Cinderella's story - the so-called sacred text which the girls of Lille are compelled to live by - is an indication of how different versions of a story can alter over time and how what is a lie can be considered true. Furthermore, Sophia is prepared to fight for freedom and strive to release the people of Lille from their grinding existence, whatever the cost to herself. She puts her heart on the line to discover the dark secret at the heart of the kingdom. Searching for answers in the dangerous White Forest, she flees the glitzy false sham of a ball where men have attempted to claim her against her will. All those innocent women suffer from humiliation, threats and more abuse they can hardly stand for. Only way out for them attending to a ball and being chosen by proper candidate. If nobody chooses them they have to face a terrifying kind of threatening future awaits unwanted women. They get suspiciously vanished into thin air as if they have been never there at the first place.

Another reviewer used the terms "predictable, important, and frustrating" to describe this book, and I have to wholeheartedly agree. I thought for sure that this would be the easiest 5 stars I'd give in 2020, but I think my expectations were way out of line for what this book intended to be. The idea of a Cinderella retelling that features diverse characters smashing the patriarchy is truly the level of fantasy we need in the world today; however, I really struggled to get past the fact that there is hardly any world building in this story, which caused me to feel a disconnect to characters that were keeping me at arms length. The narrative here felt heavy-handed, as the bringing down of toxic masculinity was more "telling than showing", and the plot plays out pretty much as you'd expect, aside from a really excellent reimagining of the fairy godmother. Even though this one wasn't quite what I'd hoped, I highly respect what the author was creating with this book, and I definitely recommend you try this one out for yourself. Relationships: There were quite a few relationships in this book and I really can’t say anything about them because SPOILERS aha. There was one relationship that I wasn’t sure about at first because I found it a bit too rapid and maybe a bit precocious, but as it went along, I grew to love it and root for the people involved. Some other relationships were interesting in the way that they turned out. Kalynn took a fairy tale we all know and turned it on its head, for the better. The whole time I am reading it I'm thinking this is a feminist fairy tale. I'm thinking this is the LGBTQ+ fairy tale I wish I could have read when growing up and I am so happy young people today will be able to read this story. We need more stories like this.” - Rayna Nielsen, Garden District Bookshop If you love a re-telling of the classics that dismiss stereotypes and has LGBTQ representation, then you will enjoy this pacey read. As I mentioned, the only reason I can really recommend this book is for the inclusive representation. It’s an easy enough read with a fun twist on the classic fairytale and important elements of girls overthrowing the patriarchy. However, the unfulfilling execution of its promising premise left a lot to be desiredBecause this is twisty, bloody bleak, harsh, dark, deliciously disturbing and dystopian version of the fairytale, a unique, creative, refreshing retelling! And I truly devoured it ! It was fun, smart, original , great work! Our Sophia is straightforward, brave, a true rebellious who is afraid of speaking from her heart is in love with childhood friend Erin but her mother pushes her to choose a boy, finding an appropriate match to marry at the ball. Of course Sophia rejects to be chosen by a guy she will never feel anything serious! She’s proud to be gay! So this is end of discussion! Marriage of Convenience: Luke offers this to Sophia. Due to both of them being homosexual, neither would have expectations of the marriage the other couldn't fulfill, allowing both parties at least a modicum of freedom. 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.

Sophia's and Erin's relationship is forbidden under Lille's law, since both of them are supposed to be dutiful wives to whichever man selects them at the royal ball. Sophia sees living out her life like Lille's society expects her to as this, since the last thing she wants is being a plaything for a husband she could never love and being forever separated from her actual love, Erin. 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

A wonderfully dark, twisty, and refreshingly different take on the Cinderella fairy tale that I absolutely adored reading. Sophia is a strong, brave heroine willing to fight for her own fairy tale ending that girls and boys everywhere can look up to. Absolutely love this book!” - Marielle Orff, Towne Center Books This book is set in a world not really unlike our own because a lot of the predetermined ways people live, think and act are exactly like our own. There is prejudice, there is bullying, the fact people don’t stand up when something bad or wrong happens. This was definitely a very scathing criticism of our own society and I thought that it was executed really well.

Cinderella: The original girl that the story has been told about. She has been dead for a couple centuries when this book takes place, but that doesn't mean that her strength and perserverence died with her. While I was excited about the premise of this book, unfortunately it did not deliver. I loved the representation of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters, as this is incredibly important and something we need to continue normalizing and supporting in YA. However, from a story and writing perspective, this book totally flopped for me. I am an avid reader and I love fantasy, historical fiction, mysteries, children’s and middle grade stories, but I will read just about anything if it sounds like my cup of tea.

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. I don't want to be saved by some knight in shining armour. I'd like to be the one in the armour, and I'd like to be the one doing the saving.” 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! Adaptational Heroism: Cinderella's step-family were very straight-forward bad guys in the original fairy tale and were intensely jealous of her for managing to gain the attention of the prince. In this book, they were Cinderella's co-conspirators against the tyrannical monarch and a very loving family to her. Their villain-status in the Cinderella-tale is revealed to be the doing of the royal family's revisionism. King Manford: King of Marsailles. Cunning and cruel. Upholds the laws that Sophia and Constance are fighting against.