Book excerpt: IN THE FOREST OF GOOD AND EVIL, STRENGTH IS WEAKNESS AND WEAKNESS IS STRENGH. IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHO THE SLIPPER FITS. Princess Ashleigh Charmaine-Anskelisa is the Glass Princess, ready to shatter with a whisper of wind. Born with a weak heart, the vulnerable beauty has no magical ability…or does she? Something strange is happening to Ashleigh. Blackouts. Evil whispers. Immunity to fire. Turns out, she’s fated to play the part of Cinderella—but this time, the tale is twisted. The royal she’s supposed to enchant is the ruthless Saxon, a reincarnation of the realm’s most savage ruler…and he thinks Ashleigh is a reincarnation of his greatest enemy. He’s even fighting in a tournament to wed her stepsister. As the stroke of midnight looms, will Ashleigh become the queen she’s prophesied to be, or lose everything she's come to love? Praise for Gena Showalter: “Utterly unique and absolutely riveting—I couldn’t put it down! What a marvelously cool world.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas on Firstlife “Firstlife is a nonstop thrill ride that will stop your heart…and shock it back to life. This book is #1 on my keeper shelf!” —#1 New York Times bestselling author P.C. Cast “Firstlife illuminates the depths of human resilience and the power of love, even in the darkest hours.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole