Cinderella is Dead - Shera, Nishkha, Bella?

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Cinderella Is Dead Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

It’s 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. If a suitable match is not found, the girls not chosen are never heard from again.

Sixteen-year-old Sophia would much rather marry Erin, her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, Sophia makes the desperate decision to flee, and finds herself hiding in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her step sisters. Together they vow to bring down the king once and for all–and in the process, they learn that there’s more to Cinderella’s story than they ever knew . . .

This fresh take on a classic story will make readers question the tales they’ve been told, and root for girls to break down the constructs of the world around them.

Official start date: April 13, 2021

Anyone can join in!!!

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Okay my book read buddies!! I am so excited!!! >_<

I won't be starting it tonight. It's on my kobo account and I'll have to get it and load her up! (Plus, I'm live streaming After with my sister! *fans self* We're making fun of it while swooning! Ha!)

[Nishkha]

Ha ha totally get it. Hero F Tiffin yep.
Ok then change the official start date to tomorrow because even I cannot read it.
Also what time zone are you from?
And I am actually reading another book also so my reading speed will be a little slow

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Done! I'm US Mountain Time!

You?

No worries I"m reading another books too. This doesn't have to be a race and we can just post where we're at. Maybe by chapters? And use spoilers as needed. That way people can hit them when they get to that point.

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Cinderella has been dead for two hundred years.
I’ve been in love with Erin for the better part of three years.
And I am about two minutes away from certain death.

I will say that is a pretty solid book intro there! Already puts you at the edge of your seat.

[Nishkha]

Shera (Book Whispers) wrote: "Done! I'm US Mountain Time!

You?

No worries I"m reading another books too. This doesn't have to be a race and we can just post where we're at. Maybe by chapters? And use spoilers as needed. Tha..."

Yep!

I am from Indian Standard time
So 13th April we start and just post as an when as to what chapter(s) You have read so we can discuss and vibe

[Nishkha]

Obviously timings are gonna be a problem, when I sleep you guys would be awake and vice versa so we reply and post as and when I guess

[Nishkha]

Also I think we should read 2 chapters a day, there are totally 38
I am only saying this because we are reading other books on the side

April 13- May 3

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Sounds like a plan!

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Okay, wrapped up Chapter One and Chapter Two.

It's pretty vague. We know Sophia likes Erin. Erin seems grouchy, but she likes Sophia enough to meet her in the woods. Some basics about the ball being a weird way to meet your match, but the kingdom is under some weird tyranny. The fairy tales been twisted? Oh, and no romance allowed! "unsanctioned unions will be considered forfeit" yikes! Oh, and it's a very sexist place. Women and children have curfews and must have the okay of the head male of the house hold. Yikes!

There is one clear thing I don't like so far. Lack of description. We don't know what Sophie or Erin vaguely look like. And even the world description down to the forest isn't there. Or the town. I'm noticing a trend with YA to let the reader pretty much fill everything in. Lazy writing.

I like the touch of the wig maker. I mean actual descriptions of the wigs!

For some reason my brain is kind of making the town look French Style.

[Nishkha]

I have read the first chapter and I do agree with you. Its vague and very disorganized as of now

[Nishkha]

I am on chapter 3. So I finally understand more, it’s way better now and more captivating. You kind of understand Erin and why is she wanted to run off before the ball and the whole thing about the ball

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

That's good. I look forward to chapter 3.

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

All right wrapped up Chapters 3 and 4.

(view spoiler)[Wow. Definitely a man's world. It's also very easy to see how the Cinderella story is shaped to this sexist idea. After all the story is "if you're a good girl, work hard, and are submissive you will be rewarded. Eventually." So the idea that the whole story of Cinderella is used to subject the women this way is believable.

I still think descriptive wise the writing is lacking. It feels sparse.

I do get where Erin is coming from. However. I'm afraid the author isn't going to let us fall in love with Sophie and Erin. Not to mention if Erin really feels the same way at this point? I'm a hungry reader I need more.

I do like some of the passages that hit true about sexism. Like the girls being required to go these balls, and only have 3 balls to be picked by a man. AND normally if they're not picked during the first one you're shamed. Which reminds me sooooo much of the English Ton and the Seasons. *cough* Not to mention that the men aren't required to show. So on the nose.

Sophie's parents reaction to her confession of liking girls was . . . well done. I thought there was something missing, but overall I liked it. I guess I need more of a feel for how same sex relations are felt. Though clearly it's boy girl and you're not allowed to form any thing until these balls.

Ramble done! (hide spoiler)]

[Nishkha]

Ok so I may or may not have forgotten the schedule and I’m on chapter 12😅😅

So I am loving the book now
*No spoilers*

But ok so my thoughts so far are:
- I like the plot, a lot def
- The characters I’m liking more
- The themed involved are detailed more now and I like that too
- I find Erin really random and a little selfish maybe
- I like Luke

I hope I can find more about the whole cinderella story being the background

Since I am reading another book, I'll continue reading this one after a couple of days.

