t took me forever to finish The Shadow in the Glass, and when I finally did, I was pretty disappointed. First off, I had no idea it was a YA book, which already set different expectations. The main character frustrated me—she kept making the same mistakes over and over, and by the time she finally learned her lesson, it was already too late.

The premise was really promising and had so much potential, but unfortunately, the story lost its footing along the way. It started off strong, but the pacing dragged, and it felt way longer than it needed to be. That said, I did enjoy the writing style and some of the side characters, so there were still elements I appreciated.

Overall, it’s an interesting concept and I’d still keep an eye on the author’s future work, but this one just didn’t hit the mark for me.

I’ve decided not to continue with The Shadow in the Glass as I just couldn’t get into it. Despite giving it a try, the story didn’t really capture my interest, and since it's been quite a while since I was first sent it, I don’t feel inclined to give it another shot. It seems like it’s not the right fit for me, so I’ll be moving on to other books.

A bit late. But enjoyed the book and will consider other novels from the author. I found the pacing of the book to be just right.

If you’re looking for a stepping stone into gothic literature or the Victorian era this retelling of Cinderella will be the perfect start for you.

Although this is a retelling it does have a much darker tone and a gothic atmosphere giving the story a whole new edge.

Really enjoyed it would love to read more from the author.

I’m ashamed it’s taken me so long to give feedback on this book, which I thoroughly enjoyed! I love dark retelling of old stories and fairy tales, so this Cinderella retelling was right up my street. Set in 19th Century London it follows Ella who’s mother has died. This has left her in a precarious position. Ella has been the ward of Mr Pembroke, but he has relegated her to the position of housemaid and he is a danger to all the women in his service. When her fairy godmother comes along it isn’t glass coaches and ball gowns. She does offer seven wishes, but once the seventh wish is fulfilled Ella must surrender her soul.
Despite the hint of dark magic, this is an incredibly accurate portrayal of what 19th Century London was like for women who were part of the working classes. Life was hard. It’s hard for us to imagine a life where women had no NHS, no contraception, no education, no access to banks and no voice. I remember being horrified when my mum told me that in 1971 she couldn’t afford the pill, I thought it had always been free. The author captures Victorian London completely, with all of it’s hazards and squalor and an emphasis on the plight of women. The unfairness of being sexually assaulted by the master of the house, then being shunned and jobless if left pregnant by the encounter. There is zero accountability for the rich, white man and there’s ample evidence that nothing has changed. I was hoping for Ella to outwit her fairy godmother. This book has an incredible setting and really hits home with it’s message about the powerlessness of women in the 19th Centuruy.

An interesting mix of Victorian gothic literature, Cinderella and Doctor Faustus that reminds you to be careful of what you wish for. It's dark when it focuses on certain subject but necessary I think to reflect the maids' struggles in a house with a rather nasty master. It is also very slow at times and maybe it might have been better to have chapters instead of big parts.

Those looking for a fairy tale are likely to be disappointed, but those interested in something darker and more realistic should appreciate it better.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for arc.

Gothic retelling of Cinderella. Although I love a fairytale retelling this was a hard book to complete.

I really liked the sound of this, but I don’t think it had the tone of a gothic, Victorian-set novel as much as I would’ve liked it to have.

Thank you Netgalley for the E-Arc in exchange of a review.
I started reading this one but didn't hold my interest. I thought the concept was good but I wish I could have connected with the characters and plot more.

This is a Gothic retelling of Cinderella. The setting work so well.. the characters are creepy and twisted.
The authors writing style works so well and brings Victorian London to life

This was beautifully written but I just didn’t connect with it. I found the pacing quite slow, and didn’t really engage with the plot. I liked the characters and the world though

"Shadow in the Glass" by Harwood is a haunting and intricately woven novel that delves into themes of identity, obsession, and the blurred lines between good and evil. With a dark and gothic ambiance, Harwood crafts a story that is part psychological thriller and part historical fiction, combining elements that keep the reader constantly on edge.

