11 Must-Read Books like Cinder for Fantasy Enthusiasts

If you’ve been swept away by the magic and intrigue of this modern Cinderella retelling, you’re in for a treat! In this curated list, we’ve gathered 11 must-read books like Cinder that will transport fantasy enthusiasts to worlds filled with captivating characters, spellbinding adventures, and timeless storytelling.

From futuristic fairy tales to epic quests and mythical realms, these literary gems promise to ignite your imagination and leave you craving more. Whether you’re a seasoned fantasy aficionado or just embarking on your enchanted journey, these books like Cinder are destined to become cherished additions to your reading list.

Captivating Books Like Cinder

Shadow and Bone (2012)

by Leigh Bardugo

Like ‘Cinder,’ ‘Shadow and Bone’ also features a young female protagonist who finds herself caught up in extraordinary circumstances.

“Shadow and Bone” follows the story of Alina Starkov, a young orphan and mapmaker in the war-torn country of Ravka. Ravka is divided by a treacherous, shadowy wasteland called the Fold, which is inhabited by monstrous creatures that prey on anyone who dares to cross it.

Alina’s life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers a remarkable and unique magical power during an unexpected attack in the Fold. This power has the potential to destroy the Fold and save her nation, making her a valuable asset to the Grisha, an elite group of magical soldiers led by the enigmatic Darkling.

As Alina undergoes training with the Grisha to harness her newfound abilities, she becomes embroiled in a complex world of political intrigue and power struggles within Ravka’s royal court. Along the way, she forms bonds with her fellow Grisha, including the charming and mysterious Mal, her childhood friend.

The story explores Alina’s journey of self-discovery, the challenges she faces in mastering her powers, and her growing attraction to the Darkling. All the while, the fate of Ravka hangs in the balance as the shadowy forces of the Fold threaten to engulf the land in darkness.

Ruby Red (2009)

by Kerstin Gier

The story revolves around Gwyneth Shepherd, a seemingly ordinary 16-year-old girl living in contemporary London. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers that she belongs to a long line of time-traveling guardians known as the “Chronographists.”

Gwyneth’s cousin Charlotte, who was expected to inherit the time-traveling gene, undergoes secret training to prepare for her destiny. But to everyone’s surprise, the gene manifests in Gwyneth instead. She finds herself thrust into the world of time travel without any preparation or knowledge of her new responsibilities.

With the help of Gideon de Villiers, a handsome but aloof time traveler from another prominent family of time travelers, Gwyneth embarks on a journey to fulfill her role as a Chronographist. However, she quickly realizes that there are many secrets and intrigues surrounding her newfound abilities and the secretive time-traveling society.

Additionally, both books explore family dynamics. In “Cinder,” Cinder’s relationship with her stepmother and stepsisters is a central focus, and in “Ruby Red,” Gwyneth’s interactions with her time-traveling relatives and her understanding of her family’s history are significant themes. Both novels delve into the complexities of family relationships.

Shatter Me (2011)

by Tahereh Mafi

If you liked ‘Cinder’ for its themes of rebellion and resistance, this book is for you. ‘Shatter Me’ is also set in a dystopian world, like ‘Cinder’ and focuses on Juliette’s struggle against the totalitarian regime and her desire to fight for freedom.

The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where environmental disasters have ravaged the planet, leaving society in turmoil.

The protagonist, Juliette Ferrars, possesses a unique and dangerous ability—her touch is lethal. For this reason, she has been isolated in an asylum for years, viewed as a threat by the oppressive Reestablishment regime that now controls the shattered world. Her existence changes dramatically when the Reestablishment’s leader, Warner, discovers her powers and decides to use her as a weapon in his quest for dominance.

However, Juliette’s life takes an unexpected turn when she is freed from captivity by a group of rebels, including Adam Kent, a soldier from her past who seems to have a deep connection with her. As she joins the resistance movement, Juliette discovers that her powers may be the key to challenging the Reestablishment’s cruel rule.

A Deadly Education (2020)

by Naomi Novik

‘A Deadly Education’ is set in a magical school called the Scholomance, where young sorcerers learn to survive in a treacherous and deadly environment. Galadriel “El” Higgins, the protagonist, possesses immense magical power but is cursed with a malevolent inner darkness that draws malevolent creatures toward her.

In the Scholomance, students must fend off hordes of maleficaria (dangerous monsters) while forming alliances to survive. El, feared and isolated due to her dark power, struggles to control her magic and avoid becoming a maleficaria’s prey.

