The entire thing is good! I’m not even going to include my usual other two sections because I don’t have anything to critique here (except maybe that I wanted more of this story). In addition to this lovely story of self worth, Ella also begins a romance with the princess in the story, adding just more icing to this amazing cake of a novella. Much of the book focuses on Ella learning that she is worth something and her identity is entwined with her strength. Plot: A super cute F/F romance and tale of self worth It really drives home how traumatic these experiences can be for someone who is trans. They mistreat Ella and call her by her deadname, forcing her to wear masculine clothing even. While the stepfamily in the Cinderella story is usually pretty awful they are especially bad in this version of the story. Yeah this one is pretty self explanatory… Tropes: The Stepfamily is Super Bad While there, Ella befriends the princess and begins to fall in love with her as well. This godmother also gives Ella her heart’s desire: to dress up and attend the royal ball as herself, as Ella.

She is treated unfairly and cruelly by her stepfamily–with the added use of her deadname in the home–and eventually is comforted by a fairy godmother. Thus Ella’s story follows the traditional hallmarks of the tale. This heartwarming novella is the best modern take on the Cinderella fairy tale I’ve read yet.Ĭinder Ella is a retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale with a black trans woman as the titular role. And finally she is given the opportunity to dress for a ball, share moments with other women, and even dance with the beautiful princess. Ella may be a servant in her own home, but at least she knows who she is at heart. She wants to live as a woman, wear feminine clothing, and holds onto her identity even under the horrible treatment of her stepfamily who insist on using her deadname and pronouns.

Cinder and ella