A review by aryelee
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

adventurous slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

The idea of this book is so good -- black lesbian main character fighting a fairy tale based patriarchy for love? Yes! Great! The execution? Bad. I was disappointed in how slow this book was to just get to the main plot. Most of the first half of the book is just repeating how bad society is and how apparently the only person to see how wrong it is and want to change it is the main character, who speaks loudly in public about how she hates society and the king. You know, in kingdom ruled by a tyrant with guards everywhere who regularly execute anyone who speaks against them.

If there were a rebellion/resistance in the kingdom, they would not have Sophia join them because she would get them killed so fast. We're repeatedly told that she loves Erin so much, but I never see it. It's all just arguments and Sophia constantly trying to push Erin to changing her mind on running away with her. It takes half the book just to be introduced to the actual love interest, then it's instalove between two people who barely have personalities and no character growth. 

Truly the only part I enjoyed was the final confrontation between Sophia and the king because it seemed more like a horror. Then it immediately when to being bland and boring again. The plot twist was unexpected and I liked how it recontextualized a character, but the motives of the main antagonist?
He got rejected. Beyond that, he just wanted to, I guess. No other motive beyond because he could. </spoiler.>

Most of this novel is telling not showing, characters I never cared for, and bizarre and uninspired world building. Even the romance was just... not good. At the very least, it's a quick read. That's about all I can give this novel. 
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