MOONLIGHT DESIRES: A CINDERELLA RETELLING – David Tocher (review & interview)

It’s challenging to take a classic fairy tale and put your own spin on it. To accomplish this task, you need a creative, unique mind. Author David Tocher has overcome this type of challenge with his new book, Moonlight Desires: A Cinderella Retelling, and has created not only a fascinating story, but one so beautifully told that you can visualize it.

When Aurelia, a 19-year-old maiden, dreams of a happier, peaceful life, of falling in love, her dreams all but vanish. With her mother deceased, a weak father who gives in to every whim of an overbearing stepmother and stepsisters, Aurelia’s life is anything but ideal.

With the announcement of the Palace Ball, Aurelia truly feels she is doomed to a life as a servant. Feeling overcome and distraught, unable to cope, she goes to her mother’s grave, where she encounters the cursed Princess Kipira. However, the Princess is in the form of a spider! Is it this spider that will change Aurelia’s life and maybe, just maybe, help Aurelia’s dreams become reality?

 In a typical fairy tale tradition, Moonlight Desires has everything one would want in a retelling of the beloved classic…Cinderella.

David Tocher has brought this story to life, making you feel as though you are right there with Aurelia. David’s retelling takes you to places of pure fantasy, romance, sprinkled with a bit of horror and suspense. However, the story doesn’t stop with Aurelia. David has taken us one step further with a look into several folkloric tales from other countries and how they envision the story of Cinderella. This is a very nice inclusion and conclusion to this great read!

Moonlight Desires: A Cinderella Retelling is part of David Tocher’s Spider Seed universe series. I enjoyed this romantic fantasy and highly recommend it.

I had the privilege of speaking with David Tocher recently discussing his new book and here is that exclusive interview!

Anthony Northrup – Thank you David for speaking with us today. For those unfamiliar with your work, tell us a little about yourself.

David Tocher – I’m David Tocher (pronounced “talker”), an author primarily focused on horror fiction and dark fantasy living in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada. My background is actually in the performing arts; I’m a trained actor and remain active in the film industry here in BC whenever my agent books me for a project. That experience in performance deeply influences my writing style, especially when I’m crafting the vivid descriptions and high-stakes action scenes that readers of dark romance and thrillers have come to expect.

AN – When did you first pursue your writing career and who were your inspirations?

DT – It really started with Stephen King. He was the doorway—and yes, I intended that reference. I began reading his work obsessively around 1989 or 1990 when I was just in elementary school. By high school, I was already hammering out pages of short stories and dark fiction on my electric typewriter. King’s work didn’t just inspire me to write; it made me want to study the “bones” of a story, which led me to dive deep into World Literature, Shakespeare, and the classics. While I’m more connected to those classical roots today, I’d still love to thank King for showing me that a career in horror and fantasy was a viable path.

AN – Let’s talk about your new book, Moonlight Desires: A Cinderella Retelling. What inspired you to enter the fairy tale genre and what made you want to “retell” this particular classic children’s story?

DT – I believe the stories we digest as children are the blueprints for how we perceive narrative structure as adults. This Cinderella retelling provided a perfect opportunity to explore the Hero’s Journey. If you look at iconic films like Rocky or Back to the Future, they share that same foundational DNA found in fairy tales. I’ve always been charmed by “wonder tales,” and Moonlight Desires is my attempt to contribute to that fantasy tradition while adding a unique, imaginative perspective that aligns with the darker themes modern readers of New Adult fiction are looking for.

AN – What makes your version different from the original text and would you say this version is for young adults or just adults?

DT – Folklorists will tell you there is no single “original” version of this story. Whether you look at the Chinese Ye Xian or the Brothers Grimm, these stories were often gruesome. In my adult fairy tale, the Benefactor (or Fairy Godmother) is a princess trapped in the body of a spider due to a hideous curse. This shift allows me to stay true to the “Persecuted Heroine” tradition while leaning into the horror and dark fantasy elements. To be clear, my books are written for adults; I always recommend that parents review the content before letting younger readers dive in.

AN – You have also written books dubbed the “Spider Seeds Universe,” if you will, and this retelling of Cinderella taps into that. Can you share with us a little about that?

DT – The “Spider Seeds Universe” began with She Who Hunts: The Tale of T’lejhánka, a story about an ancient community facing a monster that could only be contained in plant form. That evolved into Spider Seeds, a modern-day horror story where a romance novelist named Maddy Perth accidentally buys that same entity. I’m incredibly grateful that Spider Seeds received the Literary Titan Gold Book Award in 2025. In Moonlight Desires, I’ve expanded this shared universe by introducing Princess Kipira—the mother of the T’lejhánka—as the “godmother” figure. It’s a rewarding way to weave mythology and horror across different timelines.

AN – What did you enjoy most about writing this story and what type of research did you do for some of the folklore in this tale?

DT – Writing the magical elements was a highlight for me. I particularly loved crafting the scenes where the protagonist, Aurelia, receives her gown and stagecoach, both woven entirely from webs. I think those passages contain some of my strongest atmospheric writing. For research, I looked into the deep history of folk tales and cross-cultural variants of the Cinderella narrative to ensure my version felt both classic and refreshingly dark.

AN – Who did the art for the cover of the book and share with us the process and model used for the cover?

DT – The cover art was brought to life by Jeffrey Kosh. I provided the core concept, and he utilized his expertise in 3D graphics to create an image that perfectly captures the dark fantasy aesthetic of the book.

AN – Will we see a prequel or sequel to this story in the near future?

DT – Yes, I am currently finishing Spider Sister, which is the direct sequel to Spider Seeds and is slated for a 2026 release. It dives further into Princess Kipira’s life following her role in Moonlight Desires. This will be the final installment in my spider horror series, effectively bringing the universe to its conclusion.

AN – What are your final thoughts about Moonlight Desires: A Cinderella Retelling?

DT – I’m genuinely pleased with the result. I feel it represents some of my best work, and the feedback from readers of fantasy retellings has been wonderful. If you enjoy a darker take on classic stories, I invite you to pick up a copy.

AN – Lastly, what’s next for David Tocher?

DT – Once Spider Sister is out, I’ll be taking a short break before starting a brand-new novel. On the film side, Spider Seeds has been optioned for a movie, which is very exciting. Liane Curtis—known for Sixteen Candles and Critters 2—is attached to produce and star as Maddy. The project is being written and directed by Stephen David Brooks, who has a great history with the genre, including his work on the Stephen King adaptation The Mangler.

AN – Thank you David for your time. We certainly appreciate it and look forward to more wonderful books and future projects.