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Dash and Cinder
This is a retelling of Cinderella with a sci-fi, Indian, steampunk, twist . . . where Cinderella may not be entirely human, with a setting in an alternate version of India, and where a young man will do everything he can to find the love that was once stolen from him . . .
66 pages, Paperback
First published August 13, 2014
24 people want to read
About the author
Bridget Ladd
5 books33 followersBridget Ladd never quite grew up. She's most likely to be caught carrying a pocketful of souvenir rocks and shells (to the washer's dismay) and gets excited over trivial things like colorful ponies and raiding tombs alongside her longtime favorite video game pal, Lara Croft. The smell of freshly turned dirt and the sea air are her favorites, and she isn't above doing twirling spins barefoot in the grass on a beautiful day in her yard. Her books are her shields and she will admit to having her head in the clouds more times than she probably should . . . but she doesn't let any of this bother her too much, remembering her favorite quote by Le Guin, and knowing that the creative adult is indeed the child who survived.
She graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 3D Computer Animation/Interactive Design and minored in Art History at East Carolina University. Living her life solely as an artist and illustrator after school was not enough--knowing that a picture was only worth a thousand words--she felt she needed more. She had to get the trapped stories, the vivid, sometimes adventurous, sometimes terrifying dreams, out of her head. Like the authors, artists, musicians, scientists, peaceful warriors who inspire her, she too wishes to share her worlds with others, let them escape into the unknown. Let them know that like her, it's okay to be different.
She graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 3D Computer Animation/Interactive Design and minored in Art History at East Carolina University. Living her life solely as an artist and illustrator after school was not enough--knowing that a picture was only worth a thousand words--she felt she needed more. She had to get the trapped stories, the vivid, sometimes adventurous, sometimes terrifying dreams, out of her head. Like the authors, artists, musicians, scientists, peaceful warriors who inspire her, she too wishes to share her worlds with others, let them escape into the unknown. Let them know that like her, it's okay to be different.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 26, 2014
This cute novella may be the pilot for an interesting series.
Not to be confused with Marissa Meyer's Cinder...it is vaguely similar, but takes things in a different direction.
Looking forward to more of this world.
Not to be confused with Marissa Meyer's Cinder...it is vaguely similar, but takes things in a different direction.
Looking forward to more of this world.
June 12, 2018
Cute short story
December 14, 2014
3.5 Stars
I really enjoy Cinderella retellings. They are almost always so fun. This one was no exception – it was different, unique, and enjoyable. I had never read any steam-punk type books previously, so this was a first. I didn’t dislike it – in fact, I liked this short tale. Somehow, Miss Ladd made a loveable, hero of Dashnu in just a short amount of time. I call that talent. :) And of course you feel deeply for Anora/Cinder’s plight and like her as the main character. I liked each of the characters in this book – besides Madame and her two daughters…they were rather disagreeable. ;)
Though I do not think it was intentional, I saw the Greater Love Story played out through this book. I think much of the classic Cinderella story reflects that – we love these tales, because we yearn to be pursued and fought for. In the fairy tale, it is by a Prince, but in real life it is by our Lord – Prince of all princes. He does pursue and fights for us at all costs. He is our greater love story.
And so I thought that neat, intentional in “Dash and Cinder” or not.
The beginning of the book took me a tiny bit to get into and fully understand (however, I think that was just me adjusting to the new genre), but another reading of it shall cure that I think. And I shall read it again. :)
The only thing that I did not overly care for was a part in the end, where, like in the movie Frozen, the female character is the ‘stronger’ one instead of the male character. I see nothing wrong with letting the man save the women. In fact, I think that is partly why we love the tale of Cinderella, because she was saved in a way, and cherished enough to be so.
Other than that, though, I enjoyed this light read!
Oh and I love the cover – it is just brilliantly beautiful!
Thank you so much, Bridget, for sending me the complimentary copy of “Dash and Cinder” – I greatly enjoyed it!
I really enjoy Cinderella retellings. They are almost always so fun. This one was no exception – it was different, unique, and enjoyable. I had never read any steam-punk type books previously, so this was a first. I didn’t dislike it – in fact, I liked this short tale. Somehow, Miss Ladd made a loveable, hero of Dashnu in just a short amount of time. I call that talent. :) And of course you feel deeply for Anora/Cinder’s plight and like her as the main character. I liked each of the characters in this book – besides Madame and her two daughters…they were rather disagreeable. ;)
Though I do not think it was intentional, I saw the Greater Love Story played out through this book. I think much of the classic Cinderella story reflects that – we love these tales, because we yearn to be pursued and fought for. In the fairy tale, it is by a Prince, but in real life it is by our Lord – Prince of all princes. He does pursue and fights for us at all costs. He is our greater love story.
And so I thought that neat, intentional in “Dash and Cinder” or not.
The beginning of the book took me a tiny bit to get into and fully understand (however, I think that was just me adjusting to the new genre), but another reading of it shall cure that I think. And I shall read it again. :)
The only thing that I did not overly care for was a part in the end, where, like in the movie Frozen, the female character is the ‘stronger’ one instead of the male character. I see nothing wrong with letting the man save the women. In fact, I think that is partly why we love the tale of Cinderella, because she was saved in a way, and cherished enough to be so.
Other than that, though, I enjoyed this light read!
Oh and I love the cover – it is just brilliantly beautiful!
Thank you so much, Bridget, for sending me the complimentary copy of “Dash and Cinder” – I greatly enjoyed it!
December 27, 2014
You know for being a short about 60 page story this packs a great story into few words. It follows Cinder an android ( or something more?) she’s different than the other Cinders in the house that help take care of the evil lady of the house and her daughters.
Danshu lost a Cinder he tweaked to make actually feel emotions and pain. He loves her and doesn’t want her to be in any pain so when he gets a lead on her he tries and find her to hopefully end her suffering, but what happens if he does find her?
I enjoyed this version of Cinderella. I kind of wish it was longer. That might be the only down side was I enjoyed it so much I wanted to keep reading about the world and the characters.
Bridget Ladd has a way with making this steampunkish India type world easy and beautiful to imagine. It was a quick, fun, and beautiful retelling of Cinderella that I wish I had more of.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews