Helpful Score: 3
I got an eGalley of this book to review through NetGalley(dot)com. It was an excellent read, incredibly creative yet it still remained true to the feel of the original Cinderalla fairy tale. It was a fairy tale with so much more added to the mix.
Cinder is a cyborg who works as a mechanic and has been adopted into a family; she has a foster mother and two sisters as well as a faithful android companion. All Cinder wants to do is fix things and build up enough money to leave at some point. When the Prince stops by to have his android fixed, things start to change for Cinder. Then when Cinder's youngest sister comes down with the plague, Cinder is blamed and sold off to research. There Cinder finds out many things about her past and ends up embroiled in politics and facing off with the evil Lunar Queen.
This story is part fairy tale, part steampunk, and part science fiction. Cinder was a wonderful character she is capable and technically saavy and is constantly chaffing at the restrictions placed on her by her foster mother. Prince Kai is also an intriguing character; despite his life of privilege he confronts things with an honesty that is refreshing and is non-judgmental until he knows the facts.
The world created is an interesting and intriguing one. This is a future Earth, the story itself takes place in New Bejing. Humanity is facing a horrible plague that has been going on for years and can't be stopped. In addition to this the Lunars, an alien race living on the moon, are ruled by a persuasive and evil Queen. This Queen wants Earth for her own and seeks to gain entry into Earth politics by marrying Prince Kai.
There are just a lot of very interesting elements here. Cinder is a second tier citizen because of her cyborg status; so there is a lot of discussion around second class citizens and what it means to be human. There is the plague; which is allowing questionable research to be carried out as well as forcing society to live under a veil of fear. Then there are the Lunars who can take over people's minds and are constantly trying to take over Earth.
There is just a lot going on and all of it is very interesting. The writing is well done and the story is paced well. In general it follows the original fairy tale pretty well; you have the wicked foster mother, the sisters, the missing slipper (in this case foot), and the Prince who needs a wife. Unlike the fairy tale Cinder and Kai actually build a solid relationship and their falling in love is gradual and sweet. They are alike in many ways and it is heartbreaking when any hope of a relationship between them is in jeopardy because of the Lunar Queen.
There are a lot of surprises throughout the book, the story flows nicely but is hard to predict. Things were wrapped up nicely in this book, but there is a lot that still needs to be resolved in the larger story.
Overall I really enjoyed this story. It is a fairy tale retelling unlike any I have ever read before. The characters are easy to relate to and engaging. The world is creative and interesting. The story blends together a lot of elements: steampunk, science-fiction, fairy tale, romance, alien invasion, and the question of the humanity of machines. If you are a fan of fairy tale retellings definitely check this out. If you are a fan of steampunk, fantasy, or science fiction I recommend checking this out as well. It was just such an interesting story, I can't wait to see what the next book in the series brings.
Cinder is a cyborg who works as a mechanic and has been adopted into a family; she has a foster mother and two sisters as well as a faithful android companion. All Cinder wants to do is fix things and build up enough money to leave at some point. When the Prince stops by to have his android fixed, things start to change for Cinder. Then when Cinder's youngest sister comes down with the plague, Cinder is blamed and sold off to research. There Cinder finds out many things about her past and ends up embroiled in politics and facing off with the evil Lunar Queen.
This story is part fairy tale, part steampunk, and part science fiction. Cinder was a wonderful character she is capable and technically saavy and is constantly chaffing at the restrictions placed on her by her foster mother. Prince Kai is also an intriguing character; despite his life of privilege he confronts things with an honesty that is refreshing and is non-judgmental until he knows the facts.
The world created is an interesting and intriguing one. This is a future Earth, the story itself takes place in New Bejing. Humanity is facing a horrible plague that has been going on for years and can't be stopped. In addition to this the Lunars, an alien race living on the moon, are ruled by a persuasive and evil Queen. This Queen wants Earth for her own and seeks to gain entry into Earth politics by marrying Prince Kai.
There are just a lot of very interesting elements here. Cinder is a second tier citizen because of her cyborg status; so there is a lot of discussion around second class citizens and what it means to be human. There is the plague; which is allowing questionable research to be carried out as well as forcing society to live under a veil of fear. Then there are the Lunars who can take over people's minds and are constantly trying to take over Earth.
There is just a lot going on and all of it is very interesting. The writing is well done and the story is paced well. In general it follows the original fairy tale pretty well; you have the wicked foster mother, the sisters, the missing slipper (in this case foot), and the Prince who needs a wife. Unlike the fairy tale Cinder and Kai actually build a solid relationship and their falling in love is gradual and sweet. They are alike in many ways and it is heartbreaking when any hope of a relationship between them is in jeopardy because of the Lunar Queen.
