Cinder is a dark, enchanting retelling that follows Cinder, a transmasc vigilante who juggles the burden of keeping his failing household afloat, hiding his bloody nighttime missions, and trying not to fall for Prince Lawrence, the very man whose hand is being offered up to the kingdom. But when secret desires collide with royal duty, Cinder finds himself caught between love, survival, and the risk of losing everything. What truly made this book shine for me was Cinder himself. He’s such a complex, wonderful character who instantly won my heart 🩵 I felt every ounce of his pain, his small triumphs, his yearning for more. The trans representation was raw and incredibly real... every time he struggled to breathe through the bindings on his chest, it felt like my own lungs tightened alongside his. The romance between Cinder and Prince Lawrence was another emotional highlight. It carried so much tenderness and vulnerability that even when it seemed doomed to fail, I couldn’t stop rooting for them. It made every scene between them feel even more meaningful! The side characters were equally memorable, though I have to admit, I wanted to smack everyone in Cinder’s family (Emma maybe a little less than the others). Still, their presence only deepened my sympathy for Cinder and made his strength shine even brighter ✨ All in all, Cinder is a beautiful, heartfelt story that swept me away from the very first page. I loved it, and honestly, it makes me a little sad to think the series will wrap up soon 😢