#disenchanted: the trials of cinderella

[fairytale-poll]

ROUND 2A, MATCH 6 OUT OF 8!

Propaganda Under the Cut:

Queen Cinderella Charming:

She's kind, she's funny, she learns to use a sword, and she's related to Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Red Riding Hood. She helps the protagonists any chance she gets and even hosts their mother and step-father's wedding. She never gives up and  never lets her fear stop her. Absolute queen (literally) <3

While she isn't hugely relevant in the story itself, she is always down to help out the protagonists where she can. When they need one of her slippers, she sneaks it into their bag without them noticing. She calls them family. She loves her daughter too, and is a badass mom.

When the main characters need her glass slipper for a spell, she snuggled it into their bag, and she has a daughter named Hope <3

I think she’s a minor character in the first book, but she’d really nice and stuff!

Because I LOVE HER!! also she has a daughter called Hope who got kidnapped by rumplestiltskin at one point but that is besides the point. She is a strong independent woman and we love those she was NOT about to sit around doing nothing and i love her for that

Vote Land of Stories Cinderella because she's the best!!!

Elegance "Ella" Coach:

Ella fights for labor reform! I just reread the book intentionally so I could make propaganda for her but now my head is empty only LOVE FOR ELLA. She has two (gay) fairy godfathers, she worked in a sweatshop where her mother died, she has a well-developed with her prince, Dash Charming. The glass slippers are a very important motif even though she doesn’t actually get a pair herself because she was a secret fairy godparent case because the fairy godparent organization had become corrupt and wasn’t helping needy children, only the rich. It’s a sequel to Grounded which is a Rapunzel story, but Disenchanted stands alone in the same world and it’s my most favorite of the two!! She’s so kind and helps institute kingdom wide labor reform and ahhhhhhhh

Former child laborer who wants to use her family's newfound privilege to fight for workers' rights. Brave, smart, and compassionate, although she can also be reckless, because she's just a kid and she deserves BETTER. Actually has a good relationship to her step-family, who are badass and Black like her, and there's this really touching moment at the end that recontextualizes things a lot and it's very sweet and cool worldbuilding. Her fairy godmother is two gay contractors who overthrow their boss for being complicit in a corporate espionage/coup scheme. She has a nice and believable relationship with her prince, who is a fucking dork that learns to be less of a privileged idiot and would absolutely put his ass on the line for her in return. She's just so GOOD and Disenchanted is UNDERRATED, everyone go read it.

Her goal is to improve workers rights, directly inspired by the 19th century textile industry, right down to child labor and workers getting locked in factories. Her mother died working in a sweatshop. She struggles with her working class upbringing and her new upper class status after her father's invention made them rich. Not afraid of breaking the law. She's so cool and her book is so good.

[alwaysanovice]

First Tyme fanart I've posted in a long time; my favorite faires!

[kanerallels]

Top 6 Reasons You Should Read the Tyme trilogy by Megan Morrison

Reread a fantasy series I love and appreciate, so now it's time for you guys to love and appreciate it too

It's a fairy tale retelling series. Which is always an endorsement in my mind, but here are some more reasons that's great in this series. The takes on the fairy tales are so cool and refreshing, and well executed-- Cinderella fighting for the working class, the Frog Prince going through a redemption arc where he becomes a better person, and the absolutely shaped storyline that Rapunzel has. And most of them (particularly books one and three) combine multiple fairy tales in such a smooth, natural way.

The world building is INCREDIBLE. The tiny details and the way the different countries are introduced are so cool!! And they really go into smaller details, like the main exports that keep the country going, or the traditions of each country when it comes to dealing with loss. The magic systems are SO COOL, too!!

