Cinderella Is Dead

Product Information

Tbh, if you loved Cinderella don't read this. It might disturb you a bit because this Cinderella retelling is dark and deep. The girls are chosen for completely superficial reasons, so it's important to look your best; to be seen, but not heard.

Cinderella is Dead is written in first person from Sophia’s point of view. Sophia is a very intense young woman and that’s reflected in the writing. While the book is a fantasy based on the Cinderella fairytale, there’s nothing fanciful about the story. It’s dark and brooding which matches the intensity of Sophia’s determination. The story is also quite the mystery. Sophia and Constance are tasked with finding out why King Manford has such a hold over the kingdom. The pacing of the plot kept me involved, and even though I solved the mystery before the two main characters, it was fun watching them put the pieces together. The Pros I loved how every time we heard the story of Cinderella, there was a new twist that completely changed my opinion of the earlier versions. It was really cool (and clever) how Bayron managed that. It's 200 years since Cinderella found her prince, but the fairytale is over. Sophia knows the story though, off by heart. Because every girl has to recite it daily, from when she's tiny until the night she's sent to the royal ball for choosing. And every girl knows that she has only one chance. For the lives of those not chosen by a man at the ball ... are forfeit.But Sophia doesn't want to be chosen - she's in love with her best friend, Erin, and hates the idea of being traded like cattle. And when Sophia's night at the ball goes horribly wrong, she must run for her life. Alone and terrified, she finds herself hiding in Cinderella's tomb. And there she meets someone who will show her that she has the power to remake her world ...An electrifying twist on the classic fairytale that will inspire girls to break out of limiting stereotypes and follow their dreams! If you expect to read to a charming, sweet fairy tale, a hearts and flowers kind of sweet,soft, swoon story, just close the book! And find yourself another read! I love this retelling because there's absolutely no prince charming! Instead we get a wholesome Sapphic romance because Kalynn is that queen!Constance is a young woman on a mission. She knows the truth behind the Cinderella story. As the descendent of one of the ugly stepsisters, she’s ready to set the record straight and right the wrongs done to her family. When she meets Sophia, she recognizes a kindred spirit. She’s as ardent as Sophia, and she’s got combat skills as well. She brings some levity to the story with her occasional grumpiness, and she has a flirtatious side that occasionally throws Sophia off her game. The Writing Style Cinderella is Dead is fun and adventurous. It’s always entertaining to see a new interpretation of a well-known fairytale. There’s magic, mystery, and thrills so it’s appealing in many ways. It’s escapist fantasy with an in-your-face feminist message. Let’s all say it together, “Girl power!” Excerpt from Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron This ended up being a slightly above average YA fantasy read for me. There are issues with this story but I think I would still recommend this to fans of fairytale retellings. It’s very readable with a nice fast pace, just be prepared for some bumps.

All Men Are Perverts: The men of Mersailles are almost universally depicted as perverted scumbags fully buying into the misogyny the system propagates or just not doing anything against it out of complacency, and who feel entitled to every woman who strikes their fancy. The only male character to completely avert this is Luke, who is gay.And Sophia runs into Constance - the last known descendant of the true Cinderella and her stepsisters. Domestic Abuser: Sadly a common occurrence in Lille. Due to the system's inherent sexism, no one bats an eye at husbands who abuse their wives, as they're seen as little more than men's property. Right at the beginning of the book, Sophia walks in on a seamstress being beaten by her husband when he suspects she's been keeping her earnings from him. Cinderella is Dead is an unusual book - a horror story based upon a well-loved fairy tale. In the fictional town of Lille, it is 200 years since Cinderella met Prince Charming and (apparently) lived 'happily ever after'. But for the girls and women living in Lille today, life is far from idyllic. The men of the town are in charge; the women little more than chattels. Not even allowed to keep their own money, the women depend on their menfolk for everything.

King Manford, the malignant ruler of Lille, has an iron clad fist and is a misogynistic, lying hypocrite with an evil soul. He preys upon young girls who become forfeits to his whims if they are not chosen by others after being paraded at three grand balls. Their parents are in thrall to his demands. Amina, a complex character whom Sophia does not know whether to trust or not, warns her, "I think we sometimes make the mistake of thinking monsters are abhorrent aberrations, lurking in the darkest recesses, when the truth is far more disturbing. The most monstrous of men are those who sit in plain sight, daring you to challenge them". King Manford is calculating and manipulative and believe me when I say he will not stop until he finds you. Overall, this was a brilliant, raw, poignant and much-needed story about how fairy tales, happily ever after and society are not always what you think, that there is a dark and sinister layer just hidden underneath the surface and sometimes, you just have to go stamp on it. I loved this book from start to finish and I had so much fun reading it with Candyce. tweetthis]I just read this review for Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron[/tweetthis] Bits and Bobs

Deliberate Values Dissonance: The kingdom of Mersailles is a very patriarchal and heavily misogynistic society, where women have no rights whatsoever and are seen as little more than servants to the men in their lives. Adaptational Villainy: Prince Charming in the original fairy tale was pretty much Exactly What It Says on the Tin: A gallant prince who genuinely loved Cinderella and helped her escape her step-family's abuse. While in this book, he is little more than a Psychopathic Manchild who viewed Cinderella as his property and killed her in the most cruel, drawn-out way possible when she wouldn't give in to him. He then proceeded to do the same to thousands of innocent women for over a century to stay alive and rule eternally over Mersailles. Hay tantos elementos a explotar y profundizar en este libro que creo que ese es uno de sus fallos. Realmente la autora hace que veamos un poquito de cada problemática con pequeñas escenas de abusos, maltrato, bullying y homofobia, pero siento que no llega a ser suficiente. Encierra a la protagonista en una burbuja pero no deja ver del todo la maldad y crueldad de Lille, y podría haberse solucionado fácilmente con unas cuantas páginas más de worldbuilding. I loved this twisty version of story with great, thought provoking criticism of patriarchy and Sophia is well crafted, relatable, powerful character we may truly support and chant for! It took me a few chapters to warm up to Sophia. She’s angry and let’s face it, we are socialized not to find that trait attractive in women. She’s angry her friend Erin can’t return her love; she’s angry her parents won’t support her desire to break free from the laws controlling her country; and she’s angry at the patriarchy that has kept the women of Lille in the prison of forced marriage. I understood her rage. She has no control over anything in her life and she’s had enough. She’s attracted to women, and that’s something else the oppressive rules governing her country won’t allow. As I got to know Sophia, a tender and gentle side of her emerged. Once she meets Constance, she sees a future for herself, and nothing’s going to get in her way. She’s bringing a revolution to her kingdom.