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Nishkha wrote: "Ok so I may or may not have forgotten the schedule and I’m on chapter 12😅😅

So I am loving the book now
*No spoilers*

But ok so my thoughts so far are:
- I like the plot, a lot def
- The charac..."

Ha-ha! Okay. Sounds good.

I'll just keep reading then. So it sounds like I just keep needing to push to get some more info on the world.

Does the writing ever get more descriptive?

[Nishkha]

Yes yes def

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Good! I'm so hungry to know what kind of kingdom this is. French inspired. (Like I'm feeling.) UK, or what.

[Nishkha]

Ok so today I had a little break off my schedule and I wasn't into reading my other book so I finished this one.

I would love to still hear your thoughts
So as and when you finish I'll discuss and chat with you

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Sounds good. I got hung up herding cattle so no reading for me.

I'll let you know when I finish it.

Honestly I'm not meshing with the book. I love the ideas, but it's just so on the nose and it's not working to get me emotionally invested.

[Nishkha]

Wait and give the book time
Just a few chapters in you will totally understand and enjoy
Honestly I liked the first half of the book a lot def more than the second half

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Nishkha wrote: "Wait and give the book time
Just a few chapters in you will totally understand and enjoy
Honestly I liked the first half of the book a lot def more than the second half"

Okay!

[Nishkha]

How are you enjoying it? What has happened until now?

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Well I'm 29% chapter 11. (view spoiler)[ Sophie is just getting ready to jump out the window and a guard is grabbing her ankle. (hide spoiler)]

I honestly love the concept of this book, and I am very interested in Luke. The issue is this book is all concept and nothing else. There's not enough development for me to care about any of the characters. The author can't be bothered to describe anything. And it's all so heavy handed. There's no suspense.

Sophie is brave and bold. Maybe because her Grandma was. And despite everyone being forfeit AKA dead or imprisoned. It's just not hitting with me.

Great idea and concept. I have read Cinderella like this long ago. It's just lazy.

[Nishkha]

Ok so I totally get it
Do keep an open mind
The concept struck with me too way more than the characters or setting but do wait. Now the good part starts because she is gonna jump out of the window!

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Well that's good news! I didn't have time to read at all yesterday. So that should give me the push I need.

I will keep an open mind. You never now the rest of the book might blow me away!

[Nishkha]

yep!!

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

I'm at 67% (view spoiler)[ I love this whole necromancer turn and waking Cinderella up!

Sophia doesn't feel real. I don't feel connected because we're being told everything and despite the length of this book no effort goes into creating emotional connections. So I don't feel connected to any of the characters. I don't care that Sophia and Constance are romancing, because I don't feel connected to either of them. The author is dipping dangerously close to making her unbelievable. At least for me. But I think it's due to the lack of development.

Which bums me out! I love where this story is going!

I love that the witch uses her powers to spell Cinderella into loving Charming, thus marrying him. I mean it's the brilliant commentary how other women with power support a system that offers of women as brides. Using "spells" to get them down the alter against their feelings and wishes. I mean Cinderella goes there to kill the man who killed her family, only to end up spelled into marriage!! Holy bookworms!!

It's great the book highlights the different ways men control or ignore what's happening to women. It's important to highlight how other women aren't helping either. (hide spoiler)]

[Nishkha]

Ahhhh finally
Yes ok agreed there is no connection to the characters
I feel that this book is trying to say that the usual way of doing things where the guy always looks at the girl and falls in love is not okay but then this book goes and does the same because sophia is ready to give up everything for erin and then suddenly erin is not so important? and constance has taken over??

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Nishkha wrote: "Ahhhh finally
Yes ok agreed there is no connection to the characters
I feel that this book is trying to say that the usual way of doing things where the guy always looks at the girl and falls in l..."

Such a good point!!! The issue is I have read stories that do this, but because they create an emotional connection the reader can understand why. Like leaving a first love behind.

I also find that the other made a checklist of issues from the me too movement and is checking them off. Like "you should smile, you're pretty when you smile" and other items/issues.

[Nishkha]

Shera (Book Whispers) wrote: "Nishkha wrote: "Ahhhh finally
Yes ok agreed there is no connection to the characters
I feel that this book is trying to say that the usual way of doing things where the guy always looks at the gir..."

Yep!
There is no emotional connection with Sophie, and we as readers are not feeling anything when Sophie left erin.

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Nishkha wrote: "Shera (Book Whispers) wrote: "Nishkha wrote: "Ahhhh finally
Yes ok agreed there is no connection to the characters
I feel that this book is trying to say that the usual way of doing things where t..."

We'll see how the rest goes.

I predict that the King is draining the women of their life forces to keep them a live. So I'm probably not going to be too shocked by the ending, but I am looking forward to dead Cinderella rising up.

[Nishkha]

I am not gonna say anything except the ending was predictable and a little underwhelming

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Finished. Yep. "ending was predictable and a little underwhelming"

One hundred percent right. I've already given this book 1 star, but I will post my review later.

