Cinderella Is Dead

Cinderella Is Dead was the winner of the Books Are My Bag YA category 2020; Wordery's children's book of the year 2020; shortlisted for the Goodreads Choice YA Fantasy 2020 and nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2021.This fresh take on the classic Cinderella fairytale focuses on a black, LGBTQ+ character: unforgettable Sophia, a heroine you'll be cheering for to the last page and beyondSophia's determination to dismantle her patriarchal society is perfect for feminist fans-to-be of The Handmaid's Tale, while still keeping things funKalynn Bayron is an exciting new author with a strong presence. In a tweet with over 12,000 likes she said: 'Princesses/Queens/chosen ones are NOT overdone for marginalized communities. Y'all so quick to declare something dead or overdone. You know what? Little black kids deserve to be chosen ones, have magic powers, and find out they're the last in a long line of dragon tamers.'Kalynn Bayron's debut novel, Cinderella Is Dead, was the winner of the Books Are My Bag YA category 2020; Wordery's children's book of the year 2020; shortlisted for the Goodreads Choice YA Fantasy 2020 and nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2021. Kalynn is a classically trained vocalist. She grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. When she's not writing you can find her listening to Ella Fitzgerald on loop, attending the theatre, watching scary movies, and spending time with her kids. She currently lives in San Antonio, Texas with her family. kalynnbayron.com @KalynnBayron_______________ 'Kalynn Bayron does more than re-write a fairytale ... She breaks it apart and rebuilds it into a wholly original and captivating story where girls finally decide for themselves who lives happily ever after' - New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer 'A richly diverse and lovely read ... relevant, modern and inclusive' - NetGalley Reviewer 'An intense experience, but a captivating one' - Paper Lanterns Magazine _______________ It's 200 years since Cinderella found her prince, but the fairytale is over. Sophia knows the story though, off by heart. Because every girl has to recite it daily, from when she's tiny until the night she's sent to the royal ball for choosing. And every girl knows that she has only one chance. For the lives of those not chosen by a man at the ball . are forfeit. But Sophia doesn't want to be chosen - she's in love with her best friend, Erin, and hates the idea of being traded like cattle. And when Sophia's night at the ball goes horribly wrong, she must run for her life. Alone and terrified, she finds herself hiding in Cinderella's tomb. And there she meets someone who will show her that she has the power to remake her world . An electrifying twist on the classic fairytale that will inspire girls to break out of limiting stereotypes and follow their dreams!A thrilling and original twist on the Cinderella story - breaking stereotypes of race, gender and sexuality to create a brand-new YA fairytale and a heroine for our timesKalynn Bayron does more than re-write a fairytale ... She breaks it apart and rebuilds it into a wholly original and captivating story where girls finally decide for themselves who lives happily ever afterA richly diverse and lovely read ... relevant, modern and inclusiveThis was gay, romantic and perfectly set, with a mixture of traditional fairy tale elements that were flipped on their head and new elements that made it seem less susceptible to tropes and problems. It was a really enjoyable read and really put an exciting, original spin on the Cinderella taleDid somebody say feminist? As someone who was raised on fairy tales and Disney, practically conditioned to believe the woman was supposed to be rescued by the man, I ADORED this book. I was captivated from the start and the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ themes warmed my heart. I can't wait to see what Bayron does nextCinderella Is Dead is an incredible feminist retelling of the classic tale I never knew I needed in my life, but I'm so glad it existsFull of power, humour, strength and love, "Cinderella Is Dead" shows itself to be one of the most engaging novels I've encountered this year. With a powerful story that is about doing what is right and a host of characters you come to care for deeply, I can find so few faults with this. It will be one I recommend to everyone over the next few monthsBayron masterfully brings the reader into the action and the emotions of the characters. It is an intense experience, but a captivating one