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The GriMM Tales
Cinder
Cinder-Szule Reinholz has no intention of marrying his kingdom’s rake of a prince.
His place in the world is to keep his incompetent, destitute household afloat. It’s the only respectable thing he’s managed since his mother wasted her dying breath tasking him to do good, and the sins he’s stacked against that duty grow by the day—along with the bastards he’s stabbed and left for dead.
But while slinking through the royal matchmaker ball, Cin stumbles onto the prince mid-conquest. He’s whisked into a thrilling affair, as secretive as the magic that conceals his status and the feathers he leaves in his victim’s wounds. As Cin learns more of the prince’s familial burdens and perceived failures, his yearning delves beyond the prince's striking physique to his tender and attentive heart.
Cin’s nightly escapades are not going unnoticed by his family, though—not his time with the prince, nor his vigilante missions. Just as the King and Queen are presenting their own son’s hand in marriage like a trophy for the taking, they’ve offered a prize for whoever identifies the killer roaming their streets.
Caught between duty, desire, and something far darker, Cin fights for a future that doesn’t leave him trapped in someone else’s world—or their dungeons.
CINDER is a mid/high-heat M/M retelling with a transmasc, vigilante Cinderella. This novel is part of a series of interconnected Grimm fairy tales that can be read as standalones, each with its own Happy Ever After! Content includes familial emotional abuse, references to physical abuse suffered by side characters, one scene with story-relevant gore and mutilation, magical top surgery, and multiple spice scenes.
His place in the world is to keep his incompetent, destitute household afloat. It’s the only respectable thing he’s managed since his mother wasted her dying breath tasking him to do good, and the sins he’s stacked against that duty grow by the day—along with the bastards he’s stabbed and left for dead.
But while slinking through the royal matchmaker ball, Cin stumbles onto the prince mid-conquest. He’s whisked into a thrilling affair, as secretive as the magic that conceals his status and the feathers he leaves in his victim’s wounds. As Cin learns more of the prince’s familial burdens and perceived failures, his yearning delves beyond the prince's striking physique to his tender and attentive heart.
Cin’s nightly escapades are not going unnoticed by his family, though—not his time with the prince, nor his vigilante missions. Just as the King and Queen are presenting their own son’s hand in marriage like a trophy for the taking, they’ve offered a prize for whoever identifies the killer roaming their streets.
Caught between duty, desire, and something far darker, Cin fights for a future that doesn’t leave him trapped in someone else’s world—or their dungeons.
CINDER is a mid/high-heat M/M retelling with a transmasc, vigilante Cinderella. This novel is part of a series of interconnected Grimm fairy tales that can be read as standalones, each with its own Happy Ever After! Content includes familial emotional abuse, references to physical abuse suffered by side characters, one scene with story-relevant gore and mutilation, magical top surgery, and multiple spice scenes.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2025
47 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
About the author
D.N. Bryn
17 books780 followersD.N. Bryn is a queer, disabled author of speculative fiction and fantasy romance.
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September 26, 2025
Arc Review: Cinder The GriMM Tales by D.N. Bryn
MC Cin & Lorenz 4⭐
Tropes & tags
🕊️Trans Cinderella
🗡️Aro Playboy Prince
🕊️Pigeon Magic
🗡️Vigilante Killer
🕊️Friends with Benefits-to-Marriage
🗡️Complex Family Dynamics
Loved the pigeons—what a wonderful flock 🪽🪽🪽.
This retelling was incredibly well done, with the way the original Cinderella story folds so naturally into D.N. Bryn’s darker, queerer, more twisted approach. Cin’s family is just as disgusting and irritating as in the classic tale, a bunch of bullying abusers (JFC), and seeing them here made me want to scream all over again, especially that horrible father.
The writing was engaging and twisty; I almost feel bad I read this during a slump because I couldn’t appreciate it as much as I wanted to. There’s definitely a heavy dose of insta-lust, but honestly, if we think about the original fairy tales—aren’t they all like this? What I loved most is how Bryn kept the bones of the original (we even get the fitting of the shoe, with a gory side god…🤐) while still twisting it into something fresh, surprising, and completely new. 👏👏👏👏
Cin himself is such an incredible character. He’s a total badass, but also strong and fragile at the same time. I loved that instead of just being the patient, pious victim, he becomes a vigilante—fighting back against cruelty, saving the helpless, and stepping into the role of protector. His family is horrible in this retelling, as expected, but the fact that he breaks free and finds happiness was so satisfying. I haven’t read many books with trans representation, but this one is written from a place of knowledge and heart—you can feel the author’s own pain and happiness flowing through the pages, and that just add to the story.
Lorenz, on the other hand, is full of life and such a delight to read. His conversations with Cin were some of my favorite moments. I’ll admit, there were points where I was ready to give up on him—I found him a bit frustrating and wasn’t sure I even liked him—but then the twist in his story came, and suddenly everything about him made sense. His aromantic identity and the way it was woven into the narrative completely shifted my perspective, and by the end I truly appreciated his journey. I’ll be honest, I still struggle a little when reading about aromantic characters—it leaves me with a sense of emptiness, like something is missing—but that’s more about my own perspective as a reader than the story itself.
And unlike the original fairytale, it isn’t the prince who does the saving here—it’s Cinder, over and over again, rescuing Lorenz and others, like the badass plumed menace he is 🪽. That inversion of the classic trope was honestly one of my favorite parts.
I’ll be honest: I did feel the story dragged a little in the middle, and for a while I thought the book might be too long for the plot it was telling. But in the end the twists, the character growth, and the way everything tied together more than paid off.
On top of that, the cameos were delightful—Elias, Henrik, and Johan from The Elves and the Shoemaker reappearing, plus an appearance from the Frog Prince (and I definitely have suspicions who he is💚). These little crossovers make the world feel alive, like every tale is connected.
This series keeps surprising me, and Cinder might be my favorite retelling yet. It’s raw, emotional, and unapologetically queer—a fairytale reimagined with teeth, wings, and heart, and the most beautiful cover hands down!
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
⚠️Author TWs
Familial gaslighting and emotional manipulation
Off-screen physical abuse of side characters
Death of an animal companion
One scene of minor body mutilation
Three major sexual scenes
Chronic pain and dysphoria healed through magical surgery (author’s own voice representation)
❣️Book Safety & Content
Cheating: no
OM/OW Drama: no, but when they first met the prince was having sex on a balcony with a woman.
Sharing: No
Third-Act Breakup: Yes, mutual agreement
Role Dynamics:The dynamic between them isn’t about strict sexual roles or versatility, but about what feels affirming for Cinder and safe for Lorenz. Cinder takes the active/penetrative role, but it’s written with a lot of sensitivity toward gender, body, and identity
POV: 3th person (single)
Format: Series of interconnected Grimm fairy tales that can be read as standalones
Ending: HFN
Angst Level: Low
Spice Level: Medium
MC Cin & Lorenz 4⭐
”I wish for my body to feel like a home, instead of a house.”
Tropes & tags
🕊️Trans Cinderella
🗡️Aro Playboy Prince
🕊️Pigeon Magic
🗡️Vigilante Killer
🕊️Friends with Benefits-to-Marriage
🗡️Complex Family Dynamics
Loved the pigeons—what a wonderful flock 🪽🪽🪽.
This retelling was incredibly well done, with the way the original Cinderella story folds so naturally into D.N. Bryn’s darker, queerer, more twisted approach. Cin’s family is just as disgusting and irritating as in the classic tale, a bunch of bullying abusers (JFC), and seeing them here made me want to scream all over again, especially that horrible father.
