What do you think?
Rate this book
The Kingdom Tales #3
Kingdom of Cinders
When you’re hiding forbidden magic, a royal ball is the last place you want to be
Born into a kingdom where power is outlawed, Penny has little reason to love her magic. She barely remembers her mother, and even her father dies unaware of her abilities. Now, magic or not, Penny is powerless to escape the bitter tangle of competition her stepmother has created between her and her stepsisters. And a series of chance encounters with the crown prince only adds to her troubles. The last thing she needs is to attract the notice of the very royals who have turned her existence into a crime.
Prince Rian has never been sure about his parents’ ban on magic, but he has no choice but to embrace it. The weight of a kingdom is on his shoulders, after all. With the departure of his younger brother to a neighboring kingdom, he’s never had more pressure and less support. His parents are ready to choose Bansford’s future queen, and the last thing he can afford is to get distracted by a servant girl…no matter how intriguing she might be.
But the king and queen aren’t wrong to be afraid—the darkest kind of magic is coming for Bansford. It’s time for Penny to decide where her loyalties truly lie, and Rian…he will have to decide just how much he’s willing to sacrifice for the kingdom he’s sworn to serve.
Born into a kingdom where power is outlawed, Penny has little reason to love her magic. She barely remembers her mother, and even her father dies unaware of her abilities. Now, magic or not, Penny is powerless to escape the bitter tangle of competition her stepmother has created between her and her stepsisters. And a series of chance encounters with the crown prince only adds to her troubles. The last thing she needs is to attract the notice of the very royals who have turned her existence into a crime.
Prince Rian has never been sure about his parents’ ban on magic, but he has no choice but to embrace it. The weight of a kingdom is on his shoulders, after all. With the departure of his younger brother to a neighboring kingdom, he’s never had more pressure and less support. His parents are ready to choose Bansford’s future queen, and the last thing he can afford is to get distracted by a servant girl…no matter how intriguing she might be.
But the king and queen aren’t wrong to be afraid—the darkest kind of magic is coming for Bansford. It’s time for Penny to decide where her loyalties truly lie, and Rian…he will have to decide just how much he’s willing to sacrifice for the kingdom he’s sworn to serve.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2021
132 people are currently reading
817 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Grace White
44 books360 followersDeborah Grace White was more or less born reading. She grew up on a wide range of books, from classic literature to light-hearted romps. Her love of fantasy was inevitable from the time her father read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy to her and her siblings when she was four years old.
The love of reading has traveled with her unchanged across multiple continents, and carried her from her own childhood all the way to having children of her own.
But if reading is like looking through a window into a magical and beautiful world, beginning to write her own stories was like discovering she could open that window and climb right out into fantasyland.
Now she gets to live that childhood dream amidst the fun and chaos of life with her husband and their four kids.
Visit Deborah at her website: http://deborahgracewhite.com
Or follow her on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/DeborahGrace...
Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deborahgrac...
The love of reading has traveled with her unchanged across multiple continents, and carried her from her own childhood all the way to having children of her own.
But if reading is like looking through a window into a magical and beautiful world, beginning to write her own stories was like discovering she could open that window and climb right out into fantasyland.
Now she gets to live that childhood dream amidst the fun and chaos of life with her husband and their four kids.
Visit Deborah at her website: http://deborahgracewhite.com
Or follow her on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/DeborahGrace...
Or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deborahgrac...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
November 23, 2024
4 stars ✨
As soon as you learn that those above the age of eighteen that was magic users are banished from this country, you start to panic for our Cinderella as she’s in both of those categories. So even though this book was over 400 pages, I read with anticipation and covering my eyes while reading through peeking because obviously this isn’t going to go well. 😳 I was in suspense for most of the book and the final ballroom scene was great!
His speech at the end had me saying “Huzzah!” and raising my (water) glass to it because it was well said! He was a great crown prince and it was neat to see the debates/politics of the magic system of this world.
I do wish that the ending would have gone on just a little longer, but since I made the mistake after reading the first book by reading who the next books are about—I can’t get to the fifth book fast enough!
Main Content-
As we learned in the first book, magic in this world only came when the dragons arrived in the lands and certain people were able to use the magic that they shed which turned those people into enchanters/enchantresses; Magic is not good or bad, it’s the intent of the people using it and we see both cases in this book; Penny has mother from her mother’s genetics and has always hidden her gift, but starts to learn to use them in this story; Penny is able to move, grab, and control items but not living things; Other enchantresses can heal injuries or transform appearances including changing a dog into a cat; Someone talks about the rumor that some magic users can kill with a gesture or even steal the very words from a person’s mouth (we do not see this confirmed or denied); Magic is banned in this kingdom because of the rulers seeing the curse from the second book and is exiling all magic users (if they are over 18, they are also punished for hiding with hard labor and prison time); Penny is visited by a dragon in her dreams (because of the dragon’s magic); Dragons can choose to either be immortal or have offspring; All about many mentions of magic, magic users, & magical artifacts/talismans; A mention of one day rejoining those who have passed away.
No major language, a couple fictional curses/exclamations are said like “what in the kingdom”, “how in Solstice”, and “what in dragon’s flame”; “Wench” is used twice when describing women and “heavens” is exclaimed once; Some eye rolling and sarcasm.
Seeing an attempted assassination attempt (up to a few sentences); Grief (towards parents); Penny thinks about harming the royals after her emotions are running high; Penny has lied to her father about having magic; Penny sees a stray dog being beaten and stops it from continuing.
Penny’s stepmother doesn’t hate her (or love her) but seeks out how everyone can be useful for her and manipulates them into doing her bidding (we see this on-page often especially towards Penny); Penny’s stepsisters have moments of kindness, but also moments of wanting their mother’s approval and putting down Penny to get it.
Mentions of deaths (including of parents and an accident) & grief (we see some grief on page for Penny with her parents); Mentions of assassination attempts; Mentions of possible hangings and executions; Mentions of a war, attacks/battles, bandits, & deaths; Mentions of arrests, prisons/jails, punishments, hard labor sentences, thieves, criminals, & crimes; Mentions of injuries, blood/bleeding, pain, & a fire; Mentions of wine & drinking; Mentions of hatred, bitterness, resentment, & jealousy.
1 nose kiss,
1 head kiss,
1 almost kiss (up to a couple sentences),
2 kisses lasting a couple sentences,
2 kisses lasting a few sentences;
Remembering kisses (up to a couple sentences);
Touches, Dancing, Embraces, Hand holding, & Noticing (up to a few sentences); Blushes.
A woman also kisses Rian on the cheek, touches his lips, and touches him without his permission or approval (she also comments on some men wanting a woman with more experience); Rian spars without his shirt on and different noblewomen come to ogle at and giggle towards him (he is uncomfortable and gets dressed quickly); Rian comments on women younger and much older flirting with him; A woman comments about Rian only toying with women of a lower status (which is untrue); A young women comments about her mother trying to marry her off to a much older man; Another young woman wears a dress that is low cut across her bosom and RIan tries not to look at her there (despite her angling for him to have a better view of her chest); Mentions of kisses & kissing; A couple mentions of jealousy.
As soon as you learn that those above the age of eighteen that was magic users are banished from this country, you start to panic for our Cinderella as she’s in both of those categories. So even though this book was over 400 pages, I read with anticipation and covering my eyes while reading through peeking because obviously this isn’t going to go well. 😳 I was in suspense for most of the book and the final ballroom scene was great!
His speech at the end had me saying “Huzzah!” and raising my (water) glass to it because it was well said! He was a great crown prince and it was neat to see the debates/politics of the magic system of this world.
