Cinderella is Dead is a feminist retelling of the classic Disney version of Cinderella written by Kalynn Bayron. It follows the journey of a girl who's just come of age as she learns more about her oppressive society and journeys to change it. Bayron's debut novel landed on shelves in July of 2020, the release overshadowed by the ongoing global pandemic. However, it is a wonderful read for escapist reasons, taking readers away from the world of coronavirus and political upheaval and into a world of fairy tales and corrupt magic.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.
The novel follows Sophia, a teenager who's just become old enough to take part in the annual ball at the king's palace. The ball is a mandatory event, forcing young women to put themselves on display for three years to try and find a husband like how Cinderella found her Prince Charming at the first ball. During the ball, Sophia escapes from her restrictive life and dives headfirst into the fringes of society to learn the truth.
She dedicates herself to freeing herself and other women, who are all seen as subpar citizens, from the shackles of their oppressive world and giving them a better life.
Sophia is your typical young adult female protagonist: filled with inherent questions no one else around her is asking, headstrong, and a disdain for being glamified. We find her first in love with her best friend, Erin, though that affection transfers to the rough-and-tumble Constance who turns out to be a descendant of one of the ugly stepsisters.
After escaping dramatically from the ball, Sophia follows Constance along from Cinderella's tomb to Cinderella's childhood home to the fairy godmother's hut in the woods (very Baba Yaga style). She doesn't have to work for the knowledge she gains from the fairy godmother who turns out to really be an evil, necromantic witch who's singlehandedly to blame for the tyrannical king they're trying to overthrow.
She cast love spells on Cinderella to wed her son, the aforementioned king, when Cinderella had gone to the ball with her stepsisters to assassinate him. Turns out, the king is actually an undead creature who sucks the life out of young, beautiful girls. Sounds a bit trite? That's because it is.
Cinderella is Dead admittedly has good bones. Fraktured fairy tales are a guilty pleasure of mine when done well, and there was a lot of potential in this plot for something amazing in the times of PC culture rejecting most classical Disney princesses for one reason or another. However, each page turn felt like more and more of a tumble down the rabbit hall in the most disorienting of ways.
The king being a soul-sucking demon is a thinly veiled metaphor for how men act in this society overall: abusive toxic procreators all with an inherent god complex. They see women as property, as their crowning jewel. Women are only as good as their beauty. Granted, this is still sometimes the norm in our own world, but at least here men can sometimes be held accountable.
In a world rampant with toxic males, the main character being gay opens the doors for those anti-LGBTQ+ to claim "Well of course she's a lesbian, she never met the right man. She never had a good man to love and be loved by." This argument is one of the oldest in the book, and one of the more toxic. Personally, I fully support gay retellings of classical tales, though you have to be careful about how you do it to ward away as much homophobic criticism as possible.
Overall, I'd give the book a 3.5/5. The original concept is intriguing, and the main character - despite her makeup being overdone female protagonist clichés - isn't hard to read. However, the inundation of twists and turns makes it hard for me to take the novel seriously.
About the Creator
Lilah Lee
22 y/o getting a MFA in creative writing for children and young adults. I write a little bit of everything, though mostly my works have a LGBTQ+ character or two. I write fiction, poetry, and opinion pieces.
I upload every week!
Silver Screen Magic with Mae West
American actress and singer Mae West became a popular film actress during the Great Depression. She started entertaining in vaudeville, then performed on Broadway, and finally went to Hollywood. She signed up with Paramount Pictures and made her debut in the 1932 film “Night After Night.” She also starred in musicals, comedies, and crime dramas. The American Film Institute named her one of the best classic Hollywood actresses.
