Despite being based on one of the most famous romantic fairy tales of all time, Cinder by Marissa Meyer proves to be a fresh and exciting read for readers of all sorts. I love to read, but I'm a slow reader and a reader that needs real excitement in order to finish a book. That said, I'm happy to report that I finished this book in two days. This means, I REALLY liked it.
Cinder starts off quickly and the easy, swift pacing is held throughout the book. I'm also not usually a fan of sci-fi stories, finding them hard to relate to and get lost in, but Meyer does a fantastic job of creating a vivid reality of Cinder's world while still keeping the book easy to follow and absorb. What's more, the author seems to make Cinder's world so real by creating unique technology that is still easy for us to relate to. For example, in Cinder's world they rely on "portscreens" and "netscreens" for communication, news, etc. I found it realistic and easy to imagine these things as future advancements on tablet computers and our modern flatscreen TVs and computers. It's very easy to see Cinder's life in New Beijing as a very realistic possibility for earth's future. This makes the sci-fi aspect of the book easier to handle for folks like me, who usually are lost in sci-fi fantasy.
Cinder's story is very much like the classic Cinderella in many ways, she has an evil stepmother who keeps her as a slave, two stepsisters, and an uncertain past. When her paths cross with Prince Kai, Cinder is thrust into an unlikely romance. I have read a few reviews here that criticize the ease and "love at first sight" quality to Kai's attraction to Cinder. To this I have to say, come on, this is the retelling of a fairy tale! It's supposed to be "love at first sight" and "true love", and the reader should be expecting this. Much to my pleasant surprise, while Kai is immediately smitten with Cinder, she--on the other hand--does NOT turn into some swoony, pathetic girl in love with the handsome prince (I'm talking to you, Bella Swan). Thank you, Marissa Meyer! Too many heroines of the popular young adult novels feature whiny, weak girls for young readers to look up to. While Kai is the charming, strong hero I look for in a romantic book, Cinder is refreshingly intellectual and thoughtful.
I think many teen readers will enjoy and relate to the character of Cinder because, despite being cyborg (human with artificial body parts), she is a very real character to read. She is teased and mocked by her enemies because of her artificial body parts, and seeing how so many teens (and adults, too) struggle with self-image, I think Cinder is a heroine MANY will so easily relate to. She struggles to love herself at times, because of her cyborg parts and her downfalls, but when it really counts Cinder stands up for herself. I love this!
The pacing throughout all 38 chapters is swift and kept me unable to put my Kindle down until I finished this story, so readers in need of excitement and romance will definitely be happy with this read. Cinder's story is full of a few surprises and twists, though it also has a few non-surprises, at the end we are left with a cliffhanger. This is one difference from the classic Cinderella story. Cinder's first book does not leave us with a "happily ever after" complete with a bow. Instead, we are still hopeful for that "happily ever after", but it's obvious there is more in store for Cinder and Kai before that is even possible. This was fine by me, however, seeing as I rushed through the book so quickly, I'm excited to read more of what happens to Cinder and Kai and I'm hoping Meyer can deliver as well as she did with this first book!
Finally, as a mother of two young daughters, I'm very happy to say that this book gets the mom seal of approval from me! Cinder is not without it's dark and intense moments, but Meyer respectfully wrote a clean (I'm talking language and intimacy) book that I would definitely share with a reader even as young as 10. Too many young adult books have been showing up on shelves lately, full of cursing and promiscuity. It's nice to see an author finally show her talent without trying to sellout to what the publishing world seems to THINK teens want/need in a book. Which reminds me, the writing was clear, concise, and impressive. I would compare it to the style of Suzanne Collins of the famous Hunger Games books. Meyer clearly has talent.
I would absolutely recommend this fresh new novel to the young readers, AND adult readers who are interested in any mixture of adventure, fairy tales, sci-fi, and romanticism. I think it's a fun, fascinating read, and it kept me on edge for most of the book. I'm very much looking forward to the release of Meyer's next book--let's hope it doesn't take too long!
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“Miss Linh, from your blood samples I have deduced that you are, in fact, Lunar.”Highlighted by 2,305 Kindle readers- “I’m sure I’ll feel much more grateful when I find a guy who thinks complex wiring in a girl is a turn-on.”Highlighted by 2,172 Kindle readers
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Cinder
Cinder by Marissa MeyerThe Lunar Chronicles series #1. Retelling. New adult science fiction. Cliffhanger.Cinder lives in the city of New Beijing with her stepmother and stepsisters. Cinder is the breadwinner as a Licensed Mechanic. Cinder is also a cyborg, part human with elements of mechanical pieces added to her body. This makes her a second class citizen and owned by her stepmother. When the plague hits her home, Cinder finds herself in the middle of an intergalactic power struggle between Prince Kai and the overpowering Queen Levana.A Cinderella retelling that is completely unexpected but includes the original family conflicts, envy, a savior, class distinctions, and concepts.Cinder is ready to leave the family home but has a lot of legalities to resolve not to mention the lack of necessary funds. Prince Kai is a distraction she doesn’t need but maybe wants.I can’t wait to continue this series.
Top reviews from other countries
Karla Corona
Esta muy bonito
Reviewed in Mexico on July 16, 2023
Karla Corona
Reviewed in Mexico on July 16, 2023
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Giorgia
Retelling fantascientifico che smonta e rielabora l'idea del razzismo e degli stereotipi uomo/donna
Reviewed in Italy on July 20, 2017