How to Summon a Fairy Godmother: A Laugh-Out-Loud Fairytale What-If

by Laura J. Mayo

Overview

If a fairy godmother can get one sister into a marriage, getting another out of one should be easy… 

Lady Theodosia Balfour is screwed—with the Balfour estate on the verge of bankruptcy, and Theo’s royal stepsister spreading wicked rumors about her, Theo's only path forward seems to be a forced betrothal a foul-tempered geezer who wishes only to use her as a brood mare. 

Desperate for help, Theo clings to the only thing that might save her: the rumor of a fairy godmother. And after discovering a way to summon one, Theo thinks her prayers have been answered. But the fairy she meets isn't at all what she imagined. Drop-dead gorgeous and slightly devious, Cecily of the Ash Fairies is much more interested in smoking her pipe than providing charitable magic to . Now, Theo must prove she’s good to gain Cecily’s trust (and magic), but proving goodness doesn’t seem to be all that easy. In fact, it all seems to be rather ridiculous…
 

"This was an absolutely refreshing spin on the Cinderella mythos and one of the best debut novels I have read in years!!!!" - David Redbird, reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I can't remember the last time I was so in love with a story and all its characters. Do yourself a favor and read this book!" - Jamie Brandenburg, reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Such a fun book! I ate this up in less than 24 hours." - Hannah Rowan, reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I need the next one already!" - Karina Toldedo, reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I couldn’t put this book down! I loved this story of what happened after Cinderella’s happily ever after, to her “evil” stepsister, Theo. I can't wait to read the next installment!" - Leesa Tarter, reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"I think this book will be making my list of top 5 reads of the year! This was such a funny, heartwarming story, so clever and inventive, and perfect for all lovers of fairytale retellings! This is Laura J. Mayo’s debut and I am so impressed!" - Sarah Asnaashari, reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316580717
Publisher:	Orbit
Publication date:	10/08/2024
Series:	Fairies and Familiars , #1
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	3,975
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

In addition to being a two-time winner of her town’s annual pie contest, Laura J. Mayo is also a fantasy writer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, their two children, a dog named Birch, and a ball python named Smoky. Unsurprisingly, many of Laura’s other interests are solitary, including reading, sewing, cooking, baking, admiring her air plants, and getting figuratively lost in deep, dark woods. How to Summon a Fairy Godmother is her debut novel.

Editorial Reviews

08/12/2024

In debut author Mayo’s insightful reimagining of Cinderella, a “wicked stepsister” gets the chance to step into the spotlight. After pretty, perfect Beatrice wins the heart of Prince Duncan with help from a fairy godmother, her stepsisters, Florentia and Theodosia (“Theo”) Balfour, and their mother are all painted as wicked and abusive—not entirely falsely. As the family slides further into debt and misfortune, Lady Balfour arranges a marriage between Theo and the aging and deeply unpleasant Duke of Snowbell. Determined to get out of the arrangement, Theo summons Beatrice’s fairy godmother, Cecily of the Ash Fairies, who agrees to help, but only if Theo first proves she’s a good person by completing three tasks for her. With the aid of Cecily’s familiars, including the handsome fox shifter Kasra, Theo ventures into the fairy realm, risking life and limb, and in the process discovers what she’s really made of. Mayo explores themes of self-image and self-worth, toxic femininity, false narratives, and the different paths to happily ever after. Her characters are flawed, fractious, and unreliable, but Theo’s quest to seize control of her destiny and break free of her mother allows her to grow into a sympathetic heroine. With touches of humor and romance to keep things lively, this complex retelling delights. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

Josie Charles narrates a not-quite-fairytale told from the perspective of an "evil" stepsister. After her stepsister Beatrice marries the prince and has her happily-ever-after, Lady Theodosia Balfour--Theo to her friends--is determined to secure a similar fate for herself. Sadly, it's a lot harder than it seems. Charles does not soften Theo's unlikable personality but does grant her entirely reasonable justifications for her unpleasantness. As Theo progresses through the tasks she has been assigned by her own fairy godmother, Charles subtly shifts her demeanor from petulant and angry to merely ungracious and annoyed. While Theo's ending is markedly different from what she initially wished for, Charles ably chaperones her from self-discovery to maturity. K.M.P. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2024 - AudioFile