There are a lot of surprises throughout the book, the story flows nicely but is hard to predict. Things were wrapped up nicely in this book, but there is a lot that still needs to be resolved in the larger story.
Overall I really enjoyed this story. It is a fairy tale retelling unlike any I have ever read before. The characters are easy to relate to and engaging. The world is creative and interesting. The story blends together a lot of elements: steampunk, science-fiction, fairy tale, romance, alien invasion, and the question of the humanity of machines. If you are a fan of fairy tale retellings definitely check this out. If you are a fan of steampunk, fantasy, or science fiction I recommend checking this out as well. It was just such an interesting story, I can't wait to see what the next book in the series brings.
Helpful Score: 3
I really like the idea behind this book, a new take on the classics sign me up. Also, I think having the lines from the Cinderella story on the breaks between sections was a great touch.
I'm giving this book 4 stars.
As I said I really liked the idea, and as good as I think the book was, there were somethings I didn't like. Although some of my complains with the story could very well be explained in the next book. The Lunars, for example, I would have liked to know more about them. Honestly I saw the ending coming, but it really didn't take away from the book too much. It was a good book and I'm excited to see what's to come of the characters in the next book.
I'm giving this book 4 stars.
As I said I really liked the idea, and as good as I think the book was, there were somethings I didn't like. Although some of my complains with the story could very well be explained in the next book. The Lunars, for example, I would have liked to know more about them. Honestly I saw the ending coming, but it really didn't take away from the book too much. It was a good book and I'm excited to see what's to come of the characters in the next book.
Helpful Score: 2
I have to say, Meyer puts an interesting perspective on fairy tales. She takes a simple, obvious plot-line and adds a little twist to surprise the reader. The futuristic Cinderella story wasn't complicated, but the author's knack for detail and her extensive culture and medical research was obvious. The romance between Cinder and Prince Kai was a bit cheesy and reminded me quite a bit of the movie "Ever After" with Drew Barrymore and Dougray Scott. Seen from the main character's perspective, however, the romance is sweet and simple as Cinder tries to find her place after several Earth-shattering self-revelations. And talk about a cliffhanger! I saw most of the plot-line coming, but the drop-off at the end was unexpected. Do not read this book if you don't want to continue the series.
Helpful Score: 1
A futuristic cyborg retelling of Cinderella sounds outrageous, but Marissa Meyer really takes the timeless tale and makes it her own with CINDER, first of a four-book series. Imaginative and action-packed, with likable characters, CINDER will appeal to readers looking for a dose of creative adventure.
Where do I start in gushing about how enjoyable CINDER was? Cinder the protagonist was a lovely protagonist. She is smart, resourceful, and brave. Cinder belongs in that small group of YA heroines who do not possess any extraordinary survival tactics and yet is a fighter: she deals with her troubles in a way that many of us can imagine us doing if we were ever in her position.
My next point is contentious, as many great reviewers have felt this part underdeveloped, but I felt that CINDER did a great job of creating a unique future world. No, its not quite a dystopian, and its not hard sci-fi: if it were either of those, the worlds connections to our present-day world would need to be more convincing. However, I was able to enjoy CINDERs setting of New Beijing as almost a fantasy world, set on a planet with a similar layout to ours, with new technology but similar problems of politics and society. Story and setting complemented each other well: the plot never dragged in order to appease world-building, and the world-building was enough such that the story was supported well.
Overall, CINDER may not win any literary awards in the near future, but it is an utterly enjoyable retelling of a classic in a futuristic fantasy world, with recognizable elements from the old tale but enough new elements to keep things fresh. I was surprised at the abruptness of the ending, until I learned that the Lunar Chronicles is a four-part exploration all about Cinder and her adventures, not separate stories each. Oh. Okay. There will be resolutions in the future, then! You can bet Ill be tuning in to the next books in this fun series.
Where do I start in gushing about how enjoyable CINDER was? Cinder the protagonist was a lovely protagonist. She is smart, resourceful, and brave. Cinder belongs in that small group of YA heroines who do not possess any extraordinary survival tactics and yet is a fighter: she deals with her troubles in a way that many of us can imagine us doing if we were ever in her position.
My next point is contentious, as many great reviewers have felt this part underdeveloped, but I felt that CINDER did a great job of creating a unique future world. No, its not quite a dystopian, and its not hard sci-fi: if it were either of those, the worlds connections to our present-day world would need to be more convincing. However, I was able to enjoy CINDERs setting of New Beijing as almost a fantasy world, set on a planet with a similar layout to ours, with new technology but similar problems of politics and society. Story and setting complemented each other well: the plot never dragged in order to appease world-building, and the world-building was enough such that the story was supported well.
