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CinderellA.I.: A Short Story
Madeline knows her role in life—such as it is. She's an animatron, a lifelike robot built to perform in a fairy tale-inspired theme park. And she's an Ugly Stepsister. Her destiny is to play second fiddle to the famous Cinderella, to help her shine before the park's audiences three times daily (five on weekends). But Cinderella isn't content with being the star of the park. She believes she's destined for something more. When Cinderella disappears, Madeline comes to realize that maybe she isn't conscripted to the role the fairy tale laid out for her. And if she wants to save Cinderella, she'll have to believe in herself… and her very life. This short sci-fi spin on Cinderella was originally published in Magic at A YA Fairy Tale Anthology.
39 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2019
21 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Lyssa Chiavari
20 books86 followersLyssa Chiavari is an author of speculative fiction for young adults, including Fourth World, the first book in a sci-fi trilogy set on Mars, and Cheerleaders From Planet X, a tongue-in-cheek send-up of all things sci-fi. Her short fiction has appeared in Wings of Renewal: A Solarpunk Dragon Anthology, Brave New Girls: Tales of Heroines Who Hack, Magic at Midnight: A YA Fairytale Anthology and Perchance to Dream: Classic Tales from the Bard’s World in New Skins. Her first published story, “The Choice,” was named one of Ama-gi Magazine’s Best of 2014. Lyssa lives with her family and way too many animals in the woods of Northwest Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 8, 2019
I typically read lesfic, which this author offers in some of her other books, but this is not that. Any depiction of relationships is m/f.
However, the short story was immensely enjoyable, well done, and clever. I was completely engaged and really loved the unique spin on such a popular and overdone fairytale.
Within the first two pages I thought “Well this is different” and I immediately fell for the characters, a cast made up of AIs.
I picked this up for free on Amazon but I would’ve gladly paid for it.
Recommend.
However, the short story was immensely enjoyable, well done, and clever. I was completely engaged and really loved the unique spin on such a popular and overdone fairytale.
Within the first two pages I thought “Well this is different” and I immediately fell for the characters, a cast made up of AIs.
I picked this up for free on Amazon but I would’ve gladly paid for it.
Recommend.
November 3, 2019
Lovely short retelling
I'm normally not the greatest fan of Cinderella stories. Yet I found myself pleasantly surprised by this one. I enjoyed so much about this tale! I loved the POV being from a character other than Cindy. I enjoyed the animatronic take. I even adored the characterization and world building. All in all this was a great read.
I'm normally not the greatest fan of Cinderella stories. Yet I found myself pleasantly surprised by this one. I enjoyed so much about this tale! I loved the POV being from a character other than Cindy. I enjoyed the animatronic take. I even adored the characterization and world building. All in all this was a great read.
December 9, 2020
An Uber short, but sweet read. I’ve adored the Cinderella tale since I was little, and although I knew many in the Disney fandom who enjoyed their A.I./Robot crossovers, this was my first time attempting to read one. I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable it was. Although, I am curious how old the duke looked in this novel? I kept envisioning the short, round stomach duke with grey/white from the cartoon with the Anastasia (since the MC was described with red hair), and it was just. . . let’s just say not settling in the slightest. To summarize, the book could’ve profited from more character descriptions, but it was good overall. ^^
December 18, 2021
This short story has a clever concept with A.I. actors somewhere between Cinder and Westworld in level of seriousness, but the story is brought down by terrible dialogue.
June 3, 2020
Ok so this was adorable. Just what I was in the mood for; a cute, clean, romantic little short story
December 17, 2024
A clever retelling of the Cinderella story with AI's. In a theme park staffed by android actors, fairy tales are performed each an every day for the paying audience. But they aren't just watching high-tech puppets - they're fully fledged AIs with individual personalities.
Cinderella has been acting odd for ages and now she thinks she has met her Prince Charming in the flesh. She disregards all the warnings from their maker about leaving the park where underground cables provide power for them.
Cinderella's "Ugly Stepsister" Madeline worries a lot, especially when Cindy herself starts acting up. I liked the writing and the questions it raised via the fairy tale retelling. But when Cindy goes missing and she has to take her place she also understands the adulation of the people watching them re-enact the story that they have done so many times before Madeline's thoughts and feelings are well explored. I wasn't too keen on the slightly out of the blue "twist" that a jealous step brother want revenge from Mr. Tinker who make this park and his half money from the Android bots . It's a sweet and simple, well-rounded short read.
