I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

The Wicked Ones is a Disney Dark Ascension novel about the two ugly stepsisters of Cinderella; Drizella and Anastasia. This book pulled at my heart strings in the opening chapter and explained in a way why their mother became as she is. The book follows the girls as they grow up, their hopes, dreams, and hopes for the future. This book fits really well alongside the film of Cinderella and gives an insight as to why and how the pair became like they are and the hard life they've had along the way. It does make you feel sorry for them in a way, too, which was thought-provoking and heartwarming. I look forward to seeing what comes next in the series.

This book was a whole lot of fun, and Benway has done an excellent job with this prequel to the events of Cinderella. The Wicked Ones really adds some depth to the ‘ugly stepsisters’, and shows how they suffer under their mother’s wrath as much as Cinderella does.

Drizella and Anastasia are as close as sisters can be, but it’s a bond easily strained by their rivalry, encouraged by their mother’s. The sisters protect each other as much as they can, but it’s not always possible when going against the bitter Lady Tremaine. As the royal debut party approaches, both girls make new discoveries. Drizella starts to learn about science instead of going to her singing lessons, and Anastasia meets a young man and falls in love. Then, of course, there’s their stepsister, Ella. But it’s every woman for herself in this household, as Drizella and Anastasia soon learn.

This adds some wonderful depth to both Drizella and Anatasia, giving them a backstory and personalities that fit in with their animated versions, but still manage to show them as more than the ‘ugly stepsisters’. The events of this book lead really nicely into the story of Cinderella, who is a minor, background character in The Wicked Ones. We also get more depth to Cinderella’s cruel stepmother, who in trying to secure a future for her daughters, manages to rob them of their individual lights.

The characters were distinctive and handled really well by someone who, it feels like, has a great love for the original film, and possibly the sequels. These versions of Drizella and Anastasia experience a lot, but start off as softer, kinder women then they end the book as. It’s the opposite of a growth character arc, in a way, but it works really well so we’re actually on their side through most of this.

Benway handles these characters beautifully, giving them more depth while keeping them recognisable as familiar characters. It’s not an easy task, but placing these two sisters front and centre, giving them their own story, makes for a really fun YA novel, and definitely makes me keen to check out the others in the Dark Ascension series.

This was really interesting and nice to see and different side to the Cinderella story, I like how we got to know more about the backstory of the two step sisters, makes you think of it differently.

I really enjoyed this prequel to Cinderella. It was well written and the plot was executed very well. The character development takes you on a journey with the sisters. I really enjoyed this.

THE WICKED ONES was a slightly odd book for me, and tricky to review because I was very much in two minds. I’ll talk about the bulk of the book, which I really enjoyed, first. Then, the last… 10 or so percent, which I… did not. I’m going avoid specific spoilers, but because it’s literally the ending, I can’t promise it’s spoiler-vibe free.

Off we go!

I really loved how the characters of Anastasia and Drizella were presented. Neither are particularly nice (we see them snap at Ella often, ignoring her suffering) but Benway writes their neglect of their stepsister in a way that feels understandable coming from mistreated teenage girls. They’re all isolated in their own misery, played against each other by their Lady Tremaine, and clinging to survival the best they can. There’s sparks of goodness in both sisters, but they often aren’t brave enough to show it and risk their mother’s wrath.

I thought there was a really good complexity to the writing here and it made each girls’ individual journey compelling. I was absolutely rooting for them both.

I also liked the little nods to the Disney film specifically, since this is an actual Disney tie-in. There are little details like Anastasia learning the flute, Drizella practicing “Sing Sweet Nightingale”, and mentions of Bruno, mice in little shoes and hats, and a tiny, terrifying, kitten Lucifer. It’s done well, so that these are nice nods for those who’ve seen (and remember) the film, but which readers coming in without that knowledge won’t be confused by.

Now, I think part of my problem with the ending of THE WICKED ONES was self-inflicted. I’d been thinking of it as a retelling, when its actually a prequel, so the inevitable ending (bringing Anastasia and Drizella to the point they’re at in Cinderella itself) sort of blindsided me.

Even taking that into account though I wasn’t a fan. I’ll say here: I like ‘unlikeable’ characters and stories where no-one’s the winner — but it just didn’t feel in-keeping with the rest of the book, or with the fact this isn’t just a Cinderella fairy tale retelling, but an official Disney one. The writing is solidly young-mid YA, but the ending is bleak , even for the dark tone and abuse in the bulk of the story, and I’m not quite sure who the intended readership is.

Aside from that, it felt like a failure of character arc. Anastasia and Drizella grow as characters over the course of the novel (as they should) with interests, relationships and self-reflection. Then, in the space of a chapter, all that work is undone. I can’t even think of it as a corruption arc, the way you’d see in really good ‘villain’ origin stories.

Ultimately, I was left feeling confused and disappointed. However, if you think the ending would work for you, this could be a really strong story, adding a deeper background to well-known background characters. I did really enjoy the reading of THE WICKED ONES. It’s compelling, pacey, and I got through it in just a few days. If I could just change that last two-three chapters, I’d have given it a really high rating.

The moment I saw this book, I knew I needed to read it.
I love Disney, I love Disney books, and I especially love any type of Disney retelling.

And The Wicked Ones didn't disappoint!

This story was fun and imaginative and I really enjoyed how connected I felt to the characters of Anastasia and Drizella throughout.

This story was fast paced, which is always a good thing, because it means you can't put the book down and constantly want to know what happens next. And even though we all know how it ends, I still wanted to keep going.

I highly recommend this book to any lover of Cinderella, or a lover of retellings in general, as this book is worth the read.

