| 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? |  |
Genre: YA Cinderella Retelling (Fantasy)
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Click here to get your copy!
My Review
They'll both do anything for those they love....
I fell for Sara Ella's vivid storytelling with her Wonderland duology so you can imagine my excitement when I found out that she was starting off a brand new series, Realms Of Allumeria, with a Cinderella retelling – I also love fairytale retelling, by the way...
And Glass Across The Sea is just any old retelling of the much loved fairytale. The bones of the story we are all so familiar with are most definitely still there but Sara Ella takes them and reweaves them into a tale entirely her own.
And this is a very vibrantly told story indeed. The Realms Of Allumeria come alive in a way that is simple but easy to visualize each scene. The are plenty of twists and turns and even a few surprises along the way for both Noelle and Dante – and by turn, readers. They are a charming young couple and you can't help but like them both as you get to know them better.
I've read quite a few Cinderella retellings and one thing that I really appreciated about Glass Across The Sea is that the heroine's name is not just another variation of the name Ella.
I will confess that I did like The Curious Realities duology – with its darker vibe – a bit more. However, Glass Across The Sea was one of the more unique and interesting Cinderella retellings and it was definitely a good read. This was a great start to the Realms Of Allumeria and I find myself looking forward to reading the next book in this new series from fantasy author Sara Ella....
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Glass Across The Sea by Sara Ella a 4 Bark rating.
I fell for Sara Ella's vivid storytelling with her Wonderland duology so you can imagine my excitement when I found out that she was starting off a brand new series, Realms Of Allumeria, with a Cinderella retelling – I also love fairytale retelling, by the way...
And Glass Across The Sea is just any old retelling of the much loved fairytale. The bones of the story we are all so familiar with are most definitely still there but Sara Ella takes them and reweaves them into a tale entirely her own.
And this is a very vibrantly told story indeed. The Realms Of Allumeria come alive in a way that is simple but easy to visualize each scene. The are plenty of twists and turns and even a few surprises along the way for both Noelle and Dante – and by turn, readers. They are a charming young couple and you can't help but like them both as you get to know them better.
I've read quite a few Cinderella retellings and one thing that I really appreciated about Glass Across The Sea is that the heroine's name is not just another variation of the name Ella.
I will confess that I did like The Curious Realities duology – with its darker vibe – a bit more. However, Glass Across The Sea was one of the more unique and interesting Cinderella retellings and it was definitely a good read. This was a great start to the Realms Of Allumeria and I find myself looking forward to reading the next book in this new series from fantasy author Sara Ella....
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Glass Across The Sea by Sara Ella a 4 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
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.
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.
“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.
 Sara Ella | Once upon a time, Sara Ella brought dreams to life as a Disney cast member, wishing for the day she’d find her prince and live in a castle of her own. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summers, and reminding her superhero husband that it’s almost Christmas (even if it’s only January). Sara is the award-winning author of The Wonderland Trials, Coral, and the Unblemished trilogy. She is old enough for fairy tales and believes happily ever after is never far away. |
It's Time For A 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!!
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!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
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
The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate, 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
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
The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate, 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
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