The writing was engaging and twisty; I almost feel bad I read this during a slump because I couldn’t appreciate it as much as I wanted to. There’s definitely a heavy dose of insta-lust, but honestly, if we think about the original fairy tales—aren’t they all like this? What I loved most is how Bryn kept the bones of the original (we even get the fitting of the shoe, with a gory side god…🤐) while still twisting it into something fresh, surprising, and completely new. 👏👏👏👏
Cin himself is such an incredible character. He’s a total badass, but also strong and fragile at the same time. I loved that instead of just being the patient, pious victim, he becomes a vigilante—fighting back against cruelty, saving the helpless, and stepping into the role of protector. His family is horrible in this retelling, as expected, but the fact that he breaks free and finds happiness was so satisfying. I haven’t read many books with trans representation, but this one is written from a place of knowledge and heart—you can feel the author’s own pain and happiness flowing through the pages, and that just add to the story.
Lorenz, on the other hand, is full of life and such a delight to read. His conversations with Cin were some of my favorite moments. I’ll admit, there were points where I was ready to give up on him—I found him a bit frustrating and wasn’t sure I even liked him—but then the twist in his story came, and suddenly everything about him made sense. His aromantic identity and the way it was woven into the narrative completely shifted my perspective, and by the end I truly appreciated his journey. I’ll be honest, I still struggle a little when reading about aromantic characters—it leaves me with a sense of emptiness, like something is missing—but that’s more about my own perspective as a reader than the story itself.
And unlike the original fairytale, it isn’t the prince who does the saving here—it’s Cinder, over and over again, rescuing Lorenz and others, like the badass plumed menace he is 🪽. That inversion of the classic trope was honestly one of my favorite parts.
I’ll be honest: I did feel the story dragged a little in the middle, and for a while I thought the book might be too long for the plot it was telling. But in the end the twists, the character growth, and the way everything tied together more than paid off.
On top of that, the cameos were delightful—Elias, Henrik, and Johan from The Elves and the Shoemaker reappearing, plus an appearance from the Frog Prince (and I definitely have suspicions who he is💚). These little crossovers make the world feel alive, like every tale is connected.
This series keeps surprising me, and Cinder might be my favorite retelling yet. It’s raw, emotional, and unapologetically queer—a fairytale reimagined with teeth, wings, and heart, and the most beautiful cover hands down!
You will not touch the man I l-l—”
The word cut off in a cry. Between the strands of his ripped shirt, the serrated bonds that locked his heart pulsed with darkness as they writhed deeper into him. He grabbed for them, blood welling between his fingers, and Cin grabbed with him. Lorenz’s eyes met Cin’s, endless and open, no longer a pool but the completeness of the night sky, brimming with something so precious Cin did not have to guess at it.
“I love—” Lorenz managed, crying out in pain at the final word.
And Cin whispered back, “I love you, too.”
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
⚠️Author TWs
Familial gaslighting and emotional manipulation
Off-screen physical abuse of side characters
Death of an animal companion
One scene of minor body mutilation
Three major sexual scenes
Chronic pain and dysphoria healed through magical surgery (author’s own voice representation)
❣️Book Safety & Content
Cheating: no
OM/OW Drama: no, but when they first met the prince was having sex on a balcony with a woman.
Sharing: No
Third-Act Breakup: Yes, mutual agreement
Role Dynamics:The dynamic between them isn’t about strict sexual roles or versatility, but about what feels affirming for Cinder and safe for Lorenz. Cinder takes the active/penetrative role, but it’s written with a lot of sensitivity toward gender, body, and identity
POV: 3th person (single)
Format: Series of interconnected Grimm fairy tales that can be read as standalones
Ending: HFN
Angst Level: Low
Spice Level: Medium
September 26, 2025
Wow - where to start?
Cinder by D.N. Bryn is a phenomenal dark mm Cinderella retelling. Cin is a trans man wishing for a better life, a family that appreciates and helps him as they should, and a society that cares for it's members instead of hurts them. Ren is a reluctant cis Prince still greiving the recent loss of his brother, the natural choice as heir to the throne, and fighting a greivous internal battle of love and fear. The romance between Ren and Cin is
I love how these characters are written; the feelings are palpable, the experiences feel so accurate and real, and I found myself growing to cherish Ren and Cin as the story progressed. The general queer acceptance, how naturally Ren and Cin interacted, and the beautiful representation of trans experience is unmatched. I cannot express this enough; Cinder is a beautiful story of two beautiful people, and how cruel the world can be. Masterfully written; there's a perfect balance between the darkness of the external forces on Cin and Ren with their tender love and care, which raises Cinder to such a high level for me.
While I enjoy the GriMM world ad I've had a good time with all the books so far, Cinder is my favorite in the series at this point. I'm so excited to see where the series goes in the remaining three books. I can tell Cinder will stick with me for a long, long time. I highly recommend everyone give this story a read!
Don't mind me checking out D.N. Bryn's backlist in the coming months. I may have found a new favorite, auro-read author!
Cinder by D.N. Bryn is a phenomenal dark mm Cinderella retelling. Cin is a trans man wishing for a better life, a family that appreciates and helps him as they should, and a society that cares for it's members instead of hurts them. Ren is a reluctant cis Prince still greiving the recent loss of his brother, the natural choice as heir to the throne, and fighting a greivous internal battle of love and fear. The romance between Ren and Cin is
I love how these characters are written; the feelings are palpable, the experiences feel so accurate and real, and I found myself growing to cherish Ren and Cin as the story progressed. The general queer acceptance, how naturally Ren and Cin interacted, and the beautiful representation of trans experience is unmatched. I cannot express this enough; Cinder is a beautiful story of two beautiful people, and how cruel the world can be. Masterfully written; there's a perfect balance between the darkness of the external forces on Cin and Ren with their tender love and care, which raises Cinder to such a high level for me.
While I enjoy the GriMM world ad I've had a good time with all the books so far, Cinder is my favorite in the series at this point. I'm so excited to see where the series goes in the remaining three books. I can tell Cinder will stick with me for a long, long time. I highly recommend everyone give this story a read!
Don't mind me checking out D.N. Bryn's backlist in the coming months. I may have found a new favorite, auro-read author!
October 2, 2025
4,5 ⭐️
This series let me tell you, is so good! I totally get suck in into the worldbuilding with every book 🥰 And I was so excited for the retelling of Cinderella cause let's be honest, it's a big one ✨️
Cinder has a very unthankful and cruesome family. Well, except for one member, and thank god for that 🙈 Lorenz is a prince and his parents have one wish for him: to get married as soon as possible.
The writing, the story, the backgrounds of the characters? Fantastic.
The fact that Cinder is trans was very well written and when he got the opportunity to embrace that for real, I got a little emotional, not gonna lie 🤧
I'm so hyped now for The Frog Prince 😌
This series let me tell you, is so good! I totally get suck in into the worldbuilding with every book 🥰 And I was so excited for the retelling of Cinderella cause let's be honest, it's a big one ✨️
Cinder has a very unthankful and cruesome family. Well, except for one member, and thank god for that 🙈 Lorenz is a prince and his parents have one wish for him: to get married as soon as possible.
The writing, the story, the backgrounds of the characters? Fantastic.
The fact that Cinder is trans was very well written and when he got the opportunity to embrace that for real, I got a little emotional, not gonna lie 🤧
I'm so hyped now for The Frog Prince 😌
September 26, 2025
D.N. Bryn brings us the next GriMM Tale retelling with Cinder. I have loved everything I've read from the author and this story was no exception. Cinder (Cin) is a trans man navigating a hard life while trying to find balance in himself: both his body and soul. D.N. writes amazing trans representation and Cin is another perfect example. Enter Prince Lorenz who has an abundance of his own struggles, but sees something in Cin that no one else has. This is a beautiful love story grounded in not only what is, but what could be if we allow ourselves to look past the obvious. I will reread this tale again and again!
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)
September 28, 2025
This is my favorite of the GriMM series so far!
I went into this book knowing that a transmasc retelling of Cinderella could be a challenging read for me personally. I was also really curious what direction DN Bryn was going to take it (which is why I *really* wanted to read it). And I love what they did with this story.
Cin lives in an abusive family environment. He is also a vigilante assassin, who channels all his pent-up rage into ridding the world of dangerous people (mostly serial perpetrators of DV). It was exactly this duality that hooked me from the start. No matter how much gaslighting he internalizes in the moment, Cin never stays powerless for long, and that empowerment (even if 🗡️💀 is wrong) makes all the difference.
I found one thing strangely decent about Cin's horrible family, though. They never misgender him. I liked that a lot.
I could write paragraphs about how good the romance part of this book is (very!). Cin & Lorenz riff off of each other every chance they get but they also have heartbreakingly gentle and swoony moments. I felt for them so much!
Really, this book absolutely stands on its own, and I'd recommend it even if you don't read the rest of the series.
Thank you to DN Bryn and the rest of the GriMM authors for trusting me with an ARC!
I went into this book knowing that a transmasc retelling of Cinderella could be a challenging read for me personally. I was also really curious what direction DN Bryn was going to take it (which is why I *really* wanted to read it). And I love what they did with this story.
Cin lives in an abusive family environment. He is also a vigilante assassin, who channels all his pent-up rage into ridding the world of dangerous people (mostly serial perpetrators of DV). It was exactly this duality that hooked me from the start. No matter how much gaslighting he internalizes in the moment, Cin never stays powerless for long, and that empowerment (even if 🗡️💀 is wrong) makes all the difference.
I found one thing strangely decent about Cin's horrible family, though. They never misgender him. I liked that a lot.
I could write paragraphs about how good the romance part of this book is (very!). Cin & Lorenz riff off of each other every chance they get but they also have heartbreakingly gentle and swoony moments. I felt for them so much!
Really, this book absolutely stands on its own, and I'd recommend it even if you don't read the rest of the series.
Thank you to DN Bryn and the rest of the GriMM authors for trusting me with an ARC!
October 2, 2025
A BANGER!!!!! I LOVE PIGEONS!!!!!
this book had a big meaty plot I could really dig my teeth into, and I also really like the Prince. Like where can I get my own Prince?????
also the GORE i looooooved it. such a good read. you should read it.
this book had a big meaty plot I could really dig my teeth into, and I also really like the Prince. Like where can I get my own Prince?????
also the GORE i looooooved it. such a good read. you should read it.
October 1, 2025
4⭐
I loved the pigeons, just a fantastic utilisation that's very on point with the original tale. I really liked the beginning too: (spoiler for something that happens in the very first paragraph)
This book also truly nails the indignation and the macabre of the original. Cin's emotions are vivid and I definitely wanted to strangle half the characters. It's also very believable how Cin isn't able to push back to his family, family ties are complicated and he's been so gaslit into feeling guilt of everything in the world. It's painful. I've read D.N. Bryn before but one can tell there's some writing chops here. But still I wasn't consumed. I had some niggles.
Apparently I am a prude but I still can't get over the fact that these two meet while the prince is and Cin is so taken that he needs to masturbate that night. Look, I definitely warmed up to Lorenz, but ew.
The romance in general didn't quite go as I'd hoped. These two meet more than a couple of nights, and create a connection but I didn't really get all the confusion and reasoning of what could be and couldn't be. They lay out some rules but immediately break those, and it's all very clouded. And the amount of heartache Cin endures, I feel the prince's revelation is a bit of letdown. It's another quest for Cin, the poor boy can't get a minute of rest from fixing everyone else's problems. I wanted the prince to fix it and then some groveling. (He does accept Cin fully which is wonderful though, but you still can't deprive me of groveling porn.)
The trans rep (and everything rep) is great as expected from the author. As and avid hater of the word 'folds', I need to tell you it was encountered here, but luckily only in one paragraph!
But yeah, it's a wild pigeon-ride and a great retelling, even if it didn't quite hit the jackpot with my personal tastes of romance.
I loved the pigeons, just a fantastic utilisation that's very on point with the original tale. I really liked the beginning too: (spoiler for something that happens in the very first paragraph)
This book also truly nails the indignation and the macabre of the original. Cin's emotions are vivid and I definitely wanted to strangle half the characters. It's also very believable how Cin isn't able to push back to his family, family ties are complicated and he's been so gaslit into feeling guilt of everything in the world. It's painful. I've read D.N. Bryn before but one can tell there's some writing chops here. But still I wasn't consumed. I had some niggles.
Apparently I am a prude but I still can't get over the fact that these two meet while the prince is and Cin is so taken that he needs to masturbate that night. Look, I definitely warmed up to Lorenz, but ew.
The romance in general didn't quite go as I'd hoped. These two meet more than a couple of nights, and create a connection but I didn't really get all the confusion and reasoning of what could be and couldn't be. They lay out some rules but immediately break those, and it's all very clouded. And the amount of heartache Cin endures, I feel the prince's revelation is a bit of letdown. It's another quest for Cin, the poor boy can't get a minute of rest from fixing everyone else's problems. I wanted the prince to fix it and then some groveling. (He does accept Cin fully which is wonderful though, but you still can't deprive me of groveling porn.)
The trans rep (and everything rep) is great as expected from the author. As and avid hater of the word 'folds', I need to tell you it was encountered here, but luckily only in one paragraph!
But yeah, it's a wild pigeon-ride and a great retelling, even if it didn't quite hit the jackpot with my personal tastes of romance.
October 5, 2025
This book was everything. The series just keeps getting better and better with every installment, and Cinder absolutely stole my heart. Cin and Lorenz’s story was so beautifully written—gentle, loving, and quietly powerful in the way it unfolded. And the Trans representation was written with such pain and care…
I adored how they were instantly obsessed with each other, no matter how much they tried to resist it. Their chemistry leapt off the page, filled with tenderness and an ache that made every glance, every touch, feel meaningful.
Watching Cin slowly step into himself—accepting who he truly is, piece by piece—was breathtaking. His journey toward finding a body and life that finally felt like his own was written with such grace and care, and the pure joy and relief he felt made me tear up more than once. It was such a stunning portrayal of self-acceptance, wrapped in magic, danger, and love.
Seeing Cin finally get justice for the wrongs his family inflicted was deeply satisfying and well-earned. After carrying the weight of their failures and cruelty for so long, watching him reclaim his power and confront the legacy that tried to define him felt cathartic.
And the spice? Oh, the spice was spicy—but still so gentle and intimate.
(HELLO MAGICAL STRAP ON?😉😉)
Every scene felt passionate and deeply emotional, never gratuitous, just two people connecting completely.
Thank you so much to the author for the advanced reader copy and for trusting me with writing this review. This story was a gift, and I’m so grateful I got to experience it early.
I adored how they were instantly obsessed with each other, no matter how much they tried to resist it. Their chemistry leapt off the page, filled with tenderness and an ache that made every glance, every touch, feel meaningful.
Watching Cin slowly step into himself—accepting who he truly is, piece by piece—was breathtaking. His journey toward finding a body and life that finally felt like his own was written with such grace and care, and the pure joy and relief he felt made me tear up more than once. It was such a stunning portrayal of self-acceptance, wrapped in magic, danger, and love.
Seeing Cin finally get justice for the wrongs his family inflicted was deeply satisfying and well-earned. After carrying the weight of their failures and cruelty for so long, watching him reclaim his power and confront the legacy that tried to define him felt cathartic.
And the spice? Oh, the spice was spicy—but still so gentle and intimate.
(HELLO MAGICAL STRAP ON?😉😉)
Every scene felt passionate and deeply emotional, never gratuitous, just two people connecting completely.
Thank you so much to the author for the advanced reader copy and for trusting me with writing this review. This story was a gift, and I’m so grateful I got to experience it early.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2025
Ok, so here comes the truth… I had a hard time trying to connect to the authors writing style/understanding their voice. Not every reader is gonna click with every writing style… BUT by the time I made it 1/3 of the way in, that didn’t matter anymore, because the story being told was so very compelling. I was hooked!
It just took me a moment to get into the groove.
This retelling is different from the rest before, but it fits into the overall narrative of this created “GriMM Universe”.
I think this was a creative and unique take on the original Cinderella. It changed just enough of the story to make it interesting, but also provided some of the original story/lore.