Overall, CINDER may not win any literary awards in the near future, but it is an utterly enjoyable retelling of a classic in a futuristic fantasy world, with recognizable elements from the old tale but enough new elements to keep things fresh. I was surprised at the abruptness of the ending, until I learned that the Lunar Chronicles is a four-part exploration all about Cinder and her adventures, not separate stories each. Oh. Okay. There will be resolutions in the future, then! You can bet Ill be tuning in to the next books in this fun series.
Helpful Score: 1
Summary: A play on the Cinderella story, Cinder is a cyborg in New Beijing. Cyborgs are basically second class citizens, so her adopted mother treats her like dirt. The great thing about Cinder is that she is an expert mechanic, so she has some freedom to run her own booth at the market. While she is working, the prince, Kai, drops in to have her fix his android. It is apparently a matter of national security. Shortly after the prince leaves, there is a plague sighting in the market which closes everything down. Once Cinder gets home, she walks in to find her two stepsisters getting brand new dresses for the ball. The slight shift from the Cinderella story is that one of her stepsisters is actually a sweetheart. After the fitting, Cinder and her stepsister go to the junkyard to find spare parts. While there, Cinder's sweet sister breaks out in spots, showing that she has the plague. This is one of the turning points of the story. After this, Cinder's life is sold into plague research and she finds out all sorts of new things about herself. It still has aspects of the Cinderella story, but strays more to make Cinder an intriguing character that you can't wait to find out about. Her relationship with Kai blooms with short, interspersed run-ins, and the villain presents herself. The villain is Queen Levana of Luna. She wants to marry Kai to become empress, and will do just about anything to have those wishes come true. If needing to know what happens between Levana, Kai, and Cinder doesn't make you interested in reading, then you need to know that there is a killer of a cliffhanger at the end. It is wrapped up enough that you don't think the book was worthless to read, but definitely makes you crave the next installment of the series.
My thoughts: I've already strayed into my thoughts a bit. I really enjoyed this novel. I was skeptical going in and had put it off for awhile. I've read a lot of re-imagined fairy tales and some are just not worth the attention. This one definitely is. It strays away from the typical tale enough that you don't really know what is going to happen, but stays close enough to the tale that the fairy tale elements are in place. The good thing about me putting it off is that I have less of a wait for the next novel. There are only two criticisms that I have.
First, there are parts that are extremely predictable. Cinder's true identity is like a neon sign flashing above her head. I can't imagine any reader being surprised about who she turns out to be. This didn't both me that much. There are a lot of very predictable novels that are still entertaining.
The second bit of criticism bugged me more. There is not enough world building for me. The setting is described a little, but part of the fun of science fiction and fantasy is being transported into another world. I was disappointed by how glossed over the setting was. Luna and the Lunars are barely described. Also, Earth has changed and I want to know what I should be thinking about while the story is going on. I think that Meyer spent more time developing Cinder and her personality than the world around her. Since Cinder is a very good character, this holds the novel together, but I'd like to care more about the surroundings in the future books. There are four more and I'm not sure that just loving Cinder is going to hold my interest through the story if I can't fully picture where I am.
My thoughts: I've already strayed into my thoughts a bit. I really enjoyed this novel. I was skeptical going in and had put it off for awhile. I've read a lot of re-imagined fairy tales and some are just not worth the attention. This one definitely is. It strays away from the typical tale enough that you don't really know what is going to happen, but stays close enough to the tale that the fairy tale elements are in place. The good thing about me putting it off is that I have less of a wait for the next novel. There are only two criticisms that I have.
First, there are parts that are extremely predictable. Cinder's true identity is like a neon sign flashing above her head. I can't imagine any reader being surprised about who she turns out to be. This didn't both me that much. There are a lot of very predictable novels that are still entertaining.
The second bit of criticism bugged me more. There is not enough world building for me. The setting is described a little, but part of the fun of science fiction and fantasy is being transported into another world. I was disappointed by how glossed over the setting was. Luna and the Lunars are barely described. Also, Earth has changed and I want to know what I should be thinking about while the story is going on. I think that Meyer spent more time developing Cinder and her personality than the world around her. Since Cinder is a very good character, this holds the novel together, but I'd like to care more about the surroundings in the future books. There are four more and I'm not sure that just loving Cinder is going to hold my interest through the story if I can't fully picture where I am.