I do wish that the ending would have gone on just a little longer, but since I made the mistake after reading the first book by reading who the next books are about—I can’t get to the fifth book fast enough!
Main Content-
As we learned in the first book, magic in this world only came when the dragons arrived in the lands and certain people were able to use the magic that they shed which turned those people into enchanters/enchantresses; Magic is not good or bad, it’s the intent of the people using it and we see both cases in this book; Penny has mother from her mother’s genetics and has always hidden her gift, but starts to learn to use them in this story; Penny is able to move, grab, and control items but not living things; Other enchantresses can heal injuries or transform appearances including changing a dog into a cat; Someone talks about the rumor that some magic users can kill with a gesture or even steal the very words from a person’s mouth (we do not see this confirmed or denied); Magic is banned in this kingdom because of the rulers seeing the curse from the second book and is exiling all magic users (if they are over 18, they are also punished for hiding with hard labor and prison time); Penny is visited by a dragon in her dreams (because of the dragon’s magic); Dragons can choose to either be immortal or have offspring; All about many mentions of magic, magic users, & magical artifacts/talismans; A mention of one day rejoining those who have passed away.
No major language, a couple fictional curses/exclamations are said like “what in the kingdom”, “how in Solstice”, and “what in dragon’s flame”; “Wench” is used twice when describing women and “heavens” is exclaimed once; Some eye rolling and sarcasm.
Seeing an attempted assassination attempt (up to a few sentences); Grief (towards parents); Penny thinks about harming the royals after her emotions are running high; Penny has lied to her father about having magic; Penny sees a stray dog being beaten and stops it from continuing.
Penny’s stepmother doesn’t hate her (or love her) but seeks out how everyone can be useful for her and manipulates them into doing her bidding (we see this on-page often especially towards Penny); Penny’s stepsisters have moments of kindness, but also moments of wanting their mother’s approval and putting down Penny to get it.
Mentions of deaths (including of parents and an accident) & grief (we see some grief on page for Penny with her parents); Mentions of assassination attempts; Mentions of possible hangings and executions; Mentions of a war, attacks/battles, bandits, & deaths; Mentions of arrests, prisons/jails, punishments, hard labor sentences, thieves, criminals, & crimes; Mentions of injuries, blood/bleeding, pain, & a fire; Mentions of wine & drinking; Mentions of hatred, bitterness, resentment, & jealousy.
1 nose kiss,
1 head kiss,
1 almost kiss (up to a couple sentences),
2 kisses lasting a couple sentences,
2 kisses lasting a few sentences;
Remembering kisses (up to a couple sentences);
Touches, Dancing, Embraces, Hand holding, & Noticing (up to a few sentences); Blushes.
A woman also kisses Rian on the cheek, touches his lips, and touches him without his permission or approval (she also comments on some men wanting a woman with more experience); Rian spars without his shirt on and different noblewomen come to ogle at and giggle towards him (he is uncomfortable and gets dressed quickly); Rian comments on women younger and much older flirting with him; A woman comments about Rian only toying with women of a lower status (which is untrue); A young women comments about her mother trying to marry her off to a much older man; Another young woman wears a dress that is low cut across her bosom and RIan tries not to look at her there (despite her angling for him to have a better view of her chest); Mentions of kisses & kissing; A couple mentions of jealousy.
February 1, 2025
[4.5 stars]
This is a great book. I’m only docking it half a star because a significant portion of it is more somber than I prefer, especially in the beginning. If this wasn’t the third book in the series, and the last book wasn’t so exceptional, I might have actually stopped reading it at 10% (there are too many uplifting books out there for me to spend my time reading downers)… but I’m very glad I kept at it. This book is really well done, and it’s truly a unique and beautiful Cinderella story.
White did an amazing job integrating the Cinderella aspects in unexpected, yet natural ways. Everything was there and nothing felt forced. She even managed to ‘fix’ Cinderella elements that usually bother me, like the typical lack of relationship development. This story had great characters and a well developed (if a little rushed) romance.
Highly recommended to those who enjoy fairy tales.
Content:
There’s no foul language or sex, and the violence is minimal. The romance is clean with only a few chaste kisses. There is a lot of magic. There is no mention of faith or God.
This is a great book. I’m only docking it half a star because a significant portion of it is more somber than I prefer, especially in the beginning. If this wasn’t the third book in the series, and the last book wasn’t so exceptional, I might have actually stopped reading it at 10% (there are too many uplifting books out there for me to spend my time reading downers)… but I’m very glad I kept at it. This book is really well done, and it’s truly a unique and beautiful Cinderella story.
White did an amazing job integrating the Cinderella aspects in unexpected, yet natural ways. Everything was there and nothing felt forced. She even managed to ‘fix’ Cinderella elements that usually bother me, like the typical lack of relationship development. This story had great characters and a well developed (if a little rushed) romance.
Highly recommended to those who enjoy fairy tales.
Content:
There’s no foul language or sex, and the violence is minimal. The romance is clean with only a few chaste kisses. There is a lot of magic. There is no mention of faith or God.
January 1, 2025
Bentleigh's brother Rian gets to steal the show in this book. I loved this Cinderella retelling! The family dynamics of Cinderella's family wasn't as black-and-white as some retellings, and the stepsisters were really sympathetic even as they had their own learning to do.
Penny is a lovely Cinderella with forbidden magic and a heart of gold. Rian is a great foil for her, and they make an adorable couple!
The villain reveal caught even me by surprise, though it made sense once revealed!
And I loved how the dragons yet again made an appearance! I love the deepening, ongoing mystery of what is truly going on behind all of these stories!
Penny is a lovely Cinderella with forbidden magic and a heart of gold. Rian is a great foil for her, and they make an adorable couple!
The villain reveal caught even me by surprise, though it made sense once revealed!
And I loved how the dragons yet again made an appearance! I love the deepening, ongoing mystery of what is truly going on behind all of these stories!
June 3, 2025
4.5 stars
I feel like the series only gets better as it moves along!
This installment had me absolutely hooked that I couldn’t stop reading!
It was again a very creative way of retelling the original fairytale: Penny herself is an enchantress in a kingdom that has outlawed magic and manages the household chores her stepmother pushes onto her with her magic. She stumbles upon the prince in the market making them connect before and actually inspires her to go to the ball at all. The fairy godmother here is another enchantress that tutors Penny in her magic and uses illusion magic to give her a dress that only lasts until midnight (though you could also argue that the dragon is also part of the fairy stepmother as she is responsible for the glass slippers).
I love how the central message of kindness got preserved (let’s not kid ourselves: that’s a Disney relic, but I don’t mind it) and made Penny only be a stronger protagonist for it. I like how the central message was: don’t let unkind people change who you are. It’s not about retaliation, but about staying true to yourself. Penny stays true to herself all throughout and (even if I found her a pushover at times,) it’s fascinating how that is actually her strength.
And this time I actually think that a lot of the side characters also had plenty of depth: the stepmother is ruled by practicality rather than cruelty, the stepsisters are clearly shown as a product of their mother’s emotionless upbringing, they also have their hardships and grow throughout the story. The king has outlawed magic after witnessing a magical attack and a curse (the one in book two) and lets fear overrule his otherwise logic judgment and the queen seems shallow at first, but we get glimpses of her feelings towards her son every now and then and how she is conflicted between what’s best for her son and what’s best for the kingdom. I feel like most characters were treated with a nuanced eye!
There was a little dip in the pacing in the middle of the book, but it picked up again towards the ending, so I didn’t mind all that much.
Overall: really enjoyed my time reading this and I’m already looking forward to the next installment as the author only seems to one-up herself each time!