The characters are all really well done-- they're beautifully developed, both as characters and their relationships with each other. Syrah (main character of book three) has one of the best redemption styles arcs I've ever seen where he goes from unlikeable jerk to a caring, kind individual. Even the villains have well thought out motivations and in depth backstories

The romances in each of the three books are PERFECT because you have a slow burn, a couple that get together in the same book but help each other grow in powerful ways, and a book where the main character doesn't get the girl. The trope breaking! The following of the tropes but in just the perfect way! The level to which I am obsessed with Jack and Rapunzel! It's INSANE

All of the books and their stories are deeply intwined. There are cameos and small details in each book that lead you back to the other three, details that pop out and blow your mind at a reread or even the first time around!

It's really funny and charming and delightful writing. And There are these fascinating implications of other stuff going on in the world you're reading about-- stuff that we'll probably never find out about, since the last book was released in 2019 and there's no sign of another, which is really sad

Anyways, this is a super good series, you won't regret it if you read it! Oh my stars and I didn't even mention SERGE MY BELOVED FAVORITE CHARACTER FOR SURE THE FAIRY GODFATHER LEGEND HIMSELF listen just. read this series. Good talk

[theviolettulip]

Yesterday was awesome.

Why, you may ask?

Because I spent 11 & a half hours binging one of my childhood book series - The Tyme Series. And today, I (unfortunately) concluded my binge.

So. Let's talk about it~

Starting with "Grounded", here are some of my thoughts/feelings in no guaranteed order, tho ill try to be chronological:

OH MY GOD SO MANY HINTS!!! I already knew I'd enjoy this reread cuz of how CONNECTED these books are, so I'll have fun noticing the hints & foreshadowing, and BOY DID I! I can't count how many times I struck the guy & butterfly meme pose and was like, "is this foreshadowing?" ESPECIALLY with the way Witch spoke to Rapunzel in the beginning & Prince Frog's actions

Rapunzel's....not UNPLEASANT, per se, I actually still liked her and felt sorry for her, but in the beginning she's just really brainwashed and does and says....unpleasant things

When Jack showed up I got SO EXCITED!! Also when he goes "I literally told you yesterday--" and gets cut off, I actually squealed and took a sec cuz AHHHHH I LOVE THIS SERIES AND PLOT SO MUCH!! her memory loss plotline is soooo good. BUT! I'm glad she doesn't forget Jack any more times

They did NOT like each other at first, not at ALL! XD Rapunzel 's insults are soooo amusing, but poor Jack!

Also poor Red Fairies....come ON, Rapunzel! You don't just say "I wish your mate died" to somebody!!

You know how years after you've read smth, certain moments & details remain in your mind? One of those for me was the scene where R&J are talking about killed vs died & just death in general. I absolutely ADORE Morrison's world building!! About the countries and beliefs and stuff!

The amount of CONNECTIONS Rapunzel makes throughout the books are quite....astounding! And numerous. And she makes them everywhere she goes, without intention! (Reminds me of Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece ngl)

Ngl throughout the whole jacks tournament I was shouting "GO RAPUNZEL! KICK THEIR BUTTS!!!" And she really showed her! Tho I feel kinda bad for the woman who lost, cuz she thought Raps was mocking her when she was being /gen

SERGE! SERGE SERGE SERGE SERGE!!1!!!1!

However it pains me to say that this wasn't my reaction when Raps met him cuz I...MAY have forgotten most things about Serge beside the fact that he's Ella's godfather. Still, he was sooooo cool & awesome & I love him! (Can't WAIT to gush about him (and Jasper. yes, get angry at me and expel me to the void, i deserve it cUZ I FORGOT JASPER EVEN EXISTED!!! 😭😭😭)

Not Rapunzel later getting interviewed and ending up just gushing about her boots for half the article XD

...I am sooooo glad Rapunzel is Rapunzel and not Charlotte, I know WAAAAY too many Charlottes!

