BOOK SUMMARY#1 : Just Ella
This book is a retelling of the ever familiar story, Cinderella. But what if she didn’t actually get her Happy Ending? What if the story we’ve known all this time is far from the truth? The tale of Cinderella might be more grim than you think…
4.5/5 ⭐
The story takes place right after the whole glass slipper fiasco. Cynthiana Eleanora, or Ella, have been whisked away into the palace and now lives her life as a (soon to be) Princess and Prince Charming’s betrothed. But living the castle lifestyle was a shock to Ella. She wasn’t allowed to do anything by herself. Not to light her own fire, make her own tea or simply to put on a dress. She now spends her days being dotted on by numerous servants and attending classes on silly etiquettes. Ella feels that the castle is even more like a prison than her stepmother’s house back in the village. She often feels lonely and misplaced, not to mention constantly getting berated by her instructor, Madame Bisset. She thought Charming would be the one person she could confide in, that he’ll make her feel less alone. After all, she was head over heels in love with him. But the reality was, she barely gets to see Charming. When they do meet, the supposedly romantic moment turns out to be stiff and full awkward of silences. Ella realize a little to late that Charming might not be the prince she imagined him to be. He’s boring, selfish, and have no ounce of care for his people. Ella have to face the reality that she might be doom to spend the rest of her live with a complete stranger in this gilded prison.
There’s only 2 people in the whole castle Ella can have an actual conversation with, Jed and Mary. Jed, her new instructor, is an earnest young man not much older than her. As their conversation lull on, Ella can’t shake off the feeling that she has a much more sincere connection with Jed than her actual fiancé. One day, Ella finds out that Jed has left the castle, sent away to make refugee camp for war victims on the border of Suala. Feeling more lonely than before, Ella have to face challenges upon challenges on adjusting to silly conformity and pretense formality inside the castle all on her own. When she can no longer continue this false pretense, Ella finally muster up the courage to tell charming how she feels. That Ella didn’t love him, that he deserve someone who does, that she wishes to go home. But her plan didn’t go as expected.
Right after she brakes the news to Charming, Ella was surprised to wake up in the dungeon the next morning. In the midst of panic of Ella’s retort, the prince and his stooges locked her up. They were scared this “issue” can ruin the Charming’s perfectly manicured image. Ella came to a realization that she was in big trouble, bigger than she ever imagined. But before she lives the comfy castle lifestyle, she managed to survive her step-wicked tyranny for years. If she survived one oppressor, she knows that she can do it again. Ella racked her brain on an escape plan and decided that she’ll dig her way out of her problem, literally. With the help of her trusty maid friend Mary, in 5 days time Ella manages to dig a hole big enough to win her freedom. She already have her first destination in mind, the refugee camp on the border of Suala.
When she reach the camp, Ella finally find Jed. He was leading a refugee program for war victims who seeks help. He seems much more passionate than his teaching days. Ella offers to help out if Jed allows her to stay and hide in the camp. Of course Jed agree and Ella become the medical and agricultural advisor. As days goes by, their relationship also grew, but Ella have told Jed beforehand that she needs time for herself. A time of self discovery and a time to enjoy the freedom she has dreamt for so long. While Ella was hiding in the camp, it turns out Charming went on with the wedding. Ella wasn’t mad that he managed to replace her very quickly, she didn’t mind that the stories going around was far from the truth and sprinkled with made up magic. What matter is that Ella knows it all happened because of her own hard work, quick witted thinking, and courage. After all, she was the hero of her own story.
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