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The Cinders: A dark romantic queer retelling of Cinderella - from the original Chinese legend, Ye Xian.
A fallen prince. A gentle shoemaker. One impossible love.
The Cinders is a dark, queer retelling of Ye Xian—the original Cinderella tale from China—filled with palace intrigue, whispered magic, and slow-burn MM romance.
Exiled from the Forbidden City, Prince Xian is trapped in a governor’s court—kept as an ornament, paraded as a dancer, and traded as leverage for power.
Then a gifted shoemaker fearless, stubborn, and determined to remind Xian he is far more than the helpless creature others wish him to be.
But defiance has consequences. And in a court ruled by cruelty and superstition, even a single pair of shoes can spark a reckoning.
For fans MM fairytale romance • hurt/comfort • gilded courts • myth & magic • happiness ever after
A Standalone novel set in the world of The Diabolus Chronicles.
Content emotional and physical abuse; threatened and attempted sexual assault.
The Cinders is a dark, queer retelling of Ye Xian—the original Cinderella tale from China—filled with palace intrigue, whispered magic, and slow-burn MM romance.
Exiled from the Forbidden City, Prince Xian is trapped in a governor’s court—kept as an ornament, paraded as a dancer, and traded as leverage for power.
Then a gifted shoemaker fearless, stubborn, and determined to remind Xian he is far more than the helpless creature others wish him to be.
But defiance has consequences. And in a court ruled by cruelty and superstition, even a single pair of shoes can spark a reckoning.
For fans MM fairytale romance • hurt/comfort • gilded courts • myth & magic • happiness ever after
A Standalone novel set in the world of The Diabolus Chronicles.
Content emotional and physical abuse; threatened and attempted sexual assault.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2025
3 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 21, 2025
A new to me author but I was completely intrigued by a Chinese Cinderella retelling but with two males instead of the M/F. I wasn't sure what to expect but it wasn't the story I read. Its absolutely beautiful in the way the story is written. So lyrical and descriptive. I was being told a story of hardship, shame, but also incredible beauty and resilience. Xian is the Cinderella of the tale with such a hard life and things don't get easier. In fact, for much of the story, things get worse. His fairy godmother is bit out there and crazy. Not at all expected. I love the magic and the characters, even the villains. It made the story so much better. Xian is definitely my favorite for more than him being the main character. Beautiful story and so glad I picked this book up.
March 7, 2026
This is not your typical Cinderella Story. The story takes place in ancient China with Prince Xian as our beautiful, sensitive, and tragically scarred from a fire, dancer. Due to his scars he hide himself behind a veil and many layers of sheer fabric. His dancing is considered magically breathtaking but this and his princely station does not help his situation where he is abused, downtrodden, and treated worse than a servant. He is passed around to different Nobles and finally lands at the Mandarin's court where he happens to meet his fairy godmother Sir William. Sir Williams is not your typical fairy godmother, he's a bit of a wacko and an incubus. Xian's savior turns out to be a shoemaker Song Lim who is accepting of and understands the prince. Yes this is a M/M story, no female leads here.
DK Girl's writing is very descriptive and she paints such beautiful imagery of the prince, and his surroundings. Her account of his suffering and his emotional abusers is detailed but she finds a nice balance between the moments of beauty that he finds and his creepy caretakers. I decided to read this because I am a fan of Chinese dramas and this fits so perfectly in that genre. And as soon as she described the princes breathtaking dancing abilities it reminded me of the current Chinese dancer Liu Yu with his incredible flowing costumes and beautiful ballet. Watching Mr. Liu's dancing and reading The Cinders added an extra special touch to my reading experience and made it that much richer.
If you enjoy Cinderella stories, or ancient China, male on male relationships, or nine tail foxes, incubus and sirens, consider picking up The Cinders.
