Sylvia Locke’s Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother

Book Review: Sylvia Locke’s Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother (Tairy Fails Book 2)

Sylvia Locke’s Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother (Tairy Fails Book 2) is a wildly entertaining and modern twist on the classic Cinderella tale that is perfect for elementary school kids and early chapter book readers. The second installment in David Horn’s Tairy Fails series, this story picks up where the first book left off, with Sylvia continuing to live up to her reputation as Fairytale Land’s baddest girl. Sylvia is sent to live with her aunt and two step-cousins, Macey and Lacey, and naturally, chaos ensues.

This twisted retelling flips the traditional fairytale script in an amusing and refreshing way. Unlike the usual story where Cinderella is the innocent, mistreated heroine, Sylvia is the “evil” one, while her step-relatives are the do-gooders. Sylvia isn’t interested in being polite or obedient, and when a royal ball invitation for all 5th-grade girls with good grades arrives, her mischievous nature kicks into high gear.

One of the highlights of the story is Sylvia’s interaction with her “evil” fairy godmother, Pamela. Pamela is not your typical magical helper—she’s more of a sarcastic, goth-inspired disaster with faulty wands bought from the Fairy Farmer’s Market. From cassette tapes to self-driving cars, the modern elements of this retelling are as clever as they are hilarious. Sylvia’s fairy godmother’s attempts at assisting her often lead to comically disastrous results, adding an extra layer of charm to the story.

The playful tone of the book, combined with Horn’s clever writing, makes for a fun and humorous read. The characters are full of personality, particularly Sylvia, who despite her rebellious streak, manages to stumble her way into some heartwarming revelations about friendship and family. The talking car, quirky residents of Buttzville, and laugh-out-loud moments will keep readers engaged from beginning to end.

Judit Tondora’s illustrations are a delightful addition to the story, with whimsical depictions that perfectly complement Horn’s playful writing style. However, it would have been even better if the illustrations were in color, as younger readers would likely enjoy seeing the characters and their colorful outfits fully brought to life—especially Pamela’s dramatic transformation from goth gear to pink pajamas.

The story is peppered with moments that flip traditional fairytale conventions on their heads. Prince Quinn, for example, is a 5th grader who isn’t interested in the usual princely duties, making him a refreshingly relatable character for young readers. The book’s humor is both clever and accessible, with references that will amuse kids while also providing plenty of laughs for adults reading along.

While the plot sticks to some of the classic Cinderella beats—like the midnight curfew and the prince’s quest to reunite with his “mysterious” guest—the execution is anything but conventional. The resolution of Sylvia’s chaotic night at the ball is both satisfying and comical, and the story’s conclusion hints at more adventures to come for Sylvia and her mischievous crew.

Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother is a wonderful continuation of the Tairy Fails series. Sylvia Locke’s adventures are laugh-out-loud funny and packed with heart, making this book a fantastic choice for young readers who enjoy a modern, quirky twist on traditional tales. Despite its imperfections, the book is an absolute delight, full of humor, whimsy, and unexpected life lessons. Highly recommended for kids looking for a fresh and funny take on fairytales!

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About the Book:

Sylvia Locke’s Cinderella and the Evil Fairy Godmother

Written by David Horn

Illustrated by Judit Tondora

Ages: 6-10 | 96 Pages

Publisher: David Horn | ISBN: 979-8-9885430-3-9

Publisher’s Book Summary: Fairytale Land’s baddest girl is about to head to a prince’s ball. A modern, twisted retelling of Cinderella.

Once upon a time in Fairytale Land, there lived Sylvia Locke—the baddest girl around. So bad that her grandparents have shipped her off to live with her uptight Aunt Marjorie and two goody-two-shoes step-cousins. When an invitation to the prince’s ball arrives, Sylvia is determined to attend at any cost, even if it means enlisting the help of an evil fairy godmother (against Fairytale Land laws, but has that ever stopped her?). Along this chaotic quest, Sylvia stumbles into some unexpectedly imperfect friends. But will she also learn to appreciate those who truly care for her?

The second book in the Tairy Fails series of modern, twisted retelling that puts a hilarious, rebellious, new spin on the classic fairy tales. Perfect for elementary school kids and early chapter book readers.

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About the Author:

David Horn lives in New Jersey with his wife, two daughters, and a funny dog named Trixie. He is the author of the popular Eudora Space Kid early reader humorous sci-fi chapter book series. He enjoys making kids laugh.

Learn more at https://www.eudoraspacekid.com/.

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