Sadly I didn't finish this one, I adored the idea and the strong-mindedness and determination of the main character, but the writing and worldbuilding just fell flat for me and ruined any potential enjoyment. However I think this book would be great for young adult readers who are just getting into fantasy!

A really enjoyable spin on the Cinderella tale - with fantastic representation and a really gripping story. The f/f love story in particular is such a joy to read.

This was a really enjoyable book and I loved the unique spin that it puts on the original Cinderella tale. This book is essentially about a black queer girl taking down the patriarchy and I was totally there for it. This was fast paced, with a great romance if a little heavy handed at times and I would highly recommend it to those who love reading fairytales that have a complete new spin to them. I gave this 4 out of 5 stars.

There is something magical about a retelling isn’t there? Well, I certainly think so. And that is why I was incredibly excited to pick up Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron. Fortunately, I was not disappointed. Cinderella is Dead is a vibrant, adventurous, feisty retelling that I simply could not put down. But it’s also not completely a retelling either. Instead, it uses the Grimm fairy-tale as inspiration before taking off on it’s own. This was just one of the reasons that I truly enjoyed reading this book. On top of a creative and imaginative story, you also had stella characters that you could not help but root for and a historically vibrant, yet still fantastical, world to boot.

Cinderella is Dead follows Sophia as she is invited to the Ball for the first time. The ball where she must be her best self in order to be chosen by a suiter – a male suiter of course, who would claim her as his wife and essentially become his property. But Sophia has a problem because she doesn’t like men. She likes women. Specifically one woman in particular. Sophia is ready to fight but Erin isn’t, leaving Sophia unsure where she stands. But when everything goes out of control, Sophia has to decide if she is going to continue to live like this or if she will take steps to change everything.

I was pulled into this story quickly and easily and found it very hard to put the book down once I was. I really enjoyed watching Sophia as she grew in character. I enjoyed watching as she met up with Constance and where their journey ended up taking them. The story that follows the two of them is intense, full of active and a lot of kick-ass moments too. I read through the book quickly, fully immersed in the world and action taking place. I loved the way that Kalynn Bayron depicted the world and how Sophia dealt with it. I really loved how the book ended as well and all of the little other mentions of fairy-tales that were thrown in too.

All in all, this book is an incredible read and one that I absolutely recommend. It is a book that has a blossoming romance that is slow but also delicious too. It also doesn’t detract from the main plot which is always a good thing. I really enjoyed Sophia as a character but I think I would have loved this book so much more had we also gotten Constance’s perspective. I think that would have just pushed this book into being a little bit more exciting. But, as it were, I still really enjoyed the book and will definitely be reading whatever Kalynn Bayron decides to write next.

I ended up purchasing a physical copy of this book so my review is that of a purchaser too.

Overall I definitely enjoyed this book. It was an original take on a retelling, which is a genre that is well beat. I liked the sapphic element to it, and I thought it was good that the relationship wasn't a "first love" trope.

However, this book needed more editing, as the writing was poor and shallow. There was too much telling and showing, and a good 10% off this book cut have been cut for that reason. I think the foundation was there for a great novel, but it read like it had not been put through editors.

I will continue to read more by this author, and this will be getting a positive review on my channel.

In a world where Cinderella's legacy is upheld year after year, a girl who wants nothing more than to run away and be completely herself is set to ruin tradition and expose the story for what it really was.


Described as a retelling of the Cinderella story, with a new twist, this book was something that was definitely going to be on my radar. I love a good retelling, and whilst this didn't completely fulfil my expectations, I was pleasantly surprised with the way in which this adaptation twisted the classic story.


Sophia is a 16 year old girl, in love with her best friend, and forced into the centuries long tradition of attending the annual ball, in order to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Cinderella. Following her story, and her attempt to run from the predetermined path laid for her by society, this world was familiar, with the usual twists and turns expected in a YA fantasy.

