The Cinderella Society: A 2010 Debut Author Challenge Review

Title: The Cinderella Society

Author: Kay Cassidy

Pages: 336
 Publisher: Egmont USA

Publication Date: April 13, 2010

My Edition: ARC Paperback

Reading Level: Young Adult
Challenge Read For: 2010 Debut Author Challenge

Received from: won from Kay's blog!

Summary from Amazon: 
Sixteen-year-old Jess Parker survives by staying invisible. After nine schools in ten years, she's come to terms with life as a perpetual new girl, neither popular nor outcast. At Mt. Sterling High, Jess gets the chance of a lifetime: an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret club of the most popular girls in school, where makeovers are the first order of official business. But there's more to being a Cindy than just reinventing yourself from the outside, a concept lost on Jess as she dives tiara-first into creating a hot new look.

With a date with her popular crush and a chance to finally fit in, Jess's life seems to be a perfect fairy tale. That is until the Wickeds--led by Jess's archenemy--begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers her new sisterhood is about much more than who rules Mt. Sterling High School. It's a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and the Cindys need Jess on special assignment. But when the mission threatens to destroy her new dream life, Jess is forced to choose between this dream realized and honoring the Sisterhood. What's a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn't want to wear it anymore?

Review:

The Cinderella Society was such a cute, funny, and a highly original Cinderella story. It starts off with introducing the main character Jess who has moved many times is used to being the "new kid". She doesn't fit in and is a social outcast until she is picked to become apart of the Cinderella Society. Jess becomes a Cindy whose mission is to keep the Reggies safe from the Wickeds. That may sound sort of weird and lame but believe me it's totally not, it's brilliant.

The plot was just so original and great...I loved it! The Cinderella Society is my new favorite Cinderella type story because it's definitely not your typical version with the evil stepmom & daughters and the happily ever after. It was so much better than that because they are a society which really cares about improving the lives of the members and the regular people.

The characters were another part I just loved. Sarah Jane (Jess's TCS Big Sister) was probably my favorite character because she a kind, honest, nice, and down-to-earth person. Also, Jess was a great heroin that I could really connect with. I didn't agree or like some of her decisions, but in the end she really started to understand her role and turned things around by being herself again. The relationship she starts after her TCS makeover was very entertaining but of course complicated. Their relationship was a little irritating at times because he could be a little mean and selfish. After hearing his side and his feelings, I finally understood his character and started to like him and Jess together.

The ending was great, but it has a cliffhanger for a sequel(s). I can't wait to find out what happens next in the sequel with will come out next spring! The cover is adorable and fits the book perfectly. I can't believe this is Kay Cassidy's first book because it is so amazing and well-written. The Cinderella Society is definitely one of the cutest, funniest debut novels of the year. I highly recommend picking up a copy today (it just came out this April 13)!

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