DK Girl's writing is very descriptive and she paints such beautiful imagery of the prince, and his surroundings. Her account of his suffering and his emotional abusers is detailed but she finds a nice balance between the moments of beauty that he finds and his creepy caretakers. I decided to read this because I am a fan of Chinese dramas and this fits so perfectly in that genre. And as soon as she described the princes breathtaking dancing abilities it reminded me of the current Chinese dancer Liu Yu with his incredible flowing costumes and beautiful ballet. Watching Mr. Liu's dancing and reading The Cinders added an extra special touch to my reading experience and made it that much richer.
If you enjoy Cinderella stories, or ancient China, male on male relationships, or nine tail foxes, incubus and sirens, consider picking up The Cinders.
March 18, 2026
THE CINDERS is the latest book by D K Girl, set in the same world as The Diabolus Chronicles. You don't need to have read that series, though, to enjoy this story. It is a retelling of the original Chinese legend, Ye Xian.
Prince Xian is the thirteenth son of the emperor, but that doesn't give him any favours, especially after his mother dies. He is sent away to live with the sister of a Noble Consort, who was at odds with his mother. You can imagine how his life is. Song Lim is a shoemaker of renown, who is captivated by Prince Xian from the first moment. Xian's life will take him away from Song Lim, but will Song Lim follow his prince?
This was a rich and imaginatively woven story that is both sweet and slow-burning. Xian and Lim are ably supported by a host of wonderful characters, including but not limited to Sir William Black and Master Ren. Other characters don't play as big a role, but are important, nonetheless.
The one thing this book does is make me want to re-read The Diabolus Chronicles from beginning to end. I loved that series, and I love this book. Definitely recommended by me.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 18, 2026
Prince Xian is the thirteenth son of the emperor, but that doesn't give him any favours, especially after his mother dies. He is sent away to live with the sister of a Noble Consort, who was at odds with his mother. You can imagine how his life is. Song Lim is a shoemaker of renown, who is captivated by Prince Xian from the first moment. Xian's life will take him away from Song Lim, but will Song Lim follow his prince?
This was a rich and imaginatively woven story that is both sweet and slow-burning. Xian and Lim are ably supported by a host of wonderful characters, including but not limited to Sir William Black and Master Ren. Other characters don't play as big a role, but are important, nonetheless.
The one thing this book does is make me want to re-read The Diabolus Chronicles from beginning to end. I loved that series, and I love this book. Definitely recommended by me.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mar 18, 2026
March 15, 2026
My review
🌕🌕🌖
I’ve read the Bandalore books, and they were good, and this books is set in the same realm, so it was fun. I don’t think you need to read the other books before this one, because it’s pretty self explanatory, and has enough information to not get you lost and still enjoy the story. My only problem was Song Lim. I read the blurb calling him gentle, and I was in the mood for it, but he’s brash, uncouth, rude, and cocky. It isn’t bad, it just threw me off, and I struggled connecting with him. On the other hand, he’s exactly the type of man Xian needs, so that’s good. It was a very interesting take on the story, I’m not sure how accurate it is to the original, but it was interesting. I just had a harder time enjoying it due to Song Lim’s personality. Maybe if the blurb didn’t say “gentle shoemaker” and kept the rest as is, it would have been easier to connect, but I felt “koifished” by him, and even though I would have read it anyway, I would have changed my lens while reading. Maybe I’ll reread it in a while, being aware of this true personality, and then I can fully enjoy it, because it’s well written, fascinating lore, and it’s nice to see Xian getting to be the fox he was always meant to be.
🌕🌕🌖
I’ve read the Bandalore books, and they were good, and this books is set in the same realm, so it was fun. I don’t think you need to read the other books before this one, because it’s pretty self explanatory, and has enough information to not get you lost and still enjoy the story. My only problem was Song Lim. I read the blurb calling him gentle, and I was in the mood for it, but he’s brash, uncouth, rude, and cocky. It isn’t bad, it just threw me off, and I struggled connecting with him. On the other hand, he’s exactly the type of man Xian needs, so that’s good. It was a very interesting take on the story, I’m not sure how accurate it is to the original, but it was interesting. I just had a harder time enjoying it due to Song Lim’s personality. Maybe if the blurb didn’t say “gentle shoemaker” and kept the rest as is, it would have been easier to connect, but I felt “koifished” by him, and even though I would have read it anyway, I would have changed my lens while reading. Maybe I’ll reread it in a while, being aware of this true personality, and then I can fully enjoy it, because it’s well written, fascinating lore, and it’s nice to see Xian getting to be the fox he was always meant to be.