The characters in this story are fairly strong, with Sophia being the most progressive character throughout the story. The added plot point of her being LGBTQ propelled the story forward, providing good motivation for her to avoid the fate she would otherwise have inevitably fallen victim to. Her relationship with Erin was complex and convoluted, and added a good undertone to the overall arc of this book, but at times felt like a plot point made to excuse the primary romance.
In addition to Sophia, I was fond of Amina as a secondary character and found her motivations and reasons to be the perfect blend often seen in a morally grey character, with a need for some form of redemption. Redemption arcs are usually my favourite aspects of a story, and this one was something I enjoyed watching play out in the grand scheme of the plot.
Whilst I liked the majority of the characters however, I wasn't as keen on some of the relationships, possibly due to the almost instantaneous nature of them. With the introduction of Constance, an insta-love style attraction becomes increasingly evident, and to me, it felt completely unjustified, especially considering the deep rooted feelings for Erin, laid out pretty clearly at the start of the book. Of course, this is not necessarily disappointing to some readers, however I found myself cringing slightly and it was that aspect of the story that made me reduce my rating to 4 stars.

The world building was good, and the alterations to the fairytale made this an interesting, well thought through read. The style of writing was good, and felt fast paced, and compelling, and this made it incredibly easy to read, getting swept up in the adventure. With excerpts from Cinderella's story, and the perspective of other characters in the classic fairytale, this added depth was interesting to read about, although I wished there was more of the original story inserted throughout.

Overall, this book is worth a read if you love retellings of your favourite childhood stories. The twists and turns make this unique, and adapting it for a modern day audience makes this even better. If you've previously read the Lunar Chronicles series, and adored that, this should be on your radar too!

So I read Cinderella Is Dead a little while ago and I have to be honest I have been sitting on this review for a while.

I adored this book and it was exactly want I needed at the time. When I started reading I was in a bit of a slump and I only read this because I was taking part in a readalong on Instagram with Tandem Collective. I think I would have picked up this book at some point. But I definitely picked it up faster because of the readalong.

And this is what I needed. This was a fast read that had me hooked from the very first word. I actually ignored my readalong prompts just so I could binge read this book. Because I was hooked and was desperate to know what was happening.

I loved Sophia and her story. She was perfect and refused to bow down to the rules that she found idiotic. She was determined to find her place in the world. Even if it means that she has to break the rules. And there is Constance. She is the perfect partner for Sophia. Both of them have a spark which grow throughout the book and I was completely shipping it.

I loved this retelling which instead of being a carbon copy of the original, turns it on its head and makes you question how accurate the original is. Are the step sisters really evil? Was it true love? There is only one way to find out.

For me the only negative is that the book finished too fast. I actually felt like it could have been longer. Maybe a duology, maybe a hundred extra pages. I'm not sure, all I know is that I wanted more!

Cinderella Is Dead was an amazing book! I cannot wait to forget all about it so that I can read it all over again. I honestly loved this book and cannot wait to see what Kalynn has in store for us with her next book!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2020, and it didn't disappoint. It kept me turning the pages, even when i shouldve been sleeping. Such a great book to read while in lockdown

‘Cinderella Is Dead’ is a dark, fantasy, feminist retelling of Cinderella following Sophia, who lives in a world where Cinderella was actually real and Prince Charming ruled. In this world, the current king Manford hosts a ball where the girls who turn 16 must attend and try to find themselves a husband. Sophia has finally turned 16 and must attend the ball, but Sophia hates the idea of the ball and having to marry a man as she’s actually in love with her best friend, Erin.

I loved this book so much. I haven’t read a single young adult fantasy book this year and this book has made me want to dive back into the genre and read every single YA fantasy I can find. I love Sophia as a main character. I loved how she was always fighting for the women in the kingdom and risked her life to try and change the rules that the kingdom had lived under for so long. I absolutely loved Sophia and Constance’s relationship and how they supported each other throughout the whole book no matter what happened. Constance was such a badass character and I loved her as soon as she appeared in the book.
I loved this Cinderella retelling and how this retelling turned Cinderella and the stepsisters into strong, badass female characters. It was something I really enjoyed and I felt like this retelling is one of the most unique retellings I’ve ever read.

