The most recommended Cinderella books

Who picked these books? Meet our 51 experts.

51 authors created a book list connected to Cinderella, and here are their favorite Cinderella books.
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What type of Cinderella book?

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Book cover of Common

Katy Huth Jones Author Of Mercy's Prince

From my list on YA fantasy about hope in dark places.

Why am I passionate about this?

ā€œHope in dark placesā€ has been the theme of my life, beginning at age 17 when my parents disowned me for my faith. Iā€™ve walked through the ā€œvalley of the shadow of deathā€ twice, battling cancer, and endured many other struggles, which everyone faces at some time in their lives. Reading Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey as a teen gave me the courage to face the darkness, and so the characters in the stories I write and prefer to read do likewise.

Katy's book list on YA fantasy about hope in dark places

Katy Huth Jones Why did Katy love this book?

When I first started reading this fantasy book club selection, I thought it would be a simple sort-of-like Cinderella tale and didnā€™t expect to be sucked into Leahā€™s story. My heart went out to her for all the ways she was unfairly treated and misunderstood, for I have known that pain. She was trying to save the royal family, and the queen exiled her!

The best part about this story is how brave and loyal Leah is, and how she doesnā€™t complain, even when she has good reason. I remember how difficult it was not to complain when I was a teen, so I especially appreciate the encouragement Leah gives without realizing it.

By Laurie Lucking,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Common as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 13, 14, 15, and 16.

What is this book about?

Only one person knows of the plot against the royal family and cares enough to try to stop itā€”the servant girl they banished.

Leah spends her days scrubbing floors, polishing silver, and meekly curtsying to nobility. Nothing distinguishes her from the other commoners serving at the palace, except her red hair.

And her secret friendship with Rafe, the Crown Prince of Imperia.

But Leahā€™s safe, ordinary world begins to splinter. Rafeā€™s parents announce his betrothal to a foreign princess, and she unearths a plot to overthrow the royal family. When she reports it without proof, her life shatters completely whenā€¦


Book cover of This Poison Heart

Kelly Vincent Author Of Uglier

From Kelly's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Agender person LGBTQ+ advocate Reader Wordsmith Data nerd

Kelly's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Kelly Vincent Why did Kelly love this book?

This book surprised me, and I do love a pleasant surprise.

I originally wasnā€™t that interested in This Poison Heart because I knew it had something to do with plants, and I donā€™t care much about plants. But I picked it up because Bayronā€™s first book had a twist I enjoyed, and it turned out that Briseis ā€” the teenage star of this bookā€” was awesome and engaging, and the story was full of twists, with a feminist twist on classical mythology, a healthy spattering of diverse characters, and LGBTQ+ relationships.

This is my kind of book because Briseis learns a lot about herself and discovers an inner strength she never knew was there. I love to read and write stories like this.

By Kalynn Bayron,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked This Poison Heart as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

_______________ 'Kalynn Bayron does more than re-write a fairy-tale ... She breaks it apart and rebuilds it into a wholly original and captivating story where girls finally decide for themselves who lives happily ever after' - Brigid Kemmerer 'Brings much-needed inclusivity and contemporary flavor to the teen fantasy genre' - Kirkus Reviews 'A delicious mix of intoxicating fantasy and coming of age, steeped in Greek mythology and peppered with references to the Jordan Peele films Get Out and Us' - Observer New Review _______________ Ever since she can remember, Briseis has had power over plants. Flowers bloom in her footstepsā€¦


Book cover of The Beholder

Amanda Quain Author Of Ghosted: A Northanger Abbey Novel

From my list on cozying up with beside a fireplace with a cup of tea.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love being cozy more than just about anything ā€“ thatā€™s why I keep writing books set in boarding schools in the fall! My books are best served with a cup of tea and a purring kitten to get you through the sad bits ā€“ which, as we all know, just make romantic endings even more satisfying.

Amanda's book list on cozying up with beside a fireplace with a cup of tea

Amanda Quain Why did Amanda love this book?

Anna writes cozy romantic fantasies that feel like getting a hug from your best friend.

A Cinderella retelling (we love a retelling!) in which our main character, Selah, has to travel the world to find a husband to save her familyā€™s legacy, this book will have you giggling and gasping all the way to the end. And donā€™t worry ā€“ there is a sequel, The Boundless, and itā€™s just as good.

By Anna Bright,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Beholder as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

"Sparkles with beauty, intrigue, and romance."-Kiera Cass, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Selection series

Selah has waited her whole life for a happily ever after. As the only daughter of the leader of Potomac, she knows her duty is to find the perfect match.

But after an excruciatingly public rejection, Selah's stepmother suggests an unthinkable solution: Selah must set sail across the Atlantic to visit a series of potential suitors-and if she doesn't come home engaged, she shouldn't come home at all.

From the gardens of England to the fjords of Norge, Selah's quest will be theā€¦


Book cover of A Spark In The Cinders

Robyn Tocker Author Of Don't Go Swiftly, Darling

From Robyn's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Entrepreneur Gym monkey Book lover Dog wrangler

Robyn's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Robyn Tocker Why did Robyn love this book?

This is by far my favourite "evil stepsister" retelling, and definitely in the top three of my favourite Cinderella retellings.

The sass! The romance! The magic and fae lore! There were just so many different parts that I loved that it's almost impossible to narrow it down. So often, villain retellings try to redeem the villain without having them acknowledge the harm they caused, but Moke made Aralyn's redemption believable ā€“ I was rooting for her from the beginning!

