cinderella and vampires is such a strange combo which i happen to love very much.

i was completely hooked by the first few chapters. the writing is creative, immersive, and so descriptive, full of chaos in the best way. the pacing kept things fun and fast, with lots of dark twists and turns that had me totally gripped. is it a masterpiece? no. but is it insanely entertaining? 100%

ella was such a great FMC, loved her development throughout the story. and the romance?? the yearning, the chemistry… i’m OBSESSED. the narrators also did such a great job, their voices fit the characters so well and made the story even more immersive.

this was one of my favorite fairytale retellings, and i’ll definitely be continuing the series and checking out more of their works.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC — opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook arc. The narrators were a perfect for the book, and were able to pull off multiple characters. This is a Cinderella retelling with vampires and far what else could you ask for?! She goes to the castle trying to find her sister and has to become castle staff in order find clues to find her sister and help and a small group of humans fight against the vampires in charge, but once she’s in the castle she realizes she may have bit of more than she can chew. She quickly finds out that not only can she talk to animals but she can hear them talk to her, and they help her thru the multiple tasks that she has taken on.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an audio copy in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Ella has lived her entire life under the shadow of the Immortals -- vampires who keep humans down. Every year they take new humans into the castle to work for them, and when her sister goes missing and she overhears her stepmother's plans for rebellion, she agrees to go undercover to spy for the rebels while also looking for her missing sister -- Belle. What she doesn't expect is Prince Cassius, and when he makes her his personal servant, Ella will have to decide which side she's really on.

All right, let's start with the retelling aspect of this. I love the Cinderella bits, and I love the hints of Beauty and the Beast for book two -- considering the fact that her sister's name is Belle as well as other spoilery things that I won't mention. I really liked the impossible tasks, and how they explain how she can talk to the animals. I really liked the that the two vampires that she ends up working for remind me of the animated cartoon version of the stepsisters with how ridiculous they were. The world building was well done, and I enjoyed the fact that we have this one kingdom that we are in. We are told that there are others out there, and I can't wait to see another kingdom in future books. I liked all the little twists that were in this and every time something new was discovered I found my guesses as to what was going to happen changing. The romance, enemies to lovers, was well done, and the chemistry between the two of them was there from the beginning despite them being enemies. I love the magic in this, I love the whole talking to animals and plants that she's got going on, I really liked the way the vampires were depicted, and of course the ending was well done. Honestly this is probably one of my favorite Cinderella retellings now -- there was so many cool things about the plot that just came together to make it such a unique retelling that still stuck to the traditional story. I highly recommend this one.

2.75
Let me start by saying, this is a fun Cinderella retelling approach with vampires of sorts and instead of the little mice helping her she has the cutest rat companion. The premise is intriguing for sure.

That being said, I struggled with finishing it.
It’s not that the book is bad! I think I personally just stumbled over too many small things that all accumulated up to a point where I had to accept that it’s just not for me.

I think personally, my biggest issue was with the characters.
Somehow, they didn’t feel consistent to me. Especially the FMC - she thinks or says one thing, usually in regards to the MMC - then changes her mind completely, i.e. makes accusations and confronts him with things that are a complete contradiction.
She keeps asking herself if she has been wrong about the prince, her opinions, everything, always jumping back and forth. She questions everything to the point where I don’t even know what she even believes or who she is as a character. I was wishing for a character development but it felt more like going in circles.

As for the MMC, while I don’t love him like I do other characters, I do like Cassius. Although maybe that’s because he is more of a phantom since his POVs were few and far between so we don’t have as much insight as with the FMC . But ultimately he, too, fell a bit flat for me, especially as a love interest.
Generally speaking, in their dynamic there is a lot of talking and very little showing which had me struggle with feeling a connection between them.

The world itself isn’t fleshed out a lot (for a reason) and it worked for the story. The interactions with the animals are cute, especially the rat and especially once she’s at the castle. However, to me personally it felt a bit like the easy way out at times. The damsel in distress theme is very strong in this book and sure, it sort of matches the fairytale vibe and probably works well for other readers. I think it’s just not for me.

Overall, the book isn’t bad. I was just waiting for it to… actually happen? There is a lot of story, yet the plot felt like it evaded me most of the time. Like a lack of substance. I kept waiting for it to take off and utilise all the potential it showed in the beginning.

The writing itself is good and smooth enough and, despite my critique, I am sure many will enjoy this book! It is very different from the original Cinderella yet at the same time so similar - the connections go beyond just easter eggs and I can see people loving this. The things I struggled with might very well be part of what makes it a great book for others.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and the authors for an ALC of this book

This audio was a pleasure to listen to. The narrator's did a fine job of immersing me into these characters with all there voice inflections. I definitely appreciate the male and female voices in this one. This is an adult Cinderella reimagining complete with talking animals, a girl named Ella, some evil sisters, a questionable stepmother, tipsy/witchy "godmother," and a handsome prince who is also a vampire. When Ella's sister, Belle (Im hoping for a beauty and the beast retelling in the fulture) goes missing, Ella will stop at nothing to find her. She searches for her in the woods near her home and runs into trouble in the form of a bloodthirsty immortal. When the prince of these immortals saves her from death, she can't seem to get him out of her mind, even though her people loathe his kind. Not thwarted in her search for Belle, Ella plans to get a job at the castle to learn what she can about her sister's disappearance and gather information for the human resistance group. This one is for all the readers who love a good, spicy reimagining.

