The Skydust Duke: A Victorian Romantasy Cinderella Retelling (Skydust Kingdoms Book 1) by T. L. Shreffler

"CINDERELLA meets SHADOW AND BONE." ~R. Kimble, Goodreads, 5 Stars!Lady Celise Dhastel has spent her life in the shadows—overlooked, underestimated, and quietly enduring the cruelty of her stepmother and half-sisters. Born without the gift of mana-channeling, her noble family sees her as a useless girl fit to work in the stables and nothing more.Lord High Commander Elias Blackwood, dubbed “the Mad Dog” by the infamous Lady’s Letter, has scared off seven brides since returning home from the war. Haunted and hardened by the horrors of the Abyss, he has no patience for simpering courtiers or marriage schemes. But his father has arranged a birthday gala for him, and Elias has to choose a bride by the end of the ball.After a twist of fate brings Celise and Elias together in the moonlit gardens of Gravenmere Castle, an unexpected spark ignites. Elias might be the most powerful soldier in the kingdom—but will he remove his armor for a chance at love?From dusty shadows to royal corridors, from fear to love, The Skydust Duke is a Cinderella retelling about finding one’s courage and choosing one’s own destiny.List of Fantasy Tropesfairytale retellingCinderella retellingVictorian romanceslow burn romanceopposites attractmagic meets technologyhe falls firstmistaken identityalpha herosword fightslife after the warlow stakes fantasyarranged marriagetea drinking and gossipgarden mazemonstersrags to richesmagic systemsmana channelingmystery and intrigueunique seasons and zodiac