By Rasma Raisters7 days ago in Geeks
Freezing Rain and Ice Disrupt Travel Across Central and Eastern Europe
Dangerous winter weather brings chaos to roads, rails, and airports as authorities urge caution A powerful wave of freezing rain and ice storms has swept across large parts of central and eastern Europe, bringing daily life to a near standstill and creating hazardous travel conditions for millions. From Germany and Austria to Poland, the Czech Republic, and parts of the Balkans, ice-coated roads, grounded flights, and disrupted rail services have turned routine journeys into dangerous ordeals. Meteorologists warn that freezing rain — one of the most treacherous winter weather phenomena — poses a greater risk than snowfall because it creates an invisible glaze of ice that is nearly impossible to detect until it is too late. What Is Freezing Rain and Why Is It So Dangerous? Freezing rain occurs when rain falls through a layer of warm air and then passes into sub-zero temperatures near the ground. Instead of freezing mid-air like snow, the rain remains liquid until it hits a cold surface, where it instantly turns to ice. The result is black ice — a thin, transparent layer that covers roads, sidewalks, power lines, aircraft wings, and railway tracks. Unlike snow, it offers no traction and is extremely difficult to remove. Experts describe freezing rain as one of winter’s most dangerous hazards, capable of crippling transport networks within hours. Travel Chaos Across the Region Across central and eastern Europe, the effects have been swift and severe. Major highways have reported multi-vehicle accidents, while local roads have become impassable in rural and mountainous areas. In several countries, authorities temporarily closed sections of motorways after trucks jackknifed on ice-slick surfaces. Rail networks were also hit hard. Ice accumulation on overhead lines caused power failures and signal disruptions, forcing trains to run at reduced speeds or be canceled altogether. Thousands of passengers were stranded at stations as operators struggled to keep services running safely. Air travel faced similar challenges. Airports in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic reported delays and cancellations as aircraft required repeated de-icing. Even a thin layer of ice can dramatically affect an aircraft’s lift, making safety checks essential but time-consuming. Emergency Services Under Pressure Emergency responders across the region were stretched thin as calls surged. Ambulances struggled to reach patients on icy streets, while fire brigades responded to accidents, fallen trees, and damaged power lines. Hospitals also reported a rise in slip-and-fall injuries, particularly among older residents. Broken bones, head injuries, and hypothermia cases increased as people attempted to navigate frozen sidewalks. Authorities urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and to remain indoors whenever possible. Power Outages and Infrastructure Damage Beyond transport, the ice storm also affected energy infrastructure. Ice-laden power lines sagged and snapped under the weight, leading to localized power outages in several regions. In rural areas, repair crews faced dangerous conditions as they worked to restore electricity. Icy roads slowed response times, leaving some communities without power for extended periods during freezing temperatures. Telecommunications networks also experienced disruptions, further complicating emergency response efforts. Economic Impact and Business Disruptions The freezing rain has had an immediate economic impact. Delivery services were delayed, factories reduced shifts due to staff shortages, and retailers reported lower foot traffic as customers stayed home. Logistics companies warned that prolonged icy conditions could disrupt supply chains, particularly for food and medical supplies that rely on just-in-time delivery systems. Tourism was also affected, with winter destinations reporting canceled bookings and delayed arrivals, even as ski resorts benefited from colder temperatures at higher elevations. Climate Change and Extreme Winter Weather Scientists point out that climate change may be contributing to more frequent freezing rain events. As winters become warmer overall, temperatures often hover around the freezing point — the exact conditions needed for freezing rain. This creates a paradox where regions experience fewer snowstorms but more ice storms, which can be far more destructive. Climatologists warn that infrastructure across Europe was largely designed for snow, not prolonged ice events, leaving cities vulnerable as weather patterns evolve. Authorities Urge Vigilance Governments and meteorological agencies issued repeated warnings, advising drivers to reduce speed, increase braking distance, and equip vehicles with winter tires and emergency kits. Pedestrians were encouraged to wear non-slip footwear and use handrails whenever possible. Schools in several areas shifted to remote learning to reduce travel risks. Officials emphasized that patience and caution save lives, reminding citizens that even experienced drivers cannot control a vehicle on black ice. Looking Ahead Forecasts suggest that temperatures may gradually rise in some areas, easing icy conditions, while others could face additional freezing rain before the system moves on. Cleanup and repairs are expected to continue for days, even after the weather improves. The freezing rain sweeping across central and eastern Europe serves as a stark reminder that winter’s most dangerous storms are not always the most visible. As climate patterns continue to change, authorities and citizens alike may need to rethink how they prepare for — and respond to — ice, not just snow.
By Fiaz Ahmed Brohi7 days ago in Geeks
A Dart at Dusk
Seconds ago, the sullen sun set on the two of us… my exuberant furry companion and me. A fresh breeze embraces us, delivering welcome relief from the day’s oppressive heat. His typical stumbling and staggering along — apace with a sloth — has turned into trip-trapping, high-stepping, almost skipping along.
By Angie the Archivist 📚🪶7 days ago in Petlife
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.