love and need to protect. It became a beautiful symbol of harming someone especially because you promised not to let someone get hurt.

The finale of this book happens quite quickly. I personally think a lengthier epilogue, showing us a little more of the aftermath, would have helped to really feel the happily ever after. However, I did enjoy that not everything that went wrong in this story is magically fixed by the end of the novel. What happened does have consequences. And not all of them are pretty. fairytale-retellings review-copies5 s Kendra ArdnekAuthor 65 books256 Read

This releases tomorrow!

I am just so excited for everyone to read this story, because it's very close to my heart. It's built out of some of my favorite fairy tales, and a few that I don't so much, and Isobel and Keiran are two broken people that just came together so beautifully. There are books that I have written, and ones that have just poured out of me - and this is one that poured.

But I also wanted to give some insight as to which fairy tales I used and how, because while I joke that I can't retell a fairy tale without five others showing up and demanding inclusion.

The Glass Mountain is a grimmer version of a tale you might know, the Princess on the Glass Hill. As soon as I was asked to join the set (and informed that Snow White and Cinderella were both taken), I recalled this story, and the image of a princess trapped in a world of glass and the mystery of how she got there was so enticing, I just had to write it. It's a very simple tale, about perseverance in the face of impossibility, so I knew it wasn't enough to build into a whole book, but I loved it as a starting point. (Also, fun fact, but Kieran's grandmother will eventually have her story told in an enemies-to-lovers retelling of the Princess on the Glass Hill!) Fun fact, but I actually forgot that this version of the tale had golden apples, so I nearly left them out!

Fairer-than-a-Fairy is probably one of my favorite tales of all time, and I'm on a bit of a mission to break it out as the next rising star amongst fairy tales, and I actually went back and forth a few times whether this or the Glass Mountain would be the fairy tale in the marketing. While Glass Mountain provided the iconography and setting, a lot of the plot comes from this tale. Fairer-than-a-Fairy features a girl who's the prisoner of the fae, whose only companions are her cat and dog, who then falls in love with a prince who can only appear to her in the form of naturally-created rainbows. I just replaced the garden with a palace of glass, and un Prince Rainbow, Kieran could appear to her with his own face - but only in place of her reflection.

The Crystal Coffin (which I accidentally mistitled as the Glass Coffin in initial marketing), is an interesting Sleeping-Beauty type tale, which added in a bit more glass iconography and also cast into question just how much of the situation is reality. Fun fact, but this is the second time I've included this tale in a mashup, and both times, readers have thought I was pulling from Snow White. (Which makes me think that I need to write a mashup of these two tales, hm...)

Eros and Psyche (aka, the predecessor to Beauty and the Beast.) Fairer-than-a-Fairy is a EoP type tale, and so as I pitched towards the end, I let Kieran's grandmother enter the story as a Aphrodite-type character to give Isobel some challenges before their reunion.

Cinderella. *cough* Look, I knew it was taken, but Cinderella just provided the perfect vibes for Isobel's backstory, so I let it happen. I also have some Snow Queen vibes in here as well, since when I plotted this story, Kimberly had not yet claimed the tale. If she hadn't, then I would have used more Snow Queen elements where I ultimately used elements from the Glass Coffin. It would have been a very different story, but I'm quite happy with what ultimately happened. However, the ice survived, so ... there's that.

One fairy tale that is *not* a part of this book? Snow White. I just combined some tales that had Snow White iconography and Isobel wanted black hair.

Anywho, I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I loved writing it, and I'm truly grateful that I was given the opportunity to release it as part of the Shattered Tales. my-books retelling retelling-crystal-coffin ...more5 s Karen DaliathAuthor 4 books24

Before this book, I didn't know a fairytale called, Glass Mountain, existed. So, I had been excited for this book from Kendra, intrigued what the story was about.

To Destroy an Illusion was an interesting read with suspenses, and flashbacks, and romance that kept me racing through the pages till the end. And that twist was...!!! Whoa!

