Ash
Book description
The haunting, romantic lesbian retelling of Cinderella and modern queer classic by award-winning author Malinda Lo -- now with an introduction by Holly Black, a letter from the author, a Q&A, and more!
In the wake of her father's death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother.…
Why read it?
2 authors picked Ash as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
This book, a retelling of “Cinderella,” is widely considered to be a foundational queer retelling, and I wholeheartedly agree with that assessment.
It was the first queer retelling I ever read and continues to be a favorite. It inspired me to write my own queer retellings and is a fine example of a novel that didn’t need sweeping battles and world-ending threats to be compelling.
I found Ash’s journey through grief and her path to love to be strong in their own ways. Quietly powerful stories like Ash are what I most enjoy, though they are a rarity, especially in…
From Markelle's list on queer retellings that expertly subvert expectations.
This queer retelling of Cinderella is deep, moving, and engrossing. It features a young woman, Ash, dreaming of a better life—dreaming that fairies will rescue her from the terrible life she lives under the control of her stepmother. But when she meets Kaisa, the King’s Huntress, her desires slowly begin to change. This book has elegant, swirling prose, and tells a beautiful love story woven through with sadness, solitude, and longing.
From Ariele's list on Cinderella retellings with a unique spin.
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