I did miss the fairy godmother, and the evil step mother bing truly vile and evil (she eventually is very villainous but it doesn’t happen until the climax of the book), but the fairy godmother wasn’t needed for the story the author was trying to tell. We all are capable of magic. We all are capable of change. We all have what we need inside of us to succeed. I think the authors message was very clear and their version of Cinder is a hero for the ages we can all root for. Cinder in this version is essentially the Pigeon Lady from Home Alone 2 and Dexter Morgan. It’s very dark, very gory and honestly I was so here for that.
I will be reading this one again!
Thank you to D.N. Bryn and their team for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
It just took me a moment to get into the groove.
This retelling is different from the rest before, but it fits into the overall narrative of this created “GriMM Universe”.
I think this was a creative and unique take on the original Cinderella. It changed just enough of the story to make it interesting, but also provided some of the original story/lore.
I did miss the fairy godmother, and the evil step mother bing truly vile and evil (she eventually is very villainous but it doesn’t happen until the climax of the book), but the fairy godmother wasn’t needed for the story the author was trying to tell. We all are capable of magic. We all are capable of change. We all have what we need inside of us to succeed. I think the authors message was very clear and their version of Cinder is a hero for the ages we can all root for. Cinder in this version is essentially the Pigeon Lady from Home Alone 2 and Dexter Morgan. It’s very dark, very gory and honestly I was so here for that.
I will be reading this one again!
Thank you to D.N. Bryn and their team for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
October 19, 2025
Wowww this book is dark, but I honestly loved it. I love how queerness is so casually normal in this universe. Cin’s unsafe binding practices made me want to punch a bitch. Cin’s family also made me want to punch a bitch. I was howwwling when Cin told Floy that he fucked Lorenz in the dovecote. I still don’t even know what a dovecote is. Did they deserve their deliciously gory end? Probably not, but oh well. Anyway.
First I thought Prince Lorenz was aromantic and/or demisexual, and the reveal that he had bound his heart was unexpected and weird. I did relate to his devastating reaction to losing his brother, but why can’t he love anyone as a result of that? That wasn’t really explained well. And then in the end it turns out he *is* aromantic? Not sure if I was a fan of his representation.
But I love a character like Cin, who has a heart of gold, even with all of his fucked up history. His relationship with his family is described as “terrible, excruciating love,” and I think I’ll be using that term for a few toxic relationships in my life from now on.
In conclusion… “The thorns in your side should be from the roses that sweeten your life. If they are not, pull them out.” What a great quote, and if only it were that simple.
First I thought Prince Lorenz was aromantic and/or demisexual, and the reveal that he had bound his heart was unexpected and weird. I did relate to his devastating reaction to losing his brother, but why can’t he love anyone as a result of that? That wasn’t really explained well. And then in the end it turns out he *is* aromantic? Not sure if I was a fan of his representation.
But I love a character like Cin, who has a heart of gold, even with all of his fucked up history. His relationship with his family is described as “terrible, excruciating love,” and I think I’ll be using that term for a few toxic relationships in my life from now on.
In conclusion… “The thorns in your side should be from the roses that sweeten your life. If they are not, pull them out.” What a great quote, and if only it were that simple.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2025
Prepare to be swept away by a Cinderella story that defies conventions and is an absolute delight. As the fifth installment in the enchanting Grimm fairytales series, this book beautifully recounts the tale of Cin and Prince Lorenz. By incorporating familiar elements of the classic Cinderella narrative - such as an evil stepmother, heartless stepsiblings, and a captivating prince - and adding a fresh twist, this retelling is a true masterpiece. Cin's story is one of resilience, as he seeks to overcome the constraints of his ordinary life and unlock his true potential. Prince Lorenz, on the other hand, is facing a daunting challenge: finding a suitable marriage partner within an incredibly short six-week timeframe, but he's about to discover that love can surprise him in the most unexpected way.
It's challenging to elaborate on this review without giving away too much, as I genuinely want to preserve the surprise for everyone, but trust me when I say this Cinderella retelling is a game-changer we all need.
It's challenging to elaborate on this review without giving away too much, as I genuinely want to preserve the surprise for everyone, but trust me when I say this Cinderella retelling is a game-changer we all need.
October 2, 2025
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book. I continue to enjoy the world of the GriMM tales. The overlap and interconnected nature of these stories adds another layer to these reimagined fairy tales. I thought that the love story of Cin and Lorenz was well crafted and I found myself drawn to the seemingly unconditional love of the two characters despite the challenges they are both bringing to the relationship.
The side characters were interesting and well crafted but I wanted more of them and from them. I think that Cin’s family are great characters but I felt their development was limited.
The magic system was very interesting and I felt that the way that Cin’s character grew and developed throughout the story was really great to watch. The pacing of the actual story was a bit slow with the repeated ball scenes which caused my interest to flag in the middle of the book but once we got toward the end I found the conclusion to be very satisfying.
I’m looking forward to getting into the next installment of the series and to see where the story goes. These two books seem to be (perhaps) more closely related than some others in the series.
The side characters were interesting and well crafted but I wanted more of them and from them. I think that Cin’s family are great characters but I felt their development was limited.
The magic system was very interesting and I felt that the way that Cin’s character grew and developed throughout the story was really great to watch. The pacing of the actual story was a bit slow with the repeated ball scenes which caused my interest to flag in the middle of the book but once we got toward the end I found the conclusion to be very satisfying.
I’m looking forward to getting into the next installment of the series and to see where the story goes. These two books seem to be (perhaps) more closely related than some others in the series.
October 11, 2025
4.25 stars
I love D.N. Bryn. They are an amazing author and an amazing human being, and all of that shows in Cinder. I have never really been a big fan of the Cinderella fairy tale, especially not the Disney-fied version, but make it trans and queer? I was sold. I loved how D.N. Bryn definitely used mostly the original Grimm's fairy tale version of Cinderella, which is actually way more grim (not pun intended, but kinda) and bloody (see the step sisters hacking off toes and such to fit into the glass slipper). Cinder is such an intriguing character. He has so much strength and depth. There are so many layers to him. He's a son, a brother, a slave, a caregiver, a trans man, queer, and a vigilante assassin. He on his own could carry this story by himself, but the Prince adds so much as well. The Prince is shrouded in this emotional mystery for a good portion of the book. Him and Cin get undeniably close, but there is something that seems to be in the middle of everything. When the source of the Prince's aromantic attraction was revealed as a "curse," I was so worried that a "journey to heal him" subplot would ensue, but I held out hope with my faith in D.N. Bryn and, thankfully, that's not how it played out. By the end, Cin and the Prince's communication was very well done and made me believe that their HEA would be a lasting one. I have had so much fun in this universe and this was no exception to that.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I love D.N. Bryn. They are an amazing author and an amazing human being, and all of that shows in Cinder. I have never really been a big fan of the Cinderella fairy tale, especially not the Disney-fied version, but make it trans and queer? I was sold. I loved how D.N. Bryn definitely used mostly the original Grimm's fairy tale version of Cinderella, which is actually way more grim (not pun intended, but kinda) and bloody (see the step sisters hacking off toes and such to fit into the glass slipper). Cinder is such an intriguing character. He has so much strength and depth. There are so many layers to him. He's a son, a brother, a slave, a caregiver, a trans man, queer, and a vigilante assassin. He on his own could carry this story by himself, but the Prince adds so much as well. The Prince is shrouded in this emotional mystery for a good portion of the book. Him and Cin get undeniably close, but there is something that seems to be in the middle of everything. When the source of the Prince's aromantic attraction was revealed as a "curse," I was so worried that a "journey to heal him" subplot would ensue, but I held out hope with my faith in D.N. Bryn and, thankfully, that's not how it played out. By the end, Cin and the Prince's communication was very well done and made me believe that their HEA would be a lasting one. I have had so much fun in this universe and this was no exception to that.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 2, 2025
Two young people who have been pressured into a certain role most of their lives. Magic, dark and light. Friendship and....love.