In between the dangerous setting, Orion Lake, a popular and powerful student, unexpectedly saves El from a maleficaria attack, forging an uneasy alliance. Together, they navigate the treacherous halls, facing constant danger and battling the dark forces that threaten them.

As El’s connection with Orion deepens, she uncovers dark secrets about the Scholomance’s true purpose and the magic governing its existence. Determined to break free from the curse and the school’s sinister agenda, El must confront her inner demons and decide whether to embrace or resist the malevolent power within her.

Serpent & Dove (2019)

by Shelby Mahurin

‘Serpent and Dove’ is a historical fantasy set in a world of witches and magic.

In a world where witches and witch hunters are sworn enemies, Lou, a strong-willed and spirited witch, has gone into hiding from the Chasseurs, a powerful group of witch hunters. To survive, she disguises herself and lives in the heart of the city.

Reid, a devout Chasseur, is committed to eradicating witches from society. However, fate brings him and Lou together in an unexpected turn of events, leading to a forced alliance and an arranged marriage to maintain the fragile peace.

As they navigate their newfound companionship, secrets, and conflicting loyalties, Lou and Reid begin to question their beliefs and prejudices. Their journey is filled with intrigue, danger, and romance as they face not only the threat of powerful enemies but also their inner demons.

Romance plays a significant role in both novels. In “Cinder,” there is a slow-building romance between Cinder and Prince Kai, while in “Serpent & Dove,” there is a passionate and forbidden love story between Lou, a witch, and Reid, a witch hunter. These romances add complexity to the characters and drive part of the plot in each book.

Legendborn (2020)

by Tracy Deonn

‘Legendborn’ is a contemporary fantasy novel that follows Bree Matthews, a gifted African American teenager coping with the loss of her mother. When Bree joins an early college program at the University of North Carolina, she witnesses a magical attack that reveals a secret society known as the Legendborn. These individuals are descendants of King Arthur’s knights and wield magic to battle demons.

Intrigued by this hidden world and determined to uncover the truth behind her mother’s death, Bree infiltrates the Legendborn society. She forms an unexpected alliance with Nick, a fellow Legendborn with a troubled past. Together, they navigate a dangerous web of secrets, confront powerful adversaries, and explore their own magical abilities.

As Bree delves deeper into the mysteries of the Legendborn, she grapples with her heritage, racial identity, and a destiny tied to ancient prophecies.

In ‘Legendborn’ there is a strong emphasis on Arthurian legend and racial identity. So, if these themes excite you, you should check out this novel by Tracy Deonn.

The Illuminae Files (2015)

by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

With a unique storytelling format, this trilogy unfolds through a collection of classified documents, emails, interviews, and AI surveillance footage.

The story begins with an attack on the remote planet of Kerenza, which sparks a deep-space escape mission for its survivors, Kady Grant and Ezra Mason. Pursued by an intergalactic corporation, BeiTech Industries, the refugees are aboard three ships: the Alexander, the Hypatia, and the Mao. Amidst a deadly outbreak and an AI that goes rogue, Kady and Ezra, separated on different ships, communicate through hacked systems as they uncover dark secrets.

As the series progresses, new characters, such as Hanna Donnelly and Nik Malikov, are introduced in “Gemina,” and they find themselves fighting a parallel battle against BeiTech while aboard the jump station Heimdall.

Throughout the trilogy, the characters face existential threats, complex moral dilemmas, and the looming AI menace known as AIDAN. The narrative leads into a breathtaking conclusion with the united efforts of the survivors to save not only themselves but also the fate of the entire universe.

Both series dive into themes of personal and collective struggle against formidable enemies. In “Cinder,” the characters face the oppressive Lunar government and the looming threat of war, highlighting their determination to resist these forces. In “The Illuminae Files,” survival in the face of catastrophic events and the battle against a malicious AI underscore the theme of defiance. These themes of resilience and defiance resonate throughout both series.

Renegades (2015)

by Marissa Meyer

With a futuristic setting, strong female lead, and exploration of themes of power, justice, and the complexities of morality, just like in ‘Cinder,’ this one can become your new favourite.

‘Renegades’ is set in a dystopian world where prodigious individuals, known as prodigies, possess extraordinary abilities. The story follows two main characters, Nova and Adrian. Nova is a member of the Anarchists, a group of rebels seeking to overthrow the ruling class of prodigies known as the Renegades. She possesses the power to put people to sleep and has a personal vendetta against the Renegades. Adrian, on the other hand, is a Renegade and the adopted son of the leaders of the organization. He possesses the ability to draw illusions.

