Today we have a book that just hit the press last week. Today I’m talking about CINDERELLA IS DEAD by Kalynn Bayron. Let's jump right in!
1. Fairytales and Culture
CINDERELLA IS DEAD, like the title says, takes place in a world where the Cinderella fairytale is accepted as a part of history, only two hundred years after Cinderella lived her fairytale and died. CID deals with the idea of how stories like fairytales are edited to fit a narrative that a powerful group wants spread, and the effects stories can have on a society’s values.
2. Girls Taking Down the Patriarchy
This is pretty self explanatory. The kingdom of Mersailles is suffocatingly patriarchal. Lucky for them they have girls like Sophia to fight the system. We love to see it.
3. Sophia
Sophia is the patriarchy-fighting main character of CID. Sophia is fiercely strong willed and despite growing up in a world that tries to put her down, she won’t stop fighting for what she wants and what she believes is right.
4. Nuanced Take on Conformity
Within the oppressive world of Mersailles, CID takes a nicely nuanced take on the girls that exist within it. While the narrative supports Sophia’s perspective of fighting the oppression head-on, it doesn’t outright condemn those that find different ways of coping with the system. It’s a complex take, and I appreciate that it doesn’t villainize everyone that doesn’t agree with Sophia.
5. The Cinderella Tale Itself
No Cinderella inspired story could be complete without its rendition of Cinderella. CID does a nice job of having the more traditional version that most of us are familiar with included, as well as the in-story version of what really happened. It’s a nice way of paying homage to the Cinderella tale we all know while also tackling the story a more original way.
6. Likable Minor Characters (Liv and Luke and Erin too)
I fell in love with the character of Liv pretty early on. I just adore her. But she’s not the only one to like. Luke is also a cool guy, and though my feelings about Erin are complex (I’m still not sure if I love her or can’t stand her) I do like to read about her, and that's always a good thing.
7. Examines Oppression
CID is unafraid to take a deeper look at oppression. It asks the reader to consider how little things can enable oppression to continue, and to think harder about it, all while managing to still be a fun adventure story.
8. Not Afraid to Hurt You
I mean it. This book will give you the feels. It’s not afraid to pull its punches. (And yes, this is a good thing, and I do highly recommend all of you read this book as soon as you can possibly get your hands on it.)
9. The Romance
The romance in this story is another that has the leads become close friends as part of their romance. I just love this kind of romance that focuses on the bond and relationship between the characters as the basis for their romance.
10. Masterfully Mixes Fairy Tales and Rebellion
CID weaves together a fairy tale inspired story with a story of rebellion against an oppressive state, and does so brilliantly. The final product is a satisfying story that I know I’ll be rereading again in a few months.
So that was CINDERELLA IS DEAD by Kalynn Bayron. I highly recommend checking it out if you like fairy tales, dystopian/rebellion stories, or if you just want to try something new. Let me know if you have any suggestions for books for me to do a Ten Things for in the comments below!
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