Everyone knows the story of Cinderella. But what if the story we know was always a lie? We never got to see the events leading up to it or the world that emerged after her happily ever after. Magic exists in that world, so who's to say magic wasn't influencing things the whole time? Cinderella has been dead now for 200 years and the kingdom seems a lot more like The Handmaid's Tale than a loving fairy tale. Teenage girls are now required to go to the ball each year to be "chosen" by a man - is this some form of control and misogyny or is it an attempt to honor Cinderella and provide each girl her own fairy tale ending? If the girl is not chosen, she is forfeited and no one ever sees her again. What is going ON??

Our protagonist, Sophia, is a queer Black girl, and she is fierce, strong, and she starts to suspect something is grossly wrong with the way the world is. Why can't she be with the girl of her dreams and why is she being forced to get chosen by a man at the ball? Her awareness and wit force her in a situation where she is starting a resistance and uprising in the kingdom, whether she knows it or not. This rebooted "retelling" is unique, entertaining, and had so many twists! I absolutely devoured this book and cannot wait for more from the author. 4 stars!