Ash, by Malinda Lo, (Little, Brown and Company, 2009)

After the death of her parents, Ash is left in the care of her cruel stepmother, with only the fairy tales of her youth to comfort her. Yearning for the fairies to take her away to their world, she seeks them out repeatedly, soon incurring a debt for their aid. When Ash meets Kaisa, the King’s Huntress, and strikes up a fragile, hesitant friendship, she finds something worth living for. All too soon, her debt comes due, and Ash has to choose between something she’s always wanted, and the newfound stirrings in her heart. Lush imagery, rich emotions, and sensual undertones make for a strong story, especially since in this lesbian remaining of Cinderella, the heroine doesn’t need a prince to complete her life. Romantic and unforgettable, Ash is a beautiful spin on a familiar story.


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