Cinder
by Marissa Meyer
Book I in the Lunar Chronicles
Genre: YA sci-fi, fairy-tale reboot
Publication: January 3, 2012 by Feiwel & Friends
Audiobook purchased by reviewer
Amazon (Hardcover, Audiobook, Kindle), Barnes & Noble, Indiebound
Synopsis from goodreads
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.
Review
Oh My Goodness!!! I’m going to start off by just saying this book is FREAKING AMAZING!!!!
Okay…
*fans self* *recovers from fan girl moment*
So, in what is a truly unusual but exceedingly enjoyable marriage of fairy-tale and cybernetic sci-fi, Cinder will draw you in and leave you begging for more. There’s so much to love about this beautifully conceived and well-written book: the characters, unique and outlandish but so very relateable, the plot, Cinderella rebooted in the best way I’ve ever seen, and the writing, lyrical and compelling and entrancing at every point in the book.
In this tale, Cinder, a cyberneticaly enhanced girl and the best mechanic in New Beijing, has a chance encounter with the Crown Prince that sets her life, unbeknownst to her at the moment, down a path of self-awakening and empowerment. The best elements of the Cinderella tale are on display: the evil step-mother, the step-sisters (one mean, one nice), the adorable sidekick (mice traded in for an awesome, female version of R2D2) and the deep seated knowledge that this girl is destined for more than what life has handed her.
Now take that and mix in something new: an planetwide plague that’s on the rampage and seemingly unstoppable, an Earthen/Lunar game of high stakes political poker, a romance complicated by so much more than class and a mystery: who IS Cinder really???
Marissa Meyer’s tale will hook you, as sure as you were a child once in love with fairy tales, but what will leave you waiting desperately for more is how truly unique her take on these classic stories are, and the question of just WHAT happens next????
Bottom Line
With all of the existential angst of Bladerunner, plus the inate hope of the fairytale it holds at its premise, Cinder is a book that CAN NOT be missed. Do yourself a favor and move it to the IMMEDIATE top of your TBR pile. Scratch that, put down whatever you’re reading now and PICK CINDER UP TODAY!
Final Notes
You know my thoughts on series, dear reader, but this book was just too good to wait for. Plus, it’s not part of a duo, not a trilogy, but A FREAKING QUARTET!!!!!!!!!!! SQUEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s right, the next book doesn’t come out until 2013, but there’s always the hope that it might show up at BEA this year…..right?????
And Ms. Meyer will be in town on Monday for a book signing (yes, I’ll be the stalker in the front), so I’ll be sure to ask what we can expect and when!
Now go and get lost…in a book!
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I loved this one – I am SO excited for book 2. The concept of this one was too cool, and I loved both Cinder and Kai!
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Ahhh, I'm jealous you'll get to be on the signing! That's super cool. And YAY another one who loves it! I did too. It was so SO awesome! Cannot wait for the sequel and be introduced to more fairytale heroines. o: *excited*
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I tend to like re-tellings, but this one is very special. I'm not sure if it's because of the Cyborg aspect…I don't know. I also love that it really is it's own story, with little references that make you say "ah, that's from Cinderelly…" I just really enjoyed this one. And I really enjoyed your review!
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Thanks, Annette! I agree, part of what makes a story in this genre strong is that it can stand on it's own and these characters are DEFINITELY not shells. Glad you liked it too!!!
My recent post My Friday Love {19}
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Wow. This book caught my attention and now I really want to read it. Thank you for your review, you seem a bit excited about it. 😉
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You're very welcom, Hildie! Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!!! And yes, I'm just a *tad* excited!!! 😀
My recent post My Friday Love {19}
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Oh, I forgot to add, please come back when you've had a chance to read it! I'd love to hear your thoughts!!!
My recent post My Friday Love {19}
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I enjoyed this one too Pushy but I hated the ending. I can't wait to see how the series develops!
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Oooh! You hated the ending??? You have to tell me why! If you think it's too spoilery, email me, will you??
My recent post My Friday Love {19}
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I agree, Freaking Awesome! I too plan to see her at a signing and am super excited! So happy to see another rave review!
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Yay!!! What signing will you be seeing her at, Candace? Will it be the one in Naperville, IL? I don't think you live by me, but if I'm wrong, I'd love to see you in person at the signing on Monday!
My recent post My Friday Love {19}
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SO JEALOUS you get to meat Marissa Meyer! Man, this book is so awesome, and I love that she's rebooting so many stale fairy tales in the rest of the series. Cannot wait for more!!!
Smiles!
Lori
My recent post Welcome!
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What have you heard???? I didn't know she was going to be expanding (although she's definitely delved in to Snow White in Cinder as well). Let me know what you've heard. 🙂
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Whilst I was reading this, Star Wars kept coming to my mind and I had her little friend android looking like C3PO. I just couldn't rid myself of that brain picture. I really did enjoy the book though too 🙂
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