Conclusion:
A: Seeing the framework that you set yourself to work around... Makes me realize what your actual goals were. Not what I was originally expecting or hoping to get from this story, but good anyway.
B: Seeing kids be abused/neglected is apparently the only thing that can get me to cry while reading.
C: This is a great story, I read it all in one sitting, my PC is almost out of battery...
D: I stayed up WAY too late. WAY too late. *cough*threethirty*cough*

So I said that I was a bit disappointed when it was all but confirmed that this story is based off of Cinderella. I still somewhat feel that way. The same basic plot can get boring, but it can also be thrilling to see new twists! I really like how you've portrayed the characters and I totally agree that every 'villain' should be realistic characters with hidden virtues of their own. The backstory also puts a new twist on things.
Have you read Ella Enchanted? It's a very good book. Vaguely based off of Cinderella with a few other fairytales added in.

I quite like it so far. However, this has obviously been modeled after Cinderella. It takes away from the originality and splendor of the story. Until this chapter you can't really tell, so I'm hoping that the rest will be unique as well.

At first I didn't even realise this was based around cinderella which was probably thanks to how this version isn't very clichéd - I just love the way you wrote it!

The sentence "But books didn't know everything" won me over! Arthur is one of the most interesting characters I have encountered in a story on this site. A robust beginning!

I enjoyed your story, though I believe that Michael should not have gotten off so easily. Ella wasn't his only victim. He was cruel from childhood, and what amounts to a rapist by the end of this story. He is realistic, in that many "lords of the manor" saw the maid staff and the daughters of tenants as their own personal harem, but still...

Can't believe how few reviews this story has, I really enjoyed it and will go find the sequel now too :)
Great to see the change from the earlier 'they're there their' mix ups gone by the end too. Evidently practice does help.

I'm glad I clicked on this story and read it, because it was a brilliant read and different than any other cliched Cinderella story I've read. I feel like I know Ella and who she is, and that feels amazing. I can't wait for the sequel and the appearance of the fun Ella I know. Every chapter was like a piece of candy, and I'm glad I was along for the ride.

Awesome! So this is where Ella learns more about the people around her... Huh, I guess I should've known that Lady Tremaine had a fair share of a stressful life, that she's not born greedy and cunning, like how most Cinderella's Stpry versions make her look like.

Drizella and Cody? Most totally DID NOT see that one coming! Really! But I guess it's just most reasonable... Cody is almost prince-like too you know, so the guy who you said was a real-life Cody could enjoy knowing he's prince-like, and I think I would have fallen for him too if I was in one of the twins' place. Do you know that when I first read about him in this story, I wished that Ella and him would have fallen for each other later? Oh I did. Like, I totally forgot for a moment that, "oh, yeah, she was supposed to be with the prince..."

I think of I am King Roddrick, I would like to throw Lady Antoine and Michael out in the streets right away... Hah but that's just rude of me, I suppose.

Yay! They kissed! They're so made for each other.

Um... One last thing.. Did I just miss it somewhere in the story, or did you just forgot about it, or are you going yo put it in the sequel, or did you purposefully leave out the part where the prince returns the glass slipper to the girl? Haha

I love your story and if I just have a fictionpress account I would have favorite this. :):)

Aww! I loved this chapter! Raoul to the rescue!

Wow... I had soooo much fun reading this. I could never predict what would happen next. It's so unpredictable, and I guess that's what I admire of you most. Ella stayed as Ella. I think what I liked in this chapter most is Raoul. You made me see him another light. Like he's so mature and kind, and a knight(prince) in shining armor. Haha I love this chapter! But then again, I loved all the chapters:)

oh my God... You know, you made me feel intense anger, much intense bliss and excitement, and much more intense pity, all in one chapter. I'm so happy that Raoul came to her rescue. Oh no, don't tell me that something will happen so that he wouldnt be able to help her that night! oh please! Ella deserves a happy ever after...

I'm looking forward to this Friday(Saturday in my country)!

Oh my god, I had so much fun reading this chapter. It had so much action and drama...

Poor Ella :(

Please write more this is really good