This is a fantastic take on the original fairy tale. I really love how many aspects made it into this very unique retelling full of action and heart. Filled with despair for things that can't be and hope, that there might be a chance for a better future after all. Neither Cinder nor Lorenz start with the intention of their unlikely friendship ever going beyond anything but that. But feelings start to bloom and not even the most dire of circumstances will be able to pull them again the end.
This is a fantastic take on the original fairy tale. I really love how many aspects made it into this very unique retelling full of action and heart. Filled with despair for things that can't be and hope, that there might be a chance for a better future after all. Neither Cinder nor Lorenz start with the intention of their unlikely friendship ever going beyond anything but that. But feelings start to bloom and not even the most dire of circumstances will be able to pull them again the end.
October 1, 2025
3.5 stars
Cin can’t get out from under his family ties and the guilt that weighs him down.
No matter how many times he tried to tell himself he wasn’t good. He was the best out of all of them.
And he and his magical flock will prove it. And they do.
It was nice to see Cin’s transformation and how happy he was. Not entirely sure why we didn’t go all the way. But still happy for him.
It felt like a lot happened in a short time so it kind of felt rushed to be honest. But an HEA never the less
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to arc read this novel.
Cin can’t get out from under his family ties and the guilt that weighs him down.
No matter how many times he tried to tell himself he wasn’t good. He was the best out of all of them.
And he and his magical flock will prove it. And they do.
It was nice to see Cin’s transformation and how happy he was. Not entirely sure why we didn’t go all the way. But still happy for him.
It felt like a lot happened in a short time so it kind of felt rushed to be honest. But an HEA never the less
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to arc read this novel.
September 26, 2025
Cinder is part of the multi author The GriMM Tales series. Each book can be read as a standalone but why not enjoy the whole series. This is the MM retelling of Cinderella. This the story of Cinder(Cin) and prince Lorenz(Ren). This story is one of my favorites in the series. It was so well done and different from the original fable and not just because it's MM. Cin is a trans man who becomes a vigilante, he definitely isn't a victim. The romance between Cin and Ren was done so well. I loved watching these two figure things out. I loved the twist at the end of the book. I will definitely be reading this book again. I would definitely recommend this book and series.
received a free review copy
received a free review copy
September 20, 2025
✨️ARC Review✨️
4,5⭐️
2,5🌶
A new GriMM book is here, and this one had me hyped from the start—mainly because I’m trans myself. The representation in this story is outstanding. The way gender dysphoria is written, that feeling of being trapped in your own body, and the details about binding… it all felt so authentic and raw. Honestly, it hit so close to reality for a trans FTM.
Trans Cinder? I didn’t know I needed it, but now I can’t get enough. SIGN ME IN! I love it. But at some times it felt kinda long, but its probably only a me problem.
4,5⭐️
2,5🌶
A new GriMM book is here, and this one had me hyped from the start—mainly because I’m trans myself. The representation in this story is outstanding. The way gender dysphoria is written, that feeling of being trapped in your own body, and the details about binding… it all felt so authentic and raw. Honestly, it hit so close to reality for a trans FTM.
Trans Cinder? I didn’t know I needed it, but now I can’t get enough. SIGN ME IN! I love it. But at some times it felt kinda long, but its probably only a me problem.
October 9, 2025
Yays:
- PIGEONS
- Pigeon magic WE LOVE
- Really well done aro and trans rep!!
- Cin as a character was just a really cool baddass w lots of character growth
- Lorenz was a great opposite to Cin and a great character in his own right
- Their chemistry was fantastic
- I think this was a very good twist on the original Cinderella
- Great foreshadowing for the next book in the series
Nays:
- Pacing was a bit of an issue. During the middle of the book I felt like the pace slowed down a bit
Overall, really well done retelling!
- PIGEONS
- Pigeon magic WE LOVE
- Really well done aro and trans rep!!
- Cin as a character was just a really cool baddass w lots of character growth
- Lorenz was a great opposite to Cin and a great character in his own right
- Their chemistry was fantastic
- I think this was a very good twist on the original Cinderella
- Great foreshadowing for the next book in the series
Nays:
- Pacing was a bit of an issue. During the middle of the book I felt like the pace slowed down a bit
Overall, really well done retelling!
October 2, 2025
Shout out to D.N. Bryn for serving the weird bird representation we need.
I loved this take on Cinderella, especially this particular brand of familial manipulation. Cin's family aren't always the evil caricatures of some famous Cinderella tales. Cin also deals with more insidious abuse: parentification, weaponized incompetence, and complacency.
I also liked how the world of Cinder normalizes transness. Dysphoria is still a very real issue, but Cin's identity isn't invalidated by his family or his prince. There's also a delightful bit of aromantic rep. I thought Bryn did a fantastic job of normalizing natural differences in attraction even in the context of magical influence.
Thanks so much for the chance to check out an advance copy. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
I loved this take on Cinderella, especially this particular brand of familial manipulation. Cin's family aren't always the evil caricatures of some famous Cinderella tales. Cin also deals with more insidious abuse: parentification, weaponized incompetence, and complacency.
I also liked how the world of Cinder normalizes transness. Dysphoria is still a very real issue, but Cin's identity isn't invalidated by his family or his prince. There's also a delightful bit of aromantic rep. I thought Bryn did a fantastic job of normalizing natural differences in attraction even in the context of magical influence.
Thanks so much for the chance to check out an advance copy. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
October 2, 2025
What a beautiful rendering of Cinder-Ella (😝)
I loved it, it was just the perfect amount of twisted and gore. It reminded me a lot of the real Cinderella story and not the 🐭 version !
It was also my favorite couple so far for the GriMM series, I loved their chemistry and the development of their love story
I loved it, it was just the perfect amount of twisted and gore. It reminded me a lot of the real Cinderella story and not the 🐭 version !
It was also my favorite couple so far for the GriMM series, I loved their chemistry and the development of their love story
October 2, 2025
I couldnt connect to the characters and the story. There were parts that were kinda clumsily written and too much details that weren't that important to the story.
dnf
October 17, 2025DNF 39%
There is nothing overall bad about this book, I am just really not vibing with the characters. There is too much of the obligation/got to protect my heart for me at the moment. I think others might like it more.
There is nothing overall bad about this book, I am just really not vibing with the characters. There is too much of the obligation/got to protect my heart for me at the moment. I think others might like it more.
October 6, 2025
A darker cindertale
This was not quite what I expected it to be, it was very dark emotionally. The way Cin was so self-sacrificing to the point of hurting himself broke my heart. I also appreciated a trans character with family drama that had nothing to do with their gender! It was a slow start for me as well, but it picked up and was very enjoyable! The magic with the pigeons was such a neat twist.
This was not quite what I expected it to be, it was very dark emotionally. The way Cin was so self-sacrificing to the point of hurting himself broke my heart. I also appreciated a trans character with family drama that had nothing to do with their gender! It was a slow start for me as well, but it picked up and was very enjoyable! The magic with the pigeons was such a neat twist.
December 25, 2025
cinder is highkey super whiny
October 20, 2025
Gosh, DN Bryn is very quickly becoming autobuy for me! They really know how to write the spectrum of emotions - the good and the difficult - and Cinder is another prime example. The best part of this love story is that Cinder really does save his damn self. He draws strength from his prince (who needs to be protected at all costs), but truly doesn't need him to save him at all.
As an aside, while not at all required, I would also encourage those who enjoyed Cinder to go on to read The Frog Prince by AM Rose (next in the series) as its very closely linked to this story - no spoilers here though!
To justify my 4 stars: there was a twisty section at the climax of the story that I felt a little out of place. There is an element from the original Grimm story that is included, but the gruesomeness of it isn't included anywhere else in the story and it felt a little out of place.
Thank you to DN Bryn for the opportunity to read and review Cinder prior to its release.
As an aside, while not at all required, I would also encourage those who enjoyed Cinder to go on to read The Frog Prince by AM Rose (next in the series) as its very closely linked to this story - no spoilers here though!
