Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

14 reviews

adhdpixie's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Lesbians taking down the patriarchy! I absolutely loved this book! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia

Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Minor: Fire/Fire injury

micahgerst's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

The book itself is a lovely way of revisiting the tale of Cinderella. The characters in the book are fantastic, and it was amazing to see LGBTQ+ characters in a fantasy setting. However, I noticed a few things which made this book less enjoyable for me. While there is nothing wrong with encouraging rebellion, standing up for oneself, and getting out of toxic relationships, by frequently returning to this theme I felt like I was being preached at which wasn't a great feeling. It was a lovely read overall and I might feel differently about it if I read it again.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship

lennie_reads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny

Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, and Kidnapping

alylentz's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

I think a lot of YA readers will be really taken with this, but ultimately it wasn't for me. Personally, this felt like a first draft: I wanted more details of the world, more developed characters and relationships, and less telling and more showing. Still, I think plenty of young readers will be very into this dark twist on a fairy tale, complete with rebellious heroines and some surprising twists. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, and Forced institutionalization