Ten Thousand Stitches
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

The sequel to Atwater's dazzling Half a Soul (2022) once again puts a spotlight on social injustice and inequality in 1800s England, this time in a fantastical, upstairs--downstairs romantic comedy featuring a maid, a nobleman, and a well-intentioned but spectacularly inept faerie godfather. Very loosely based on "Cinderella," Ten Thousand Stitches is the story of Effie Reeves, a maid in a rural manor who bristles under the unfair and often cruel attitudes of the aristocracy she serves. An unexpected kindness allows Effie to hope for more than a meager existence, and she is unable to resist the allure of an elevated station in life when a faerie later offers to help her snag a dashing nobleman. Soon her daily drudgery is intermingled with glamorous balls and garden parties, leaving Effie to grapple with the disparity between classes, the expectations of her closest friends, and a growing attachment to a rather unlordly companion. Full of clever dialogue and effortless world building, this latest installment in the Regency Faerie Tales series will leave readers delighted from start to finish thanks to the good-natured yet ridiculous hijinx of Effie's faerie godfather, Lord Blackthorn, and admiring Atwater's ability to craft a narrative that feels very much like a warm embrace.

Atwater's second Regency Faerie Tales fantasy (after Half a Soul) puts a sweet, humorous spin on "Cinderella." Housemaid Euphemia "Effie" Reeves dreams of marrying Benedict Ashbrooke, the youngest adult son of the family for whom she works. Helping Effie to achieve this goal is a faerie named Juniper Jubilee, lord of the faerie forest of Blackthorn. Drawn in by Effie's righteous anger and magnificent stitchwork, he decides to make her the subject of his own quest to be "kind to the powerless and cruel to the powerful." Though Effie fears the worst in accepting deals with a faerie, the results of Juniper's offers to help are mostly humorous misadventures, as when every attendee at a ball separately and unexpectedly turns to Effie for advice due to her magical gown. Meanwhile, Juniper's persistent kindness and joy awakens Effie to the true unfairness of the power dynamics surrounding her life. Though the ending is a bit too tidy, the powerful message about wielding anger in response to abuses of power is well explored and all the misguided magic brings plenty of fun. New readers and Atwater fans alike are sure to enjoy this egalitarian twist on the classic tale. (July)

Effie is a housemaid in an English country house. Her employers are self-centered gadabouts, treating their servants badly, when they notice them at all. On one occasion, Benedict Ashbrooke, brother of the lord of the manor, notices Effie and treats her kindly. She immediately falls in love with him, but sadly, as a housemaid she can never marry a "gentleman." Then she meets Lord Blackthorn, aka Juniper Jubilee, an elf who is trying to learn to be virtuous. Juniper agrees to help Effie to be a "lady" so she can pursue Benedict. She must embroider ten thousand stitches onto the elf's coat in payment. Everyone knows making deals with elves always ends badly, and while he is sincere, the elf's efforts to help Effie often make her situation worse. Despite her troubles, Effie may just have a chance to discover true love. Madeleine Leslay narrates, using different English accents as appropriate. Readers who enjoy lighthearted stories will enjoy this book. VERDICT Atwater's second book in the "Regency Faerie Tale" series (after Half a Soul) is a fanciful and funny romp, with plenty of twists and turns to keep listeners guessing. Perfect for fans of The Midnight Bargain by C.L. Polk.--Joanna M. Burkhardt

*Starred Review* The sequel to Atwater's dazzling Half a Soul (2022) once again puts a spotlight on social injustice and inequality in 1800s England, this time in a fantastical, upstairs–downstairs romantic comedy featuring a maid, a nobleman, and a well-intentioned but spectacularly inept faerie godfather. Very loosely based on Cinderella, Ten Thousand Stitches is the story of Effie Reeves, a maid in a rural manor who bristles under the unfair and often cruel attitudes of the aristocracy she serves. An unexpected kindness allows Effie to hope for more than a meager existence, and she is unable to resist the allure of an elevated station in life when a faerie later offers to help her snag a dashing nobleman. Soon her daily drudgery is intermingled with glamorous balls and garden parties, leaving Effie to grapple with the disparity between classes, the expectations of her closest friends, and a growing attachment to a rather unlordly companion. Full of clever dialogue and effortless world building, this latest installment in the Regency Faerie Tales series will leave readers delighted from start to finish thanks to the good-natured yet ridiculous hijinx of Effie's faerie godfather, Lord Blackthorn, and admiring Atwater's ability to craft a narrative that feels very much like a warm embrace. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.

Atwater's second Regency Faerie Tales fantasy (after Half a Soul) puts a sweet, humorous spin on "Cinderella." Housemaid Euphemia "Effie" Reeves dreams of marrying Benedict Ashbrooke, the youngest adult son of the family for whom she works. Helping Effie to achieve this goal is a faerie named Juniper Jubilee, lord of the faerie forest of Blackthorn. Drawn in by Effie's righteous anger and magnificent stitchwork, he decides to make her the subject of his own quest to be "kind to the powerless and cruel to the powerful." Though Effie fears the worst in accepting deals with a faerie, the results of Juniper's offers to help are mostly humorous misadventures, as when every attendee at a ball separately and unexpectedly turns to Effie for advice due to her magical gown. Meanwhile, Juniper's persistent kindness and joy awakens Effie to the true unfairness of the power dynamics surrounding her life. Though the ending is a bit too tidy, the powerful message about wielding anger in response to abuses of power is well explored and all the misguided magic brings plenty of fun. New readers and Atwater fans alike are sure to enjoy this egalitarian twist on the classic tale. (July)