Cinder House by Freya Marske

Sparks fly and lovers dance in this gorgeous, yearning Cinderella retelling from bestselling author Freya Marske—a queer Gothic romance perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and T. Kingfisher.

An instant USA Today bestseller!

Ella is a haunting.

Murdered at sixteen, her ghost is furiously trapped in her father's house, invisible to everyone except her stepmother and stepsisters.

Even when she discovers how to untether herself from her prison, there are limits. She cannot be seen or heard by the living people who surround her. Her family must never learn she is able to leave. And at the stroke of every midnight, she finds herself back on the staircase where she died.

Until she forges a wary friendship with a fairy charm-seller, and makes a bargain for three nights of almost-living freedom. Freedom that means she can finally be seen. Danced with. Touched.

You think you know Ella's story: the ball, the magical shoes, the handsome prince.

You're halfway right, and all-the-way wrong.

Rediscover a classic fairy tale in this debut novella from "the queen of romantic fantasy" (Polygon).

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Praise for this book

Most Anticipated in Lit Hub, BookRiot, and The Portalist!

“A fairy tale by way of Shirley Jackson…it’s dark and appropriately haunting.”—The New York Times

“Gorgeous, whimsical, romantic, and bittersweet, Cinder House both whisks you away and holds you over a flame. I was bespelled.”—Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"One of the best retellings I've read! With immersive prose, memorable characters, and a glittering world, Marske has breathed new and fiercely feminist life into the classic Cinderella story. Ella is a heroine who will haunt you forever."—Heather Walter, author of The Crimson Crown

“Compelling characters, a spellbinding haunting and a powerful yearning that transcends death; Cinder House burns for you.”—Lex Croucher, author of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love

"Absolutely delightful. One of the most unusual fairy-tale retellings I've seen in a hen's age. I enjoyed it enormously!"—T. Kingfisher, New York Times bestselling author

"Tender and heartfelt... an ideal match not just for lovers of fairy tale retellings but for anyone in the mood for an elegantly written, unconventional love story."—Locus

"Cinderella finds her happily ever afterlife in this sharp, smart addition to the fairy-tale canon."—Kirkus (starred review)

"An incredibly unique and shadowy “Cinderella” retelling, full of tenderness and whimsy and featuring a heroine who cannot help but haunt readers."—Library Journal (starred review)

"This novella impresses from its chilling opening to its inspired, polyamorous take on happily ever after. Lovers of fairy-tale retellings, gothic fantasy, and fierce queer joy will be enchanted."—Booklist (starred review)

"Rekindles the fire of “Cinderella”...As strong, beautiful, and clever as its heroine. Fans of T. Kingfisher will love it."—Publishers Weekly

"Perfect for readers who enjoy T. Kingfisher's dark fairytale fiction and crave inventive, hard-won happily-ever-afters."—Shelf Awareness

Praise for Freya Marske

"Marske writes what I crave most in romantasy: brilliant craft, fresh voice, characters worth obsessing over, and genuine honest-to-god heat."―Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White and Royal Blue

"There's nothing in fantasy or queer romance that Marske can't do."―Sarah Rees Brennan, author of Long Live Evil

"The perfect blend of charm, yearning and romance."―C.S. Pacat, New York Times bestselling author of Captive Prince, on Swordcrossed

“Freya Marske’s books are something special.”―Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author

"The prose is sublime, the world-building top-notch, and the magic system is fascinating and unique.”―TJ Klune, New York Times bestselling author of The House on the Cerulean Sea, on A Marvellous Light

"Stunning―the writing is lush, the world-building is fascinating, and the romance is searing hot. I am completely obsessed."―Cat Sebastian, author of The Queer Principles of Kit Webb, on A Power Unbound

“Delightful and spicy . . . Marske is simply superb at her chosen genres.”―The New York Times on the Last Binding trilogy

About the Author

Freya Marske is a USA Today bestselling author and has been nominated for two Hugo Awards. Her books include Swordcrossed and A Marvellous Light, which was an international bestseller and won the Romantic Novel Award for Fantasy. She lives in Australia.

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Title: Cinder House
Author(s): Freya Marske
ISBN: 9781250341723
Copyright 2025
Release Date: October 07, 2025
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Countries: United States, Canada | Learn more about available countries
Language: English
Format: None available | Learn More about our supported formats

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