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V.M. Sawh
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Cinders (Good Tales For Bad Dreams Book 1) Kindle Edition

by V.M. Sawh (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 42 ratings
As a slave in the bawdy Black House, Rella longs to escape the whips and chains of her existence. She is chosen for a dangerous mission and offered a chance at freedom. There is only one condition: first she must assassinate the Prince. Quote: "Death by god or death by man... but never as a sister of the Black House!"

Welcome to Good Tales For Bad Dreams, a short-fiction series of re-imagined fairy tales. Each story is set in a different time and place. Some will be familiar, others will not. So, strip bare your assumptions, open your mind and see these tales told like never before. Please note that this is a short-fiction piece (approx. 28 pages or 10k words) and only a taste of things to come... (Suggested for Mature Readers, 17 and up)

Content warning: violence, sensuality, torture, and death
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  1. Book 1 of 5
    Good Tales For Bad Dreams
  2. Print length
    34 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    November 21, 2013
  6. File size
    3.7 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Shop this series

 See full series
There are 5 books in this series.

From the Publisher

Cinders, cinderella, glass slipper, Good Tales For Bad Dreams, fairy tale

"Masterful and Poetic"

"...the author gives the work a classic, timeless feel... and weaves a dark and magical mood throughout the tale... If you are looking for a sensual re-imagining of the classic Cinderella tale, then this... would be a good choice."

- From the official OnlineBookClub.org

A Unique and Compelling Twist on the Tale of Cinderella!

Cinders, Cinderella, fairy tale, Good Tales For Bad Dreams,

Take A Journey On The Dark Side Of Make-Believe

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The author uses words in a masterful and poetic way. This gives the work a classic, timeless feel. The author weaves a dark and magical mood throughout the tale... If you are looking for a sensual re-imagining of the classic Cinderella tale, then this short story would be a good choice."- From the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Cinders" by V.M. Sawh.
"Cinders by V.M. Sawh is short, dark, and interesting."- Heather Osborne, reviewed on behalf of Readers' Favorites

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00GW8G990
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ VERYMUCH
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 21, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.7 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 34 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 5 ‏ : ‎ Good Tales For Bad Dreams
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 42 ratings

About the author

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V.M. Sawh

V.M. Sawh

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V.M. Sawh is a BIPOC, ADHD, disabled superhero on the hunt for his spotlight. He has been to the top of a volcano and the bottom of the sea. After losing his memory, he relearned how to read, write, walk, and talk. He danced with the devil and resisted his call, keeping his soul intact. Growing up, he feared the dark until he befriended the lurking monsters. A chance meeting with Guillermo del Toro inspired him to self-publish *Cinders*, which hit #1 on Amazon and caught the Toronto Sun's attention. On Wattpad, his story *Anastasia* set a record with over 46,000 views. His series *Good Tales for Bad Dreams* has won multiple awards, topped Amazon charts, and received acclaim from various outlets. His story *Till Death Do Us Part* was longlisted for the Iridescence Award and adapted into an audio play. His work appears in several publications, and his short story *First Can On Mars* is featured in *The Best Climate Fiction* collection. He resides in Calgary with his lovely wife and three cats.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
42 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's pacing compelling, with one describing it as a brilliant retelling of a fairy tale. Moreover, the book is vividly written, with one customer noting its poetic beauty, and customers appreciate its dark content.

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PacingReadabilityPoetryDark content
5 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one describing it as a brilliant retelling of the fairy tale with mature themes.

"...This story is well-crafted and interesting. It was a surprising and enjoyable read. The author has a wonderful imagination." Read more

""Cinders" is a fresh reselling of the classic Cinderella tale...." Read more

"...This is not a 'gritty' reboot as much as it is a beautifully constructed story that borrows very sparingly from the source material...." Read more

"...which is good because with Sawh's skill level of writing and the fascinating plot, I would have read it all in one sitting even if it had been 400..." Read more

5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a wonderful read, with one mentioning they were able to finish it in one sitting.

"...This story is well-crafted and interesting. It was a surprising and enjoyable read. The author has a wonderful imagination." Read more

"...A wonderful read!" Read more

"...in all, while Cinders wasn't mind-blowing or groundbreaking, it was a nice, quick read about a character we've seen before..." Read more

"...The length is perfect. I was able to read it in one sitting -- which is good because with Sawh's skill level of writing and the fascinating plot, I..." Read more

4 customers mention "Poetry"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the poetic style of the book, with one describing it as written with almost poetic beauty and another noting its vivid imagery.