I absolutely adored ‘Cinderella Is Dead’. It is such a strong standalone fantasy book and one that I will highly recommend that everyone should read.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A unique retelling of the story of Cinderella. It was a quick read, with me reading the majority of it in an evening. I liked how it tackled the patriarchy within this story and the values that had been instilled in Lille. I also enjoyed the sapphic relationships within this book.

I have finally had a chance to read this fantastic novel! The story revolves around a girl who finds the partirachy in the land of Lille disgusting, confusing and she is forced to do something about it. The story of Cinderella itself was remade in a fantastic way and the ambiguoutiy of Amina's character kept the readers on our toes. I loved the romantic aspect which was crucial however it didn't drive Sophia's actions. Her drive for freedom, respect and equality is something every single young girl streives fgor in today's age and I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Melissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles or of Holly Bourne's Spinster Club.

There is a lot of love for this book on Bookstagram – partly because the cover art is so striking – so I was super excited to receive a copy via Netgalley.

This is a really interesting take on the Cinderella story. The ‘Cinderella’ character, Sophia, is black, lesbian and feminist.

At sixteen, she has grown up in a country where the Cinderella story is enshrined into tradition and use to subjagate women. Teenage girls are forced to attend an annual ball where they will be selected by men to be wives. Girls who are not selected face a sinister future.

Sophia is determined to escape from her fate. Escaping the ball she hides at Cinderella’s mausoleum, where she meets Constance, a dependent of one of the step-sisters from the story. They team up to try and uncover the truth behind the fairytale. And it turns out to be far darker than you thought.

I found that this started slowly as the writer builds a dystopia society in which the Cinderella story is taken as law. Women are oppressed and beauty is valued above all else. Women who do not find husbands are disposable and those that do are not necessarily better off.

Sophia has a deep connection to her best friend Erin and realises that her feelings are romantic. However, growing up in the fairytale inspired world same-sex relationships are forbidden. I think it’s a powerful theme in the book that Sophia refuses to hide her true self.

Constance is equally fierce. Forced to live on the fringes of society, she is streetwise and willing to do anything to protect the people she cares about.

There are some very unlikeable characters in this book. Some of the men are completely misogynistic and vice, while others, although loving, are just as complicit in the oppression of women.

I absolutely did not see the twists coming and there were a few wow moments towards the end. And I was pleased that Cinderella’s own story got a chance to be told, but the ending was a bit too neat. This didn’t quite live up to the hype, but it was a great, quick read and a compelling take on a well-told tale.

Thank you Bloomsbury and Netgalley for gifting me a copy in return for an honest review.

Oh boy I absolutely loved this book. I am such a sucker for a fairy tale retelling and when they’re this good it’s a sin to miss out on it. LGBT rep was great. It’s amazing to see it feature so prominently and not just be a side character or a sub plot. I loved the twists and turns and the alterations made to the original story to make it somewhat original. Breathtaking. I’m just sad it’s over.

Cinderella Is Dead is a book I have been seeing all over bookstagram in the past few months. I am such a big lover of retellings that I couldn’t wait to dive into this one. I’d heard so much about it, and it sounded so intriguing. A world where people live by the legend of Cinderella… it just sounded to unique and interesting.

Right at the start I loved this book. I was completely drawn into this world where people worship the memory of Cinderella. They recite the tale every night before bed like a prayer. As I got more into this book, they darker it became. I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so dark. Where young girls go to the ball to be chosen by potential husbands or else them and their families will be imprisoned. The more I read the more horrified by this society I became.

