Welcome to my tour stop! Find my review and the tour giveaway below...
Glass Across the Sea
(Realms of Allumeria #1)
By Sara Ella
YA Fantasy, Retelling
Audiobook, Hardcover & eBook, 432 Pages
October 21, 2025 by Enclave Escape
Summary
Light always finds a way to break free . . .
Noelle Perrault has felt drawn to the tales her glassmaker father told of the four Firefly artisans since she was a child. But when her mother falls under a curse, Noelle suspects the stories are more than mere fables. Their last hope is for her father to embark on a desperate journey to another realm, where he must seek a miracle. Alone but not defenseless, Noelle is forced to navigate battles that rise against her beloved home, while her dearest friend, the prince, vows to help her father.
Dante Marin is a prince prepared to bear the crown. But the king offers an ultimatum: find the fabled Firefly Vestiges, believed to hold the Lamplighter’s ancient power, or forfeit the crown. Only then will Dante be considered worthy of his birthright and given the freedom to choose his bride. But how does one hunt down a legend?
Connected by the past, but forced apart in the present, Noelle and Dante must discover the truth about the Firefly and Vestiges before they lose all hope—and each other—for good. But breaking a curse comes at a great sacrifice—one neither of them predicted. With a mysterious foe rising to power, will they survive, let alone succeed? Or will darkness shroud their future, shattering the light they’ve striven to restore?
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My Review
GLASS ACROSS THE SEA is a young adult fantasy retelling of Cinderella, but one in which the author makes this story completely her own. The characters are well drawn, with an immersive world, and an intriguing plot. Recommended to fans of the classic fairy tale or fantasy.
I've read several of this author's books and always find them to be very creative. This book is no different. I enjoyed how she meshed The Count of Monte Cristo with Cinderella letting the characters tell this story. The whole preface was interesting and fun to to read in this fantasy world. I also really liked the characters. There's definitely some good character development as they come into their own. They also didn't feel flat, but each had their distinct personalities that came alive on the page. I also liked how things were a bit messy. There was heartache, illness, different shades of villains and heroes (perfect for morally gray fans), and romance that was sweet and a bit star-crossed. There were also different overall themes that the author did a good job in weaving through the story without anything being too pointed.
I did have a few things I would have liked developed a bit more. Some of the scenes/chapters/events didn't always have good transitions. Some parts didn't feel realistic (like not knowing a main guard or servant, but completely trusting them, and having a mom who supposedly doesn't remember anything but when she does, putting up with someone who is mistreating her and not letting her daughter see her to name a few). They also really talked up The Order, but there's no movement or development in the story where you actually see them. Other things also could have been fleshed out more.
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was an intriguing fantasy with likable characters and an engaging plot. This is an enjoyable story for fans of retellings, fantasy or this author.
Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
About the Author
More from Sara
Whenever I start writing a new story, I always comb the internet for the perfect images to represent my characters. Sometimes it’s an actress or actor who fits the character description. Other times, I’ll find some artwork or a painting that fits the picture I have in my mind.
But when it came to finding the right image to represent Noelle Perrault, the protagonist of Glass Across the Sea, I could not for the life of me find what I was looking for. Partly because the heroine is heavily based on my oldest daughter, who shares the same name. No image online was good enough to represent a character and novel dedicated to her.
And then I found this painting titled “Cinderella’s New Day” by artist Heather Edwards back in 2023.
And that was it! “So This is Love” from Disney’s animated classic began playing in my head, and I knew I’d found the image I would keep in my mind for the duration of writing my Cinderella retelling.
This depiction is soft and sweet and felt personal in a way a photo of an actress didn’t. I also felt this painting captured the character and personality of my heroine in a way that would keep me going, even on my most difficult writing days.
Fast forward to 2024. I was behind on my book deadline and life’s interruptions kept getting in the way of my writing. I felt depleted and almost asked my publisher to cancel my contract. But then I attended an event where this same artist had her work on display, and there it was. The real-life, in-person canvas of this very same painting.
That moment felt like God was reminding me He had called me to write this book in the first place. That He had a plan for it and wanted me to keep going. This very painting is the reason I added this line to Glass Across the Sea:
“Art, in her view, was never a laughing matter. A piece might evoke hope in one while it produced sorrow in the heart of another. It was the same for music. For dance.”
And then came 2025. A year of grief and loss in many ways for our family. Once again, everything was getting in the way of this story ever making it to print. And, once again, I considered maybe it was not meant to be published after all. Through many tears and long nights, I revised, pushing to meet deadlines. I questioned if it was worth it. I questioned my own strength and writing abilities, only to be reminded that it is only through God’s grace and Christ’s strength I can do anything at all.
I came across this painting in person again this year at that same event. And, just as it had done in the past, this painting reminded me there was a “new day” just around the corner. My best friend, Nadine Brandes (she knows me so well), surprised me with a signed and personalized canvas print that day. The timing could not have been more perfect.
This painting is more than just a reminder to “have courage and be kind.” It’s a testament to God’s goodness and faithfulness, even amidst darkness and pain. My prayer for Glass Across the Sea is that it blesses readers in the same way this painting has blessed me. Wherever you find yourself today, I hope you keep going and trust the Lord to give you what you need in the moment you need it. In my experience, He often reveals Himself in the unexpected corners and small moments I least suspect.
Tour Schedule
Texas Book-aholic, October 25
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 25
Inspired by Fiction, October 26
Wishful Endings, October 27
The Lofty Pages, October 27
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 29 (Spotlight)
Devoted Steps, October 29
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 30
For Him and My Family, October 31
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, November 1
Blogging With Carol, November 1
Inklings and Notions, November 2
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, November 3
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 3
Labor Not in Vain, November 4
CeCe Reads and Sings, November 4
Holly’s Book Corner, November 5
To Everything There Is A Season, November 6
Min Reads and Reviews, November 7
Tour-Wide Giveaway
To celebrate her tour Sara is giving away the grand prize of a signed hardcover of Glass Across the Sea with Painted Edges designed by @hilltop_art, Glass Across the Sea themed candle from @lamplighterliterary, and a $25 Disney Gift Card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Have you read any other Cinderella retellings? What is your favorite fairy tale?
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