To justify my 4 stars: there was a twisty section at the climax of the story that I felt a little out of place. There is an element from the original Grimm story that is included, but the gruesomeness of it isn't included anywhere else in the story and it felt a little out of place.
Thank you to DN Bryn for the opportunity to read and review Cinder prior to its release.
November 16, 2025
"The thorns in your side should be from the roses that sweeten your life. If they are not, pull them out."
Cinder is such a dark and raw, yet flirty and unapologetically flighty, retelling of the classic fairytale, Cinderella.
Very much true to the original Grimm tale in its dark elements (think: disfiguration to fit the slipper), Cinder also offers readers the chance to experience queer, trans joy at its finest. We've had so many adventures with the GriMM Tales already, but Cinder gives up midnight romps with a reluctant prince who can't take his eyes off Cin, the flirtiest of flirty banter, vigilante assassinations with a cool calling card, homing pigeons with all the magic, and two heart-of-gold but will slit your throat if you say that protagonists.
I'm gonna be real, at first I was struggling to really invest myself in the story because I found Cin's inner monologue quite repetitive. But as the story moved along and Lorenz and Cin finally met, I found myself so intrigued by what would happen next. Which building would Cin scale next? What magic would his sweet flock of pigeons conjure next? Would Cin get into the ball? Would Lorenz be the closed-off prince everyone expected him to be or would he- oh, nope, never mind, he's b*lls deep in someone else and we've just intruded. Well, they certainly didn't have the most conventional of meetings, but it's a story for the grandkids nevertheless.
Cin's story really tugged on my heartstrings. He's just a man, living in a body that doesn't feel completely like his own. He comes from an abusive, gaslighting family home where he's expected to shoulder all of the burden and enjoy nothing. His family treats him like garbage, and yet he still finds the motivation to get up every day and continue on like it will all be worth it in the end. He's a better person than me, I tell you. It's truly no wonder he takes to the streets under the cover of darkness to carry out vigilante justice by offing serial abusers. He can't do anything to protect himself from his family, but he's protected so many other people from similar fates.
He deserved the world. He deserved to have the body he would feel most comfortable in, he deserved to find the person who would love and respect him for who he is, and he deserved to get his happily ever after.
And I'm so glad his happily ever after came in the form of Lorenz. I thought from the first meeting that Ren was going to be a bit of a knob, but he actually turned out to be a sweetheart. Still a rake, but a sweetheart as well. He balanced Cin's impulsive, reckless behaviour perfectly with his calm, aloof demeanour. Their banter is b-e-a-utiful and I was obsessed with their back and forth.
The twists at the end are well worth waiting for. It's such a relief when you get explanations for things you've spent the whole book questioning. And it all came together so neatly and set the next book in the series up so well. Plus the appearances of our favourite little elves and their shoemaker was lovely.
Cinder was such a great addition to the GriMM Series and I can't wait to hear about what he does next through the eyes of future characters. I hope we see him and Lorenz again... and I have a very good feeling we will.
Cinder is such a dark and raw, yet flirty and unapologetically flighty, retelling of the classic fairytale, Cinderella.
Very much true to the original Grimm tale in its dark elements (think: disfiguration to fit the slipper), Cinder also offers readers the chance to experience queer, trans joy at its finest. We've had so many adventures with the GriMM Tales already, but Cinder gives up midnight romps with a reluctant prince who can't take his eyes off Cin, the flirtiest of flirty banter, vigilante assassinations with a cool calling card, homing pigeons with all the magic, and two heart-of-gold but will slit your throat if you say that protagonists.
I'm gonna be real, at first I was struggling to really invest myself in the story because I found Cin's inner monologue quite repetitive. But as the story moved along and Lorenz and Cin finally met, I found myself so intrigued by what would happen next. Which building would Cin scale next? What magic would his sweet flock of pigeons conjure next? Would Cin get into the ball? Would Lorenz be the closed-off prince everyone expected him to be or would he- oh, nope, never mind, he's b*lls deep in someone else and we've just intruded. Well, they certainly didn't have the most conventional of meetings, but it's a story for the grandkids nevertheless.
Cin's story really tugged on my heartstrings. He's just a man, living in a body that doesn't feel completely like his own. He comes from an abusive, gaslighting family home where he's expected to shoulder all of the burden and enjoy nothing. His family treats him like garbage, and yet he still finds the motivation to get up every day and continue on like it will all be worth it in the end. He's a better person than me, I tell you. It's truly no wonder he takes to the streets under the cover of darkness to carry out vigilante justice by offing serial abusers. He can't do anything to protect himself from his family, but he's protected so many other people from similar fates.
He deserved the world. He deserved to have the body he would feel most comfortable in, he deserved to find the person who would love and respect him for who he is, and he deserved to get his happily ever after.
And I'm so glad his happily ever after came in the form of Lorenz. I thought from the first meeting that Ren was going to be a bit of a knob, but he actually turned out to be a sweetheart. Still a rake, but a sweetheart as well. He balanced Cin's impulsive, reckless behaviour perfectly with his calm, aloof demeanour. Their banter is b-e-a-utiful and I was obsessed with their back and forth.
The twists at the end are well worth waiting for. It's such a relief when you get explanations for things you've spent the whole book questioning. And it all came together so neatly and set the next book in the series up so well. Plus the appearances of our favourite little elves and their shoemaker was lovely.
Cinder was such a great addition to the GriMM Series and I can't wait to hear about what he does next through the eyes of future characters. I hope we see him and Lorenz again... and I have a very good feeling we will.
December 8, 2025
Cinderella retelling part of the Grim retelling universe - STUPENDOUS. Gorgeous. Amazing. I’ve already posted about it 100 times and I will 100 tomes more.
Cinder is a trans man, living under appreciated (to say the least) with his step family and father. He meets the Prince, who is aromantic & the rep is AMAZING.
Their chemistry is on from the first second they meet. I don’t want to say too much, you gotta read it, gremlins.
Cinder is a trans man, living under appreciated (to say the least) with his step family and father. He meets the Prince, who is aromantic & the rep is AMAZING.
Their chemistry is on from the first second they meet. I don’t want to say too much, you gotta read it, gremlins.
October 5, 2025
A chill ran through Cin, completely unrelated to the cold in the room, as though the distant moaning creature of his imagination was sinking its claws into his shoulders in preparation for dragging him to the hellish depths. He could see the wealthy man’s blood spilling down, could feel it seeping through the wrinkles in his hands, clinging there like a brand. What did you do to him?This is not a happy book, but it's all the lusher for it. If what you're looking for is a light romantic fantasy retelling, you've come to the wrong place; if what you're looking for are complex characters, magic both good and terribly dark, the difficult reality of complicated families, dynamic character arcs that feel like shadowy good intentions clawing their way to freedom, a romance as deep and impossible as it is perfect, and a story that feeds more closely from the original Grimm tale while twisting it into its own unique magic, then you've come to the right place.
Sinner.
This is the third book I've read by D.N. Bryn, and I think it MIGHT be the most impressive I've read yet; it's certainly very close. Bryn writes like their pen is a needle and their words thread stitched directly onto your heart; painful but delicious and so consequential. My emotions at the close of this book, while uplifted, also felt like they'd been through a grinder—wrung out, achy, FULL of wounds—but also SOMEHOW healing, hopeful, and happy. It's BEAUTIFUL, intense, and real yet dark, dark writing in this that will twist your chest into jumbled knots before letting you breathe again.
The characters are intricately complex, fascinating creatures, their good hearts pulling them to do dark deeds, sometimes just to survive, their families forcing decisions on them they would never have made for themselves and further twisting up their lives. I don't want to tell you the path these characters take in any shape or form—you should experience that for yourself—but they're not static characters who never fight against all the cruelties they're given.
Cin, our trans hero, is, of course, an INCREDIBLE character, so much so, I don't feel I can talk about him. There's SO much personality, want, struggles, desires, responsibilities, and more RAGING in his heart, I don't think I could do him justice. He's a deeply flawed, deeply sympathetic, beautiful man. And while "beautiful" is a word I hesitate to use, as it was carefully avoided in the book, I can't think of another that would equally encompass everything I mean. "Beautiful" as in intricately crafted, as in brave and strong and courageous in the face of so much longing and anguish. "Beautiful" for his story, his heart, and his journey.
