Kalynn Bayron

Kalynn Bayron is an American author of young adult and middle-grade fantasy fiction. Her work frequently features diverse characters and retellings of classic stories through contemporary and inclusive lenses. Bayron gained recognition with her 2020 debut novel "Cinderella Is Dead," a feminist reimagining of the classic fairy tale set 200 years after the original story. Her subsequent works include "This Poison Heart" and its sequel "This Wicked Fate," which draw inspiration from Greek mythology and the story of the Secret Garden. Her middle-grade novel "The Vanquishers" explores vampire mythology while addressing themes of friendship and family. Bayron's background as a classically trained vocalist informs some of her writing, particularly in her incorporation of musical elements and performance themes. Bayron's writing consistently examines themes of identity, power dynamics, and social justice while working within the fantasy genre. Her books have been recognized on various reading lists focused on diverse voices in young adult literature.

Readers appreciate Bayron's fresh takes on classic stories and her inclusion of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC main characters. Many reviews highlight her descriptive world-building and atmospheric writing style in "This Poison Heart" series. What readers like: - Creative reimagining of familiar tales - Strong female protagonists - Plant magic systems and botanical details - Representation of queer Black characters in fantasy - Fast-paced plots What readers dislike: - Some find the pacing uneven, especially in novel endings - Character development can feel rushed - Worldbuilding sometimes lacks depth - Romance subplots described as predictable Average ratings: Goodreads: - Cinderella Is Dead: 3.7/5 (52,000+ ratings) - This Poison Heart: 3.9/5 (12,000+ ratings) - This Wicked Fate: 3.8/5 (4,000+ ratings) - The Vanquishers: 4.0/5 (700+ ratings) Amazon ratings average 4.4/5 across all titles. One reader noted: "Bayron excels at atmosphere but sometimes sacrifices character development for plot twists." Another praised her "ability to make familiar stories feel completely new through diverse perspectives."

Cinderella Is Dead A young adult fantasy novel set 200 years after the original Cinderella story, following a 16-year-old girl who must navigate a kingdom where women are required to appear at an annual ball to be chosen as wives.

This Poison Heart A contemporary fantasy following a teen with the power to grow plants from seeds at will, who inherits a mysterious estate filled with dangerous plants and family secrets.

This Wicked Fate The sequel to This Poison Heart continues the story of Briseis and her plant magic as she works to save her family while uncovering more secrets about her inheritance.

The Vanquishers A middle-grade novel about a group of friends in a world where vampires have been defeated, until strange disappearances suggest the Vanquishers' work might not be finished.

Anna-Marie McLemore writes young adult fantasy novels featuring magical realism and diverse characters, often incorporating fairy tale elements and LGBTQ+ themes. Their work includes retellings like "The Mirror Season" and "When the Moon Was Ours."

Tracy Deonn combines African American folk magic with Arthurian legend in her young adult fantasy works. Her Legendborn series features strong female protagonists challenging established power structures while exploring ancestry and identity.

L.L. McKinney reimagines classic tales with Black protagonists and contemporary settings, as seen in her modern take on Alice in Wonderland. Her work addresses social justice themes while maintaining core fantasy elements and adventure storylines.

Ashley Poston creates fresh takes on classic fairy tales with modern twists and diverse representation. Her Once Upon a Con series recasts familiar stories in contemporary settings while exploring themes of identity and belonging.

Dhonielle Clayton writes fantasy fiction centered on female characters navigating complex social structures and magic systems. Her work, including The Belles series, examines beauty standards and power dynamics while incorporating diverse representation.