I think this might make me a bit evil but I just ADORE grieving scenes when the death is fake! And sometimes when it's real....it's just that real emotions...I really like them. So when Jack is just despiration to save Rapunzel after she gets swallowed by a tree, I could FEEL the sorrow and despair and that made me ache and also fangirl a bit because they CARE about each other!! 🥹

OH just remembered, BRUH. When Prince Frog "died" I was like -_- cuz he's just hibernating, and I thought Jack would at least know that frogs hibernate in cold weathers! and Raps using that life-breather thing that Rune gave her, OH MY GOD I just realized! It's like Tangeled's Rapunzel's magic healing hair! And then she loses the power or uses it up, like in Grounded, and because of that they can't save their partners, both of which were injured by Gothel/Witch!! =(

Another moment that remembered well and was anticipating was Rapunzel & Witch's deal and questionaire situation. And I kid you not, I legitimately started crying. Not tearing up, CRYING! And I was hastily wiping off tears so I can keep reading. That last question was the straw the broke the camel's back--

"Do you love me?"

🥺😭

and then Envearia telling rapunzel to go get water so she can die OH MY GOD THE TEARS KEPT ON COMING!!

I think my foreknowledge added another layer to my experience. That, and my more kowledgable and experienced brain. Cuz this? This whole situation? SO. FRICKING. NUANCED! Rapunzel, she understands, truly she does, all the pain and suffering Envearia has caused, but she's still her mother. She raised her and loved her, loved her so much she did the thing she was afraid of the most. Die for her sake.

I was SO glad White didn't collect her. I would've been so pained ='(

On a lighter note, Raps's fam & Jack's fam being next door neighbors? Why is that THE cutest thing EVERRR. Just THINK of the fanfic possibilites! Of them becoming one big close fam so that when R&J tell them theyre together they'd be BEYOND excited! Plus you just KNOW Rapunzel's gram & Tess are invested in R&J, you just know it!

Anyhoo, that is Grounded's bullet list, and I was going to do the other two books here too but I am tired and I think it might be too long. I'll make them their own seperate lists, maybe just one if they aren't too long. (They'll be too long.)

OH! One last thing, do any of you know Rapunzel & Jack's ages? I don't remember them being outright stated in the books.

I *think* Rapunzel is 16ish, and Jack's probably her age. I think. Please correct me. I also have the same wonderings about Dash & Ella. I think they're 15. R&J are definitely at least a year older, but I think maybe a couple years makes more sense, so if D&E are 15 then I think R&J are 17.

Luckily, I know that Syrah is 15 cuz he says he was 13 when he kissed Deli and then a year passed and then another year passed, so he's 15. BUT he said once that he thought of Raps as his younger sis (which is ADORABLE and so sweet but I will get into that more when I talk about Transformed), but I don't think that necessarily means she's younger than him, just that she's more...childish and naive, and he's more experienced so it would make more sense for him to be the older sibling.

....I think I might be overthinking this. If you guys know anything, or have any better speculations or any at all, do tell! I'd LOVE to chat with anyone who has read this series! Questions & Comments are very welcome.

[internetgiraffekid1673]

YES I AM STILL DOING OC-TOBER! I DON'T CARE THAT IT'S MID-NOVEMBER, I'MMA FINISH THIS DAMMIT!

By the way. Remember when I told you I did prompt 21 last time? Yeah that was a lie, that was prompt 20. TODAY is prompt 21, draw your OC with your favorite character

I have a lot of favorite characters from a lot of favorite medias, but I have firmly decided that my favorite book of all time is Disenchanted: The Trials of Cinderella by Megan Morrison. It's the second book in a series, and it is SOOOOOOOO good.

Anyway, my favorite character from that book is the blue fairy Serge. He's a fashionable model of professionalism who is waiting for his asshole boss to retire so that he can fix the fairy-godparenting business to help children in need instead of just rich brats. All of his carefully laid plans are abruptly hijacked when he gets an apprentice in Jasper, the crimson fairy who RADIATES dramatic theatre kid energy. I refuse to spoil anything else though.

