"Cinderella is Dead" by Kalynn Bayron

Just picture this: you see an announcement that another Cinderella adaptation is coming out. Great. Like we need another one, right? Western media has already beaten that idea into an oozing pulp, so why should I get excited about this one? Well, what if I were to tell you that this is not only another Cinderella narrative, but it's a dark dystopian fairy tale, written by a Black author, featuring a queer Black girl trying to take down a corrupt system...?

When can I get started?!

Despite knowing all of this, I had a small moment of doubt before I got to start the book, thinking "is it really worth getting all of my hopes up? Is this going to be worth it?". Little did I know about the roller-coaster ride I would experience once I finally got the chance to read it...

How long did it take for me to read this?

August 20 - 25, 2020

What's the book about?

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 . . .

(Summary from Goodreads)

Why did it take me 5 days to read this?

I just couldn't stop reading this. I just wanted to keep going further and further into the story until there was nothing left to read. Whenever I did get the chance to sit down and read Cinderella is Dead, I would spend about 30 minutes per reading session without even knowing that 30 minutes had passed me by. I just had to know where the story would go from where I left off and I couldn't wait to see how all the compelling plot points would wrap up by the end of the novel.

Positives:

+ It's a completely original adaptation of the Cinderella narrative, as I mentioned before.

+ Oh, and did I mention that it's a dark fairy tale set in a dystopian kingdom?

+ The first chapter grips you with the characters, gives you their personalities and their hopes and dreams, and immediately drops you into the harsh reality that is the world of Lille, making you want to know what happens next.

+ Exciting and tense action scenes (especially towards the end).

+ 👏Queer👏BIPOC👏girls👏dismantling👏the👏patriarchy!👏

Negatives:

- That it ended. :(

Reality Check/Trigger Warning:

Though it's not explicit, there are mentions of rape and scenes with physical and emotional abuse, girls disappearing under sinister circumstances, and misogyny and rampant sexism throughout with all that that entails.

Is it a truly immersive experience?

Aside from the real-world situations I listed above, I would definitely say that it's an immersive and truly engaging experience. I had a blast while reading this and I just wanted to keep reading more and more. I loved following Sophia and Constance and their passion and persistence for truth and justice in an unjust society, and it truly broke my heart for everyone in Sophia's life that had been beaten down by the structure of in Lille. Even though I'm sad that the story ended, I'm glad that it was able to wrap the narrative up in a contained, stand-alone narrative. Kalynn came into the story, expanded what she needed to expand, highlighted what she needed to highlight, hit the plot points she wanted to hit, and then wrapped it up in a neat and pretty bow that's definitely been through plenty of trials to get where it is today. I would absolutely recommend Cinderella is Dead to anyone who wants a fresh take on fairy tales with a queer twist that ends with a satisfying payoff and I highly recommend that you go and check it out for yourself at your local library or nearest bookstore.

Final rating: