Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron retells the classic fairy tale. Two hundred years have passed since Cinderella found her prince and received her happy ending. To continue the tradition, all teenage girls are required to attend the Annual Ball. There, the men of the kingdom could choose a wife based on the girls' display of wealth and finery. However, if the women are not selected after appearing at the ball three times, they are considered forfeits and are never heard from again.
Sixteen-year-old Sophia would rather marry her best friend, Erin, than be paraded in front of the male suitors. She is forced to attend against her will, and she must decide whether to flee or stay and marry someone she despises. Sophia chooses to flee and finds refuge from the King’s men in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she encounters one of the last known descendants of Cinderella and her stepsisters, Constance. The pair decide that they are tired of taking orders from men and living in the shadows. However, will they be able to succeed, or is there a darker force at work?
The novel was an entertaining read. I generally enjoy retellings of classic stories, as I appreciate seeing modern interpretations or new elements that challenge the perception of the original tale. I found the novel engaging, and there were a few unexpected twists. There were some side characters I wish had received more attention, but I understood that the focus was on Sophia and Constance. I would have liked more world-building. I was a bit confused about how the King was able to rule for years without anyone noticing and why they kept on tolerating his overbearing rules. The author hinted at it when Sophia asked, but it felt insufficient to me. I would be open to reading more books by the author.
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