"...It was a surprising and enjoyable read. The author has a wonderful imagination." Read more

"...This twist on the Cinderella story is dark, yes, but vivid and written with an almost poetic beauty. Perhaps that is what makes this different...." Read more

"...I was completely hooked from page one with the vivid and detailed descriptions, the vibrant characters, and the dismal plot...." Read more

"Evocative, eloquent prose that reads like poetry. Dark, mature themes with a glistening sheen of grit and grime...." Read more

3 customers mention "Dark content"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the dark content of the book.

"...ends up at the ball and all the other events in he tale have a dark quality that harkens back to the Grimm version. A wonderful read!" Read more

"Brilliantly Dark..." Read more

"Lusciously dark...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Rescue Dog Mom
    5.0 out of 5 stars I Prefer this Story to the Original Cinderella Story
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I was completely blown away by this author's re-write of the Cinderella story. The cartoon version is too sticky sweet for me. Even as a child, I would get upset over the abuse and cruelty she suffered from her step-mother and step-sisters. I know it works out well in the end, but the majority of the story is sad. This version of Cinderella is a character I can admire for having the strength to try to fight her way out of her miserable situation, rather than simply endure it without complaint. I also saw morality and a sense of justice in her. When faced with the option of doing the wrong thing to help herself (as she was told), or doing the right thing and risking great consequence, she chooses to do what is right. Unfortunately, morality sometimes comes at a great cost. This story is well-crafted and interesting. It was a surprising and enjoyable read. The author has a wonderful imagination.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Jessica Jesinghaus, Paranormal Romance / Suspense Author
    4.0 out of 5 stars Dark fairy tale
    Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    "Cinders" is a fresh reselling of the classic Cinderella tale.

    In this version, however, Rella is a resident of Black House and her "sisters" are all doxies in the employ of Stepmother. How Rella ends up at the ball and all the other events in he tale have a dark quality that harkens back to the Grimm version.

    A wonderful read!
    One person found this helpful
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  • C. McMullen
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Gothic Take on a Classic
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Typically, I'm not a fan of the 'gritty' reboot of a classic tale, but Cinders proved to be one heck of an exception. This twist on the Cinderella story is dark, yes, but vivid and written with an almost poetic beauty. Perhaps that is what makes this different. This is not a 'gritty' reboot as much as it is a beautifully constructed story that borrows very sparingly from the source material.

    I will admit, it took a little time for me to warm up to Rella, but by about one third of the way in, I was invested in the character. I would recommend this to fans of dark fantasy and gothic romance. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Donte McNeal
    3.0 out of 5 stars Different take on a classic
    Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Cinder, for all intents and purposes is a reimagining of the classic tale of Cinderella. It is a much darker take on the tale, and I must say it was quite an experience to read the (really) short story given how bleak the world looks for our mc, Rella. I would have like more time with the character, and wouldn't have minded seeing more the world either, but given the story's length, I suppose that wasn't possible.

    All in all, while Cinders wasn't mind-blowing or groundbreaking, it was a nice, quick read about a character we've seen before (just not in such dire straits). It's probably not a book I'd read more than once though, but it was pretty decent for a one-time read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Monica breed
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Short Story
    Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I chose four stars for the rating on this book because I believe this story is too short. It left me hanging hard. Why is that?
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  • Rebecca
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly Dark
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2014
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A unique and compelling twist on the tale of Cinderella! I was completely hooked from page one with the vivid and detailed descriptions, the vibrant characters, and the dismal plot. I loved every moment of it!

    The length is perfect. I was able to read it in one sitting -- which is good because with Sawh's skill level of writing and the fascinating plot, I would have read it all in one sitting even if it had been 400 pages long (which would have greatly upset my toddler son).

    It's a brilliant retelling of the fairy tale -- taking it back to the morbidity of its origin. I loved this short story and highly recommend it!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Pamela Daniell
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Great book for anyone looking for a quick read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Carole P. Roman
    5.0 out of 5 stars There is no happily ever after in this fairy tale
    Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Extremely dark, Cinders by VM Sawh takes the Cinderella story and stands it on its head. Rella lives in a brothel with a greedy madam called Stepmother. She shares the house with many stepsisters, two of them, Drusilla and Anastasia take pleasure in torturing her, both mentally and physically. In order to escape, she agrees to a murderous plot to kill the future king. Sawh leaves nothing sacred, even turning the glass slipper into a deadly weapon. There is no happily ever after in this fairy tale. It's dark and grim, sure to leave nightmares rather than sweet dreams.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ed
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great twist on an old story
    Reviewed in Canada on December 2, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A unique blend of darkness and hope, this author has done a remarkable job telling a story that will be hard to ever forget. Very satisfying read. Can't wait to read more.
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  • T Stedman
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2015
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A cool twist on an old favourite.
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  • Brent Waison
    3.0 out of 5 stars Dark classic twist
    Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    After reading the short again, while it still maintained a level of consistency their were pacing issues and details that could have been reduced. I still enjoyed the read but had to update the review.
    Report

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