Review: Cinder by Marie Sexton

Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale
Elements: magic

Rating:

• Characters - 3 - Pretty typical for this story, aside from Cinder and the Prince. The Prince's attitude is a little odd for someone of his class, really, but they're enjoyable enough to read.
• Setting - 4 - Very typical for this story, but well-described and believable.
• Plot - 4 - Cinderella with a guy, exactly as it says on the box.
• Genre Elements - 5 - This is one of the two places this story shines. Obviously Sexton knows and loves this fairy tale well, as the elements are all there and work quite well.
• Voice - 4 - Again, pretty typical for this story, no problem telling each character apart.
• Romance Elements - 5 - The other place this story shines. The boys are drawn to each other from the beginning, but it's not an easy road, and it's a satisfying ending once they get there.
• Overall - 4 - A very enjoyable version of the Cinderella story, but not the best one out there.

Basic story -
Cinder lives with his stepmother and her two daughters as little more than a servant. But a chance encounter with a young man in the woods changes everything.

My thoughts -
This is a very nice male/male version of the Cinderella fairy tale, but I probably would have enjoyed it a whole lot more if I had not already fallen so hard for Gryvon's version. This one's definitely for a wider audience than Gryvon's, though, as there are no BDSM elements, and the abuse is very minor at best. The ending is excellent, and will definitely please most readers. Really, aside from the fact that Cinder is male instead of female, this really is basically the classic story. It even includes the three balls aspect, which is something I am very fond of.

I will say that from the moment the Prince decides to wed Cinder's sister, that's when the story really takes off, because then it's quite a bit different from the classic tale we are all so familiar with. Between the already-growing friendship between Cinder and the Prince and the journey that brings them closer than ever before, you can't help but root for Cinder and hope things will turn out right.

As a fan of fairy tales, this one definitely pleased me, it just wasn't as great as others I'd read. Worth a read for those who prefer things on the lighter side.

Warnings -
Nothing, really. There is minor abuse mentioned, but in the Disney way--neglect or dislike more than horrible physical abuse.

Overall Recommendation -
A good read for those who love fairy tales, especially those who might shy away from the Gryvon version of this story.

Link to the story - Cinder (on Goodreads)
Author Link - Marie Sexton (on Goodreads)
If you liked this story, try -

• Cinder by Gryvon (AO3) (read my review here)
• Brendan and the Beast by Czarina Kodora (AO3) (read my review here)
• The Dream of a Thousand Nights by Shira Anthony (Goodreads) (read my review here)
• The Mist Behind and the Light Before by Cathalin (AO3)
• The Fairest in the Land by LuccaAce (FictionPress - unfinished story)