March 22, 2026
When you think about it, most of the stories Jacob and Wilhelm collected for their "Tales", are not exactly Disney friendly, the a Chinese legend called "Ye Xian" beats them by miles. This is a very Dark, Dark Cinderella retelling.
Prince Xian does not lead a very princely life. A dancer who was tragically scarred in a fire when he was young, he's a plaything for the Noble families, used, abused and passed around. Finally landing in the Mandarin Court, he acquires an odd fairy/incubus godmother, Sir William. The glass slipper tradition lives on as his HEA is shoemaker Song Lim.
DK Girl provides a lush, highly descriptive worldbuild. But this wasn't a comfortable read. Dark, sometimes horribly so, I found the book to be chilling. I very much enjoy fairy tale twists, but I don't think this author is a good fit for me. My rating is mostly based on the fact that this isn't a typical Cinderella story. Definite 5 stars for that. Comfort level was 2-3 stars. Not an author I could recommend if you're looking for lite and floofy.
I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my review.
Prince Xian does not lead a very princely life. A dancer who was tragically scarred in a fire when he was young, he's a plaything for the Noble families, used, abused and passed around. Finally landing in the Mandarin Court, he acquires an odd fairy/incubus godmother, Sir William. The glass slipper tradition lives on as his HEA is shoemaker Song Lim.
DK Girl provides a lush, highly descriptive worldbuild. But this wasn't a comfortable read. Dark, sometimes horribly so, I found the book to be chilling. I very much enjoy fairy tale twists, but I don't think this author is a good fit for me. My rating is mostly based on the fact that this isn't a typical Cinderella story. Definite 5 stars for that. Comfort level was 2-3 stars. Not an author I could recommend if you're looking for lite and floofy.
I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my review.
March 22, 2026
The Cinders by DK Girl is a haunting and beautifully imagined retelling of Ye Xian, blending court intrigue with a deeply emotional MM romance.
The story leans into its darker elements, portraying a world where power and cruelty go hand in hand. Xian’s situation is difficult to witness at times, but it’s handled with care, allowing his resilience and quiet strength to come through even in the bleakest moments. His journey feels less like a traditional fairytale and more like a fight to reclaim identity and agency.
The romance unfolds slowly, offering a gentle contrast to the harshness of the setting. The shoemaker’s presence brings a sense of grounding and sincerity, and their connection develops in a way that feels earned rather than rushed.
What really stands out is the atmosphere. The writing creates vivid imagery, from the opulence of the court to the more intimate, fragile moments between characters. There’s a strong sense of myth woven throughout, adding depth without overwhelming the central story.
The story leans into its darker elements, portraying a world where power and cruelty go hand in hand. Xian’s situation is difficult to witness at times, but it’s handled with care, allowing his resilience and quiet strength to come through even in the bleakest moments. His journey feels less like a traditional fairytale and more like a fight to reclaim identity and agency.
The romance unfolds slowly, offering a gentle contrast to the harshness of the setting. The shoemaker’s presence brings a sense of grounding and sincerity, and their connection develops in a way that feels earned rather than rushed.
What really stands out is the atmosphere. The writing creates vivid imagery, from the opulence of the court to the more intimate, fragile moments between characters. There’s a strong sense of myth woven throughout, adding depth without overwhelming the central story.
