This one was an incredible take on a story that we all think was filled with love and happiness, it takes away the pristine façade and it completely bulldozes through it all. This is a story about fighting for one’s rights, and I have to say, this is my kind of story. I wanted to like the ending, because it was to be the saving grace at this point. But it was as bland as I found most of the rest of the story and ended in a predicable manner. King Manford doesn't really have a reason to be the way that he is, there's no point to his villainous nature, and I felt like the author kept pulling twists and turns and reveals from her sleeve at random to help make sense of things but they didn't add up. Sure, Sophia and Constance get what they want at the close, but we expect it. Nothing that came before it left a lasting impression. Maybe I am. But the difference is that I want to be found. I'm not happy pretending everything is fine when I know it's not."

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 … King Manford: King of Marsailles. Cunning and cruel. Upholds the laws that Sophia and Constance are fighting against. Despite everything that I didn't enjoy, the twist given to Amina's role—our “fairy godmother”—was great. No, she does not have much development either, but I'm glad that her character was different from what we expected. I like that it drew from a darker source and gave her a slightly more sinister veneer. Who she is to Manford came out of nowhere, but I suppose it works. And while the king's history before Cinderella is flimsy at best, the way that he keeps himself going was intriguing, and definitely fits his role of antagonist, even if it's something that has been done many times past. Together with her new friend, Constance, Sophia vows to return to the kingdom and dismantle the hurtful, unfair and savage system. It may not be easy though, as the King's power stems for a formidable and unusual place.

Reviews

DO SOPHIA AND CONTANCE END UP TOGETHER? They have to end up together or i might go on a murder spree👀 En este reino la historia de Cenicienta es como la biblia. Ya pasaron 200 alos desde que Cenicienta murió y todo lo que hace la gente está bastante en su relato. Todos los años el rey organiza un baile dónde las mujeres deben ser elegidas por un hombre que será su marido. Para ellas es obligatorio asistir y si después de 3 bailes seguidas no son elegidas la desgracia eterna les espera. As I mentioned, the only reason I can really recommend this book is for the inclusive representation. It’s an easy enough read with a fun twist on the classic fairytale and important elements of girls overthrowing the patriarchy. However, the unfulfilling execution of its promising premise left a lot to be desired

All those innocent women suffer from humiliation, threats and more abuse they can hardly stand for. Only way out for them attending to a ball and being chosen by proper candidate. If nobody chooses them they have to face a terrifying kind of threatening future awaits unwanted women. They get suspiciously vanished into thin air as if they have been never there at the first place.A huge thank you to Netgalley, Bloomsbury YA and Kalynn Bayron for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.