The evil lies little girls are told… evil truth. A dark and perverse world that only the strong can survive.
A truth Cinder is about to learn when her fairytale dreams become twisted into a macabre masquerade of dancing vices.
Will she succumb to the demands of her current story, or cling to her fairytale ending?
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This is a tale of Cinder wondering around different communities looking for a place to stay. She encounters some very interesting and kinky characters. She’s on her way across the desert to join the prince’s harem. It will be no paradise for her at first but a happy ending will happen for her. A twisted, kinky tale with plenty of steam and sex.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gritty & steamy fight-for-survival tale – an intriguing new dystopian spin on an old classic
—>>> Cinder has made the perilous journey via several communes in the hopes of reaching her dream destination of the Palace of Lazar to become a submissive in the infamous Prince’s harem. For her, it was the perfect fairy tale. Unfortunately, with the unstable dessert society on the brink of warring for precious supplies led by bloodthirsty individuals, her dreamy, sheltered, and pampered lifestyle comes to an abrupt end when all the Palace inhabitants are forced to flee for their lives. Gritty and steamy fight-for-survival tale – an intriguing new dystopian spin on an old classic!
Alta Hensley has given us a delicious, debauched, depraved, dark, dystopian fairy tale. This is definitely not a version of Cinderella that you might want to share with any little kiddies. In fact, you may even want to make sure that they aren’t even in the same room as you when you start to read this story, because it is that so good.
Cinder has fought through the desert to reach the Palace of Lazar so that she can get her happy ending. She gets used to all the things that happen in the harem in the palace, and her yearnings for Donte, when the worst thing that could happen, does happen.
We don’t ever get a look into Donte’s head. We only know him through Cinder. He seems to be a good, honorable, and caring man. He wants to make sure that everyone in the harem and in his palace are safe and well cared for.
I think that Cinder is a really strong character. She had to be, considering what she had to go through to get to where she was. She was really brave, incredibly determined, and I think that she had some leadership in her somewhere.
Bait and switch… but in a good way
This is a post-apocalyptic story with a touch of ‘kink’?
There was suspense, lots of action – some bloody graphic battles and a sweet as sin love story … Oh do not misunderstand this will leave a pool of wetness in the driest of deserts but the story was more…
Cinder set out alone and knowing she had little chance of survival. She believed that what awaited her if she stayed in her commune was a worse fate than dying in the desert if she never found the Palace of Lazar. Some things are worth dying for.
*Just a note it isn’t until about 50% in we find out why she took off I was a bit shocked and understood what drove her a bit better.
Donte took to Cinder right away. IMO it was a bit of like calling to like. He was a strong leader with a few secrets of his own. As the story unfolds I couldn’t help but find myself drawn to his character.
They both were stubborn and determined with a deep sense of protection ingrained in them. I thought this was an interesting twist with Cinder’s desire for submission. She balanced both sides of her personality quite well.
At times though I felt she let her emotions cloud her judgment – but hey who am I to judge – I most likely would be a sobbing mess or a dried-up husk if I had to face those trials.
I do wish we had spent more time with Nico – I liked him
I look forward to more from this universe
Read a copy via booksprout
This is dystopian fairytale with some dark, gritty twists. If you have ever read a book by Alta Hensley then you know this is going to be great! Cinder’s journey of survival in a post apocalyptic world is an interesting and original one. I’ve read a few of the Cinderella retellings and none of them compare to this author’s version. This is a definite adult only, must read and I highly recommend it.
I thought I knew what was going to happen. I thought it was going to be a normal erotic book. I thought I knew what to expect and I didn’t have to worry. I was wrong. So wrong. The truth about Cinder blew my mind. I couldn’t get any work done or do anything until I finished it. I read it in one sitting. I just couldn’t stop. The author created a brand new world filled with so much action and adventure that I could see it being a live action movie. Well, a very very dirty HOT X rated live action movie. If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be addicting AF! We NEED to have some girl talk about the price cause holy royalty, I’d love to meet the price and be his special girl too! Highly Highly recommend!!
I enjoyed this take on Cinderella by Alta Hensley. It was as steamy as you would expect from one of Alta’s books. Both Cinder and Donte were likable and the chemistry was great. I enjoyed the side characters and the easy friendship between the harem girls. The book was billed as being dark and that’s where it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. It has a little bit of dark content but was, overall, a fairly light retelling of a well known fairy tale. Aside from that, it was very well written and I would definitely recommend it to all fan’s of Ms. Hensley’s work.
This book is awesome. The plot the characters a world wide drought I couldn’t put this down. It’s got it’s sad moments might have some triggers for some. This is a standalone with HEA. This does have elements of domestic discipline. I could not put this down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Cinder and Donte burn the pages up. This is such a good read, one where the world of luxury in a broken time, quickly becomes one of blood and death as outside clans fight for the Palace of Lazar. A good read, one where lust, blood, submission and strength blends seamlessly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Truth About Cinder was an interesting twist on a fairytale with a dystopian feel unlike any I have read before. Cinder’s tale of surviving in post-apocalyptic world kept me intrigued and curious to learn more. The strength shown as she journeyed towards a better future quickly had me rooting for her to find her heart’s desire when she reached the Palace of Lazar. The Palace wasn’t what I was expected at all yet I was fascinated by how things were run behind its walls. Donte was an intriguing man from his first meeting with Cinder when it was obvious that sparks had begun to fly between them. I loved the interesting dynamic between them and how they each balanced the other out. One thing’s for sure is that this is not your mother’s fairytale and is quite an enjoyable spin on it.
