Book Review: Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

An internet stranger kindly bought me Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron from my wishlist, and having seen how much my friend Charlotte loved it, I was super excited to pick it up.

And I have regrets about how long it took me to read this book, I loved it so freaking much and wish I had read it sooner.

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!

Amazon UK | Amazon US

Source: Purchase

5 Word Review: Expectations, power, love, family, friendship.

This twisted, dark Cinderella inspired fantasy was my absolute jam. I loved how it took the Cinderella tale and ran with it, imagined curses and the cruelty of men and how they would twist it and it for control.

I loved how Sophia fought against her work. She knew that the life she was being moulded to was not for her, and not for her heart. I loved her love for Erin, and my heart broke for the both of them after the ball, when Erin's future was decided for her. Sophia is angry at her world, and justifiably so, and I loved seeing her rebel

I loved the action of the story, the pace was constantly running just as Sophia and later Constance were. When they reach the middle of the woods, the pace changes somewhat, but WOW. Without giving spoilers, I found it even more gripping .

I loved the way the story twisted and how even as I could guess at some things it kept me on my toes. Just when you think that Cinderella is Dead cannot get any more shocking, you turn the page and gasp yet again.

Kalynn Bayron is an author to watch, and I've already added This Poison Heart to my TBR. If their other books are even half as good as their debut, they'll be amazing.