Cinderella Is Dead

Bahni Turpin’s narration is the secret weapon of this audiobook—her voice drips with the kind of sass and gravitas that makes Sophia’s journey feel like a conversation with a best friend who’s just realized she’s been lied to her whole life. She nails the emotional beats, from Sophia’s simmering rage to Constance’s quiet, hard-won strength, without ever slipping into overacting. The production keeps things tight; the pacing never drags, even when the world-building gets dense. That said, the middle act drags a bit with exposition—some of the lore about the kingdom’s history feels tacked on rather than organically woven in, which risks losing listeners who aren’t already invested. The audiobook’s sound design is minimal but effective, letting the story and Turpin’s performance shine. What really sells it, though, is the way Bayron twists the original fairy tale into something raw and urgent. The queer romance isn’t just window dressing; it’s the heart of the rebellion, and Turpin sells the stakes with every word. If you’re looking for a fairy-tale retelling that punches hard and feels contemporary, this is it—but be warned: it’ll leave you hungry for more revolution.