If you're looking for a quick read with suspenses and a dash of romance, I highly recommend this book!

I received an ARC copy in exchange of my review. All opinions are solely mine.2 s Anniebelle67 2

Such an interesting retelling

Loved this clean retelling of the glass mountain! The world building is amazing and the characters so well developed! I loved watching Isobel grow and stand up for what she believes in. Kieran shows growth too in what it really means to love! I received an ARC from the author but my review is honest and my own.

2 s Rachel Reads262 86

Ummm…wow. Definitely an interesting read. I really enjoyed it in the beginning, but the ending was harder. There was a certain accusation that didn’t turn out the way I was hoping and thinking. Also, something happened that was really sad. Other than that I enjoyed what was going on and the intrigue in the first 60%. There were a few completely not detailed kisses that felt out of place, but I would consider the romance to be generally clean. Maybe I’ll try more books by this author!2 s Jessie1,354 77

This book was interesting as the story mostly occurred trapped in an enchantment and then through flashbacks. The romance didn’t have enough interactions to build on, but the magic and the mystery of what in the world was going on were enough to keep me reading.2 s SarahAuthor 7 books136

This is a mysterious and intriguing retelling of a little-known fairy tale, The Glass Mountain, with hints of two equally obscure tales, Fairer-Than-a-Fairy and The Glass Coffin.

I loved the overall concept of the book and its two storylines — one before and one now. In the now, Isobel lives a charmed, but empty life in a mysterious glass castle. All her wants and needs are attended to, but she can't seem to remember how she came to live here, and she's terribly lonely with no one else in the place . . . until a charming young man appears in place of her reflection and speaks to her. And in the past, we follow Kieran as he tries to protect his crown prince brother from the schemes of wicked fae, all while falling for that fae's pawn, a young woman wrapped in thick glamour.

Both storylines were interesting and full of questions to be answered. The storyline had some interesting twists as the answers to those questions were revealed. I enjoyed the way Kendra slowly doled out bits of information and the parallels created between the two storylines. I also appreciated how Kieran's motivation was constantly to protect others — you know we love a good protector character! Finally, I was very much pleased with how the curse was eventually broken. (Spoilers? But it's a fairy tale from Kendra; you know the curse will be broken eventually. It's just a question as to how.)

I don't think this is the best of Kendra's books. I had a hard time connecting to the characters and buying into their romance, and some sections also felt a little rushed. Nonetheless, this is an enjoyable read, and someone looking for a retelling of some more obscure fairy tales would find plenty to appreciate.fae-magic fantasy it-s-a-love-story ...more2 s Chad Barrus926 20

This was a fairy tale retelling of a fairy tale I had never heard of before but I loved it!

Isabel is an orphan human brought up by a fae and
presented to a kingdom and the crown prince as
someone she isn’t through fae glamour! Kieran is
part fae and can see through the glamour and knows
Isobel is controlled by her godmother against her will. However, neither can prevent her godmother from carrying out her nefarious plans but Kieran intervenes and whisks Isobel away to a place where she is safe after the deed is done but there she is all alone. Eventually she sees him in her reflection and she starts to remember a life she had before ending up in this castle made of glass and wants to leave.

This story is one of self discovery and determination to preserve against all odds when Isobel makes a determined effort to find Kieran and free him and in so doing free herself as well!

I enjoyed this tale and recommend it along with the
other tales in this series. I have read most but not all but the ones I’ve read I have also enjoyed and left on them.

Fairy tales are a magical vehicle that take us to a land of magic and fantasy where anything can happen. I
have always enjoyed them as a young child and never
have outgrown that draw they have to pull me in to be enthralled by the story I read!

I encourage everyone to read this this book and then
read the other books as well. Variety is the spice of life they say and that also applies to the books we read I believe. I would hope you would make it a point to include fairy tales in your reading for they will uplift and make you feel good inside as you read them and
bask in the stories they tell!1 Isabelle38

I did my research before reading this novella and read both The Glass Mountain and Fairer-than-a-Fairy. I think that this background helped me understand the book better. That being said I wan't familiar with either of those tales, so I enjoyed this book because it felt fresh. I also really d the dual-perspective and time switches. It almost always adds some dimension to the story.

