6 YA books inspired by Cinderella

Hey readers,

It’s been a while, don’t you think? But I’m back and with a lot write. On today’s post I decided to continue my mini series of books that are inspired by Disney movies. If you are curious, you can check the previous post about Mulan (here) and Beauty and the Beast (here).

I think that all of Disney movies, Cinderella must be the one that inspired more young-adult books (but also movies), don’t you agree? And in the last years I lost count, but I must have read quite a lot of versions of this story.

Here is the thing with me and Cinderella: I never get bored of it. Whatever is happening, it seems that the more Cinderella retellings I read, the more I fall in love with this story over and over again.

So I decided to put my detective vein to the test and find six books that I never read and that are inspired by the fairy tale that’s Cinderella. It wasn’t a hard job because there are millions of them but these really caught my attention.

Let me know in the comments which of these books have you read, and which ones would you recommend to me.

Shard of Glass by Emily Deady

‘Ashlin never pictured herself scrubbing floors. But with the family savings depleted and her stepmother crippled by grief, Ashlin selflessly takes a job at the royal palace. She can pursue her dreams of becoming a seamstress someday in the future.

However, as she forms an unlikely friendship with the prince, she learns that the future may not be so certain. Wielders of a powerful magic threaten their small coastal kingdom and Prince Onric does not believe that their defenses will hold. 

As Ashlin navigates growing feelings for the charming prince, she realizes that her unique skills could help save the kingdom. But can she trust the charming prince or he is merely exploiting her selfless nature?’ 

Cinders, Stars and Glass Slippers by Brittany Fichter

Since the murder of her gifted mother, Elaina has been sheltered on her father’s ship. But when Elaina’s secret is compromised, she must return to land and live under the king’s protection…much to Elaina’s objection. 

Ashland’s crown prince, Nicholas, has never been without. He is, however, facing a deadly foe who preys on his gifted citizens and a possible civil war. So when he meets Elaina, Nicholas delights in insisting she shares her military expertise gained on her father’s ship. He gets more than he bargains for, though, when he finds that he might have fallen for the one girl who refuses to fall for his charms. 

A dark turn of events finds Elaina exiled and forced into servitude, a civil war declared, and the murderer bloodthirstier than ever. Can Nicholas and Elaina defeat the dark forces that have poisoned their kingdom…and find their own happy ending as well? 

Traitor’s Masque by Kenley Davidson

After years of submitting to her stepmother’s unreasonable demands, Trystan finally has a chance to be free. The promise of a new life, in exchange for her help. Simple, right? After all, the old woman has only asked for one night. One night, one beautiful gown, one dance… and one message to be delivered to a mysterious recipient.

It should be easy. Maybe even fun. Especially when she can slip away into the night after the dance, leaving no clue as to her identity.

But before she can escape the ball, Trystan makes a shocking discovery that leaves all her hopes in ruins. She will be forced to confront two very different princes—and choose whether to betray her kingdom… or her heart.

Out of the Ashes by Alicia Buck

When Ashelandra’s father dies, she ends up a servant in her own house, instead of the Baroness she was supposed to become. But Ash’s secret sorcery could be the key to winning back her home and following her heart to a future she never imagined. This fantasy-infused Cinderella story puts a magical twist on a classic tale. 

Cinders: The Untold Story of Cinderella

Everything you’ve been told is wrong. 
Oh, not everything, I suppose. Yes, I turned a pumpkin into a coach and mice into horses. The stroke of midnight, the glass slippers, and the prince searching for a girl whose foot fit the shoe…those were all part of the story. 
And yet, the prince didn’t just fall in love with Cinderella because she looked good at the ball. Pigeon feathers and pollywogs! Could you respect him if he did? 
I most certainly could not. 
No, no, there was vastly more that happened before the night of the ball, and a great deal of international intrigue after. Cinderella was a warrior who saved the life of the prince and defended her kingdom from oppressors who were plotting to overthrow the king. 

Ella and Ash: Cinderella Reimagined by K.A. Last

Three years after her mother’s death, Ella is left with an absent father, a cruel stepmother, and a magical pendant so powerful she must keep it hidden. The pendant is the only connection Ella has with her mother, and she will do anything to protect it—even if it means becoming a servant in her own home. 

To escape her wicked stepfamily, Ella finds solace under the branches of the weeping willow beside her mother’s grave. Ella thought she could practice her magic there in secret, but when she is caught by Ashwin, the son of the richest lord in the county, Ella fears she may lose her pendant after all. 

Ashwin gains Ella’s trust by promising not to tell anyone about the pendant, but Ella knows they are from different worlds, and she is reluctant to open up to him too much. When Ashwin invites Ella to a masquerade ball, she sees it as a chance to escape her life, even if it is for just one night. 

But her pendant isn’t the only secret Ella has been keeping. If Ashwin learns who she really is, will the truth ruin her chance of happiness with him, or will it set her free?

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