The story unfolds in Victorian England and follows the life of its complex protagonist, the brilliant but troubled Dr. Henry Jekyll. The narrative takes a unique twist, with the doctor's dark alter ego, Mr. Edward Hyde, exploring his own motivations and struggles. As the story progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish between the two characters, leading to a deeply psychological and immersive reading experience.

Harwood's writing is richly detailed, capturing the atmosphere of 19th-century London and the psychological torment of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The prose is moody and evocative, setting a perfect backdrop for the eerie and unsettling events that transpire throughout the novel.

The novel's exploration of the duality of human nature and the idea of good versus evil is thought-provoking and aligns well with the themes originally introduced by Robert Louis Stevenson in his classic novella, "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Harwood takes these themes further, delving deeper into the psychology and motivations of his characters.

While the concept and atmosphere are captivating, the narrative structure and pacing can be a bit challenging. The story unfolds in a nonlinear manner, which might require readers to pay careful attention to the shifts in time and perspective. Additionally, some parts of the story feel overly intricate and dense, occasionally detracting from the overall reading experience.

In conclusion, "Shadow in the Glass" is a dark and psychologically charged reimagining of a classic tale. It offers a fresh perspective on the well-known story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, diving deep into the complexities of human nature. Readers who enjoy dark, gothic narratives with complex characters and intricate psychological exploration will find this novel both intriguing and unsettling. While it may not be for everyone due to its dense narrative style, it's a thought-provoking and atmospheric journey into the abyss of obsession and duality.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Now, I will admit this was not what I expected when I went into it - I knew it was going to be a retelling of Cinderella, and it was described as a dark fairytale, but this was a bit darker than even I expected. I probably should have knew it would be, considering the description but oh well, the main thing is it kept me interested and I didn't check out.

I however, did get frustrated with the MC sometimes and her wishes! But I guess everyone would wonder what they would wish for in her shoes.... I'm not quite sure what I would have done.

I did choose to give this 4* however, mainly because I wish it had ended a bit differently, and obviously as I've said it was a bit darker than my usual read so I did take a while to get through it.

Despite this, it was beautifully written and you really didn't know what exactly was going to happen to MC throughout, so I would still recommend it for those that do like darker fairy tales!

I really enjoyed the twist this had on the Cinderella story I know and grew up with. This was dark and is definitely one to check triggers before reading as it mentioned some tough topics, and while I can’t speak for everyone, I think it was written well. My only criticism which stopped this being a 5 star for me was that the ending left you twitch unanswered questions

This was…quite possibly one of the worst books I’ve ever read and that is saying something as I’ve read and reviewed lightlark.

The main character is unlikeable, stupid, and whiny and has no care for what happens to other people. She used to be the child of a servant and then her mum died and the lady of the house kind of adopted her, and then the lady of the house died so she’s back to being a maid. It’s hilarious because this was clearly years ago but she can’t face going outside without a chaperone etc. honestly I don’t see why this girl still lives there as the master of the house is known to rape his staff and get them pregnant so then they get kicked out. This has obviously been going on for a while since it’s common knowledge, and when abortion is discussed people are like noooo I can’t. Like please you can and would have if it meant being homeless I’m sorry buddy.

The writing is overly flowery with no purpose and the characters are bland and charicatures. Not only that but as the wishes all go wrong this doesn’t stop her from making more of them!

I really wanted to love this. It's a gothic retelling of Cinderella - an excellent concept.

Really struggled with this and ended up being the DNF. Not for me but know others will have loved it :)

A dark, reimagined Cinderella set during the Victorian times. This is an engaging read about a young girl’s wish for a better life. Despite some minor pacing issues, this is a compelling book featuring some nice ideas.

Ella is a maid in the home of her guardian. Formerly the adopted child of the house, her adopted mother dies and her husband keeps Ella on but as a maid instead of a loved child. She often escapes to the library at night to get lost in a world of books. One fateful night a woman steps out of a book and offers Ella the chance to have 7 wishes, though her soul is at stake. Eager to get out of her life, Ella agrees though she is regretful of the wishes that she makes and their impact on those around her. Sinister and atmospheric, a creepy and intriguing read.