By Jenny Elder Moke,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Spark In The Cinders as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

Holly Blackā€™s The Cruel Prince meets Jennifer Donnelly's Stepsister in this fairytale reimagining about a kingdom on the brink of ruin, and one wicked stepsisterā€™s journey to become the heroine of her own quest.
 
Aralyn has lost everything - the coveted glass slipper, the prince's hand in marriage, and her only chance to save her mother and sister from destitution. Now she spends her days sweeping the cinders and washing dresses as her stepsister Ellarose once did, plotting her revenge against the girl who robbed her of her future.
 
But when Ellarose, now the princess, comes to beg her helpā€¦


Book cover of Cinder

Christina Bacilieri Author Of The Last Refuge

From my list on YA books that blend fantastical magic with dystopian worlds.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve always been drawn to stories where characters discover the magic within and channel it to confront overwhelming odds. Dystopian fantasies meld the intricate worldbuilding of an oppressive world with a characterā€™s unique abilities to fight back. When I was a young adult, these types of books made the most challenging moments in life manageable, not only for the escapism but for their message of hope. They reminded me I wasnā€™t alone and that my voice mattered. At their core, theyā€™re made for the dreamer in all of us. They inspired me to become an author and write about the transformative power of self-discovery.

Christina's book list on YA books that blend fantastical magic with dystopian worlds

Christina Bacilieri Why did Christina love this book?

Between the high-stakes worldbuilding, Earth on the brink of war with Luna while battling a global pandemic, and Marissa Meyerā€™s fresh sci-fi take on magic, the story drew me in and wouldnā€™t let me go.

Iā€™m not ashamed to say I devoured this in one sitting. I was fascinated by the lunar peopleā€™s ability to use their ā€œgiftsā€ to manipulate bioelectricity, casting glamours and bewitching their victimā€™s minds. It added yet another layer of tension to the story.

The seamless fusion of dystopia, sci-fi, and elements from classic fairytales creates a powerhouse narrative that centers around Cinder, a cyborg mechanic whose fate is inexplicably twined with the princeā€™s in a race to find a cure and prevent the impending war.

By Marissa Meyer,

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked Cinder as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

A forbidden romance.
A deadly plague.
Earth's fate hinges on one girl . . .

CINDER, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She's reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen - and a dangerous temptation.

Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth's future.

This is not theā€¦


Book cover of Rhythm & Muse

JN Welsh Author Of In Tune

From my list on epic romances in the music world.

Why am I passionate about this?

Since the ripe old age of four, Iā€™ve loved the DJ. The first? My father, whose in-demand mix of music became the staple party starter in our Jamaican-American community on 176th Street in the Bronx. Iā€™d be at his knee watching him spin vinyl records on his turntables at home or carrying album crates for a club party. I have three loves: music, books, and romance. It seemed preordained that I'd become a writer and incorporate music. I wrote my first book in 2005. Twelve titles later, music, books, and anything romantic still top my list. I hope you enjoy the one Iā€™ve cultivated just for you.

JN's book list on epic romances in the music world

JN Welsh Why did JN love this book?

Aww. I love YA reads and India Hill Brown created a masterpiece with this story.

My heart cheered Darren on, wanting to just push him in front of Delia, who he believes is "the one". They're so cute as they fumble their way with tons of hilarious and nostalgic missteps. Being raised in the Bronx, I loved all the attention to details of city life that are sometimes missed, as well as how city kids, especially teens, navigate through it.

Itā€™s a heartwarming story filled with amazing poetry and lyrics and a satisfying ending. I smiled and laughed out loud while reading. I didnā€™t want it to end. 

By India Hill Brown,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Rhythm & Muse as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

Cinderella meets Cyrano in this pitch-perfect YA rom-com that is a celebration of Black joy, first crushes, and putting your heart on the line for love.

Darren Johnson lives in his head. There, he can pine for his crushā€”total dream girl, Delia Dawsonā€”in peace, away from the unsolicited opinions of his talkative family and showboat friends. When Delia announces a theme song contest for her popular podcast, Dillie D in the Place to Be, Darrenā€™s friendsā€”convinced heā€™ll never make a moveā€”submit one of his secret side projects for consideration.

After the anonymous romantic verse catches Dillieā€™s ear, she sets outā€¦


Book cover of Stepsister

Mary DeSantis Author Of Grimmfay: The Circus of Fairy Tales and Dreams

From Mary's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Disney nut Literary analyst Story whisperer Mistress of words Fantasy author

Mary's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Mary DeSantis Why did Mary love this book?

I loved this book because it was about me. Not literally (obviously), but when I put myself into fairy tales, I rarely see myself as the princessā€”classically beautiful, polite, kind under all circumstances, soft-spoken.

Not that I donā€™t have these qualities sometimes, but they arenā€™t the first things that jump to mind when I think of myself, and this book nailed how out-of-place and pushed aside not being the princess character can make you feel. For better or worse, Iā€™m a ā€œstepsister.ā€ Iā€™m messy and loud, and I say things I regret later.

And you know what? Thatā€™s okay.

By Jennifer Donnelly,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Stepsister as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.

What is this book about?

'In an ancient city by the sea, three sisters - a maiden, a mother, and a crone - are drawing maps by candlelight. Sombre, with piercing grey eyes, they are the three Fates, and every map is a human life . . .'

Stepsister takes up where Cinderella's tale ends. We meet Isabelle, the younger of Cinderella's two stepsisters. Ella is considered beautiful; stepsister Isabelle is not. Isabelle is fearless, brave, and strong-willed. She fences better than any boy, and takes her stallion over jumps that grown men fear to attempt. It doesn't matter, though; these qualities are not valuedā€¦


Book cover of Common
Book cover of This Poison Heart
Book cover of The Beholder

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