The Truth About Cinder is a dystopian fairytale based very loosely on Cinderella. As always when I am reviewing an ARC, I won’t include spelling/grammar/continuity errors in my review as I expect them to be resolved prior to publication.
This book is set in a time when most of the world has become a barren wasteland and water is scarce. People gather around the few and far between water sources and live in communes. Cinder, the heroine, travels from commune to commune through the desert in search of the almost mythical Lazar commune in order to join the Prince’s harem. After almost dying, she makes it to Lazar where she meets Donte, the hero. She discovers the palace has plenty of food and water, is given beautiful clothes to wear and is allowed to join the harem; her idea of happily ever after. However, the fairytale is not over.
Cinder and Donte will have to fight for their beloved palace, learn to trust each other and find strength within themselves in order to achieve their HEA. Alta Hensley’s book is not the dark tale you might expect given the subject matter. It’s a beautifully written drama that shows the worst of mankind, but the best of it too. It shows the importance of humanity in the face of fear and desolation. There are secondary characters, like Nico, that I would love to read about further. The whole story is just so achingly beautiful and written so well.
This is a surprisingly safe read with no OW/OM drama and no cheating. There is explicit sex and language. There is also violent scenes of war and violence towards women, so please be advised in case of triggers. I’d say this is more of a dystopian drama with a little kinky romance rather than a kinky romance with some drama. If you’re looking for scifi erotica, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for a beautifully written, heartfelt drama with some romance, then this book is for you. I definitely recommend it.
I received an ARC of the book from Booksprout in exchange for my unbiased review.
Exceptional read of Cinder’s dream about finding a palace and prince
I absolutely loved Alta’s tale of Cinder’s incredible life to find the Palace of Lazar after 10 years and then having to struggle to find it all over again when attacked by a rival commune. Donte’s instant attraction to Cinder weaves a tale of love that captures your heart so completely, you feel like you are there in the story!
Donte and Cinder tell a story that is full of sadness, war, hard times, love and what it means to feel fulfilled. A story like no other that you will not be able to stop until the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A dark, wickedly steamy and hot piece.
This was a way different look at the story of Cinderella it is so dark very adult with some wickedly steamy and hot scenes. I loved it. In the last week, I have read three different re-telling of this fairytale and each one has been so unique and interesting. Alta Hensley is one of the most talented at looking outside the box at old tales and turning them into something so amazing. This is a must-read just remember it is an adult book. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
NAUGHTY EMOTIONAL Cinder!
OMG! I’m not sure who’s cheeks were redder. The cheeks on my face or the cheeks on Cinder’s bottom. An exciting steamy read filled with an innocent naive Cinder who struggles through a wave of emotions and doing what she is told and standing up for what she believes is best for her and the harem. Enjoyed this read that is riddled with hot steamy chemistry, fear, danger, angst, action, adventure and a whirlwind of emotions.
Ms. Hensley takes the reader into a new world that’s direr and dismal.
Where the landscape is desert and dryness.
The people that are left live in communes.
Some are okay and others are horrible.
To some the Palace of Lazar is just a fantasy and a place of make believe.
But for Cinder it was everything.
A paradise she was willing to bet her life on.
I thought Cinder was a brave determined young lady.
She grew and adapted to her situations in order to survive the best she could in the unforgiving place the world has become.
I found the plot and storyline intriguing and original.
Of course it has the hallmarks of an Alta Hensley book.
She doesn’t disappoint with the spiciness and the kink
Put she also gives the reader one strong woman’s tough journey and the battles she faces.
Brave. Corageous. Unputdownable!
A new way to read the interwoven fairytale in a different context. Alta Hensley’s The Truth About Cinder portrays a setting like no other, characters who are well developed and stick with you long after the story has ended and a plot with twists that will have you smirking while you are on the edge of your seat waiting for the next angst moment to occur.
“I pictured myself when I finally found the palace as it being a perfect utopia. But all my visions shattered. Like glass. Into a million shards. I’m afraid I am not that fairytale princess I had so hoped to be. I can’t be.
Donte studied her. “No, indeed you are not. But I need to show you that there is power in compliance. It takes more strength to submit.” ”
I really enjoyed this new rendition. I have never read anything like it before. Cinder and Donte were the perfect ying and yang to one another… don’t know how to put it more perfectly. multiple times one lifted the other up in positive affirmations while knowing exactly what the outcome would be. Donte was the perfect Dom to Cinder’s submissive/stubborn personality. He truly cared and their love grew beautifully.
Deeelectable!
Set in a post apocalyptic world with people barely surviving, this turns into a beautifully romantic fairy tale with lashes of kink thrown in!
In a haven of beauty and serenity, removed from the surrounding devastation, Ms Hensley is able to conjure up a feeling of decadent suspense.
But then also of angst, the horrors of war and devastating loss.
Although, being a fairy tale, in the end good triumphs over evil and love conquers all.
You have never heard the tale of Cinderella told quite like this. This dark fairy tale had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I hope Alta does more of this kind of books the darkness will have you begging for more. Go grab this awesome read today.
I thought that this was an interesting read. I anticipated one thing when I began this book and then got another. I went into it thinking of a modern take on the old fairy tale with plenty of heat. What I got was a a post-appocolyptic story of survival with plenty of heat. So, yeah, not exactly what I was expecting but still enjoyable. I felt that the chemistry was good, the descriptions engaging and the story complex. I liked it.