Thank you to both NetGalley and Igloo Books for providing my copy. All opinions given are my own.

𝕀𝕗 𝕡𝕖𝕠𝕡𝕝𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕨𝕖 𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕦𝕘𝕝𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕟, 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕨𝕒𝕚𝕥. 𝕎𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕖 𝕒𝕓𝕤𝕠𝕝𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕝𝕪 𝕨𝕚𝕔𝕜𝕖𝕕.

As we all know, retellings are my jam and, in my opinion, very few are written as well as The Wicked Ones by Robin Benway.

This Cinderella prequel explores the concept that evil is not born, it is made. Anastasia and Drizella are clearly products of their environments and the use of first person POV represents this powerfully.

The two sisters are comrades in war, severely traumatised by their father's abandonment and the complete lack of affection and neglect of their mother. Benway's writing causes the sisters' pain to bleed from the pages, not even gaining respite from characters we previously perceived as good, such as their stepfather.

Even when the girls find saviours in love and science, a tiny spark of hope in their otherwise doomed lives, their mother stamps it out as efficiently as a waterfall on a campfire.

The readers clearly see the potential redemption of Anastasia and Drizella; the initial sympathy the sisters have for Ella and their intention to help her but they are trapped by their fear of their mother. Throughout the book, Lady Tremaine ensures this fear is manipulated into distrust and hatred to prevent the three girls allying against her.

Each page contains bullying, neglect, trauma and abuse so this is far from a relaxing read and, as we know, there is no happy ending. But what Benway cannot give us in a HEA she provides in empathy: we know how the story ends, but we never stop rooting for Anastasia and Drizella.

The Wicked Ones is a shining star in the retelling genre. The prologue shines a light on Monsieur Tremaine's decisions. The epilogue masquerades as Lady Tremaine justifying her actions but, in reality, simultaneously reassures the readers' faith in Benway's supporting characters and breaks our hearts that no one fought for the infamous sisters. And everything in-between is perfection.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy.

Such a refreshing take on a classic story, it was so interesting to hear more from the prospective of Cinderella step sisters. This book made me really consider Anastasia and Drizella as people rather than character there to further Cinderella’s story. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

A well written and fast paced story which left me unable to put the book down, even though I was aware of their story it did not stop me wishing for a happy ending!

This was such an interesting take on Drizella and Anastasia, really gives you an insight into how they were treated and the impact that had on their relationship with Cinderella. I always think it's interesting to take the Disney Villains and see their backstories so this was a great read. I would recommend to anyone with even the slightest interest in Cinderella or Disney. Hopefully there will be some more in this Dark Ascension series!

A very interesting take into the Cinderella story!

Ive always been interested in Cinderella's two stepsisters and the author does a bloody brilliant job of bringing these two characters to life, and making them more sympathetic to the audience.

The exploration of the sisters relationship and navigation of just how traumatizing it was to grow up in this loveless house was so well done, throughout the entire book I was simply unable NOT to root for them.

The ending was also BRILLIANT.

Really enjoyed this! Fast pace and was nice to read Drizella and Anastasias story and see this perspective of why they’re such horrible characters normally!

I enjoyed reading the insight into how the stepsister's personalities from Cinderella were founded. The story follows Anastasia as she finds and loses true love. Her sister Drizzella strives to step out of the shadow of their mother and not to become like her, to create her own dreams.

But as the story goes, both ultimately lose their way and their dislike towards Cinderella is generated under the guidance of their mother lady Tremaine. I was rooting for both sisters throughout the story and it was really enjoyable to see life before the Cinderella story itself.

Another great book for the collection and look forward to reading more. Highly recommend it to any Disney fans and fans of Cinderella.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an arc!

I love retellings of fairy tales, and I especially love the Ugly Stepsisters. I rooted for these two throughout the entire book. I longed for Anastasia to find true love and for Drizella to become more than her mother had planned for her. I also loved that the story didn't center around Ella, as I feel like she would have probably overpowered their stories.

That ending though? I refuse to accept it as canon and will be pretending it didn't happen. I have the sads.

I am a huge fan of Disney retellings and so was very excited to be able to review this one. It was a great insight into the world and lives of the Step-Sisters and gave some really valuable context around why they are the way that they are. It's changed my perception of the characters completely and I absolutely love when a book can do that.

I love the world of Cinderela amd the sisters / Disney in any of its forms so I was so excited to be able to read this book. I really enjoyed it just as much as I thought I would.

Growing up as a huge Disney fiend, I have a very special place in my heart for these retellings/reimaginings of the stories I know so well. This was brilliant!!

I’m really loving this Disney series and been acquiring may titles for our location. This is really neat that we get the famous steps sister s side of the story from Cinderella. I think a lot of old and new fans of the tale will highly enjoy this one!

The Wicked Ones is about Cinderella’s sisters, Anastasia and Drizella, better known as the ‘Ugly Stepsisters’, before they took on this role. It was heartbreaking to see the way they had been treated throughout their childhood, from family leaving or passing away, to the way their mother treated them, only slightly better than the way Ella was treated. I rooted for the sisters throughout, with potential love for one and a kind tutor for the other, and even though I knew deep down that this could not have a terribly happy ending, the writing was so beautiful and the characters so captivating that I was shocked by the twists at the end, and I found myself feeling awful for the sisters and what they went through. It was great to see how they took on the nickname of ‘ugly stepsisters’ which had been used against them, and chose to weaponise it and become what other people saw. After reading this, I think I can safely say that I’ll never watch Cinderella the same way again because the sisters were more complex and intricate than the movies suggest, and the author did an excellent job of portraying this. I would definitely recommend to any fans of Disney books, and the movie Cinderella.