by Marissa Meyer
Genre: YA Sci-Fi Fantasy
Hardback: 387 Pages
Publication: January 3, 2012 by Feiwel & Friends
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.
This is the best story with a fairy-tale touch that I’ve ever read. I love books with action and mystery, and Cinder has it all. The poor, mistreated girl. The threat of intergalactic war. The hot prince. And a Lunar princess, killed by her aunt in a power struggle.
Cinder is a resourceful girl. People who know what she is–a cyborg–detest her, believing her to be less than human. Cinder’s stepmother never wanted the orphan cyborg that her husband picked up, and she uses Cinder to bring in the income and take care of menial chores around the house. Even so, Cinder never stops believing that there’s a way out, and her strength of heart is inspiring. I also love her faithful android Iko, who has to be one of my most favorite side characters ever with its quirky, lovable personality. I even grew to love Prince Kai and enjoyed reading the scenes told from his perspective. Looking at the world through his eyes was eye opening and gives insight into the fragile relationship between humans and Lunars.
The phenomenal world building is just another reason why I love this story, especially with how the story takes place in New Beijing. How cool is it that this is not only a story about a cyborg Cinderella but that it takes place in Asia? I appreciate how Meyer takes the time to paint a picture of the world. I could easily envision the setting with its mixture of a remembrance of older times and futuristic innovations.
Prince Kai’s arrival into Cinder’s life and her stepsister’s illness mark the turning point in Cinder’s life. She finds herself reluctantly drawn to the prince even as secrets come to light and she learns more about her identity. When new revelations come to her, Cinder must decide what means more to her. Freedom or love. Marissa Meyer has crafted a world that has suffered greatly at its own hands and which now faces the greater threat of a powerful Lunar queen. As the plot progresses, the stakes keep climbing, as the secrets keep unfurling. I loved every moment of this book and highly anticipate the release of the sequel!
Also check out my interview with author Marissa Meyer on Cinder!
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Author: Crystal
A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. She writes under the name Kristy Wang. You can follow her writing adventures on X and Instagram @_kristywang.
Fall Into Books says
I have heard so many good things about this book, but I just could not get into it. I couldn't get past the fact that Cinder was a cyborg, and for some reason that just bugged the crap out of me. I know it's probably close-minded of me, but I just couldn't imagine cyborgs feeling anything.
Either way, I love your review! Great work!