My only complaints are a couple typos I found, not enough to really affect the story, and I felt that the ending was rushed. Also, though I d both characters, I couldn't see what drew them to each other. Kieran just said that she fit his broken pieces, nothing really about her character and Isobel says even less about Kieran.

Overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading some more by Kendra E. Ardnek.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.1 Rosina97 24

I wasn't familiar with the original story this was inspired by, but I had a fun time reading regardless. The atmosphere was built really well, and I enjoyed how the time skipped from past and present throughout. This kept me guessing and eager to learn more about what had led Isobel to her present predicament. I'd have to say my favourite character is Kieran, and I don't want to say too much about why because seeing how his character develops was one of my favourite parts of the book. I also d how the characters proved their care for each other, rather than just saying they did which is one of my pet peeves of romance. If you enjoy magic, fae, love that has to be fought for and eerie atmospheric settings, I recommend giving this book a try!

Thank you to the author for kindly gifting me an ARC. faeries fairy-tales fantasy ...more1 Erin Dydek248 13

I enjoyed the dual timelines through which this unique retelling was told. Following Kieran’s story before the major event vs Isobel’s present dilemma created an air of mystery and suspense. I loved trying to figure out what was happening and anxiously waiting to see how the story ended.

While these elements made for a good story, I initially had a hard time believing they were falling in love/truly cared about each other. Still, the slow build make for a sweet romance that ended up presenting a strong fight to the finish and a solid finale.

My favorite part was the use of the chess metaphor throughout the story. While I’ve never cared for the game, the image played a creative part of revealing an important theme. A few things near the end felt a bit abrupt and gruesome but I was happy with the conclusion.

I received an advanced reader copy of the book. 1 TaniaRina1,589 99

‘Pawns can become queens’
With the right strategy and resources (say, a Golden Apple, perhaps?), one can overcome cruel curses and palace politics.

I grew up re-reading a wide variety of Western European fairy & folk tales, so I was pleased that this included parts of ‘The Glass Mountain’. Even today, the anthology with this story (that I’ve had since early childhood) is sitting right next to me!

The author employed repetitive phrases very well in order to build up the illusions and dream- state of Isobel’s life in the glass castle. I also d the back-and-forth timeline as I felt it kept some of the mystery much better than if told I a linear fashion. Pretty interesting that no matter how much clear glass there was, it was still difficult to see clearly. Wonder what was behind that, hmmm?


The saga will continue in ‘The Ever After Maneuver’ Pumpkin War: The True Story of Cinderella (All’s fair till it isn’t a game).

This is the first I’ve read by this author and I definitely look forward to reading more of her works.1-amazon-problem u-series-wantmore zz-fantasy-read ...more1 Annika Authoress16

This book was given to me by the author as an ARC (even though I’m late in posting the review). That being said, the following review is written of my own opinions and thoughts.

As someone incredibly unfamiliar with the Glass Mountain tale—as in I’ve never even heard of it before—it was a fun read. Personally, I found it to ring with Snow Queen vibes (also very Lunar Chronicles in regards to the villain), but I understand how the two could feel similar.

Kendra E. Ardnek’s use of dual perspective fits the story masterfully, giving us just enough context throughout the story to keep readers engaged and prevent irritation with our pseudo amnesic (it’s complicated) FMC.

I do have to say I’m particularly fond of our MMC and would consider myself lucky to be trapped with him, other situational complications aside.

While this tale has no specific quotable lines, it was well written which is a trade I’ll take any day.