I feel like the series only gets better as it moves along!
This installment had me absolutely hooked that I couldn’t stop reading!
It was again a very creative way of retelling the original fairytale: Penny herself is an enchantress in a kingdom that has outlawed magic and manages the household chores her stepmother pushes onto her with her magic. She stumbles upon the prince in the market making them connect before and actually inspires her to go to the ball at all. The fairy godmother here is another enchantress that tutors Penny in her magic and uses illusion magic to give her a dress that only lasts until midnight (though you could also argue that the dragon is also part of the fairy stepmother as she is responsible for the glass slippers).
I love how the central message of kindness got preserved (let’s not kid ourselves: that’s a Disney relic, but I don’t mind it) and made Penny only be a stronger protagonist for it. I like how the central message was: don’t let unkind people change who you are. It’s not about retaliation, but about staying true to yourself. Penny stays true to herself all throughout and (even if I found her a pushover at times,) it’s fascinating how that is actually her strength.
And this time I actually think that a lot of the side characters also had plenty of depth: the stepmother is ruled by practicality rather than cruelty, the stepsisters are clearly shown as a product of their mother’s emotionless upbringing, they also have their hardships and grow throughout the story. The king has outlawed magic after witnessing a magical attack and a curse (the one in book two) and lets fear overrule his otherwise logic judgment and the queen seems shallow at first, but we get glimpses of her feelings towards her son every now and then and how she is conflicted between what’s best for her son and what’s best for the kingdom. I feel like most characters were treated with a nuanced eye!
There was a little dip in the pacing in the middle of the book, but it picked up again towards the ending, so I didn’t mind all that much.
Overall: really enjoyed my time reading this and I’m already looking forward to the next installment as the author only seems to one-up herself each time!
November 28, 2021
What a fun and emotionally tugging Cinderella retelling
While I thought Ben and Azeala had firmly captured first place in my heart when it comes to this series, I find that I am happily forced to make room for this beautiful tale of Cinderella retold in such a charming and unexpectedly touching way.
While I thought Ben and Azeala had firmly captured first place in my heart when it comes to this series, I find that I am happily forced to make room for this beautiful tale of Cinderella retold in such a charming and unexpectedly touching way.
July 27, 2025
5 stars✨
Well, this was certainly an interesting read!
I was randomly checking my Kindle, looking for a book to read, when I came upon “Kingdom of Cinders” by Deborah Grace White. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read this book, because it’s the third in a series, but I’m very glad I did. This is my first novel by this author, and it intrigued me enough to want to read the rest of the series. It doesn’t hurt, of course, that she and Melanie Cellier are sisters.
I’m quite certain that I missed several things that I was supposed to know, but I never felt that I experienced any great lapse in knowledge by starting with the third book. Of course, I spoiled the ending of the previous book a little bit for myself, but I suppose that comes with the territory. I was able to get a quick bearing of my surroundings and the current happenings in each of the kingdoms, so it worked well as a standalone, at least for me.
I loved learning about the magic in this world, and the whole retelling aspect was really well done. Hopefully, I’ll be able to come back to Solstice soon, and read the stories I missed as well as future ones in the series!
Plot Summary:
When you’re hiding forbidden magic, a royal ball is the last place you want to be.
Born into a kingdom where power is outlawed, Penny has little reason to love her magic. She barely remembers her mother, and even her father dies unaware of her abilities. Now, magic or not, Penny is powerless to escape the bitter tangle of competition her stepmother has created between her and her stepsisters. And a series of chance encounters with the crown prince only adds to her troubles. The last thing she needs is to attract the notice of the very royals who have turned her existence into a crime.
Prince Rian has never been sure about his parents’ ban on magic, but he has no choice but to embrace it. The weight of a kingdom is on his shoulders, after all. With the departure of his younger brother to a neighboring kingdom, he’s never had more pressure and less support. His parents are ready to choose Bansford’s future queen, and the last thing he can afford is to get distracted by a servant girl…no matter how intriguing she might be.
But the king and queen aren’t wrong to be afraid—the darkest kind of magic is coming for Bansford. It’s time for Penny to decide where her loyalties truly lie, and Rian…he will have to decide just how much he’s willing to sacrifice for the kingdom he’s sworn to serve.
About the plot:
This was certainly refreshing! I haven’t read a great deal many Cinderella retellings, but this one stood out from those I have read. It had many aspects of the original, and I found hidden references in many places, yet it still managed to feel like a completely unique story. In addition to the Cinderella aspect, I loved getting to know the magic in the world.
This book was 400+ pages, but it was so exciting that it felt short to me. Everything was well developed, but I loved this world and would have liked to spend more time there. I suppose, though, that that’s what the rest of the series is for! Besides the fact that it’s set in a fantasy world where magic and dragons are real, everything was so intertwined and well developed that I could totally see this book’s events happening in real life. What I mean is that everything made perfect sense and there wasn’t a plot hole to be found. Not even an oddly behaving character, or a sudden, helpful insight. I appreciated that.
Overall, the book was really fun, and the action kept me hooked the whole time. I bemoaned having to leave my book to go do something as mundane as live in the real world, (where, sadly, dragons aren’t real) and I returned as soon as I was reasonably able to. I loved it!
Characters: (⚠️ Spoilers ahead ⚠️)
(⚠️ End of All Spoilers ⚠️)
🪶Quotes:
⭐️“She recognized it at once, of course. Who could mistake a dragon for anything else?”
💔 “And Penny’s tears still didn’t come, even as her heart was breaking at the first lie she’d ever told.”
😠 “The thought sent a fresh wave of bitterness over her. What business did the prince have to be cheerful, when his family had exiled people like her for daring to possess a skill they didn't have? How dare he sound endearingly humorous as he bantered with his brother's Listernian bride, while his own people were denied the freedoms her kingdom extended without question?”
😂 “Rian blinked at the trio. For the life of him he couldn’t tell which of the many nameless girls was supposed to be ‘the stunningly beautiful one’.”
👠 “Penny stared. ‘You’re right,’ she said slowly, testing her feet. ‘It actually feels like glass now.’ She grimaced. ‘’I’m probably going to break an ankle.”
❤️ “‘I'll fight for you, Penny,’ Rian whispered, barely aware of deciding to speak.
‘I'll do whatever it takes.’ ‘I would defy a kingdom for you, Rian,’ Penny said, her heart in her eyes’.”
❤️ Romance:
- Clean/No Spice
- 3 kisses (not super detailed)
- Noticing
- Nearness
- Forbidden Romance
The romance in this book was well done. At times, I wasn’t sure whether to root for the main couple or not, but that was just because Rian was annoying sometimes. To be honest, I felt maybe their attraction was too focused on the physical for my taste (mostly on Rian’s part) (I tolerate very little of that sort of thing, so…). I usually prefer a romance more focused on personality instead on merely looks, but it wasn’t bad. They got to know each other and wanted to keep each other safe, so it wasn’t like the usual “didn’t even remember her face” Cinderella story. I liked the couple well enough, though I don’t think I’ll be adding them to my favorites list.
⚠️ Content Warnings ⚠️:
- Magic (Dragon magic, enchanters/enchantresses, magic artifacts) (It’s not specifically good or bad, that depends on the intentions of the user.)
- Penny lies about her magic.
- Attempted assassination
- Grief (about parents)
- Manipulation
- Penny almost harms royals, at a moment of weakness.
- Drinking wine at a ball.
- Mentions of war, possible execution, arrests, being sentenced to hard labor, bandits, deaths, injuries, blood, fire.
- Mentions of hatred and bitterness.