Cinderella Is Dead grips you right from the start. You’re intrigued and can’t read fast enough. However, the further I got into this book, the more I felt the pacing slowing and I started getting a bit bored. I carried on and honestly, I did really enjoy this book. If you’re a fan of feminist retellings then I can guarantee you will absolutely love this one.

Cinderella Is Dead is a good, entertaining read. I’m glad I picked this one up and read it. It had some pacing issues but it’s a great story. It isn’t one I would personally re-read but is definitely worth the read.

**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

Cinderella is Dead takes place in a kingdom where the story of Cinderella - 200 years since her passing - has been so deeply embedded into everyday life that it has shaped a nightmare patriarchal society.

It is mandatory to know the fairytale by heart. When girls come of age they are required to "follow in Cinderella's footsteps" and attend an annual ball to be chosen by a suitor.

Though anyone not chosen by their third ball disappears, anyone who doesn't conform to the rules disappears… But our protagonist Sophia wants none of that. She wants to live life on her own terms, with her own choices and is determined not to let anyone take that from her.

If you’re a fan of Christina Henry’s dark take on well-known stories then you’ll absolutely love how unique the twists within this retelling are. I think it’s my favourite reimagining to date! Bayron's storytelling depicted the eerie atmosphere within Lille perfectly and I was fascinated with how elements of the original tale were used within the story.

I think where I struggled was with the romance. Along with her strong mindedness – which I loved – much of Sophia’s motivation and drive to get out of the situation she was in was because of how she was in love with her best friend Erin. Despite the fact that she had been feeling this way for a good few years, she was over Erin and instantly fell in love with Constance?
This may just be my aversion to the insta-love trope playing a strong part in my feelings because I did like how the two of them instantly clicked and their initial banter was great. I just feel like their relationship progressed too fast.

I also had a problem with the pacing towards the middle of the book – it was a little draggy..
That being said the social commentary in the story is fantastic, the twists are mind blowing and I quite enjoyed reading it!
Final Rating – 3.5/5 Stars

Cinderella is dead hooked me from the start. The setting is sinister and the opening chapters gave away enough about the potential plot that I could not put it down.

The story follows Sophia, a sixteen year old girl who is about to be sent to the prince's royal ball to be married off, in the tradition of Cinderella 200 years before her. In Sophia's village, the story of Cinderella guides everybody's daily lives, each household owns a copy of the story and it serves as the rules to live by.

Sophia doesn't want to go to the ball to marry one of the town's bachelors, she would much rather marry her friend Erin. Sophia is angry that the town won't let people just be who they want to be and marry whom they like. Sophia still has to go to the ball, and make her parents proud, but the more she investigates the truth behind Cinderella's story, the more she realises things arent what they seem.

Cinderella is dead is fast paced and engaging, and the more I read it, the more I wanted Kalynn Bayron to retell other fairytales, in this twisted, yet empowering way.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and whilst I did enjoy it, it wasn't the total winner I was hoping for.

I adore the concept for this one. It's so smart of Bayron to take a well known story and completely flip the contents to show a whole new perspective. The whole idea of queer, Black girls overthrowing the patriarchy is so exciting, and it was this aspect of the book that I loved.

However, the characters lacked depth for me which was why I couldn't love it more. I liked Sophia but I wanted to know more about what drove her, where her desire and strength to fight the system came from. I just felt like I needed a little more.

There is a sapphic romance in here which I loved but it was a bit too insta-love. Sophia's in a relationship with someone at the beginning of the novel who she really seems to care for yet she falls for her love interest so soon after meeting. It just seemed a little quick for me. I do think the romance was cute though so it wasn't too bad!

There's a twist at the end which I found fantastic as I wasn't expecting. For the most part though I found the ending too rushed. It all seemed to happen too quickly.

Overall, a strong YA fantasy novel which I enjoyed but it was lacking in some areas.