Tropes:
Star-Crossed Lovers
He Falls First and Harder
Love Triangle (sort of)
Evil/Dangerous Magic
Dead Parents arcs1 Rebecca Jones242 51

Another amazing Shattered Tale and not one I'd even heard of the original fairytale for. A little bit into it I did decide to see if I could find the Glass Mountain anywhere so I could spot any similarities and references but could only find the overview Wikipedia so I got the general story idea. I loved the way the timeline was done in this book, starting out with Isobel in the "now" where she's living alone in a big empty glass castle and doesn't seem to know why or how (although she doesn't care). I loved seeing Keiran's chapters from the "before" back when everything was normal where he first met Isobel. She knew what was going on back then and he knows what's going on now so seeing the opposite sides you get to try and work out what's happening along with them but with a little help from the other chapters and I absolutely loved it and both the characters! I managed to guess a couple of points correctly about what had happened but some things I totally wasn't expecting! The ending was so exciting!
I really d seeing more about the fae realm which is quite new to me. I have read a FEW fae books now so I already knew about things glamour and the deals but I got to explore a little bit about the courts in this one which I've never visited before (all those fae books with their court titles suddenly make more sense haha). I really d the fact the Glass Mountain references (from what I could tell from my lil overview), physically at least, were mainly in the fae Glass Court which I thought was cool.1 Abigail Selway80 9

This was an interesting story which I didn’t realize the background was from another fairytale, “ The Glass Mountain.”This was mysterious and suspenseful and also had some romance in it as well. I d how there were the different povs as well as flashbacks to fill you in with more details. This is part of the Shattered Tales series, if you have read any of the other stories in series you will enjoy this one as well.

Thank you to the author for an arc of this book. I was not required to write a review.1 Bri49 2

Unique retelling of a less well known fairy tale

The Glass Mountain is such an interesting choice for a retelling, and I love it!

The story is intriguing, and you start out with all these questions about how Isobel got into this mess. These questions are slowly answered as you peel back the layers of the story.

If you don't flashbacks or duel perspectives, this one might not be for you, but if you those things, I would definitely recommend checking it out!1 Katelin81

I had not heard of the glass mountain fairytale before, but from what little I read online… this retelling is so much better than the actual fairytale! I loved how Author Kendra Ardnek wrote the book in dual POV as well as past and present scenes for the story to unfold! I’m glad that Isobel got her HEA. She deserved it! And Kieran is the best!! Thank you Kendra for an arc! All thoughts and opinions are my own1 Victoria Long101 3

I’ve never read a glass mountain retelling before and this one was quite intriguing. The opening scene with it’s air of mystery and buried past hooks you. And Kieran becomes the selling point. I d the dual timeline in the storytelling too. 1 Shannon2,650 20

Good story that takes a lesser known fairytale and blends in influences from other stories as well to make a well done story that is something all of its own.1 DJWman126 1 follower

"To Destroy an Illusion: A Glass Mountain Retelling" by Kendra E. Ardnek weaves a mysterious and intriguing narrative, drawing inspiration from "The Glass Mountain," "Fairer-than-a-Fairy," "The Glass Coffin," and other lesser-known fairy tales. The novella captivates readers with a unique blend of mystery, magic, and dual timelines.

From the start, Ardnek skillfully creates an enigmatic atmosphere, mirroring Isobel's sense of uncertainty and questioning reality. The ethereal writing style adds to the mystery, prompting readers to eagerly turn the pages in search of answers. The alternating chapters between the present and the past contribute to the suspense, unraveling the narrative at a well-paced tempo.

The relationship between Isobel and Kieran, while not extensively developed, carries a significant bond. While some readers may desire more depth in their connection, the shared experiences and the bond between them remain central to the story's emotional core.

The dual timelines add a layer of complexity to the retelling, intertwining Isobel's present predicament in a mysterious glass castle with Kieran's past struggles to protect his brother from wicked fae schemes. The concept of a lonely life surrounded by illusions, secrets, and magic is executed with finesse. The gradual revelation of information keeps the reader engaged, with parallel storylines offering intriguing parallels.