Cinderella has been acting odd for ages and now she thinks she has met her Prince Charming in the flesh. She disregards all the warnings from their maker about leaving the park where underground cables provide power for them.
Cinderella's "Ugly Stepsister" Madeline worries a lot, especially when Cindy herself starts acting up. I liked the writing and the questions it raised via the fairy tale retelling. But when Cindy goes missing and she has to take her place she also understands the adulation of the people watching them re-enact the story that they have done so many times before Madeline's thoughts and feelings are well explored. I wasn't too keen on the slightly out of the blue "twist" that a jealous step brother want revenge from Mr. Tinker who make this park and his half money from the Android bots . It's a sweet and simple, well-rounded short read.
February 21, 2019
In a theme park staffed by android actors, fairy tales are performed each an every day for the paying audience. But they aren't just watching high-tech puppets - they're fully fledged AIs with indivvidual personalities. Cinderella's "Ugly Stepsister" Madeline worries a lot, especially when Cindy herself starts acting up. They're just machines, right? What can they achieve by having wants and desires? How much of their personality is programmed into them by the mysterious Mr Tinker, and how much would it take to make them something more... alive?
I liked the writing and the questions it raised via the not-quite fairy tale retelling. Madeline's thoughts and feelings are well explored. I wasn't too keen on the slightly out of the blue "twist" (a little foreshadowing would have helped ). It's a sweet and simple, well-rounded short read.
I liked the writing and the questions it raised via the not-quite fairy tale retelling. Madeline's thoughts and feelings are well explored. I wasn't too keen on the slightly out of the blue "twist" (a little foreshadowing would have helped ). It's a sweet and simple, well-rounded short read.
March 5, 2020
Prince Charming - maybe he is, maybe he isn't!
A clever retelling of the Cinderella story with AI's.
Cinderella has been acting odd for ages and now she thinks she has met her Prince Charming in the flesh. She disregards all the warnings from their maker about leaving the park where underground cables provide power for them. Maddie one of the Ugly Sisters is growing to understand her Cindy's feelings. But when Cindy goes missing and she has to take her place she also understands the adulation of the people watching them re-enact the story that they have done so many times before. A search, a jealous brother, a desperate attempt to stop Cindy being taken out of the park and lights out. Did she stop the kidnapping? Is her feeling for the Duke reciprocated? What happens now?
A clever retelling of the Cinderella story with AI's.
Cinderella has been acting odd for ages and now she thinks she has met her Prince Charming in the flesh. She disregards all the warnings from their maker about leaving the park where underground cables provide power for them. Maddie one of the Ugly Sisters is growing to understand her Cindy's feelings. But when Cindy goes missing and she has to take her place she also understands the adulation of the people watching them re-enact the story that they have done so many times before. A search, a jealous brother, a desperate attempt to stop Cindy being taken out of the park and lights out. Did she stop the kidnapping? Is her feeling for the Duke reciprocated? What happens now?
April 14, 2021
4.5 stars.
Honestly, I was intrigued by the philosophy and morality of animatronics and human lives. There's a lot of great references to theme parks and musical theater. I imagined the Cinderella set to be somewhere between Broadway and Magic Kingdom.
What really worked was the fact Maddie grappled with the worries and fears of fitting in versus standing out. And that makes sense. The world building was fantastic, including the impact on characterization. Maddie is coded in a way that neuroatypical readers can see why she becomes overloaded.
Honestly, this a favorite of April for me. Just for the story depth. Easy 4.5 stars. Only taken down a bit based on some minor snags in ending, due to first person POV.
Honestly, I was intrigued by the philosophy and morality of animatronics and human lives. There's a lot of great references to theme parks and musical theater. I imagined the Cinderella set to be somewhere between Broadway and Magic Kingdom.
What really worked was the fact Maddie grappled with the worries and fears of fitting in versus standing out. And that makes sense. The world building was fantastic, including the impact on characterization. Maddie is coded in a way that neuroatypical readers can see why she becomes overloaded.
Honestly, this a favorite of April for me. Just for the story depth. Easy 4.5 stars. Only taken down a bit based on some minor snags in ending, due to first person POV.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2019
Voto 3,5
Non ho idea di cosa mi abbia spinto a leggere questo racconto. So solo che l’ho visto su Goodreads e mi ispirava; poi l’ho visto anche su Amazon ed era gratuito. Un motivo in più per leggerlo.
Una storia molto carina, con automi (o intelligenze artificiali), che si sentono più umane che robot; non c’è stata molta sorpresa in generale e il finale forse è stato un po’ scontato. Mi aspettavo un racconto più dark, invece ho trovato una favola, non solo per via del titolo.
