Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by thekhw
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
3.0
Cinderella is Dead— this book was not what I expected it to be at all, and I mean that in a good way. This story takes place in a nightmarish Cinderella dystopian society of sorts.
*** Spoilers Below ***
I loved the author’s retelling of the story of Cinderella. In this book, Cinderella’s story was a jumble of lies that had been romanticized and used to uphold the patriarchy. Women and girls are treated as property and are subject to a slew of rules that strip them of free will, including being forced to attend an annual ball where any man can choose them as a wife. Anyone not selected will be forfeited and vanish.
Sophia recognizes how screwed up society is. She doesn’t dream of being selected at the ball. In fact, she dreams of living a life with her childhood best friend, Erin. Unfortunately, Erin decides to participate in the annual tradition instead of running away with her.
Sophia runs from the ball and hides, and from there, the story takes off. We learn more about Cinderella and her family from her last living descendent, Constance who joins Sophia on the quest to destroy the patriarchy. They also receive some help from the infamous Fairy Godmother.
To summarize the ending, the kingdom and the king are defeated, and a new order begins to take the place of the old one. A few wrongs are corrected, and Cinderella’s real story is revealed.
Why did I give this one a 3.8? It was somewhat predictable at times. I also wanted to know more about the Fairy Godmother and what led to the King becoming the way he was. The ending felt rushed. I loved this story but also had some outstanding questions when I finished it.
*** Spoilers Below ***
I loved the author’s retelling of the story of Cinderella. In this book, Cinderella’s story was a jumble of lies that had been romanticized and used to uphold the patriarchy. Women and girls are treated as property and are subject to a slew of rules that strip them of free will, including being forced to attend an annual ball where any man can choose them as a wife. Anyone not selected will be forfeited and vanish.
Sophia recognizes how screwed up society is. She doesn’t dream of being selected at the ball. In fact, she dreams of living a life with her childhood best friend, Erin. Unfortunately, Erin decides to participate in the annual tradition instead of running away with her.
Sophia runs from the ball and hides, and from there, the story takes off. We learn more about Cinderella and her family from her last living descendent, Constance who joins Sophia on the quest to destroy the patriarchy. They also receive some help from the infamous Fairy Godmother.
To summarize the ending, the kingdom and the king are defeated, and a new order begins to take the place of the old one. A few wrongs are corrected, and Cinderella’s real story is revealed.
Why did I give this one a 3.8? It was somewhat predictable at times. I also wanted to know more about the Fairy Godmother and what led to the King becoming the way he was. The ending felt rushed. I loved this story but also had some outstanding questions when I finished it.