Several characters (Including Penny herself, at first) are angry and bitter at royalty, but in the end, we see that love and kindness are the best way to go about things. In the climax there’s a lot going on, including people being hurt and attacked, etc., as well as the loss of parents, which could be a potential trigger. I didn’t have a problem with any of this, but as always, feel free to let me know any questions in the comments.
Conclusion:
Kingdom of Cinders was a very interesting book with a fascinating story to tell. The politics were remarkable and kept me very invested. The characters grew on me, and I loved sharing this journey with them! I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a clean fairytale retelling to read.
I grabbed this book for free during a fairy-tale retelling event, but this has in no way influenced my opinions on this book.
- Camila I.
Well, this was certainly an interesting read!
I was randomly checking my Kindle, looking for a book to read, when I came upon “Kingdom of Cinders” by Deborah Grace White. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read this book, because it’s the third in a series, but I’m very glad I did. This is my first novel by this author, and it intrigued me enough to want to read the rest of the series. It doesn’t hurt, of course, that she and Melanie Cellier are sisters.
I’m quite certain that I missed several things that I was supposed to know, but I never felt that I experienced any great lapse in knowledge by starting with the third book. Of course, I spoiled the ending of the previous book a little bit for myself, but I suppose that comes with the territory. I was able to get a quick bearing of my surroundings and the current happenings in each of the kingdoms, so it worked well as a standalone, at least for me.
I loved learning about the magic in this world, and the whole retelling aspect was really well done. Hopefully, I’ll be able to come back to Solstice soon, and read the stories I missed as well as future ones in the series!
Plot Summary:
When you’re hiding forbidden magic, a royal ball is the last place you want to be.
Born into a kingdom where power is outlawed, Penny has little reason to love her magic. She barely remembers her mother, and even her father dies unaware of her abilities. Now, magic or not, Penny is powerless to escape the bitter tangle of competition her stepmother has created between her and her stepsisters. And a series of chance encounters with the crown prince only adds to her troubles. The last thing she needs is to attract the notice of the very royals who have turned her existence into a crime.
Prince Rian has never been sure about his parents’ ban on magic, but he has no choice but to embrace it. The weight of a kingdom is on his shoulders, after all. With the departure of his younger brother to a neighboring kingdom, he’s never had more pressure and less support. His parents are ready to choose Bansford’s future queen, and the last thing he can afford is to get distracted by a servant girl…no matter how intriguing she might be.
But the king and queen aren’t wrong to be afraid—the darkest kind of magic is coming for Bansford. It’s time for Penny to decide where her loyalties truly lie, and Rian…he will have to decide just how much he’s willing to sacrifice for the kingdom he’s sworn to serve.
About the plot:
This was certainly refreshing! I haven’t read a great deal many Cinderella retellings, but this one stood out from those I have read. It had many aspects of the original, and I found hidden references in many places, yet it still managed to feel like a completely unique story. In addition to the Cinderella aspect, I loved getting to know the magic in the world.
This book was 400+ pages, but it was so exciting that it felt short to me. Everything was well developed, but I loved this world and would have liked to spend more time there. I suppose, though, that that’s what the rest of the series is for! Besides the fact that it’s set in a fantasy world where magic and dragons are real, everything was so intertwined and well developed that I could totally see this book’s events happening in real life. What I mean is that everything made perfect sense and there wasn’t a plot hole to be found. Not even an oddly behaving character, or a sudden, helpful insight. I appreciated that.
Overall, the book was really fun, and the action kept me hooked the whole time. I bemoaned having to leave my book to go do something as mundane as live in the real world, (where, sadly, dragons aren’t real) and I returned as soon as I was reasonably able to. I loved it!
Characters: (⚠️ Spoilers ahead ⚠️)
(⚠️ End of All Spoilers ⚠️)
🪶Quotes:
⭐️“She recognized it at once, of course. Who could mistake a dragon for anything else?”
💔 “And Penny’s tears still didn’t come, even as her heart was breaking at the first lie she’d ever told.”
😠 “The thought sent a fresh wave of bitterness over her. What business did the prince have to be cheerful, when his family had exiled people like her for daring to possess a skill they didn't have? How dare he sound endearingly humorous as he bantered with his brother's Listernian bride, while his own people were denied the freedoms her kingdom extended without question?”
😂 “Rian blinked at the trio. For the life of him he couldn’t tell which of the many nameless girls was supposed to be ‘the stunningly beautiful one’.”
👠 “Penny stared. ‘You’re right,’ she said slowly, testing her feet. ‘It actually feels like glass now.’ She grimaced. ‘’I’m probably going to break an ankle.”
❤️ “‘I'll fight for you, Penny,’ Rian whispered, barely aware of deciding to speak.
‘I'll do whatever it takes.’ ‘I would defy a kingdom for you, Rian,’ Penny said, her heart in her eyes’.”
❤️ Romance:
- Clean/No Spice
- 3 kisses (not super detailed)
- Noticing
- Nearness
- Forbidden Romance
The romance in this book was well done. At times, I wasn’t sure whether to root for the main couple or not, but that was just because Rian was annoying sometimes. To be honest, I felt maybe their attraction was too focused on the physical for my taste (mostly on Rian’s part) (I tolerate very little of that sort of thing, so…). I usually prefer a romance more focused on personality instead on merely looks, but it wasn’t bad. They got to know each other and wanted to keep each other safe, so it wasn’t like the usual “didn’t even remember her face” Cinderella story. I liked the couple well enough, though I don’t think I’ll be adding them to my favorites list.
⚠️ Content Warnings ⚠️:
- Magic (Dragon magic, enchanters/enchantresses, magic artifacts) (It’s not specifically good or bad, that depends on the intentions of the user.)
- Penny lies about her magic.
- Attempted assassination
- Grief (about parents)
- Manipulation
- Penny almost harms royals, at a moment of weakness.
- Drinking wine at a ball.
- Mentions of war, possible execution, arrests, being sentenced to hard labor, bandits, deaths, injuries, blood, fire.
- Mentions of hatred and bitterness.
Several characters (Including Penny herself, at first) are angry and bitter at royalty, but in the end, we see that love and kindness are the best way to go about things. In the climax there’s a lot going on, including people being hurt and attacked, etc., as well as the loss of parents, which could be a potential trigger. I didn’t have a problem with any of this, but as always, feel free to let me know any questions in the comments.
Conclusion:
Kingdom of Cinders was a very interesting book with a fascinating story to tell. The politics were remarkable and kept me very invested. The characters grew on me, and I loved sharing this journey with them! I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a clean fairytale retelling to read.
I grabbed this book for free during a fairy-tale retelling event, but this has in no way influenced my opinions on this book.
- Camila I.
October 5, 2021
I found this retelling interesting, but there was a little too much YA angst for me to completely enjoy. As always, DGW made the retelling's MCs come alive with deep characterization. The magic was a fun touch, and the MCs were likable. I also appreciated how they both overcame their deeply ingrained submissiveness to those they deemed in authority over them. However, it just took so dang long, I was gnashing my teeth by the 75% mark.
Overall, I appreciated the clean content, lack of OP drama, and surprise twists. However, the angst and pacing bogged down my enjoyment on the whole.
Overall, I appreciated the clean content, lack of OP drama, and surprise twists. However, the angst and pacing bogged down my enjoyment on the whole.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2021
Cinderella and Dragons: A Perfect Combination
This series keeps getting better and better. I loved this fresh take on Cinderella. Add to the tale that Penny is an enchantress in a kingdom where magic is banned, and you have an unforgettable tale!
I loved Penny’s kindness, and eventual courage. Both she and Rian did a lot of growing in this book. The romance was adorable.