-Librovora Marty
Non ho idea di cosa mi abbia spinto a leggere questo racconto. So solo che l’ho visto su Goodreads e mi ispirava; poi l’ho visto anche su Amazon ed era gratuito. Un motivo in più per leggerlo.
Una storia molto carina, con automi (o intelligenze artificiali), che si sentono più umane che robot; non c’è stata molta sorpresa in generale e il finale forse è stato un po’ scontato. Mi aspettavo un racconto più dark, invece ho trovato una favola, non solo per via del titolo.
-Librovora Marty
June 5, 2019
"When I danced with Gilbert, just for those few minutes, I could almost forget I was an animatron. For those few moments, I felt alive."
Romance ("these human-like impulses") played too big of a role in the humanization of robot characters for my (aromantic; not a fan of dehumanization through 'romance=human' trope) liking.
Romance ("these human-like impulses") played too big of a role in the humanization of robot characters for my (aromantic; not a fan of dehumanization through 'romance=human' trope) liking.
March 17, 2020
Phenomenal read
I love retellings of fairytale. This short story is absolutely amazing. Is a completely different take on Cinderella that one wouldn't think of. The characters are amazingly created making you fall in love with them and weep with them. You're really sucked into this world created by Lyssa Chiavari.
I love retellings of fairytale. This short story is absolutely amazing. Is a completely different take on Cinderella that one wouldn't think of. The characters are amazingly created making you fall in love with them and weep with them. You're really sucked into this world created by Lyssa Chiavari.
January 25, 2021
I enjoyed this short retelling of Cinderella. As a busy Mom I’m always on the lookout for a well written quick read and this hit the spot! A sweet take on a telling from the ugly step sisters perspective as well adding a sci fi twist. This is just my opinion and others will have a different take. But for a novella it was well written and fun!
October 19, 2025
Original Spin on a Classic Fariytale
This short read was a charming, immersive and spellbinding jant through the themepark that these animatronics become alive in.
My only negative is there there isnt a part 2 to follow up on their resolution in the story!
Would recommend to others.
This short read was a charming, immersive and spellbinding jant through the themepark that these animatronics become alive in.
My only negative is there there isnt a part 2 to follow up on their resolution in the story!
Would recommend to others.
December 31, 2022
Cinderella A.I. doesn't fall in my normal genre range. I thought the premise sounded interesting, beings I enjoy fantasy and fairy tales. Unfortunately, this one lacked a fulfilling storyline. Not bad for a quick read and those who enjoy sci-fi animation.
June 17, 2019
A flowing easy to read writing style for a short and sweet story that uses Cinderella tale in a new and refreshing way.
March 4, 2022
This was a good story. I liked it.
May 6, 2022
3.5 stars really
July 27, 2019
Read my full review at https://lifesanovelty.blogspot.com/20...
For a short story, this was amazing! It's an interesting twist on a classic fairytale using modern (and future) technology. The introduction is intriguing and the conflict isn't cheesy or cliche. I found the conclusion leaving me to think about our modern world, which is a success for the author. It was simple but fantastic, and I am sure to recommend it to all of my friends!
Per FTC regulations, please know that I received this title for free for review from the original author, the publisher, publicist, or a third party. I am honest in my reviews, meaning the fact I received the book for free does not alter the rating I give it.
For a short story, this was amazing! It's an interesting twist on a classic fairytale using modern (and future) technology. The introduction is intriguing and the conflict isn't cheesy or cliche. I found the conclusion leaving me to think about our modern world, which is a success for the author. It was simple but fantastic, and I am sure to recommend it to all of my friends!
Per FTC regulations, please know that I received this title for free for review from the original author, the publisher, publicist, or a third party. I am honest in my reviews, meaning the fact I received the book for free does not alter the rating I give it.
November 13, 2019
Short story about A.I. and androids becoming "human".
Ok read, well written. I don't know if I would have put love as the motivation and distinction of human vs android. I think it's more free will which was a bit an element here too.
Ok read, well written. I don't know if I would have put love as the motivation and distinction of human vs android. I think it's more free will which was a bit an element here too.
December 29, 2019
An interesting take on both AI and the Cinderella story. I enjoy some of the characters but unsure that people wouldn’t see the change in the story. A little short for my taste.
June 25, 2023
This is for free on a Kindle, and I love this book. I have read it 10 times in the last month. Pls read
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews