Cinder X Bella

Damsels of Distress, Book 2

De: Dakota Krout

Narrado por: Emily Woo Zeller

Dakota Krout presents Book 2 in the Damsels of Distress series.

©2025 Dakota Krout (P)2025 Tantor Media

very good though frustrating

this was a very well done book and fantastic performance!

Also,the puns and alliteration were on point for this one.
Krout is one of my favorites due to his unashamed usage of puns and alliteration, I thought book one wasn't as pun filled as a typical DK book, but this is much more to what I expect from krout

one warning though: the stepmother has serious umbridge vibes. so if, like me, you found order of the phoenix hard to get through because you just wanted to punch umbridge in the face... yeah this might be a tough one. it took me a while to get through this because I kept walking away from it because I was pissed off. but I never walked away for good, always came back to find out what happened next.

my only critique would be that I wished that we saw more of cinder. basically just pops in at the end, I wish we could have gotten to know him more.

all in all, a solid use of a credit, can't wait for the next one!

Righteous Anger.

Dakota Krout did an amazing job with his adaptation of the beloved story of Cinderella. I love the way he integrated the skills of CALS world, into the characters of this classic fairy tale.
In a story of “it’s gonna get worse before it gets better”. Dakota definitely played on my heart strings as much as he could. Almost to the point of me wanting to walk away from the series as a whole.
However I’m optimistic that this was the worst of the series, and am looking forward to seeing how the rest of the “Damsels of Distress” interact.

Loved it!

It it a really good adaption between fairy tales and video games. Well done! I cant wait to see what the other stories bring, and any possible future books!

Rarely hated characters more

Dakota really put the evil in the evil step-family in this gamafied Cinderella retelling. a strong beginning and a satisfying ending sandwiches a middle that makes you uncomfortable and upset in the best of ways. As always, narration was on point, and characters believable flawed creatures.

LitRPG fans, don't shy away- there isn't enough romance to make you cringe and there's plenty of system exploration.

Best book I’ve read in a while

I loved the richness of each of the characters, how fantasy felt grounded in reality, and the fantastical twist on a Cinderella story. Everything about this was pure gold. X.

incredible

book has great voice acting writing and terrible puns all positives Fifteen words? is it fifteen now?

A refreshing twist on a classic tale

Cider X Bella is a delightful fusion of the beloved Cinderella story and the immersive world of LitRPG, creating a unique reading experience that is both enchanting and thought-provoking. From the very first page, I was captivated by the vibrant world-building and the clever integration of gaming elements that breathe new life into a timeless fairy tale.

The protagonist, Bella, is a relatable and strong-willed character who navigates her challenges with resilience and wit. The story cleverly reimagines the classic tropes, offering readers a fresh perspective on love, ambition, and self-discovery. The author skillfully weaves in RPG mechanics, allowing Bella to level up not just in the game, but in her personal growth as well.

The pacing is perfect, with a blend of adventure, humor, and heartfelt moments that keep you engaged from start to finish. The supporting characters are well-developed and add depth to the narrative, each with their own arcs and motivations that enrich the story. The romance is sweet and believable, making you root for Bella and her journey to find happiness on her own terms.

Cider X Bella is not just a retelling; it’s a celebration of empowerment and the magic of forging one’s destiny. Whether you’re a fan of fairy tales or LitRPGs, this book offers something for everyone. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read that challenges the norms and invites you into a beautifully crafted world. Don’t miss out on this gem!

This is YA - not like the normal DK book

Good books for what it was. I didn’t realize I was getting into a young adult series and I kept hoping there was gonna be a bit more bad ass and humor. Leaned a little far into the classic story with certainly some changes but took a little long to get to the changes. I would rather the good old story had ended mid book and we could’ve had some new content. Besides, just the Cinderella story with a twist. Very similar to other spinoffs, but a good one for a younger girl who likes adventure.
PS less witchy step mom BS would be awesome - needs more action and less angst. Timeline made sense… But you could’ve skipped it. We’ve all heard the story so if you’re going to detail it, it needs to be told in a different way. This essentially just turned the normal story into lit RPG.

Delightful, Fun, Excellent

I loved everything about this story! It was so well written and structured, and the flow and progression kept me listening as often as possible. The tie-ins with the fairytale were fun and witty without being a total copycat - rather they were a nice nod to the tale. I thoroughly enjoyed this and can’t wait to read/listen to the next one!

First part was way too long

The first part of the book was way too long. The last part was much better. If he could have integrated more world building or system things into the first part I think it would have been much better.