This is one of the most creative adaptations of Cinderella I have ever read -- and despite its whimsy, big font, and easy-ish language, one of the darkest I've ever read, too! I think I'm still processing it. But the illustrations are gorgeous, the story itself is beautiful and autumnal and while at a few points I know I would have been terrified as a child, it ends so sweetly. I've lived next to a cemetery for the past four years and I could just picture it all! Definitely worth a read -- but not for the faint-hearted!

SMALL UPDATE UPON REFLECTION
This adaptation: “Zombierella” by Joseph Coelho with illustrations by Freya Hartas. What to say, other than, listen, it’s been a long time since a Cinderella adaptation actually made me audibly gasp. This is a gorgeous, lushly illustrated, incredibly dark version of ‘Cinderella.’ It’s marketed for ages 9-11, but has large font and illustrations more like books I would shelve for 6-8 year olds. But the story — well! Cinderella’s pet horse dies in the first chapter, then SHE dies halfway through the book — but both are resurrected each evening until the clock strikes midnight to attend the balls held by a mysterious, vampiric prince. It’s very gory and visceral, at times, though nothing overly horrific is shown in the illustrations.

I’ve really never read any adaptation like it! If you’re into Tim Burton films and gothic aesthetics, mixed with visual influences from Haitian Vodou, this is for you. I do wish they’d leaned a little more into Vodou lore in the written text (though quite possibly references are there that I missed), but honestly, this version is unique and 100% worth a read.