Cinder & Glass by Melissa de la Cruz

Set in 17th-century France, Cinder & Glass reimagines the classic Cinderella story with a royal twist. When King Louis XIV announces a series of balls for his son, Prince Louis, to choose a bride, Cendrillon de Louvois, once the daughter of a royal adviser and now a servant in her own home, finds herself thrust back into the glittering world of court life.

While her cruel stepmother and stepsisters make her life miserable, Cendrillon secretly attends the royal events, catching the eye of both the arrogant Prince Louis and his kind, charming brother, Auguste. Torn between her chance at freedom and her growing affection for the wrong prince, Cendrillon must decide whether love or survival means more.

Melissa de la Cruz’s writing brings a familiar fairy tale into a historical setting full of intrigue, romance, and social hierarchy.

What Worked

• A fresh setting – Moving Cinderella to the court of 17th-century France gives Cinder & Glass an elegant, historical feel rather than a magical one.
• Competition twist – The “selection-style” courtship scenes add tension and keep the pace moving, especially around the midpoint.
• Themes of class and control – The story explores how limited women’s choices were in this period, showing that sometimes even fairy tales come with hard decisions.

What Didn’t Work

• A predictable plot – Yes, we have all heard the story of Cinderella. But while the historical detail is rich and Melissa de la Cruz tries to add new elements, Cinder & Glass unfolds exactly as expected, without much new magic or surprise.
• An overly naive heroine – Cendrillon’s obliviousness borders on frustrating. Readers may find themselves shouting, “Figure it out already!” during key moments.
• Lack of magic – Despite the enchanting title and cover, this retelling leans more into historical romance than fantasy. Readers expecting fairies, spells, or pumpkins may be disappointed.

Final Thoughts

Cinder & Glass is a pretty, polished retelling that offers a romantic escape but doesn’t bring much new depth to the Cinderella myth. As a fan of fairy tale retellings, I enjoyed the historical elements and the audiobook narration, but I found myself wishing for more emotional complexity and a heroine with much more awareness.

My Rating: 3/5 stars.
A light, courtly read for fans of historical romance and classic fairy tales, though not one that stands apart from the many other Cinderella retellings out there.