Overall I was very underwhelmed. I love-love-love the ideas. But the best way to relate them is not so in your face and to make you care about the characters in them. For instance Historical Romances I've read have done a better job bringing up women's rights. Mainly because they're not preachy, they show you through the actions around the characters how messed up it is. And more importantly you care about people its happening to.

There use to be a problem in YA with leads being soulless, a way to "reader insert yourself into this characters place". Now I"m seeing a worse trend. Sophia basically has very little doubt about going against the norm. The author attempts to make it seem that way, but there's nothing there to make it believable. She's bordering on being a very boring Mary Sue image. I don't like the idea that our "strong female role models" in literature just know things are wrong and have very little self doubt. Her grandmother was killed for her bold thinking. It would seem more reasonable to me that Sophia would be afraid and had inner turmoil while pushing against the norm.

Or how she knows exactly how to break a mans nose. How did she learn that in a society that believes women should not be able to defend themselves? Back story!!!

For 400 pages this book had all the time in the world. I've read 30 page short stories that had me so emotionally invested in characters I bawled.

Sorry. I'm so sad I didn't like this book!

Oh, and they wasted Luke!!! The male representation in this book was very lacking and almost felt like a side note. I did like that Liz's dad was more vocal about protecting his daughters.

The whole idea that Charming did all of this because Cinderella would not love him and he thought he was owed it felt . . . odd. Like there was way more to explore there than that. Because honestly I think he was a psychopath. Why would he want Cinderella's love? The idea was unique, but I didn't by Charming from all that was given that it was his big drive.

[Nishkha]

My thoughts
I agree with you 100%
Back stories and flashbacks are so important but that was def missing

Exactly you don't need a long book to fall in love with the book. The length does not matter but the reader should be emotionally invested

I love the concept and ideas in this book and if charming is a psychopath i dont mind that, except they should have elaborated a little more on that note.

I think the writing style is the reason the book lost out a lot

Omg LUKE I already liked him and then they did not include him enough? Honestly, Luke should have married sophia after a brawl or some fight in the ballroom and then they should have escaped and then the story should have continued. And they could have had a platonic relationship

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

I think sometimes author's/publishers are afraid of the back stories and flashbacks because they can be hard to to do. Especially where it seems like a lot of readers don't have the patience anymore.

I read to invest emotionally. ^_-

Yeah, it needed more thought. More focus. It just didn't feel right with what we knew of him.

You're right. The writing style was a huge part for me. It's soulless. I love description. I'm a reader who wants to know what kind of path a character is on. It took almost 30% of the book to establish that it was autumn.

"The primary purpose of descriptive writing is to describe a person, place or thing in such a way that a picture is formed in the reader's mind." And I feel like more and more authors getting published are not descriptive writers. Not a fan.

*hugs* I'm so glad you're with me on Luke. Yes!! Luke and Sophia marrying would have been such a compelling story. More complex emotionally and thematically. Lack of friendships was poorly done her as well.

[Nishkha]

*hugs back and wipes tear*

Glad we are on the same page for this

When the author introduced Luke and Sophia and Erin as gay I was like YAY but then

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

But then wasted. Ha-ha.

Hmmm. Would you try another book by this author in the future? I think the ratings and sales were low enough it might not be likely, but you never know.

[Nishkha]

I dont know exactly lets see

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Yeah. She might grow as a writer.

[Nishkha]

yes probably
This was a fun buddy read
Do hit me up when you want to buddy read another book

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Ah, thanks!! Definitely! I enjoyed reading it and discussing it with you too.

[Nishkha]

Me too
We do def think alike:)

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Ooo, your new Avatar is very cute. Made it over from your instagram I think? I got used to seeing your Eiffel Tower avatar.

[Nishkha]

Yeahhh aww thanks
Yep I actually have been meaning to change it for a while to match it with my instagram profile but I keep forgetting

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

I keep thinking about getting an instagram, but I barely keep up with my twitter accounts.

[Nishkha]

Ha ha well so I don't have twt but instagram is way easier to manage. See here's the thing my main instagram acct I barely use an I check the messages once or twice a day. And my bookstagram account, I am pretty active

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Cool. Ha-ha, I've got two twitter accounts. One for my book and blog I've had for ever. Then my TV/personal one. Now that Twitter lets you have both logged on and you just swap back and forth I love it. Not to mention they made following conversations better. But I'm afraid I'll say the "wrong thing" and twitter will get angry. *sighs* it's all nice and friendly until it isn't.

[Nishkha]

😂😂 I am cracking up
On instagram even I keep switching back and forth
What are you reading currently
I have been obsessing over grishverse sm and I love the show and books

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Just wrapped up some Ruby Dixon books for reread. She's my fave alien smut author.

Working on and LOVING Cruel Prince and Iron Druid is a reread, but I love it! I'm in a good book place right now.