Cinderella but add Vampires 🧛✨

ALC review:

Very cool concept.. I really loved the whole Cinderella infiltrating a vampire castle and falling for the evil vampire prince.

However, the world building was not there for me in this and since this was an early listener copy I also want to comment that I really did not enjoy the male narrator in this book. I feel like the dialogue wouldn’t have come across as cringy as it did if it weren’t for the male narrator.

Reign of Cinders and Glass by Linsey Hall has stolen my heart completely! 💖✨ This enchanting tale whisks you away to a world where darkness and magic entwine, and a brave heroine’s courage shines brighter than ever. 🌲🔥

Her quest to find her missing sister Belle is filled with peril and wonder, as she ventures into the cursed woods and into the shadowed halls of a vampire castle that seems to breathe with ancient secrets. 🖤🔮 The prince—so dark, so magnetic—haunts her thoughts with his cruel beauty, and their forbidden connection is as intoxicating as it is dangerous.

Linsey’s words weave a spell of suspense and longing, wrapping you in a world where magic pulses behind every wall and every glance is charged with unspoken desire. Her strength and resilience shine through each page, making every twist and turn utterly addictive. ✨🌹

If you crave a story of dark allure, fierce courage, and a love that defies the shadows, this book is a shimmering jewel in the night sky. I’m utterly enchanted and counting down on more from this mesmerizing series!

Highly, highly recommend for dreamers and fantasy lovers alike! 💫💕

3.5 ⭐️
I listened to the audiobook and did not like the portrayal of the MMC at all. I love the FMC voice actor. This book started off with me loving the 1st half of the story. The last half fell off for me, especially the last 5-8 chapters. The ending seemed to last forever. Overall it was okay.

This was such a fun twist on the Cinderella story! In a world ruled by vampire nobles where the mortals are little more than cattle, Ella gets a servant job inside the castle to search for her missing sister and spy for the resistance. The enemies to lovers slow burn was fantastic. The prince is almost immediately taken with her but tries to resist, and she just thinks he’s a typical bloodthirsty noble. Watching them learn more about each other and how she convinces him that mortals aren’t just tools was great to see. I really enjoyed this

The narration was excellent too.

I listened the audio version of this book, which likely influenced my reader experience. The female narrator was easy to listen to, created voices for different characters and I felt her representation of both main characters to line up with the overall vibe of the story. The male narrator did not land for me, the raspy voice for the MMC seemed at odds with the female narration and I would find myself cringing. It was almost as if he was a different character, one I did not like. I also found myself surprised by the how pliant the MFC became within Cassius chapters, which didn't line up with her inner dialogue.

The Cinderalla storyline was good, I liked the variations and those parts that rang true to the fairytale. The world came alive with the authors descriptions within Ella's chapters, the suspense kept me reading. The pace was a bit slow, everything wrapped up quickly within two chapters at about the 80% mark. Evil defeated, HRE of course! I liked the story overall, if you like fairytales mixed with a bit of spice and adventure, this is a good read.

"Reign of Cinders and Glass" is an incredible Cinderella retelling that quickly became my favorite version of the classic tale. Set in a dark, immersive world ruled by immortal vampires, the story follows a brave and determined heroine who will stop at nothing to find her missing sister, Belle. When she ventures into the cursed woods and crosses paths with Prince Cassius, the dark and dangerous Lord of Bloodvale, her life changes forever.

What really sets this retelling apart is the perfect blend of familiar fairytale elements with a gripping, high-stakes plot. The authors weave in Cinderella favorites like the wicked sisters, a masquerade ball, and a brooding prince, but the twists are what make this story so compelling. The addition of ruthless vampires, magic, and the mortal resistance gives the plot a much darker, more complex feel, making it more than just a retelling—it’s a full-fledged fantasy adventure.

The heroine's strength and determination are at the heart of the story. As she infiltrates Cassius' castle, she has to navigate danger at every turn while hiding her secret powers and staying focused on her mission. The dynamic between her and Cassius is electric, full of tension and slow-burn romance that builds throughout the book. His obsession with her is both dangerous and irresistible, adding a layer of emotional depth to the plot.

I loved that the story didn’t just focus on the romance but also on the heroine’s growth and her fight for justice. The world-building is vivid, the action is intense, and the discovery of her magic adds a thrilling dimension to the story. Plus, the found family element and devoted animal companions add warmth amidst the darker aspects of the plot.

