Atlantic County Library System

UnCovered review by Amanda Vigue, ACLS Egg Harbor Township Branch

Every Cinderella fan knows that dreams are really wishes waiting to come true. But what about nightmares?  Does evil exist in the form of a shape-shifting demon or does it dwell deep within one’s psyche, thriving on fear and desperation? The Shadow in the Glass, by J.J.A. Harwood, explores the dark side of fairy tales, where anything is possible – for a perilous price.

Eleanor Hartley was orphaned at a young age. When her stepmother died, Ella was forced to become a servant in her adopted home. Her predatory guardian, long corrupted by lust and brandy, lurks around every corner waiting to ruin every young lady in his employ. Ella knows that she will be next. Determined to escape, Ella sneaks off to the library at night. There, lost in the pages of Dr. Faustus, Ella encounters a mysterious woman with hollow eyes who knows all of her secrets. Instead of turning a pumpkin into a carriage and mice into horses, Ella’s fairy godmother offers her seven wishes in exchange for her soul.  

Of course, changing her fate is a complicated and dangerous affair, especially in Victorian London. In true thriller fashion, Ella is haunted by a series of deaths that may be linked to her tragic past. With each wish, Ella is further ensnared in a web of crime and passion. This story does not end happily ever after. In fact, it might not end at all.