(Review) THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY by Kay Cassidy

Title: THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY

Author: Kay Cassidy

Release Date: Out now (Apr. 13, 2010)

Publisher: Egmont USA

Received: borrowed; about to buy my own copy!

Goodreads

SUMMARY:

When the Prom Queen becomes your fairy godmother…

Sixteen year old outsider, Jess Parker, gets the chance of a lifetime: an invitation to join a secret society of popular girls dedicated to defeating the mean girls of the world. The Cinderella Society guides all new recruits through its top secret ultimate life makeover. It’s all part of preparing them to face down the Wickeds and win. Determined not to let the Cindys down, Jess dives in with a passion. Finally, a chance to belong and show the world what she’s made of.

…be careful what you wish for. Jess’s transformation wins her the heart of her dream crush and a shot at uber-popularity. Until the Wickeds–led by Jess’s arch enemy–begin targeting innocent girls in their war against the Cindys, and Jess discovers the real force behind her exclusive society. It’s a high stakes battle of good vs. evil, and the Cindys in power need Jess on special assignment. When the mission threatens to destroy her dream life come true, Jess is forced to choose between living a fairy tale and honoring the Sisterhood… and herself.

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

I meant to review this last week for Just Contemporary and post my review the day after my Mythological Mondays post featuring THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY, but I didn't manage to get it done on time. Sorry!! Better late than never, though, right?

Do you love books that scream "Girl Power?" If you do, THE CINDERELLA SOCIETY by Kay Cassidy might be the right book for you. It reminds me a lot of titles I've reviewed in the past such as THE LONELY HEARTS CLUB by Elizabeth Eulberg. When girls come together to change the world and better themselves, amazing things can happen. Sometimes--especially in high school--all you need is a group to make you feel accepted, like you belong. It's about standing up for yourself, and standing up for others when they can't always help themselves.

Jess strives to fit in. She wears the clothes that are supposed to be in vogue, even if they don't always suit her. Since moving to a new school and taking another girl, Lexy's, spot on the cheerleading squad, she hasn't had it easy. Lexy has made her first year miserable in retaliation. Right before summer vacation, Jess receives an invitation to join The Cinderella Society, a secret society of girls interested in bettering themselves and the people around them. One of their missions is to support and protect "Reggies" (Regular people) from the "Wickeds" (who call themselves the Delectae, which is Latin for the Chosen Ones). The Wickeds love bullying others and stepping on the Reggies to get ahead in the world. Both secret societies are underground; Reggies don't know they exist--or that they've been helped or victimized. Powerful people across the world are members of both societies, from presidents to Olympic athletes to movie stars. The Cindys teach their members how to love the skin they were born with and accept themselves, to never let a Wicked get the best of them. When the Wickeds' dastardly plan to take over is revealed, Jess finds herself in over her head as she discovers the truth behind the hidden world of the Cindys.

Again, I love the fact that this book had such an inspiring message. My biggest complaint was the fact that the Cindys allowed Jess to be bullied for a year without standing up for her the way they would a Reggie. Some of the girls were even on the cheerleading squad with Jess and Lexy and had plenty of time to act. It was only once they invited Jess to join the Cindys that her fortune began to change. Granted, there is a second book, CINDY ON A MISSION, that may address why the girls may not have been allowed to interfere (I hope so!). At times, Jess did get on my nerves because she had no self-confidence and always felt that her admittance into the Cindys was a mistake. At the same time, all of her inner turmoil resonates with readers, who can relate with her experience. Who hasn't wanted to have her life transformed the way Jess' does? All of her insecurities brought out Cassidy's powerful message even more. Jess really grew as a character and learned so much about herself and her beliefs. She's no longer timid, but eager to promote her opinion and do what she feels is right. I can't wait to see what Jess and the Cindys get up to in CINDY ON A MISSION.

COVER DESIGN:

This cover is very pink! It definitely features one part of the novel where all of the Cindys get a makeover, but that isn't the only thing going on in this novel. It will definitely grab a chick-lit lover's eye. The glass slipper and the title will catch the fairy tale lover (such as myself).


Honestly, if the word CINDERELLA hadn't grabbed me after reading about the book from Kay Cassidy's agent Holly Root, I might not have picked this up if I saw it on the shelf. But I know other people who WOULD pick it up based on the cover, so it does have its niche audience!