The Wicked Ones

The Dark Ascension Series, Book 1

By: Robin Benway

Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

"Blood is blood...and one way or another, we all bleed."

Drizella and Anastasia only know one thing for certain: they will never end up like their mother, Lady Tremaine. When their father left them as young girls, he took what was left of their family's fortune and their mother's dignity with him. A few years and one deceased stepfather later, the only version of Lady Tremaine that Drizella and Anastasia know is a bitter and cruel head of house. Anastasia and Drizella have promised themselves—and each other—that they'll be different. They'll find love, see the world, and never let their hearts go cold.

But both sisters are all too aware of what it can mean when cast into disfavor with their mother, and fueled by Lady Tremaine's tendencies to pit the daughters against one another, Drizella and Anastasia are locked into a complicated waltz of tenuous sisterhood. On the cusp of the royal debut party—their one chance to impress the Prince and live up to their mother's expectations—the sisters at last get a glimpse of what life could be like outside of Lady Tremaine's intentions: Drizella discovering a love of science and Anastasia sparking a secret romance. But never underestimate the power a mother whose greatest talents lie in manipulation, and the sisters may learn that even the cruelest of hearts can spill blood.

This first book in the new Disney Villains Dark Ascension series by National Book Award-winning author Robin Benway explores the complex sibling rivalry between the two wicked stepsisters from Cinderella that turned them into the characters we know today.

©2023 Robin Benway (P)2023 Disney Press

Category is: Creating Villains 101

Would you like to know what it’s like inside the minds of two iconic fairy tale villains?

This book really does a wonderful job of giving Drizella and Anastasia a 3rd dimension that is not seen in the classic Disney animated film. It really touches on the limited options that women of a certain time had due to a patriarchal society. I won’t spoil whether this is a happily ever after type of story or a tragedy destined from the start.

Oh the loathing

This book was so well done and made me loathe madam Tremaine so much more.

Amazing!!!!

The story line was so unique and gave great insight to who the sisters really were and why the ended they way the are . Every chapter was exciting and fun!

Monsters are not born, they are made...

I saw this book at a Walmart a few weeks back and I decide to hold off on buying it. First was because I hate reading books in general and instead listen to audio books. Second was because I'm used to seeing disney books on shelves and them just being cash grabs that parents buy for their toddlers to keep them entertained for a time. I bought it on audible because the story was interesting and I did want to give it a chance. WOW! I was impressed with this book! Benway did a wonderful job writing this story and bringing humanity to these 2 unlucky sisters. Fulford-Brown also did amazingly bringing these words into audio. I felt like I was there listening to the awesome audio. Growing up, I never believed that these 2 sisters were evil with nothing to redeem them. Not with Tremaine's manipulative hand over them (watch the scene in cinderella where the girls rip apart her dress and you can see how much she can controll the girls and make them go in the direction she wants) Now They do try to redeem Anastasia in the other movies. But never have I seen a piece of media try to redeem Drucilla. I loved reading about the two and seeing how Tremaine makes them turn on everything that made the girls happy. It was interesting to read and I cannot wait until the other books come out!!!

Wonderfully Wicked

Love this book!! One of my favorite audio books I’ve listened to, if you’re a Cinderella fan, please listen to this book :)

Wonderful insight

Great story, no retelling. The back story of the sisters is great. Wonderful read!! Highly suggested.

Great twist on an old tale

I loved hearing the back story to the sisters and you could see them in a different way. With out spoiling the story I was rooting for a happy ending. Ending was still god making you ask how did she know the plan.

Disney press doing it right!

I was intrigued by this book. I’ve read other wicked step sister stories & this one is definitely a favorite! It’s not a retelling, but more of a prequel to show how they all came to hate Cinderella so much. Hearing each girl’s inner thoughts & getting to understand their motivations. I like that they weren’t really redeemed because, in the end, they choose wickedness.

Disney should make these & their twisted tales into shows/movies rather than just remaking cartoons as live action. These characters feel like real people, not just one dimensional.

Very interesting and cute backstories

This book is amazing and I love how its not a retelling. It is their story of how they became the "Wicked Stepsisters" and it finally shows their origin story. it also doesn't change that they are wicked and selfish. But it shows that Lady Tremaine is terrible with not only Ella but her daughters. The epilogue shows how manipulative Lady Tremaine is which makes it even more annoying but not surprising. This book is definitely a must read and I am excited to see what the next book will be. Would it be a continuation or will it be other side character? endless possibilities.

I loved listening to this!!

It’s such a deep look into the sides you never get to see. I enjoyed every second of this one! It shows the more “human, relatable” part of fairy tales. I’m sure you’ll love it too!