Content: clean (a few kisses, mild violence)
This series keeps getting better and better. I loved this fresh take on Cinderella. Add to the tale that Penny is an enchantress in a kingdom where magic is banned, and you have an unforgettable tale!
I loved Penny’s kindness, and eventual courage. Both she and Rian did a lot of growing in this book. The romance was adorable.
Content: clean (a few kisses, mild violence)
August 19, 2021
Cinderella, magic and dragons! Oh, my!
My rating is 4.5 stars
As you may guess from the title, Kingdom of Cinders is a retelling of Cinderella, though with imaginative twists I have come to love and expect from Deborah Grace White.
We met Rian in Kingdom of Slumber. He is the crown prince and Ben's older brother. Poor Rian has never stood up to his parents regarding anything - he really relied on Ben speaking up when necessary. Now that Ben was no longer around, Rian had to learn how to speak up himself and when. I enjoyed seeing him come into his own as the craziness in the kingdom began to escalate.
Penny is everything sweet and kind. And a little naive. Her genial nature caused her stepfamily to take advantage of her in ways that seemed unkind. I really liked seeing her discover that her assumptions about her sisters were not exactly correct.
If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings with a bit of adventure, you'll want to be sure to read The Kingdom Tales series. The stories can stand alone though I suggest reading them in order as some of the characters from one show up in others and having the context and history is helpful.
Originally Reviewed on Among The Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
My rating is 4.5 stars
As you may guess from the title, Kingdom of Cinders is a retelling of Cinderella, though with imaginative twists I have come to love and expect from Deborah Grace White.
We met Rian in Kingdom of Slumber. He is the crown prince and Ben's older brother. Poor Rian has never stood up to his parents regarding anything - he really relied on Ben speaking up when necessary. Now that Ben was no longer around, Rian had to learn how to speak up himself and when. I enjoyed seeing him come into his own as the craziness in the kingdom began to escalate.
Penny is everything sweet and kind. And a little naive. Her genial nature caused her stepfamily to take advantage of her in ways that seemed unkind. I really liked seeing her discover that her assumptions about her sisters were not exactly correct.
If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings with a bit of adventure, you'll want to be sure to read The Kingdom Tales series. The stories can stand alone though I suggest reading them in order as some of the characters from one show up in others and having the context and history is helpful.
Originally Reviewed on Among The Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
July 7, 2022
This story was on fire...but petered out near the end
I enjoyed reading the character growth for Rian and Penny as well as some of the secondary characters. I felt the conflict came to a quick and unrealistic conclusion. I was still confused by some of the choices and subsequent punishments for the bad "guys" maybe another book will clear that up.
Overall this is a great book and I think is is worthy of a repeat read.
I enjoyed reading the character growth for Rian and Penny as well as some of the secondary characters. I felt the conflict came to a quick and unrealistic conclusion. I was still confused by some of the choices and subsequent punishments for the bad "guys" maybe another book will clear that up.
Overall this is a great book and I think is is worthy of a repeat read.
November 7, 2021
Read a fairy tale after a long break....
So for now all I have to say is that it was a pleasant experience and I intend to continue with series. The twist to the original Cinderella story was mind blowing.
So for now all I have to say is that it was a pleasant experience and I intend to continue with series. The twist to the original Cinderella story was mind blowing.
November 19, 2023
Cinderella retellings is one of the Fairytales I read more often than not simply because it is my mothers favorite fairytale
This Cinderella retelling had the perfect mix of faithfulness to the original fairytale such as a blue dress and a glass slipper a cruel stepmom that we all expect from Cinderella while also bringing a fresh and intriguing spin
The Cinderella retelling was very action packed while also maintaining the romance that some of us are reading it for.
This Cinderella retelling had the perfect mix of faithfulness to the original fairytale such as a blue dress and a glass slipper a cruel stepmom that we all expect from Cinderella while also bringing a fresh and intriguing spin
The Cinderella retelling was very action packed while also maintaining the romance that some of us are reading it for.
September 30, 2022
What a gripping Cinderella retelling! The slow-burn love story between Penny (an enchantress-in-training) and Prince Rian (whose father has banned all magic and magic-users in their kingdom) was so well-written. I don't normally read romance, but I make an exception when it's a fairytale retelling. The author retold the story of Cinderella in such a clever way--I'm still thinking about it. Loved the characters too!
June 1, 2025
I think Deborah Grace White might be a genius. These fairytale retellings are freaking amazing! This whole book was filled with a sense of 'how could this possibly work out?' but you know it somehow will because it has to right? And it was so perfect. I love everything about this series.
Want to read
August 16, 2021Nominated for a 2021 Swoony Award, to vote click here: https://tinyurl.com/y593ce67
September 23, 2021
Longer than I felt like it needed to be.
June 11, 2023
Kingdom of Cinders is a "Cinderella" retelling from Deborah Grace White's Kingdom Tales which had been on my reading list for a while. I read the first book in this series but wasn't as impressed with it as her original fantasy books including the Vazula Chronicles and the Kyona Legacy. I have been thoroughly enjoying her newer fairy tale series, The Singer Tales, which incorporates even more original lore into these beloved tales. While this book does focus a lot on the popular fairy tale, there are some key differences that make it unique. For instance, it takes place in a kingdom where magic is illegal with a protagonist who must hide her powers from the crown. I couldn't help noticing how similar these elements were to my own original princess trilogy which also includes a "Cinderella" retelling, but I will try to leave any personal bias out of this review.
Penny never asked to be born with magic, nor did she want it. In fact, she was so ashamed of her powers that she hid them from both her parents until their dying days. Unfortunately, that left her stuck with a wicked stepmother and two selfish stepsisters (one more so than the other) with no way out of her miserable life. When her stepmother sends her on a delivery to the castle with her father's death still fresh on her mind, Penny accidentally catches the eye of Prince Rian, who was already skeptical of the kingdom's unjust policies toward people with magic. Though Penny tries to make herself as scarce as possible, the prince is taken with her and seeks her out to deliver the payment for her task. It doesn't help that a fellow enchantress named Lady Amaranthe who knew about Penny's powers is determined to bring the two together. As a result of their unlikely friendship, Penny agrees to attend Prince Rian's series of betrothal balls where his parents are determined to find him a wife. She continues to carefully hide her powers for fear of the danger they could bring to them both.
As far as adaptations go, I appreciate that Deborah incorporated more elements of the Brothers Grimm version of the fairy tale than the more popular Perrault version such as holding multiple balls and picking up lentils as one of her tasks. Lady Amaranthe serves the role of the Fairy Godmother effectively with her ability to alter appearances and give Penny a suitable look for the ball. She also serves as Penny's mentor by helping her to hone her magic. The original elements of the book are woven masterfully into the story. The reason the "Cinderella" fairy tale is so popular is that it shows that any girl can be a princess, even the most unlikely of commoners. Here, not only is marrying Penny a challenge for Rian because of her social standing, but also because of her powers, which are enough to have her arrested on principle. Like Deborah's other books, this story incorporates dragon lore by portraying a dragon who talks to Penny about her magic in her dreams. It was a clever way to tie this story into her other books as well as a nice treat for those of us who have read some of them already.
One of the most important elements for any "Cinderella" retelling is the love story, which I think was handled well here. With chapters from both Penny and Rian's perspectives, we get a good understanding of both their fears and desires. Rian fell for her a little quickly, but that's normal in these types of stories. Penny's magic served as the biggest obstacle in their relationship, which provided just the right amount of drama for a story that has been told so many times. The surprise twist at the end that I didn't see coming at all sealed the deal for this book not being just another trite "Cinderella" retelling. Though the "magic ban" trope has been done in the past, it worked well in terms of adding new life to an old story. I also liked that Penny's magic gave her a connection to a dragon that tied her tale into the larger overarching fantasy universe of Deborah Grace White's books.
