City of Wishes Serial - Rachel Morgan

This is a different take on the Cinderella story, where Elle is not just an unwanted stepdaughter, but a human slave to her fae step-family. However, unlike most humans Elle does have one gift. She is determined to use it to buy her own freedom and that of her younger step-sister. 

Elle's stepmother really is a horrible piece of work, the way she so casually hurts her own daughter as punishment to Elle and also the other way round. I was very interested in finding out what Dex's true motives were, and the clues about Elle's mother were intriguing. The Godmother is one of my favourite characters. She's kind of evil but in a cool way, I would love a book or even just a short story about her. To be honest all the characters are pretty cool, even the side characters seem interesting, I would like more about Cress too.

The series was written in six parts and I really enjoyed the serialisation aspect of the book. It was almost like watching a TV series though I found it so hard to wait for the next instalment each time. My only complaint is that the books are so short. They are supposed to be, but I felt like just as I was getting immersed in the story, it finished. And Rachel Morgan really knows how to leave you hanging and desperate for more! 

Essence Cocktail

Stir together 1 shot of orange vodka, 1/4 shot of lemon juice and a dash of sugar with some ice. Strain into a cocktail glass and stir in some edible glitter. Top with prosecco, the bubbles will help keep the drink shimmering. I used pink & gold glitter which turned the drink a pretty peach colour, but to be more faithful to the book you could use pure gold like the faeries' essence.