In the kingdom of Lille, the legend of Cinderella is used to oppress women. Every year, teenage girls must attend a mandatory ball where men choose their wives; those not selected face a grim, unknown fate. The protagonist, , is a 16-year-old girl who is in love with her best friend, Erin, and refuses to participate in this patriarchal ritual. After fleeing the ball, she teams up with Constance , a descendant of one of the "wicked" stepsisters, to overthrow the monarchy and uncover the dark truth behind the original fairy tale. Critical Reception

(original title: Cinderella Is Dead ) by Kalynn Bayron is a young adult fantasy novel that reimagines the classic fairy tale as a dystopian nightmare set 200 years after Cinderella's death. Core Premise

: Readers generally find it to be a fast-paced and engaging read with short chapters. However, some critics mentioned that the final 20% of the book feels rushed, with a resolution that happens too quickly.