Sophia is living in a world where queerness isn’t unheard of, but exists underground, subtly, or silently.

The novel is miraculous not only for its representation of queer and Black characters, but for its world, which seems to draw on both the conventions of the Cinderella story and history itself.

What happened to the fairy godmother? Were the stepsisters actually ugly and monstrous? Sophia is determined to find the truth. However, when she meets Constance, the last descendant of Cinderella and her stepsisters, she learns that Cinderella’s story may not be so idyllic after all. After fleeing the palace the night of the ball-much like Cinderella herself, although under very different circumstances-Sophia finds herself in Cinderella’s tomb surrounded by the story she’s always known. But things are complicated-the ball is not optional, and neither is conformity. Instead, she would rather marry her best friend, Erin. However, Sophia would rather not go to any ball to be paraded in front of men who would have the authority to use her as they saw fit. The novel opens with our main character, Sophia, preparing for the ball. If a girl remains unselected…they are forfeit. Now, as a homage to Cinderella and her story, teenage girls are forced to appear at an Annual Ball, presided over by the current king, where all eligible men in the kingdom are free to select their wives. Based on the palace-approved version of the fairy tale that sixteen-year-old Sophia and her friends know by heart, Cinderella married her prince and lived happily ever after-for a time.

Bayron’s innovative and sparkling retelling is such a joy to read.Ĭinderella is Dead takes place 200 years after the death of Cinderella.

I can only recall Malinda Lo’s Ash (2009), which I read as a very confused teen, and still have on my shelf to this day. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a Cinderella with queer girls. If there’s anything we need more of, it’s books like this, and more from Bayron herself. Kalynn Bayron’s Cinderella is Dead is the queer fairy-tale retelling we needed in 2020.īayron’s novel is doing amazing things for queer fiction, fantasy, and YA.

Cinderella is dead goodreads