The Cinderella Society Review

Title: The Cinderella Society

Author: Kay Cassidy

Release Date: April 13, 2010

Rating:

Synopsis: What a girl to do when the glass slipper fits, but she doesn't want to wear it anymore?

Sixteen year old Jess Parker has always been an outsider. So when she receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of the most popular girls in school, it's like something out of a fairy tale. Swept up by the Cindys' magical world of makeovers, and catching the eye of her Prince Charming, Jess feels like she's finally found her chance to fit in.

Then the Wickeds--led by Jess's arch-enemy--begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers there's more to being a Cindy than reinventing yourself on the outside. She has unknowingly become part of a centuries-old battle of good vs. evil, and now the Cindys in charge need Jess for a mission that could change everything.

Overwhelmed, Jess wonders if The Cinderella Society made a mistake in choosing her. Is it a coincidence her new boyfriend doesn't want to be seen with her in public? And is this glamorous, secret life even what she wants, or will she risk her own happy ending to live up to the expectations of her new sisters? (From Kay's web page)

Jess is the career new girl, but when she moves back to her mother's home town, she might have just found a place she can call home while starting the journey to find herself.  Jess is a wonderfully realistic character.  Kay has done a great job of balancing Jess's successes and setbacks.  Jess is not 100% perfect once she becomes a Cindy (Cindy is what the members of The Cinderella Society call themselves - they are "Cindies" or "a Cindy"); she makes bad choices along the way just like anyone does.  But Jess learns for those mistakes and she becomes a better Cindy and person because of it.  I can't wait to continue reading about Jess's journey.  

This book is not only about Jess, it's about this great society, The Cinderella Society.  TCS is a great organization that helps empower girls and fights against the Wickeds.  This is a fictional society, but as you read the book, you realize it's something we can all do in our own lives.  TCS gives Jess and it's members the tools to be the best you can bee, but it's how you use those tools determine where you go in life.  

Kay has also created some great side characters! Jess's love interest, Ryan Steele, is also on his own journey.  He's the brother of Jess's arch-enemy, and has his own demons to work through.  We also meet some of Jess's Cindy Sisters.  They are not just 2 dimensional background characters, we learn bits about them that make you care for them as much as you do for Ryan and Jess.  Even the Wickeds get their time to be explained beyond the fact that they are just the bad guys.  Kay has done a great job of really exploring the lives of all her characters and I'm super excited for book 2, Cindy on a Mission, out in spring 2011.