When Nova infiltrates the Renegades as a spy, she gets close to Adrian, and the two develop a complex relationship. As their paths intertwine, Nova’s hatred for the Renegades is challenged, and Adrian becomes aware of the flaws within his own organization.

As the story progresses, Nova and Adrian uncover secrets about their pasts and become entangled in a power struggle between the Anarchists and the Renegades. They must confront their beliefs, navigate political intrigue, and ultimately decide where their loyalties lie.

The Darkest Minds Series (2012)

by Alexandra Bracken

This series is a thrilling and emotionally charged story set in a post-apocalyptic world in a future United States.

The story begins with a mysterious and deadly pandemic that strikes children, killing most of them while granting those who survive unique and powerful abilities. The surviving children are then categorized into different color-coded abilities, with Green being the least dangerous and Red being the most dangerous.

The protagonist, Ruby Daly, starts as a ten-year-old Green. However, when her powers are discovered, she is reclassified as an Orange, one of the most powerful types. Fearing her abilities, Ruby is sent to a government “rehabilitation” camp, Thurmond, where she endures harsh conditions and abuse.

Six years later, Ruby manages to escape the camp with the help of a group of other kids. The group is on the run from the government, which views all powered children as a threat and seeks to control or eliminate them.

Throughout the series, Ruby and her friends navigate a dangerous and chaotic world while uncovering secrets about the government’s true intentions and the origin of the pandemic. They join a resistance group called the Children’s League, hoping to find a safe haven for children with abilities.

A Curse so Dark and Lonely (2019)

by Brigid Kemmerer

‘A Curse so Dark and Lonely,’ like ‘Cinder,’ is a retelling of a well-known fairytale- Beauty and the Beast. Needless to say, it also has a strong female protagonist.

The story follows Harper, a young girl from present-day Washington, D.C., who is unexpectedly transported to the fantasy kingdom of Emberfall.

In Emberfall, Prince Rhen is cursed to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year until he can find a girl to fall in love with him. Desperate to break the curse and save his kingdom, Rhen believes that Harper might be the one to break the cycle. However, Harper is not your typical heroine. She has cerebral palsy and has faced numerous challenges in her life.

As Harper navigates the strange and dangerous world of Emberfall, she forms an unlikely alliance with Prince Rhen’s loyal guard, Grey. Together, they embark on a quest to defeat the enchantress who cursed Rhen. Throughout their journey, Harper discovers her own strength and courage, and her relationship with both Rhen and Grey becomes increasingly complex.

Aurora Rising (2019)

by Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff

This one is a science fiction. The story is set in a futuristic interstellar society where a team of misfit cadets are assigned to a top-secret mission.

The protagonist, Tyler Jones, is a star student and leader who is about to assemble his dream squad, but during the graduation ceremony, he discovers a girl named Aurora O’Malley, who has been frozen in cryo-sleep for over 200 years. As Tyler rescues Aurora, he realizes she possesses extraordinary abilities and becomes caught up in a conspiracy that threatens the fragile peace in the galaxy.

Together with his squad, which consists of diverse characters with unique skills and personalities, they embark on a thrilling adventure to uncover the truth behind Aurora’s past, face dangerous enemies, and protect the future of humanity. Throughout the book, the characters face personal challenges, forge strong bonds, and grapple with their own secrets and desires while navigating a high-stakes mission in a vast and captivating universe.

Conclusion to Books Like Cinder

There you go, 11 books like Cinder!

Within the pages of these extraordinary novels, you will encounter protagonists who defy expectations, discover hidden truths, and embark on remarkable quests that challenge their very essence. Each book offers its own unique twist on beloved genres, promising hours of engrossing storytelling and a tantalizing escape from reality.

So, if you’re ready to immerse yourself in a world where the ordinary intertwines with the extraordinary, where myths come to life and destinies are forged, grab a mug of coffee and your copy of these books. Happy reading!

However, if you want even more books like Cinder  you should consider-

1. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
2. Bloodlines (Vampire Academy spinoff)  by Richelle Mead
3. Daughter Of The Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
4. The Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout & Rayvn Salvador
5. Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
6. Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
7. Malice by Heather Walter
8. A Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
9. Carve The Mark Duology by Veronica Roth
10. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
11. Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye
12. Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
13. Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
14. Aurora Cycle by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
15. Shades of Magic Series by V.E. Schwab
16. Matched Trilogy by Ally Condie
17. A Dress for the Wicked  by Autumn Krause
18. The Betrothed by Kiera Cass
19. Tom Clancy Red Winter by Marc Cameron