March 23, 2026
The Cinders is the retelling of a Cinderella fairy tale, but the original one from China. Here we have Prince Xian, the thirteenth son of the emperor. He has been exiled to the governor’s court where he has become an ornament, a toy, and an incredible dancer. He is also being used as leverage in a trade deal. A gifted shoemaker enters his life determined to make Xian realize that he is more than what others think. In a court filled with superstition and cruelty, the shoes Song Lim makes for him represent so much more.
What an amazing story this turned out to be! D K Girl brings to life mysticism and magic. Xian’s memories make sense as the plot unfolds cleverly and masterfully. Xian tugs at your heart strings as he strives to survive and make sense of his unpleasant life. Song Lim seems to help him in so many ways. The magic and the mystique enter both men’s lives and guide them along the way. Join them on their journey but hang on as the ride is bumpy.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
What an amazing story this turned out to be! D K Girl brings to life mysticism and magic. Xian’s memories make sense as the plot unfolds cleverly and masterfully. Xian tugs at your heart strings as he strives to survive and make sense of his unpleasant life. Song Lim seems to help him in so many ways. The magic and the mystique enter both men’s lives and guide them along the way. Join them on their journey but hang on as the ride is bumpy.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 11, 2026
I have not read DK Girl before, but I definitely will again. I so enjoyed this mystical retelling of the tale of Ye Xian - I did not know the Cinderella tale spanned the world with different versions on each continent. There are elements of both the Eastern and Western tale as well as mysticism and mythical characters. The story was sweet, following the established tale only where necessary to further the story. I loved Xian and his bravery in the face of such cruelty and Song Lim's sharp tongue and no nonsense attitude and the shoes! They were sublime. I'll be sure to look for more books by this author. The only negative was the unholy number of spelling mistakes and slightly distorted timelines, which sadly pulled me from the story a time or two dropping my 5* rating to 4.5*
March 24, 2026
This is a sweet, lovely book with a setting that is very different from many MM romances - even historical romances - both in terms of setting as well as the relationship between the MCs. The writing is beautifully descriptive, and the world of imperial China and how society and societal expectations are structured comes through in the storytelling, so I felt like I learned a lot at the same time. The romance between the MCs is tender and sweet, despite their different lives and really barely knowing each other, and you really root for them. As midnight approached I got more and more anxious that there wouldn't be a HEA, but I came away happy and satisfied with the ending.
March 11, 2026
I am a huge fan of fairytale retellings and the original Ye Xian has always been one of my favorites. This story was so good! I got so quickly caught up in our Prince’s plight that I didn’t even notice how long I was reading. Song Lim is equally enchanting. I could not get enough of Xian and Lim. I haven’t read the accompanying world of books this is set in, but I am going to need to look them up. William is quite the character. I’m not sure how I feel about him yet. I loved this one so much that I need the backlist people!! Now!
March 22, 2026
This is a no heat very slow burn story but I liked that Xian learned to stand up for himself. Song Lim, his "prince", wasn't the one that had to stand up for him. Xian actually learns that he can be strong enough to protect Song Lim instead.
The writing style was lyrical and mysterious which can make immersion difficult but I was still able to devour it quickly. I would recommend this mainly to fans of fairytale retellings.
The writing style was lyrical and mysterious which can make immersion difficult but I was still able to devour it quickly. I would recommend this mainly to fans of fairytale retellings.
March 28, 2026
Didn't know there were Chinese Cinderella tales so I was excited to read this, having enjoyed several books by this author before. Here, the one being abused is a Prince with scars and secrets who is aided by a truly wonderful creation of a fairy "godmother" and a shoemaker who knows how the world works and how to help Prince Xian find his inner strength. Great characters all around, wonderfully detailed worldbuilding and some villains you'll love to root against.
March 19, 2026
This was beautifully written and better than I expected it to be!!!!
Want to read
March 25, 2026I asked for this ARC and my university said HA SIKE BITCH
so i'll come back to this soon
so i'll come back to this soon
March 21, 2026
DNF, just not for me.
Xian had a few too many TSTL moments that made it hard to read.
Xian had a few too many TSTL moments that made it hard to read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews