“Do not be silent. Raise your voice. Be a light in the dark.” – Cinderella is Dead, Kalynn Bayron

Looking for a book that turns a beloved fairytale upside down? You’re in the right place.

In this review, I’ll tell you everything about Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron – a bold twist on the classic Cinderella story. I’ve read dozens of YA fantasy novels, and I’ll help you decide if this one is worth your time.

This book takes place 200 years after Cinderella finds her prince in a world where her story has become a tool for control. Young women are forced to attend a ball where they must be chosen by a man or face dire consequences.

I’ll cover:

• The complete plot (without major spoilers)
• What makes this book unique
• Who will love it (and who might not)
• Similar books to try next

Let’s find out if this feminist, LGBTQ+ fairytale retelling deserves a spot on your bookshelf.

Plot Summary

“It’s 200 years since Cinderella found her prince, but the fairytale is over.” Cinderella is Dead, Kalynn Bayron

In the kingdom of Lille, sixteen-year-old Sophia lives in a world where Cinderella’s story has become law. Every girl must recite it daily and attend the annual ball where they have one chance to be chosen by a man. Those not selected after three balls disappear forever.

Sophia is different. She’s in love with her best friend, Erin, and hates the entire system that treats women like property. When her night at the ball goes horribly wrong, she flees for her life and finds herself hiding in Cinderella’s tomb. There, she meets Constance, the last living descendant of one of Cinderella’s stepsisters.

Constance reveals that the true story of Cinderella is nothing like the tale everyone knows. Together, they uncover dark secrets about the kingdom’s history and the real Cinderella. As they dig deeper, they learn about a mysterious Fairy Godmother who might hold the key to overthrowing the king’s tyrannical rule.

Character Development

Sophia transforms from a reluctant rebel into a true revolutionary. Her journey forces her to question everything she’s been taught and find the courage to fight for change. Meanwhile, Constance brings fiery determination and important historical knowledge to their partnership.

Themes and Plot Twists

The story explores themes of fighting oppression, questioning authority, and standing up for love in all forms. The plot moves quickly with surprising twists that reveal how history can be manipulated to control people. By the end, Sophia must decide if she’s willing to risk everything to tell the true story of Cinderella and free her people.

What Genre is Cinderella Is Dead?

This book is primarily a YA fantasy with strong elements of dystopian fiction. It takes the familiar fairy tale and transforms it into something darker and more complex.

The story includes several popular tropes:

• Fairytale retelling with a twist
• Dystopian society with rigid rules
• Forbidden love
• Hidden history/conspiracy
• Revolution against tyranny

What can you expect? A fast-paced adventure that challenges traditional fairytales while delivering action, romance, and social commentary. The book doesn’t shy away from addressing issues of sexism, homophobia, and power imbalance.

Ratings and Reviews

“I don’t want to be saved by some knight in shining armour. I’d like to be the one in the armour, and I’d like to be the one doing the saving.” – Cinderella is Dead, Kalynn Bayron

Ratings

On Goodreads, the book has an overall rating of 3.67 stars from more than 83,000 ratings, showing its wide reach and appeal.

Reviews

Many readers praise the book for its representation and bold reimagining of a classic tale.

• “This was so amazing that I can’t even put it into words. It engages feminism, homophobia and lies in such a way that it’s not only intriguing but beautiful!”
• “While I was excited about the premise of this book, unfortunately it did not deliver. I loved the representation of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters, as this is incredibly important… However, from a story and writing perspective, this book totally flopped for me.”

What sets Cinderella Is Dead apart from other YA fantasy novels is its direct approach to dismantling fairy tale conventions and its focus on queer Black characters taking center stage in their revolution.

Who Should Read Cinderella Is Dead?

Age and content warning: This book is best suited for readers 14 and up. It contains descriptions of a misogynistic society, domestic abuse, homophobia, death, and some violence.

This book is perfect for you if:

• You love fairy tale retellings with a dark twist
• You enjoy stories about overthrowing unjust systems
• You’re looking for fantasy with LGBTQ+ representation
• You appreciate diverse characters and perspectives

If you enjoyed books like The Hunger Games, Cinder, or Girls of Paper and Fire, this story will likely appeal to you.

Reading Experience

Reading Cinderella Is Dead feels like watching a revolution unfold. The pacing keeps you engaged, especially in the second half, when the action really picks up.

I found myself completely absorbed by the mystery of Cinderella’s true story. Bayron cleverly drops clues throughout the narrative, making you question everything you thought you knew about the classic tale.

The romance between Sophia and Constance develops alongside the main plot, adding emotional depth to their dangerous mission. Their connection feels genuine, though some readers might find it moves a bit quickly.

What makes this book stand out is how it tackles serious social issues without becoming preachy. Instead, these themes are woven naturally into the story, making the message more powerful.

While reading, you’ll likely reflect on the stories that shape our society and how they might be used to maintain certain power structures.

Book Recommendations If You Liked Cinderella Is Dead

If you enjoyed this twist on Cinderella, here are some similar books you might love:

• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
• Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
• Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
• These Violent Delights by Chloe GongConclusion

Cinderella Is Dead offers a fresh, feminist spin on a classic fairytale. The book isn’t perfect – some readers might want deeper world-building – but its message is powerful and timely. I found myself cheering for Sophia and Constance as they fought to rewrite their story. Their journey shows us that questioning the tales we’re told can be revolutionary.

This book stands out because it puts queer Black characters at the center of their own fairy tale, something we don’t see enough in fantasy.

If you’re tired of the same old “prince saves princess” stories and want something with more bite, this book delivers. It reminds us that happily ever after should be available to everyone, not just those who follow society’s rules.

In the end, Bayron’s message is clear: the most powerful magic comes from finding your voice and using it to change the world.

More From This Author

Kalynn Bayron is an author, songwriter, and vocal performer who grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. She’s known for creating stories with diverse representation and challenging traditional narratives.

Other books by Kalynn Bayron include:

• This Poison Heart – A novel about a girl with the power to grow plants from seeds with just her touch
• This Wicked Fate – The sequel to This Poison Heart

If you enjoyed her fresh take on Cinderella, these other works continue her tradition of diverse fantasy with powerful female protagonists.