While it isn't one of the best books Deborah Grace White has ever written, Kingdom of Cinders holds its ground as an original "Cinderella" retelling full of magic, intrigue, and surprises. It presents a new interpretation of a familiar character who has more magic than she knows what to do with. Elements like the unfair treatment of magic users, a more proactive fairy godmother, and a nicer stepsister breathe new life into this classic story. If you are looking for a "Cinderella" retelling that has just enough original aspects to make it feel new again, this is a good option. If you are a fan of princesses and fantasy and are looking for something more original, I strongly recommend checking out Deborah's other series including The Vazula Chronicles, The Kyona Legacy/Chronicles, and The Singer Tales.
Penny never asked to be born with magic, nor did she want it. In fact, she was so ashamed of her powers that she hid them from both her parents until their dying days. Unfortunately, that left her stuck with a wicked stepmother and two selfish stepsisters (one more so than the other) with no way out of her miserable life. When her stepmother sends her on a delivery to the castle with her father's death still fresh on her mind, Penny accidentally catches the eye of Prince Rian, who was already skeptical of the kingdom's unjust policies toward people with magic. Though Penny tries to make herself as scarce as possible, the prince is taken with her and seeks her out to deliver the payment for her task. It doesn't help that a fellow enchantress named Lady Amaranthe who knew about Penny's powers is determined to bring the two together. As a result of their unlikely friendship, Penny agrees to attend Prince Rian's series of betrothal balls where his parents are determined to find him a wife. She continues to carefully hide her powers for fear of the danger they could bring to them both.
As far as adaptations go, I appreciate that Deborah incorporated more elements of the Brothers Grimm version of the fairy tale than the more popular Perrault version such as holding multiple balls and picking up lentils as one of her tasks. Lady Amaranthe serves the role of the Fairy Godmother effectively with her ability to alter appearances and give Penny a suitable look for the ball. She also serves as Penny's mentor by helping her to hone her magic. The original elements of the book are woven masterfully into the story. The reason the "Cinderella" fairy tale is so popular is that it shows that any girl can be a princess, even the most unlikely of commoners. Here, not only is marrying Penny a challenge for Rian because of her social standing, but also because of her powers, which are enough to have her arrested on principle. Like Deborah's other books, this story incorporates dragon lore by portraying a dragon who talks to Penny about her magic in her dreams. It was a clever way to tie this story into her other books as well as a nice treat for those of us who have read some of them already.
One of the most important elements for any "Cinderella" retelling is the love story, which I think was handled well here. With chapters from both Penny and Rian's perspectives, we get a good understanding of both their fears and desires. Rian fell for her a little quickly, but that's normal in these types of stories. Penny's magic served as the biggest obstacle in their relationship, which provided just the right amount of drama for a story that has been told so many times. The surprise twist at the end that I didn't see coming at all sealed the deal for this book not being just another trite "Cinderella" retelling. Though the "magic ban" trope has been done in the past, it worked well in terms of adding new life to an old story. I also liked that Penny's magic gave her a connection to a dragon that tied her tale into the larger overarching fantasy universe of Deborah Grace White's books.
While it isn't one of the best books Deborah Grace White has ever written, Kingdom of Cinders holds its ground as an original "Cinderella" retelling full of magic, intrigue, and surprises. It presents a new interpretation of a familiar character who has more magic than she knows what to do with. Elements like the unfair treatment of magic users, a more proactive fairy godmother, and a nicer stepsister breathe new life into this classic story. If you are looking for a "Cinderella" retelling that has just enough original aspects to make it feel new again, this is a good option. If you are a fan of princesses and fantasy and are looking for something more original, I strongly recommend checking out Deborah's other series including The Vazula Chronicles, The Kyona Legacy/Chronicles, and The Singer Tales.
September 10, 2021
A different twist to a Cinderella story! Penny is an enchantress, a person with magic, that can move objects. She lives in a kingdom where magic is forbidden, which makes it all the more intense!
Her mother died when Penny was young and her father was a vineyard owner. Making sure Penny didn’t feel alone, he got her a puppy that she named Alchemist. He also didn’t want Penny to be without a mother so decided to marry her new stepmother, Sapphira.
Sapphira has two daughters, Sophia and Olivia. Sophia is a shy girl, though beautiful, has no courage to speak her mind or take action. Olivia is very opinionated and grows to become like her stepmother.
When her father gets sick, he passes away, leaving the vineyard to Sapphira. Sapphira let’s all the servants go, except for Harry, who wants to be there for Penny. Penny is forced into taking up all the tasks the servants were to do: sewing, cooking, cleaning, etc.
The day her father passed, she is tasked with bringing the remaining wine to the castle while they held a ball. Penny meets Prince Rian, whom from the previous book, we know that he gave up his right to chose his bride so his brother can marry the girl they originally had him betrothed to since he was little. She also meets Lady Amaranthe, whom ends up teaching her all about her magic.
The story is absolutely engaging and makes me want to read on. I absolutely adore all the Kingdom Tales by Deborah Grace White. The stories are always thrilling, remarkable, and extraordinary. The aspects of throwing in dragons into this series was absolutely brilliant and I love it! I fully recommend everyone read this!!
Her mother died when Penny was young and her father was a vineyard owner. Making sure Penny didn’t feel alone, he got her a puppy that she named Alchemist. He also didn’t want Penny to be without a mother so decided to marry her new stepmother, Sapphira.
Sapphira has two daughters, Sophia and Olivia. Sophia is a shy girl, though beautiful, has no courage to speak her mind or take action. Olivia is very opinionated and grows to become like her stepmother.
When her father gets sick, he passes away, leaving the vineyard to Sapphira. Sapphira let’s all the servants go, except for Harry, who wants to be there for Penny. Penny is forced into taking up all the tasks the servants were to do: sewing, cooking, cleaning, etc.
The day her father passed, she is tasked with bringing the remaining wine to the castle while they held a ball. Penny meets Prince Rian, whom from the previous book, we know that he gave up his right to chose his bride so his brother can marry the girl they originally had him betrothed to since he was little. She also meets Lady Amaranthe, whom ends up teaching her all about her magic.
The story is absolutely engaging and makes me want to read on. I absolutely adore all the Kingdom Tales by Deborah Grace White. The stories are always thrilling, remarkable, and extraordinary. The aspects of throwing in dragons into this series was absolutely brilliant and I love it! I fully recommend everyone read this!!
July 24, 2023
This "Cinderella" retelling is wonderfully unique. Poor Penny was born with magic, in a kingdom that has outlawed it. She hides from it. She doesn't let anybody know that she has it. Her father marries again, thinking she needs a female presence in her life. The demanding and demeaning stepmother she is saddled with gets rid of her every chance she can get.
When she starts economizing, it's Penny who gets to take over the responsibilities. Suddenly, it's up to Penny to run the entire household with only her stable master who has been there her whole life. On the day of Prince Bentleigh's betrothal ball, her father passes. Distraught, she tells her stepmother she doesn't want to go to the castle to deliver the wine for the party.
Forced to go anyway, she wears the nicest dress she owns as a small act of defiance. When the steward of the castle sees the name of the vineyard, he recognizes her as the daughter. He doesn't allow her to head home by herself and insists she comes and sits with a retired servant until someone could be spared to take her home.