In the Land of Tyme (the world where this book is set), witches are created by selling their souls to the Great White Fairy in the Sky (who's an asshole, but not explicitly a satanic allegory). To maintain their lives and powers, they have to consume innocence, usually accomplished by eating children. Witch and fairy magic do NOT mix, don't play nice with each other, repel each other, and make the users of both physically weakened and ill. It's like poison.

While Hazel's done some heinous stuff, she's not a cannibal, and she only preys on other evil people. Serge has no way of knowing this, and would be absolutely horrified in a number of ways if he met a child witch, while Hazel would just be confused.

Everybody go read The Land of Tyme series by Megan Morrison, it's been intricately worldbuilt to a degree that I would actually describe the books as lessons on civics, ethics, and politics disguised as fractured fairytales. They're REALLY REALLY good. Anyway.

[ladyelainehilfur]

[haunting-hufflepuffs-basement]

Disenchanted: The Trials of Cinderella by Megan Morrison.

(It's the second book in a series, so also any of the other books in that series if you're bored).

tell me your fav book and i'll say what marauder it reminds me of (if i don't know it, i'll just read a summary quick online)

[droo216]

my bookshelf → disenchanted: the trials of cinderella by megan morrison

he kept track of wherever ella went in the ballroom; her bronze curls picked up the light. when it finally came time for the tenth dance, he made his way to her. his father wanted him to choose lavaliere for prince’s preference, but he had to talk to ella.

[ladygeekgirl-and-friends]

After a long couple months of YA books that I couldn't wholly get behind, I went back to the library to return them and then just wandered the aisles for a while. I didn't have any other recommendations from friends or websites, so I ended up in the children's section, picking out, somewhat at random, what looked like a fairy tale adventure with a Black protagonist. The back cover told me it was the second in a series, so I grabbed the first book, as well, and went home to see if they were any good. As it turns out, they were incredible. Not only are they some of the best revisionist fairy tales I've read, the book I picked up, Disenchanted: The Trials of Cinderella, was also centered on social justice and the ills of child labor. Did I mention I found this in the children's section?

Minor spoilers to follow!

Read More

[booksandbricks]

Just finished Disenchanted, The Trials of Cinderella by Megan Morrison and I'm so thankful that I've read it!!! My heart is brimming from the goodness and honestly after a series of really poorly written/unengaging books I just want to throw my hands up and weep in happiness.

Already, I had some apprehension about the book given that I simply, wholly loved Grounded, The Adventures of Rapunzel. I was fairly sure that if she wrote again it wouldn't be able to beat it, but this book really stood its ground against such an exemplary story.

Clear, discerning characterisation, wisdom in such realistic dilemmas, and realistic and graceful endings. Every part of the plot was relevant, no character wasted for the lol of it, and okay honestly I'm very pleased and impressed by the sheer wisdom that Morrison is gifted with. It is evident in her writing. For example, the lessons Ella learns...criticism of Ella as well to show that no protagonist is completely without fault. There is a great growth, a maturity, a character progression here not only in Ella but in the prince as well, and in the relationships of characters in the book.

And!! For once, a fairytale/ fantasy novel that doesn't revolve around reclaiming a throne (I've never seen that as a noble thing, more of a selfish thing, really)- instead, it's about doing the right thing, providing fair rights and opportunities to the people. Good governance! A great model for us, this book is indeed satire of the world.

You can tell I'm gushing can't you but I really love this I simply must! Read grounded again!!! I really hope Morrison publishes another book soon ❤️

[fairytale-poll]

ROUND 1A, MATCH 12 OUT OF 16!

*The image being used for The Wide-Awake Princess is the book cover, though neither of the characters on it are Eleanor / Cinderella. There is no official art of her that I could find and am using the book cover as a place-holder. If you have found OFFICIAL art of the character that I did not feel free to send it in.

