Cinderella is Dead - A Cautionary Tale

"At the end of Cinderella’s story, she and Prince Charming embrace, they kiss, and she goes off to live a life of luxury in the palace. It doesn’t say anything about how she hid in the castle while her people suffered, the prolonged illness that took her life, or why she now lies in an abandoned tomb in the middle of the woods." - Kalynn Bayron, Cinderella is Dead (2020)

Cinderella is Dead is a story that takes place 200 years after the story of Cinderella, and the kingdom is now based solely on the principles of that story. Royal decrees are issued in the name of Prince Charming and his heirs, young girls are made to learn the story of Cinderella by heart, and all girls of 16 years of age must attend an annual ball modelled after the one in Cinderella's story. However, the fairy tale is very much over for the women of the kingdom.

Summary

Sophia - by PavlaLeitgebova on DeviantArt

Sophia has just turned sixteen, and Royal Law decrees that she must attend the annual ball and be chosen by a husband. All the girls in the kingdom dream of being chosen by a prince and living happily ever after, just like Cinderella. There's just one problem for Sophia - she'd rather find a princess than a prince to live happily ever after with. She's in love with her best friend, Erin - but such things are not allowed. Sophia wants to break the status quo, convince Erin to run away with her and get away from the king. Anyone who tries to escape the kingdom is executed, and while Sophia is brave enough to attempt it, Erin woud rather fall in line and find a husband at the ball. Sophia's parents would prefer that Sophia follow Erin's example. Sophia, however, is done hiding who she is. She'll go to any lengths to escape the fate that all girls in her kingdom face - and to make sure no other girls have to suffer at the hand of the husbands who have complete control over them.

Initial Reaction

Sophia and Constance - by glossy.virgo on Pinterest

My initial reaction to this book was luke-warm. I really liked the thematic material, feminist and LGBTQ+ friendly, a parallel of our own world - what it used to be and what it might become - however, the characters were shallow and the plot predictable. I can see this book having an impact and being enjoyable for 12-17 year-olds or so, but after having just finished the masterpieces of Sarah J. Maas, this book was underwhelming. That being said, I still enjoyed reading it.

What's Important?

Sophia and a suitor - by kiarahaecker on Pinterest

What stood out most to me in Cinderella is Dead is the thematic material. The book takes place in an extremely patriarchal society - women have no rights whatsoever. Men can do with them as they please. The annual ball, which all girls must attend in their 16th year, is a chance for men to "claim" a wife. There are no rules; the only thing that matters is your station. A higher-born man can supercede the claim of a commoner. Sophia and anyone else who doesn't conform to the heteronormative status quo must either fall in line or be "forfeit" - which is fancy royal speak for "dead or enslaved." Even girls who are not chosen by a man before the age of 19 are forfeit. Sophia seeks to topple those ideals and turn everything on its head. She wants only for women to be treated like people, and to be able to make their own choices.

I see a parallel between the kingdom in this story and what our world might become if we listen only to a single story. When different versions of a story are not accepted, only one perspective is allowed, and the rights of those who are not represented in the story are forgotten and pushed aside.

Rating

I give Cinderella is Dead 3 out of 5 stars and a half of a spicy pepper. I recommend this book for people ages 12-17 or so (not to say that older people or younger might like it as well). I think it would have a good place in an educational reading list. I'd add it to my independent reading list for a grade 10 English class.

While I enjoyed the thematic material and reading this book was not unenjoyable, the characters and plot were a bit shallow for me. Some of the relationships between the characters didn't hold the depth that I have become used to in the books I've been reading.

The half of a spicy pepper is because there's like one kiss.

Well, there you have it - my review of Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron. This book has been popular on the book side of Tik Tok recently (aka Book Tok) so I'm glad to be able to give it an honest review. It was worth the read.

Do you plan to read this one? What do you think?