Penny gets lost, and finds her way to the ballroom. There, confronted with the finery and opulence of the ball, she becomes bitter and hardened. As she is about to attack, another woman stops her and helps her see reason. She becomes a mentor of sorts. Prince Rian is entranced by the beauty and spirit he sees in Penny. He makes up every excuse to see her. When his mother tells him he will be married before his brother in 3 months, he proposes a series of 3 balls to let him choose his bride. Knowing the bride he wants is a commoner, he convinces his parents to invite every young gentlewoman in the land.
Will Rian and Penny end up together? What about her illegal magic? Who is attacking the country? What happens if she loses control? And why are there dragons? What are they there for? Find out all of the answers and more when you finish Penny and Rian's story!
When she starts economizing, it's Penny who gets to take over the responsibilities. Suddenly, it's up to Penny to run the entire household with only her stable master who has been there her whole life. On the day of Prince Bentleigh's betrothal ball, her father passes. Distraught, she tells her stepmother she doesn't want to go to the castle to deliver the wine for the party.
Forced to go anyway, she wears the nicest dress she owns as a small act of defiance. When the steward of the castle sees the name of the vineyard, he recognizes her as the daughter. He doesn't allow her to head home by herself and insists she comes and sits with a retired servant until someone could be spared to take her home.
Penny gets lost, and finds her way to the ballroom. There, confronted with the finery and opulence of the ball, she becomes bitter and hardened. As she is about to attack, another woman stops her and helps her see reason. She becomes a mentor of sorts. Prince Rian is entranced by the beauty and spirit he sees in Penny. He makes up every excuse to see her. When his mother tells him he will be married before his brother in 3 months, he proposes a series of 3 balls to let him choose his bride. Knowing the bride he wants is a commoner, he convinces his parents to invite every young gentlewoman in the land.
Will Rian and Penny end up together? What about her illegal magic? Who is attacking the country? What happens if she loses control? And why are there dragons? What are they there for? Find out all of the answers and more when you finish Penny and Rian's story!
September 10, 2021
To tell the truth (which we should always do) I struggled with the first two books, I just had a hard time getting into and staying into them. I started this one and didn't want to put it down!
She's a commoner, the daughter of a vineyard owner, the king's very favorite vintner. Knowing the story of Cinderella, we know that her father dies and leaves her with her emotionless step-mother who thinks Penny (Penelope) (thank you for not calling her Elle or Ella) has a lot of lessons to learn and keeps her busy with things around the house. What no one knows is that Penny has magic, a lot of magic - but no one can know because this is the only kingdom where magic is outlawed, and for some reason, lately, there are a lot of people, even children, who are being arrested and imprisioned or exiled for having magic. While Penny is trying to learn more about her magic and how to control it she has to be extra careful not to get caught using it.
He's a prince. Rian meets Penny in the market and is intrigued by her and makes many efforts to meet her again and get to know her. Oh, he knows he has to choose a wife from the nobility, and soon, but this girl has gotten to him. Rian and his father do not agree about magic users which causes friction between them.
There are twists and turns in this story. I liked this version of Cinderella, she's the same kind hearted girl, but also a very strong one.
This is a clean read.
She's a commoner, the daughter of a vineyard owner, the king's very favorite vintner. Knowing the story of Cinderella, we know that her father dies and leaves her with her emotionless step-mother who thinks Penny (Penelope) (thank you for not calling her Elle or Ella) has a lot of lessons to learn and keeps her busy with things around the house. What no one knows is that Penny has magic, a lot of magic - but no one can know because this is the only kingdom where magic is outlawed, and for some reason, lately, there are a lot of people, even children, who are being arrested and imprisioned or exiled for having magic. While Penny is trying to learn more about her magic and how to control it she has to be extra careful not to get caught using it.
He's a prince. Rian meets Penny in the market and is intrigued by her and makes many efforts to meet her again and get to know her. Oh, he knows he has to choose a wife from the nobility, and soon, but this girl has gotten to him. Rian and his father do not agree about magic users which causes friction between them.
There are twists and turns in this story. I liked this version of Cinderella, she's the same kind hearted girl, but also a very strong one.
This is a clean read.
October 28, 2021
A strong Cinderella
Penny is not your average girl, she is an enchantress who has been hiding her powers because of a magic ban in the kingdom. She lost her mother at an early age but her kindness lives on in the way Penny treats others. When her father married again and brought two step sisters to the family she was hoping to gain some connections but alas it was not to be... Then her father became ill and poor fortune fell on the family. Penny humbly takes on the roles of cook and servant to keep the home running and only has a moment of weakness feeling bitter when forced to deliver the shipment of wine to the castle on the day her father died. There she meets Lady Amarinthe who also has magic and becomes a friend who teaches her how to use her magic. Penny meets the prince at the same time and through additional moments they grow to care for each other, but how can they be together? Enter the familiar elements from Cinderella, multiple balls, enchanted ball gowns and glass slippers, with some unique twists... Including a dragon. I won't spoil the surprises and twists to the story but it was a wonderful experience to read. I like the switch in perspective between Penny and the prince, Rian to tell how they grow to love each other. The details and descriptions are vivid and emotion evoking, you will have all the feels with this story! Highly recommend.
Penny is not your average girl, she is an enchantress who has been hiding her powers because of a magic ban in the kingdom. She lost her mother at an early age but her kindness lives on in the way Penny treats others. When her father married again and brought two step sisters to the family she was hoping to gain some connections but alas it was not to be... Then her father became ill and poor fortune fell on the family. Penny humbly takes on the roles of cook and servant to keep the home running and only has a moment of weakness feeling bitter when forced to deliver the shipment of wine to the castle on the day her father died. There she meets Lady Amarinthe who also has magic and becomes a friend who teaches her how to use her magic. Penny meets the prince at the same time and through additional moments they grow to care for each other, but how can they be together? Enter the familiar elements from Cinderella, multiple balls, enchanted ball gowns and glass slippers, with some unique twists... Including a dragon. I won't spoil the surprises and twists to the story but it was a wonderful experience to read. I like the switch in perspective between Penny and the prince, Rian to tell how they grow to love each other. The details and descriptions are vivid and emotion evoking, you will have all the feels with this story! Highly recommend.
![Profile Image for Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1766269624i%2F169222098._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
August 30, 2025
🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵
Oh my goodness! This was such a sweet and unique Cinderella retelling and I loved it! Penny was absolutely lovely and I adored her! She was selfless and brave! Rian was such a sweetheart and I loved him! He was exactly what Penny needed and he was amazing! I loved reading about the two of them fall in love and fight for each other! It was precious and had me grinning and laughing! I didn’t like Rian’s parents especially his father…they were so mean! It was great to see Ben and Azalea again! I really enjoyed how unique this retelling was and I can’t wait to read the rest of this series! It’s been so good so far! This is definitely one of my favorite Cinderella retellings and I highly recommend this book! 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Quote that I liked:
🩵 Rian said again, with a crooked smile. "I'm glad you were born, here, into my kingdom."
🩵 "Am I who you expected?" Penny asked, a humorous tilt to her lips. Rian smiled, holding her mask loosely in one hand as he brought the other back up to touch her cheek. "Not at all who I expected," he said. "But maybe exactly who I need."
🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵
Oh my goodness! This was such a sweet and unique Cinderella retelling and I loved it! Penny was absolutely lovely and I adored her! She was selfless and brave! Rian was such a sweetheart and I loved him! He was exactly what Penny needed and he was amazing! I loved reading about the two of them fall in love and fight for each other! It was precious and had me grinning and laughing! I didn’t like Rian’s parents especially his father…they were so mean! It was great to see Ben and Azalea again! I really enjoyed how unique this retelling was and I can’t wait to read the rest of this series! It’s been so good so far! This is definitely one of my favorite Cinderella retellings and I highly recommend this book! 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Quote that I liked:
🩵 Rian said again, with a crooked smile. "I'm glad you were born, here, into my kingdom."