The finale unfolds swiftly, offering a resolution to the central conflict. While a lengthier epilogue might have provided more insight into the aftermath, the story maintains a sense of consequence, avoiding a magical fix for every challenge. The villain's character development, however, is one point of critique for me personally, as a deeper exploration of her motives and actions, including how her magic worked and controlled others, would have enhanced the narrative.

"To Destroy an Illusion" stands out as a mysterious and thought-provoking retelling, successfully blending elements from multiple fairy tales into a cohesive and captivating narrative. Kendra E. Ardnek's storytelling offers readers a unique and enchanting experience within the fractured retelling landscape.1 Moni448

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is the first book of the author's that I've read and I would to read more from her. This is the eleventh book in The Shattered Tales collection, which is made up of 12 standalone books by 12 different authors. The book's blurb gives you a good idea of what to expect. It's an intriguing tale, told through alternating dual timelines, about Isobel and Kieran's broken pieces completing each other.

I am not familiar with A Glass Mountain so I didn't know what to expect from this retelling and it was a wonderful feeling. From the start, the author did a great job in creating a mysterious feel. The writing felt foggy at times and I mean that as a compliment to say that, Isobel, you will be questioning what is real or happening. There was many questions to be answered and it will keep you turning the pages as you eagerly want to discover the truth. I loved how the chapters alternated between the present and past and helped move the story along at a good pace.

While maybe some readers would more in depth development to the relationship between Isobel and Kieran, there's enough between them and they share an important bond. Isobel is trapped by her "perfectness" while Kieran is trapped by his oath to keep his kingdom, and Isobel, safe. The romance isn't sweet, maybe some readers would expect, but it is a clean one consisting of only kissing and no foul language being used. The story is a bit dark, though not overwhelmingly so, and the violence is level pg-13. Though you may wonder if there will be a happy ending and how will it be achieved, you won't be able to keep on hoping for it. Overall, I think the author did a great job of creating a story of two broken people coming together.1 Riella Cristobal 244 7

What a creative tale! Isobel’s life is perfect, as long as she doesn’t look too closely at the cracks in the glass. Yet, it’s a lonely life, so when a charming young man takes the place of her reflection and speaks with her, she’s glad for the companionship, even if his secrets threaten to topple everything she knows. Just how did she come to live in this glass palace? Before, Kieran might play the part of the roguish younger prince, but he takes seriously his role as the last line of defense against threats to his parents and brother. When Lothilla brings her goddaughter to court wrapped in too much glamour and his brother falls for the girl too quickly, he knows that something must be wrong. But what can he do against the power of an elder fae? And who will stay standing when the illusion is destroyed?
Wow! I have never read a retelling quite this one and it was so engaging. Isobel was such an interesting main character. We get to see things slowly unfold through both her eyes and Kieran’s. It was so intriguing to unveil the magic that surrounded her. It did feel you did not get to know her quite as much, partially because of the shorter length, but I still felt I empathized with her. Isobel was trapped within the magic and it was intriguing to watch her find her way. Kieran was so charming! I really enjoyed his POV. He was truly looking out for his family, which I adored!
Overall, this was a charming and magical story full of fairytale inspiration! It did feel a bit fast at times, but it was a novella. It has some fantasy violence and only kissing.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.
1 Kayt39

So I just read The Glass Mountain after reading To Destroy an Illusion in order to see how well Kendra’s story resonates with the original. The answer: brilliantly! She kept a lot of the original elements of this Polish fairytale, such as the golden apples, the glass hill, the trapped princess and the eagle but she completely made the story her own and rewrote it in a way that was far more enjoyable to read.

The Glass Mountain itself, Kendra’s retelling is one of the most unusual yet highly riveting books I have yet had the privilege of reading. She included shades of Snow White such as the glass coffin and the beautiful maiden, and she kept flipping between past and present which should have been confusing but wasn’t because she is a master of storytelling!

Forgiveness and façade play big roles in this book and it was fabulous to see how Prince Kieran didn’t hold Isobel’s grievous deed against her. I won’t say more for fear of spoilers! I loved the secrets and mystery in this tale and how there were some dark elements to it but it wasn’t as gory as the original. It was all in all an exceptionally clever retelling and I am very glad I read it! Kudos to Kendra for taking such a difficult tale and weaving it into an epic that one would be happy to read again and again!

*I received an ARC for this book but unfortunately I wasn’t able to review on time. Nonetheless the opinions herein are my own and gladly given!
2 s Charley58

A wonderful fairy tale

I love fairy tales and admit I have never read the Glass Mountain so I was able to enjoy reading something new. This book, by Kendra Ardnek, is written as a darker fairy tale but again, it is a clean retelling and has a happily ever after.

Isobel lives in a glass castle but she can't remember why. After many years she sees, in her reflection, a young prince named Kieran. The story switches between her being in the castle and her evil godmother controlling her at Kieran's palace.

The story flows easily and is very engaging. I loved how Kieran wanted to help Isobel in every way possible. Being part fae he could see Isobel was surrounded by glamour yet could still see the beauty inside her. Isobel wanted to love Kieran but the evil godmother kept getting in the way. Not familiar with the fairy tale I had no idea how it would end. Do Kieran and Isobel get together, and who will save who? What happens to the evil godmother and the crystal palace? This is a very enjoyable story and I strongly recommend this book to read. I did receive an ARC copy but these are my own comments. I am so glad I read this book and I know you will too.1 One Last Petal Books128

Isobel lives in a glass castle where her every need is met automatically. But she can't remember why she's there… or who the strange man in her reflection is. She just knows she's been used as a pawn for far too long.

Kieran would do anything to support his older brother, the crown prince, or to protect his kingdom. But when his brother falls for the perfectly beautiful Isobel, Kieran knows something is wrong.
Can he break through the golden magic that surrounds her before it's too late? or will he lose his kingdom, his brother, and the woman he loves all at once?

“A pawn can become a queen.”

This was beautifully written with a dual POV that follows two timelines. The reader learns about the past through Kieran's eyes even as Isabel is slowly remembering in the present.

I've not read a “Glass Mountain” retelling before so it was fun to see the key elements of the story played out here, alongside a very sweet romance.

Five roses
Some injuries and death. One part is slightly more gruesome, but it’s not described in any detail.
A few kisses.
No swearing.

(Thank you to the author for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review.)
2 s Bethany Aich177 5

Before hearing that this book would be a Glass Mountain retelling, I was unfamiliar with that particular fairy tale. As a result, this story felt very original and unique. It did have some parts that felt a bit lacking in details or disjointed, but it’s also a novella so has shorter space to flesh things out.

All in all, I enjoyed the read, though it wasn’t quite as happy of a story as a prefer. While it was interesting, reading didn’t feel me with joy the way some books do, but that may be different for you. An additional benefit of this one is in it’s length. If you only have a couple of hours to spare, this is a good book for that.

Romance-wise, clean, though I don’t prefer really most of it because it feels a wee bit cheating or unfaithfulness. BUT, I love Kieran’s self-control in this area!

Violence- wise, there is quite a bit. It’s not spread throughout and is mostly toward the end, but I wouldn’t suggest it for a sensitive soul. There is also quite a bit of bullying. 1 Laura465 7

Intriguing retelling of The Glass Mountain. As part of the Shattered Tales series, this one kept to the themes of clean romance, breaking or shattering of people and/or glass, and a happily ever after. *Happy sighs.

The world that Ms. Ardnek has created is very detailed and I could see it in my minds' eye quite clearly. I enjoyed how she created her characters and developed them in the 'before and after' chapter-switching style used in this book.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.1 Lj186

While this is undoubtedly a good book, it just wasn't really for me. I'm not really a fan of flipping up and down timelines (even when it's done reasonably well as it was here) and it felt a bit too . . . metapyhsical for my tastes. So, although I wasn't enamoured with it, it was still an interesting retelling of a fariy tale you don't see told very often with a sweet romance element.

I received an ARC and freely offer an honest review. Lorin679 1 follower

Autor del comentario:
=================================