Nearly just as complex and interesting is Prince Lorenz, and, again, I'm not going to wax poetic about him, but I wanted to at least praise the way he's overtly described as spoiled, yet he's SO good, SO caring, he KNOWS he's spoiled and accepts it to some degree, but is also utterly uncomplaining and not above ANYTHING. He likes his privileges but will sooner forego what he wants or do without the help of a servant and do it himself if it's to help another person, even just to make them feel remotely more comfortable. It's hard to describe how EXTREMELY charming he is. Rakish, yes, but also unbelievably pure of heart, and, again, an inherently beautiful individual.
It's tough to express how much I enjoyed all of the characters in this book, all their flaws, arcs, and talents. Bryn proved their skill here at embracing the essence of dark fairytales of magic, wonder, and twisted desire while making deeply troubled characters find their way through life and to each other.
Cinder is an indescribable type of magic that's going to live with me for a while. There were parts I liked more than others, but all of it was rich, intensely well-crafted, and thrillingly GOOD—everything I look for in a novel. Bryn is becoming a favorite author whose books I will continue to jump on the chance to read.
If you're looking for something as dark as it is hopeful and as raw as it is healing, this is the place to find it. Check the content warnings, for this is a tale not without its bloodshed. Pepare your heart for a shining but harrowing journey, and I hope to see you enjoy it as much as I did.
On close, I'll leave you with this succinct, yet wise quote from His Royal Highness Prince Lorenz of Hallin:
In the silence, the prince’s voice felt like a beacon, his words a lighthouse. “The thorns in your side should be from the roses that sweeten your life. If they are not, pull them out.”
September 27, 2025
Dearest Gentle Reader,
I was really eager to read this book as I have enjoyed Bryn’s other works. I was also excited to read a Cinderella retelling that included FTM trans representation.
Perhaps my expectations were a bit high, because I found this installment to be underwhelming. I think much of my disappointment lies with how much effort I had to exert to continue reading.
The characters were unlikeable. It took a lot for me to want to root for them. I shouldn’t need convincing to root for the protagonists.
Did I like that Cin had a backbone? Yes. Did I appreciate that he wasn’t outright abused like the source material? Yes. Did I find the prince being anything but charming refreshing? Yes. Did I have to fight to keep reading? Yes. I want to enjoy what I’m reading, not struggle to get through it.
And it’s not to say that Cin and Lorenz weren’t interesting characters, because they were. They just weren’t likeable.
Cin’s motivations as the Plumed Menace seemed misplaced. Obviously one doesn’t have to have been personally impacted by injustice to want to take a proactive or vigilante stance; but it felt a bit forced. Not enough problems at home, so you gotta seek an outlet? Cin being a vigilante felt like forced conflict for the sake of conflict and a somewhat unnecessary deviation.
Some subtle changes to the source material made sense while others felt clunky and disjointed. Six nights of festivities rather than three gives readers more time to spend with Cin and Ren and allow their relationship to develop organically. Cin having three step siblings rather than two was a choice. One I don’t know was a benefit to the overall story.
Having the father being physically and emotionally unavailable rather than dead, was a unique interpretation. Although I would have much preferred Cin’s ire and resentment lie solely with his step mother and step siblings than his own father, it was still unique.
The step mother was a bit overbearing and strict, but seemed to expect Cin to pick up responsibilities rather than force him into a position of servitude. Their parents are failing them by refusing to disperse chores evenly. I suppose this is abuse? But it felt more like passing child rearing onto an older child. And Cin, of course, does suffer from Older Sibling Syndrome. He feels resentful of his family for the expectations they’ve thrust upon him, but he still feels love and kinship for them. Even Cin can admit that the resentment he feels for his family isn’t motivation enough to go through with murdering them or even burning down the home as he fantasizes. And that’s where things get tricky in the third act.
It felt like Bryn forgot the step mother was supposed to be nasty through much of the book. She pulls a 180 in personality traits in the final act.
Sure, Manfred and Floy are annoying, but have they really done anything to deserve having their toes and heels sliced off? Did his father really deserved to have his eyes plucked out? I was expecting this, yet I didn’t feel any vindication. Being annoying or incompetent doesn’t mean you deserve a “Grimm” ending.
I did appreciate that through Cin’s pigeon magic, he stumbled upon The Frog Prince. I expected another trip to Zel and Ulrich’s tower. Getting a little taste of Alwin and his own magic was not only a pleasant surprise, but made me even more eager for his book.
The subtle nods and foreshadowing of The Frog Prince being long lost prince Alwin were a nice touch. Anyone familiar with the Grimm version of The Frog Prince will recognize the iron bands around Lorenz’s heart. That was such a satisfying little nugget.
Bryn handles trans representation so well. This was probably my favorite thing about Cin and helped endear him to me. I also appreciated that Bryn didn’t rely on or heavily lean on cameos from other GriMM characters to pad the runtime. Cin seeking out the elves and Johan for his boots was brief enough as to not distract and perfectly tied in the “gold slipper” trope.
Frustrations with the main characters aside, there’s a lot to love about this book. And by the end, both Cin and Lorenz won me over. Another terrific addition to the GriMM series.
Your Esteemed Reviewer
I was really eager to read this book as I have enjoyed Bryn’s other works. I was also excited to read a Cinderella retelling that included FTM trans representation.
Perhaps my expectations were a bit high, because I found this installment to be underwhelming. I think much of my disappointment lies with how much effort I had to exert to continue reading.
The characters were unlikeable. It took a lot for me to want to root for them. I shouldn’t need convincing to root for the protagonists.
Did I like that Cin had a backbone? Yes. Did I appreciate that he wasn’t outright abused like the source material? Yes. Did I find the prince being anything but charming refreshing? Yes. Did I have to fight to keep reading? Yes. I want to enjoy what I’m reading, not struggle to get through it.
And it’s not to say that Cin and Lorenz weren’t interesting characters, because they were. They just weren’t likeable.
Cin’s motivations as the Plumed Menace seemed misplaced. Obviously one doesn’t have to have been personally impacted by injustice to want to take a proactive or vigilante stance; but it felt a bit forced. Not enough problems at home, so you gotta seek an outlet? Cin being a vigilante felt like forced conflict for the sake of conflict and a somewhat unnecessary deviation.
Some subtle changes to the source material made sense while others felt clunky and disjointed. Six nights of festivities rather than three gives readers more time to spend with Cin and Ren and allow their relationship to develop organically. Cin having three step siblings rather than two was a choice. One I don’t know was a benefit to the overall story.
Having the father being physically and emotionally unavailable rather than dead, was a unique interpretation. Although I would have much preferred Cin’s ire and resentment lie solely with his step mother and step siblings than his own father, it was still unique.
The step mother was a bit overbearing and strict, but seemed to expect Cin to pick up responsibilities rather than force him into a position of servitude. Their parents are failing them by refusing to disperse chores evenly. I suppose this is abuse? But it felt more like passing child rearing onto an older child. And Cin, of course, does suffer from Older Sibling Syndrome. He feels resentful of his family for the expectations they’ve thrust upon him, but he still feels love and kinship for them. Even Cin can admit that the resentment he feels for his family isn’t motivation enough to go through with murdering them or even burning down the home as he fantasizes. And that’s where things get tricky in the third act.
It felt like Bryn forgot the step mother was supposed to be nasty through much of the book. She pulls a 180 in personality traits in the final act.
Sure, Manfred and Floy are annoying, but have they really done anything to deserve having their toes and heels sliced off? Did his father really deserved to have his eyes plucked out? I was expecting this, yet I didn’t feel any vindication. Being annoying or incompetent doesn’t mean you deserve a “Grimm” ending.