Propaganda Under the Cut:

Eleanor:

She’s a pretty typical Cinderella, but her magic falls apart early because she bumped into the protagonist who has anti-magic >:3

Elegant "Ella":

Ella fights for labor reform! I just reread the book intentionally so I could make propaganda for her but now my head is empty only LOVE FOR ELLA. She has two (gay) fairy godfathers, she worked in a sweatshop where her mother died, she has a well-developed with her prince, Dash Charming. The glass slippers are a very important motif even though she doesn’t actually get a pair herself because she was a secret fairy godparent case because the fairy godparent organization had become corrupt and wasn’t helping needy children, only the rich. It’s a sequel to Grounded which is a Rapunzel story, but Disenchanted stands alone in the same world and it’s my most favorite of the two!! She’s so kind and helps institute kingdom wide labor reform and ahhhhhhhh

Former child laborer who wants to use her family's newfound privilege to fight for workers' rights. Brave, smart, and compassionate, although she can also be reckless, because she's just a kid and she deserves BETTER. Actually has a good relationship to her step-family, who are badass and Black like her, and there's this really touching moment at the end that recontextualizes things a lot and it's very sweet and cool worldbuilding. Her fairy godmother is two gay contractors who overthrow their boss for being complicit in a corporate espionage/coup scheme. She has a nice and believable relationship with her prince, who is a fucking dork that learns to be less of a privileged idiot and would absolutely put his ass on the line for her in return. She's just so GOOD and Disenchanted is UNDERRATED, everyone go read it.

Her goal is to improve workers rights, directly inspired by the 19th century textile industry, right down to child labor and workers getting locked in factories. Her mother died working in a sweatshop. She struggles with her working class upbringing and her new upper class status after her father's invention made them rich. Not afraid of breaking the law. She's so cool and her book is so good.

[alwaysanovice]

I love how in the courtoom scene at the end of Disenchanted, when Jules tries to pin her crime on Serge, Ella has a vague idea of what's happening, Serge knows exactly what's going on...

And then we cut to Dash, who didn't even know Ella HAD fairy godparents until like a week ago, sitting there, going, "I. dont know. whats going on. whos jules? treason who?"

[ananas-pineapple-thing]

Top five books (of all time or just atm, doesn't matter)

thanks for the ask!! in no particular order (also probably not completely accurate because my mind blanked so hard 😭😭)

1. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

2. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

3. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

4. The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall

5. Disenchanted: the Trials of Cinderella by Megan Morrison

If anyone knows books with a similar vibe pls hmu!!

[tontontonberry]

Cinderella, now with Healthy Step-Family, Ella’s Two Fairy Godfathers, and The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Redux.

Read this book.

[internetgiraffekid1673]

Alrighty are you ready for a bunch of rapid fir questions? Yes I did leave for like thirty minutes and then come back!

Favorite song

Favorite artist

Favorite colors ( I know basic but I genuinely like knowing)

Favorite movie

Favorite Christmas movie

Favorite holiday

Zodiac

Favorite classes/ least favorite classes ( yes I did directly plagiarize this from you)

Favorite way to get out of class ( random I know but I'm running out of ideas and inspiration is always helpful)

Favorite mobile game

Favorite book

Favorite queer book ( I need some recommendations)

Do you or do you not like jewelry? Favorite kind of jewelry ( bracelets, earrings, rings, ect)

Do you paint your nails? What color?

Do you play any musical instruments, which ones

Favorite pride flag only based on the colors not what it represents

I'll probably come up with more in like three seconds but right now this is what I got!

Aiight, let's goooo!

Favorite song: start with something hard why don't we! I have far far FAR too many favorite songs, and it tends to swap a lot. I'd say my current is One Voice by the Wailin' Jenny's because it's blorbo coded. I'd say more long term is probably Down to the River to Pray, specifically the Alisson Krauss version because it has many happy childhood memories attached.

Favorite Artist: uhhhhh. Currently, the Crane Wives, Madds Buckley, The Longest Johns, The Jolly Rogers, The Wailin' Jenny's and The Haunted Windchimes! That's not in any particular order, I just can't pick!

Favorite Colors: this one does actually have complicated answers for me! I would say really generally and generically, I like blue (because I'm boring). However. My favorite color to wear is gray, I like owning things in any pastel colors, and my favorite color combination is a violent and hideous contrast of orange and magenta!

Favorite Christmas Movie: KLAUS! GO WATCH IT! RIGHT NOW! KLAUS KLAUS KLAUS KLAUS KLAUS! It's on Netflix, it's an adorable animated comedy, I am OBSESSED, and I will watch it as a comfort movie ANY time of year!

Favorite Holiday: Halloween! I love spooky season! The vibes, the fun, the community, the weather---all of it is very fun.

Zodiac: virgo, but only JUST barely

Favorite classes: I like all my classes because I am a pathetic little nerd. In high school my favorites were probably orchestra and choir, but that feels like a copout because they're so different from other classes. As far as core 4 subjects, I really like history and social studies. In college it was my psychology classes HANDS DOWN!

Favorite way to get out of class: HMMMMM. So I actually HATED missing class in high school, and my parents would usually just let me take a mental health day if I needed it because they are the best. In college you can just . . .skip. Like. You shouldn't. But you can.

As far as what I learned from my peers, it depends on who you need to justify the skipping to. Generally though:

1) Period cramps are being extra bad

2) Friend or family member is having a mental health or physical health episode and needs help RIGHT NOW

are the two most reliable, but the way most of the kids in my school did it were to just be fully honest about skipping and bribe the teachers and parents. Like. The teachers cared a lot less that you showed up a half an hour late if you bring them burger king and a box of donuts for the class. Your teachers also don't tend to care as long as you show up most of the time, get all your assignments done, and keep your grades up.

Favorite Mobile Game: 2048

Favorite Book: For a long time I struggled to answer this, but I've decided in the past couple years! My favorite book is Disenchanted: The Trials of Cinderella by Megan Morrison. It's the second book in a series called The Land of Tyme (although it's not marketed under that). The first book is Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel, and the third book is Transformed: The Perils of the Frog Prince.

They're all really amazing and immaculately worldbuilt fractured fairytales that are all woven together. Like the worldbuilding is so good that I was able to use Disenchanted for a civics essay because it is a civics textbook disguised as a fantasy novel.

Disenchanted is my favorite because I am most attached to the characters there and also because it is the most grounded in the world. It's got the least extraneous fantastical plot going on, and the characters are all a lot more street level. But they're all very good and you should all go read them right now.

Favorite Queer Book: I really liked Aces Wild. Ragtag squad of asexuals that met online pull elaborate cons and heists on Vegas elite. Very very entertaining and heartwarming.

Jewelery: I think jewelery is really pretty on other people and I also can't touch any of it myself with a 10 foot pole because of my sensory issues. VISCERALLY despise being in contact with any and all jewelery. I can't even wear cloth jewelery, lanyards, watches, etc. It all just triggers my sensory issues out the wazoo.

Nails: Makeup of any kind also unfortunately drives my sensory issues up the wall, although that one's more about the smell than the feel.

Instruments: I do! I've been playing the cello for a little over 9 years now, and I'm pretty good at it! I also play guitar, which I mostly taught to myself during COVID. I can play the ukelele as an extension of the guitar too. I can also play the piano sort of. By which I mean I can read the sheet music for it, I know how that maps onto the keys, and I practice a lot, but I haven't had formal lessons since I was 7 and I don't think I'm very good. Didn't stop my church from having me play it for the tiny children during sunday school though.

Favorite Pride Flags Based Only On Colors: Any and all iterations of the lesbian flag are UNFAIRLY pretty. I'm actually also a huge fan of the aroace flag. I'm also pretty fond of the gay men's flag, the trans flag, and the genderfluid flag!

Thanks so much for asking! This was fun!