Synopsis: Cindy is just a normal eleven and three-quarter year-old. At least until she wakes up one night and finds out she’s dead. Well, she isn’t technically dead—she just doesn’t have any hair . . . or a nose . . . or skin. Yep—all bones, no body.
Human by day and skeleton by night, Cindy is definitely cursed. And because her mother recently died, Cindy has no one to turn to except a father who’s now scared of her and an evil stepmother who makes her do the housecleaning with a toothbrush. To make matters worse, the Spring Fling dance is approaching, and Ethan, the cutest boy in sixth grade, doesn’t seem to know Cindy exists. Of course, Cindy doesn’t think letting Ethan find out she’s part skeleton is the best way to introduce herself.
While facing such perils as pickled pig’s feet, a wacky fortune teller, and a few quick trips to the Underworld, Cindy’s determined to break the curse—even for a single night.
Release Date: 9th May 2018
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Retellings, Paranormal, Skeltons, Humour, Horror, Family, Relationships, Death, Loss, Abuse, Curses, Witches.
Pages: 266
Review: Cindy loses her mom and then finds she is cursed, so at night she turns into a Skeleton. Not only is she dealing with her skeletal problem but the boy she likes at school doesn’t notice her and now she has an evil stepmother. To break the curse put on her by her dying mother she has to go into the underworld.
A very unique and modern take on the classic Cinderella set in a modern time with a modern girl. I liked the twist with her becoming a skeleton and having to figure out why and what it all means. Trying to find out how to break the curse for good and going on a creepy underworld adventure.
I didn’t really care for most of the characters in this story I’m sad to say, they didn’t really have much personality and were a bit bland and annoying. The dad was a really bad father, he seemed to be so unfeeling towards his dying wife and his grieving daughter, I was shocked at his actions and lack of care. Even Cindy annoyed me a fair amount, she said a lot of things that just came across rude and unnecessary especially within the time out parts.
The concept of this story was incredible, and it was read like a child wrote it which is perfectly acceptable as it is a child telling the story but some parts just came across very juvenile. There were plenty of jokes and puns throughout the book, it had so many characters that you meet along the way on her journey, which unlocks a new part of her discovery. It’s a very clever idea and a story unlike any others out there for this age group.
I think this is a really great Halloween read for younger children, they will dive in and absolutely love this adventure I’m certain. It’s got creep, humour and lots of skeletal characters and many others too, plus a trip to the underworld. It’s not a story that I loved but I know that it will be enjoyed a lot by younger readers.
apapergirlapapertown 