Book Review: The Cinderella Society

by Kay Cassidy

Rating: 7/10

What’s a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn’t want to wear it anymore? Sixteen year old Jess Parker has always been an outsider.  So when she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of the most popular girls in school, it’s like something out of a fairy tale.  Swept up by the Cindys’ magical world of makeovers, and catching the eye of her Prince Charming, Jess feels like she’s finally found her chance to fit in. Then the Wickeds–led by Jess’s arch-enemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers there’s more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself on the outside.  She has unknowingly become part of a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and now the Cindys in charge need Jess for a mission that could change everything. Overwhelmed, Jess wonders if The Cinderella Society made a mistake in choosing her.  Is it a coincidence her new boyfriend doesn’t want to be seen with her in public?  And is this glamorous, secret life even what she wants, or will she risk her own happy ending to live up to the expectations of her new sisters?

Jess has recently moved, again, this time to her mum’s home town Mt. Sterling. Jess tried out for the cheerleading team just after moving, like she always does. When she made the team Lexy Steele the first alternate who had been a shoe-in got bumped.

Lexy really has it in for Jess who just wants to fit in. Jess gets an invite to the Cinderella Society which is all about empowering people and joins because it makes her feel like a part of the in-group. Jess gets a date with her crush, Ryan Steele, super-hottie and Lexy’s older brother after her make-over.

In-between the Cinderella Society, facing off against the Wickeds (represented by Lexy), Ryan and assuming the mantle of leadership Jess makes friends and leans about herself.

In the end Jess finally gets what the other Cindy’s have been trying to tell her and realises that she needs to accept herself for herself.

The story was great and I totally got where Jess was coming from, especially the thing about “cool” kids and invites to parties.

I am interested but not desperate to see what happens in the next book Cindy on a Mission, due out later this year.

Currently listening: Whoa – We The Kings