Cinderella Is Dead is set in a world where young girls are forced to follow in the footsteps of Cinderella and attend a ball to be chosen as wife. For this is a society ruled by men and at the top is the King and he will not be disobeyed. Those women who break the rules or do not get chosen after attending three balls become forfeit and disappear. We follow Sophia who is approaching her first ball. However she would rather make a life with her friend Erin than get a husband.

I did not have any expectations going into this book and I feel that this was the best way. I really enjoyed myself reading this book. Routing for Sophia the whole way.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Hi pals! It is my stop on the Cinderella is Dead blog tour ran by Faye in collaboration with Bloomsbury. This post will be a spoiler free review of the book. I hope you enjoy my review, and go and check out everyone else who was a part of this tour!
I was provided with a free copy by the publisher in return for an honest review
Synopsis from Goodreads

It’s 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. If a suitable match is not found, the girls not chosen are never heard from again.

Sixteen-year-old Sophia would much rather marry Erin, her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, Sophia makes the desperate decision to flee, and finds herself hiding in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her step sisters. Together they vow to bring down the king once and for all–and in the process, they learn that there’s more to Cinderella’s story than they ever knew . . .

This fresh take on a classic story will make readers question the tales they’ve been told, and root for girls to break down the constructs of the world around them.
My thoughts of Cinderella is Dead

Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron offers a different perspective on the Cinderella fairytale. I am guessing I’m not the only one who was told about Cinderella getting to go to the ball when she is visited by a fairy godmother. But what if that wasn’t the true story? This book makes you think twice about all the fairytales we are told as a child, and how they might not be as they seem. This is what happened to Sophia in this book.
The characters

Sophia is the main protagonist and a spitfire. I love how she knows what she wants and she will do whatever it takes to achieve this. Brought up in a society where she is made to hide who she is, Sophia knows that this is wrong. She knows that who she is shouldn’t be a secret. Sophia is so pure of heart, but also so very much a sixteen year old. We see bursts of emotions throughout this book, and it just makes Sophia that little bit more relatable.

Constance is probably my favourite out of the characters. When we initially meet Constance, I have my doubts about her. However, we soon learn that Constance is fierce and protective and pretty much a badass. She wields a sword with little regard about how womxn are seen in this society, and I just think she is amazing. She is what every young person reading this book needs. Constance is a role model.

The other characters, such as Erin, Luke, Amina and King Manford all play a big part in this book. The book would not be the same without any of the above, no matter how unlikable the characters can be.
Themes

This book is so unbelievably queer and I love it so much. Sophia is undoubtably gay, and we learn from the book that she came out to her parents when she was eleven. She doesn’t hide her sexuality, and this is something that makes my heart melt. Sophia is also not the only queer chatacter, as there are other lesbians, as well as a gay lad. This book is all things queer and I just love it so much.

Feminism is one of the main themes in this book, with this book lifting up womxn on every page (almost). We see the feminist beliefs in Sophia and Constance, who just want womxn to have the same rights of their male counterparts. Furthermore, there was a small mention about two sisters searching around the world for stories to tell. This was in relation to the brother’s grimm, but I loved the mere possibility of two sisters making that journey. This book is very important for all people to read, as it helps make people aware of the privileges that they have.
Overall thoughts about Cinderella is Dead

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The plot was engaging and kept me rooting for the characters, as well as the characters having depth which then made them likeable. This book offered a unique take on fairytales, and it made a change for it to be a standalone. I will definitely be thinking more about the origins of the stories I read in future.

I do hope you’ll pick up this book, and check out everyone else who made this tour possible.

Until next time,

Bee xo

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy.

I really wanted to like this book, and I didn’t dislike it - it just fell a little bit flat for me. It was a really interesting premise, and a nice quick read, but I just didn’t find myself getting invested in any of the characters. I didn’t quite believe the relationships, or feel like I cared about what happened to them.

If you’re looking for a quick read that won’t leave you with a book hangover then this is great, but if you want to be more invested this won’t hit the spot.