🩵 "Am I who you expected?" Penny asked, a humorous tilt to her lips. Rian smiled, holding her mask loosely in one hand as he brought the other back up to touch her cheek. "Not at all who I expected," he said. "But maybe exactly who I need."
🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵
May 22, 2023
I like this retelling, but actually don’t have much of note to say. BUT actually I love Rian. I love how he can see complexity- it especially stood out since I was listening to Golden Curse at the same time, so compared to Alex in that book Rian stands out as confident in his opinions and willing to consider outside views. He’s a great character, and while flawed and “weak” in his fear of his parents, internally he’s incredibly open for someone so exposed to the evils of magic.
On this ig the end is the flaw for me- the bandit attack was weird and I didn’t love it but what I really don’t love is the king’s 180. I just don’t love that in books, but I know we need a happily ever after lol. I think it would’ve helped if Rian had been working on his parents for more of the book. Or perhaps if the child incident showed some conflict in his father. The king just needed a touch more depth for me to buy it, though Rians POV did a great job giving the king more depth. Penny is more the stereotypical Cinderella, but I still like her and she is a bit more complex. Definitely a strength of this series- the complex characters. I don’t get any samey vibes.
On this ig the end is the flaw for me- the bandit attack was weird and I didn’t love it but what I really don’t love is the king’s 180. I just don’t love that in books, but I know we need a happily ever after lol. I think it would’ve helped if Rian had been working on his parents for more of the book. Or perhaps if the child incident showed some conflict in his father. The king just needed a touch more depth for me to buy it, though Rians POV did a great job giving the king more depth. Penny is more the stereotypical Cinderella, but I still like her and she is a bit more complex. Definitely a strength of this series- the complex characters. I don’t get any samey vibes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2025
Is it woke?
Not at all.
Is it good?
Once more, White astounds with a fairytale retelling so immersive that readers will forget they know the tale. Penny is a completely unique and adorable character who portrays amazing strength, and the characterization of the other characters is a beauty to behold. The romance is even more compelling than the others in the series.
This is the best so far in the series and I highly recommend it. Fans of Chanda Hahn and Leialoha Humphreys are sure to enjoy.
Is it appropriate for your children?
This is completely clean of sexual references and swearing. There is a minimum of violence and the only (slightly) mature themes are the 'marrying a peasant' and 'forbidden magic' tropes.
'Kingdom Of Beauty' is fantastic, and any fantasy or romance lover aged 12 and above should love it.
Not at all.
Is it good?
Once more, White astounds with a fairytale retelling so immersive that readers will forget they know the tale. Penny is a completely unique and adorable character who portrays amazing strength, and the characterization of the other characters is a beauty to behold. The romance is even more compelling than the others in the series.
This is the best so far in the series and I highly recommend it. Fans of Chanda Hahn and Leialoha Humphreys are sure to enjoy.
Is it appropriate for your children?
This is completely clean of sexual references and swearing. There is a minimum of violence and the only (slightly) mature themes are the 'marrying a peasant' and 'forbidden magic' tropes.
'Kingdom Of Beauty' is fantastic, and any fantasy or romance lover aged 12 and above should love it.
May 15, 2025
This is a sweet retelling of Cinderella. However, our cinder girl has powerful magic in a kingdom that has outlawed magic and seeks to weed it out. Of course, there is a handsome, tender-hearted prince at hand who does not agree with his father’s fear-laden edicts.
Though it is a rather predictable story, the characters are charming. I liked how the step-sisters matured, and how Penny was so sweet and gullible, despite her magic. When she was discovered, her step-sister asked her why she would use her magic to serve the demanding and difficult family, instead of punishing them. I loved her reply: “I suppose I’d rather suffer unkindness than become unkind myself.”
Evil is really bitterness and unforgiving anger brought to life in villains.
It makes sense.
This is another fun read by Ms White.
October 22, 2021
Another charming book in this fairytale retelling series!
Diving into the kingdom of Bansford was a great treat, and the plot/sinister characters in this story were very well written. I am truly enjoying how the author continues to tell her stories from alternative view points ( the male and female leads ). It makes the characters seem more real and the plot more intricate. A dragon seems to play a more pivotal role in this book, and the overall sinister force in this world is coming closer to being revealed. Can’t wait for the next installment to come out next month!
Diving into the kingdom of Bansford was a great treat, and the plot/sinister characters in this story were very well written. I am truly enjoying how the author continues to tell her stories from alternative view points ( the male and female leads ). It makes the characters seem more real and the plot more intricate. A dragon seems to play a more pivotal role in this book, and the overall sinister force in this world is coming closer to being revealed. Can’t wait for the next installment to come out next month!
February 11, 2022
I really enjoyed this book the first time I read it, but after reading through the series so far I found that I enjoyed even better the second time through. It is an excellent retelling of Cinderella that is beautifully interconnected into the Kingdom Tales series. The story is complete in and of itself, but I love the interconnections in the world building. Some of these authors are ruining me with how wonderful their series are. I love that this is a clean fairy that also incorporates good attitudes, values and lessons learned.
July 11, 2022
Practical Yet Magical
Kingdom of Cinders is a thoughtful retelling of Cinderella. Deborah Grace White is really good at thinking through the practical details and realistic motivations that add color and relatability to a tale. This book is told from both sides and does a great job thinking through power and fear and how people react to having them and/or being ruled by them. There are fun magical moments and cute sweet moments. It would be helpful but not essential to read the second book in the series first.
Kingdom of Cinders is a thoughtful retelling of Cinderella. Deborah Grace White is really good at thinking through the practical details and realistic motivations that add color and relatability to a tale. This book is told from both sides and does a great job thinking through power and fear and how people react to having them and/or being ruled by them. There are fun magical moments and cute sweet moments. It would be helpful but not essential to read the second book in the series first.
November 24, 2022
I read this at the wrong time so I was not able to really indulge in it. The premise is interesting and the way Cinderella story was twisted was fun. It was okay and i do enjoyed it. I like the plot but the characters, the royal family could be better i guess. Except for Prince Ben, I guess all of them lacked common sense. Rian is too indecisive and does not seem to have his own stance. And at some point, he's annoying. It's a good twist of Cinderella though. Definitely one of the most creative ones.
April 26, 2023
3.5⭐️ rounded up.
The sole reason for taking off some "points" was the fact that, in my copy, there were multiple times where the end of the chapter just cut off mid sentence. There were no missing pages. Specifically the cut offs were at the end of chapters 2, 14, and 24. Coming across these jarred me out of the story.
The story itself was good! I liked the blend of the fairytale with added magic and dragons! Cinderella was my favorite growing up, and I wasn't disappointed. It was a comfort read because it combined interests from my childhood with interests I have now.
Edit: the author is aware of the problem, and while it can't be fixed, she did send screenshots of the missing parts!
The sole reason for taking off some "points" was the fact that, in my copy, there were multiple times where the end of the chapter just cut off mid sentence. There were no missing pages. Specifically the cut offs were at the end of chapters 2, 14, and 24. Coming across these jarred me out of the story.
The story itself was good! I liked the blend of the fairytale with added magic and dragons! Cinderella was my favorite growing up, and I wasn't disappointed. It was a comfort read because it combined interests from my childhood with interests I have now.
Edit: the author is aware of the problem, and while it can't be fixed, she did send screenshots of the missing parts!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews