Review: I liked it!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 30, 2014
STONE PRISON is aptly named, and the genre fits it perfectly.  "A Dark Gothic Tale" is an ideal description.I enjoyed the many subtle references to just about every classic fairy tale.  Yes, the ending was somewhat abrupt, but it fits the genre and definitely matches the pacing of the tale.  In fact, the pacing throughout was amazing.  H.M. Ward is a master storyteller...as this short dark Gothic illustrates.This short left unanswered questions, such as:* Why did the older woman (I refuse to give away too much here) make Ella steal supposedly inconsequential things from the palace in years past?  (never answered in the short)* Why, at the end, when the magic had dried up...was Ella still in her magical ballgown?  (not that I would've preferred her in the buff...but perhaps her ragged day dress?)Heed the warnings-- not for children! (Even though original, historic fairy tales were meant to frighten children into behaving the way their parents desired.)  Other than being gruesome (and graphic in fairy-tale violence), the language is clean and there is no sexual behavior.