The audiobook, narrated by Daniel Henning and Jesse Vilinsky, adds an extra layer of magic to the experience. Henning’s commanding tone brings Prince Cassius to life with all the menace and allure you’d expect, while Vilinsky perfectly captures the heroine’s resilience and vulnerability. Their performances draw you deeper into the story’s emotional and suspenseful beats, making it an utterly captivating listen.

For anyone who loves Cinderella retellings with a twist, Reign of Cinders and Glass is a must-read—or even better, a must-listen. It has all the best elements of the classic fairytale—magic, romance, danger—but with fresh, exciting twists that make it stand out. With its action-packed plot, strong heroine, brooding vampire prince, and immersive narration, this romantasy will keep you hooked from start to finish. The HEA leaves you completely satisfied. This is hands down my favorite Cinderella retelling!

This was a very unique and enjoyable take on Cinderella! The narrators were easy to listen to and did a great job. This darker version of the classic tale had my attention from start to finish. I look forward to more books from these authors.

This was a great take on Cinderella. Adding vampires made it so much more exciting and mesmerizing. I enjoyed it quite a bit

This book is an intriguing twist on the classic Cinderella tale, with some fun nods to Beauty and the Beast as well. Our main character, Ella, finds herself working in the castle of immortal vampires in order to search for her missing sister, Belle (yes, that Belle). The castle is full of danger, and Ella is treated poorly by the caretakers. The male main character—the vampire prince (definitely not so charming)—takes an interest in her, and things get interesting from there.
I really loved Ella, especially her bond with the different animal characters and how her magic was woven into the story. However, I wasn’t a huge fan of the vampire prince. That might be because the book was quite long and featured a major slow burn—I felt like the pacing of their relationship took too long to really develop.
As for the audiobook, I really enjoyed the female narrator. She did a great job bringing the characters to life. Unfortunately, the male narrator struggled with voicing female characters, which ended up being unintentionally comical in scenes that were supposed to be serious.
Overall, I enjoyed this story and I’m excited to see what happens next with Belle and the Beast.

Cinderella meets Vampires. It was a fun spin and reimagining. Ella is a FMC worth cheering for. She never waivers from her stance on protecting her people and saving her sister. Cassius is the grumpy, forced ruler. Slow to accept change, but quick to protect. I don't want to give spoilers, but read this book if romantasy meets fairytale is your jam.

The narration was.. mixed. Female voice covered all the basics, but the male voice was odd when showing sad emotions or crying out, and awful at a female impersonation.

A beautifully written Cinderella retelling set in a captivating vampire/human world. The author masterfully weaves in familiar characters from the original tale while creating a fresh, unique story all their own. Absolutely enchanting, I'd rate it a 10/10! I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Wow. I really enjoyed this book. It had me hooked from the very beginning, and I loved the heavy themes of self-discovery. I also really enjoyed the fantastical elements and how it entwined a bit of fairytale retelling within. I would recommend this audiobook.

I received a gifted copy. This review is honest and voluntary.

Reign of Cinder and Glass delivers a fresh, imaginative take on classic fairytales, weaving together familiar elements—like magical royalty, forbidden love, and dark curses—with clever twists that kept me intrigued. The world-building is rich, and the characters have enough depth to carry the story forward, especially with its blend of romance and suspense.

However, the audiobook experience left something to be desired. While the female narration felt aligned with the tone and atmosphere of the story, the male voice actor didn’t quite match the emotional weight or fairytale quality of the tale. His performance often felt too modern or detached, making it hard to stay immersed in certain scenes.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable listen for fans of fantasy retellings, but the narration may not be for everyone.

Reign of Cinders and Glass is the first book in the Fated Fairytales series by Linsey Hall & Veronica Douglas. I can’t wait for the future books in the series to be released!

I absolutely loved this Cinderella retelling! Ella is a strong woman who blossoms throughout this book! I loved the character development! She was fascinating!

And who doesn’t love it when there are vampires in your fairytale?!? That was such a fun addition to the story.

I think this is how Cinderella was meant to be written! A true love story, action, and a heroine who saves the day!!!

I loved the narration by Daniel Henning and Jesse Vilinsky. I thought they did a great job bringing the story to life.

This is a must read!!!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Reign of Cinders and Glass (Fated Fairytales #1) by Linsey Hall; Veronica Douglas
Narrated by Daniel Henning & Jesse Vilinsky
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Romance, Sci Fi & Fantasy
Published: April 30, 2025

I saw all of the 5 star reviews and was immediately suspicious- however this is a SERIOUSLY GREAT BOOK! A dark, spicy, unique as heck Cinderella retelling with vampires. I was absolutely hooked by this book and finished it in just two days. I did not like the male narrator however that’s just a personal preference and didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book at all. I am excited to read the next book in the series!

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook Reign of Cinders and Glass.