I did appreciate that through Cin’s pigeon magic, he stumbled upon The Frog Prince. I expected another trip to Zel and Ulrich’s tower. Getting a little taste of Alwin and his own magic was not only a pleasant surprise, but made me even more eager for his book.
The subtle nods and foreshadowing of The Frog Prince being long lost prince Alwin were a nice touch. Anyone familiar with the Grimm version of The Frog Prince will recognize the iron bands around Lorenz’s heart. That was such a satisfying little nugget.
Bryn handles trans representation so well. This was probably my favorite thing about Cin and helped endear him to me. I also appreciated that Bryn didn’t rely on or heavily lean on cameos from other GriMM characters to pad the runtime. Cin seeking out the elves and Johan for his boots was brief enough as to not distract and perfectly tied in the “gold slipper” trope.
Frustrations with the main characters aside, there’s a lot to love about this book. And by the end, both Cin and Lorenz won me over. Another terrific addition to the GriMM series.
Your Esteemed Reviewer
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2025
Cinder by D.N. Bryn
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars
📚 Part of The GriMM Tales Multi-Author Series
✨️ Can Be Read as a Standalone ✨️
⬆️ Ebook ARC
😏 Adult MM Retelling Romance 🏳️⚧️
🧚♂️ Retelling of Cinderella (with a dark twist)
🗺 Set in Hallin Kingdom
👉 Third-Person Narrative
🏰 Medieval Fantasy w/ Magic, Secrets & Danger
📖 Clever Twists on a Classic Tale
⚔️ Vigilante Assassin Cinderella (yes, really!)
❤️🩹 Trauma & Healing
👑 Unwanted Crown & Royal Intrigue
🗡️ Morally Gray Choicess
👀 Cameos From Past Books (Love This!🤌)
🏳️⚧️ Transmasc Rep
💚💚🤍🩶🖤 Aro Spectrum Rep ❓️🌈💚
🪶🥷 Vigilante Assassin x Flirtatious Prince 🤴😏
👉 Secret Identity & Hidden Talents
💘 Attraction at First Sight
🥵 Slow-Burn (but... hot damn) 😗🤌
🔥 Spice Level (Intensity, not frequency):
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
MC's:
🥾🗡🕊🖤 Cinder-Szule Reinholz "Cin" - Trans man (he/him)
🤴🤍👉 Prince Lorenz "Ren" - Aro (Spectrum) - Cis Male (he/him)
⚠️ Content Warnings:
⚠️ Medium-High Angst
⚠️ Parental Death (past/implied)
⚠️ Loss & Grief
⚠️ Familial Emotional & Verbal Abuse (insults, slurs)
⚠️ Physical Abuse (threats, violence, intimidation)
⚠️ Explicit Language
⚠️ Trauma & Internalized Abuse
⚠️ Casual References to Suicide (metaphorical/figurative)
⚠️ Body Dysphoria
⚠️ Gore & Mutilation (story-relevant)
⚠️ Magical Top Surgery
⚠️ Death of Companion Animal
❤️ Found Family
👏 Deep Character Development
💯 Memorable Side Characters
🥰 Love The Ending
😍 HEA
💬 My Thoughts:
🤩👉 This retelling of Cinderella pulled me in right from the start. It’s dark, captivating, emotionally charged, spicy and beautifully written.
🤌 Despite the heavy moments, this book is a tender, joyous exploration of love, acceptance, and personal growth.
⚔️ Cin’s secret life as a vigilante adds so much tension and excitement.
Each mission is dangerous, yet for him, it’s more than survival... it’s justice, an attempt to release his pain, and a way to shield others from violence.
⚡️ The chemistry between Cin and Prince Lorenz is electric. Their steamy encounters kept me turning pages, heart racing. 🥵 And their boldness and sassiness are priceless! 😏🤭
💓 Together, they help each other embrace who they truly are. And in a world filled with hate and injustice, these sweet boys deserve all love and care! 🤧💞 It's heartwarming! And... "My dove" - it melts my heart every time. 🕊🫠😭
▪︎FAV QUOTES▪︎
💯 I absolutely recommend these retellings... they’re unique and amazing!
😉 Thanks for reading, hope this helps you out!
I received this book as a gift from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
StoryGraph Review
BookBub Review
Reviews On Goodreads
My Socials
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars
📚 Part of The GriMM Tales Multi-Author Series
✨️ Can Be Read as a Standalone ✨️
⬆️ Ebook ARC
😏 Adult MM Retelling Romance 🏳️⚧️
🧚♂️ Retelling of Cinderella (with a dark twist)
🗺 Set in Hallin Kingdom
👉 Third-Person Narrative
🏰 Medieval Fantasy w/ Magic, Secrets & Danger
📖 Clever Twists on a Classic Tale
⚔️ Vigilante Assassin Cinderella (yes, really!)
❤️🩹 Trauma & Healing
👑 Unwanted Crown & Royal Intrigue
🗡️ Morally Gray Choicess
👀 Cameos From Past Books (Love This!🤌)
🏳️⚧️ Transmasc Rep
💚💚🤍🩶🖤 Aro Spectrum Rep ❓️🌈💚
🪶🥷 Vigilante Assassin x Flirtatious Prince 🤴😏
👉 Secret Identity & Hidden Talents
💘 Attraction at First Sight
🥵 Slow-Burn (but... hot damn) 😗🤌
🔥 Spice Level (Intensity, not frequency):
🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
MC's:
🥾🗡🕊🖤 Cinder-Szule Reinholz "Cin" - Trans man (he/him)
🤴🤍👉 Prince Lorenz "Ren" - Aro (Spectrum) - Cis Male (he/him)
⚠️ Content Warnings:
⚠️ Medium-High Angst
⚠️ Parental Death (past/implied)
⚠️ Loss & Grief
⚠️ Familial Emotional & Verbal Abuse (insults, slurs)
⚠️ Physical Abuse (threats, violence, intimidation)
⚠️ Explicit Language
⚠️ Trauma & Internalized Abuse
⚠️ Casual References to Suicide (metaphorical/figurative)
⚠️ Body Dysphoria
⚠️ Gore & Mutilation (story-relevant)
⚠️ Magical Top Surgery
⚠️ Death of Companion Animal
❤️ Found Family
👏 Deep Character Development
💯 Memorable Side Characters
🥰 Love The Ending
😍 HEA
💬 My Thoughts:
🤩👉 This retelling of Cinderella pulled me in right from the start. It’s dark, captivating, emotionally charged, spicy and beautifully written.
🤌 Despite the heavy moments, this book is a tender, joyous exploration of love, acceptance, and personal growth.
⚔️ Cin’s secret life as a vigilante adds so much tension and excitement.
Each mission is dangerous, yet for him, it’s more than survival... it’s justice, an attempt to release his pain, and a way to shield others from violence.
⚡️ The chemistry between Cin and Prince Lorenz is electric. Their steamy encounters kept me turning pages, heart racing. 🥵 And their boldness and sassiness are priceless! 😏🤭
💓 Together, they help each other embrace who they truly are. And in a world filled with hate and injustice, these sweet boys deserve all love and care! 🤧💞 It's heartwarming! And... "My dove" - it melts my heart every time. 🕊🫠😭
▪︎FAV QUOTES▪︎
■ Cin: “Have I ruined our outing?” Cin whispered. Then, more dramatically, pushing out his lower lip slightly. “Are you not going to kiss me, now?”
The prince’s laugh seemed to emerge like a light from the darkness. “Of course I’m going to kiss you, dove,” he whispered back. 💖🕊
■ Prince Lorenz: “Because I want the entire kingdom to know that you are the most magnificent creature to ever breathe.”
■ Cin: “I’m certain you did. You have a gift for making people’s lives better,” Cin said, smiling softly. “You first saw me, awkward and alone, and despite my refusal to give you anything, you took it upon yourself to turn my night into something spectacular.”
💯 I absolutely recommend these retellings... they’re unique and amazing!
😉 Thanks for reading, hope this helps you out!
I received this book as a gift from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
StoryGraph Review
BookBub Review
Reviews On Goodreads
My Socials
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