The false princess

Listening to the audiobook, I was about a third of the way through the book when I realized the protagonist's name is “Sinda” rather than “Cinder” and this isn't the loosest Cinderella adaptation ever. Mandy Williams, the narrator, has a lovely voice and that makes up for the couple things that annoyed me in the story.

Over the course of the story, Sinda experiences and witnesses many levels of society, leading to very well rounded worldbuilding. The plot is satisfyingly complex as well. The male love interest is the typical “fun and popular” type most YA books use. This one is on the likable end of the scale, rather than annoying.

My biggest gripe comes with Sinda's reasons for not confiding in a responsible adult as the story pushes into the final act. She has none. She can't even think of a good reason. I found myself wondering if she was under a geas preventing her from telling anyone (or even leaving a note!) but she's not.