Twerp by Mark Goldblatt 
Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
“Was it all in my head? A Lunar trick?”
Her stomach twisted. “No.” She shook her head, fervently. How to explain that she hadn’t had the gift before? That she couldn’t have used it against him? “I would never lie—”
The words faded. She had lied. Everything he knew about her had been a lie.
“I’m so sorry,” she finished, the words falling lamely in the open air.
Kai peeled his eyes away, finding some place of resignation off in the glistening garden. “You’re even more painful to look at than she is.”
I originally passed over this book after reading the blurb as I believed this story to be predominantly science fiction with a large cyborg element, a topic that doesn’t interest me in the slightest. Somehow I completely missed the fact that this was a modern fairytale retelling of Cinderella much to my dismay and was very excited to see it in the library during a visit one week. Once I started this book I found it incredibly difficult to put down it was so good, this is a debut novel that should not be overlooked!
Set in New Beijing sometime in the future after World War IV, the world is terrified by a very real and terrible plague called Letumosis which is highly contagious and completely deadly. Medical technology is much more advanced and humans who once would have died in accidents can now become cyborgs and live, but as second class citizens looked down upon by society. Cinder is a young mechanic who works to fund the social lives of her stepmother and two step sisters. After one of her step sisters contracts Letmosis, her stepmother sends Cinder off to be a cyborg volunteer at the research centre trying to find a cure for this deadly plague. From here Cinder’s whole world goes into a huge spin as she discovers things about herself and her past that she would never have dreamed.
Cinder is a wonderful character, definitely much more defiant and independent then the original Cinderella and I really enjoyed her point of view and telling of this story. The entire Cinderella retelling was just wonderful, there was enough elements of the original fairytale in the book that gave it a comforting familiar touch but it still managed to be so very unique. I especially loved the twist on the dramatic ball scene with Cinder’s grand entrance and reveal to the handsome prince!
The romance between Prince Kai and Cinderella was nicely done, not too thick or unrealistic and definitely not overally dramatic which I really enjoyed. Prince Kai was just a lovely male love interest in general and I think is a wonderful ruler – a great mix of empathy and inner strength! At the end when Kai discovers Cinder’s secret it was just heart breaking and so beautifully done, I just felt so sorry for the both and wished they could have their happily ever after.
The added plot twists with the Lunar civilisation was fascinating and really sets this book apart from the average Cinderella retelling. I found the Lunar people fascinating and loved the tension and anxiousness when the Lunar Queen descends onto Earth. I can’t wait to find out more about this in the future books of the Lunar Chronicles!
This has really been one of the best books I’ve read so far this year and I am incredibly impressed considering Cinder is written by a debut author. I think that this is a story that will suit anyone – don’t let the science fiction elements put you off as this really isn’t the heart of this novel. Cinder is a mystery, science fiction, love story and paranormal all in one and boy does it really work!
Rating 
| Author | Marissa Meyer |
|---|---|
| Book series | Lunar Chronicles: Book #1 |
| Genre | Fairytale / Science Fiction / Young Adult |
| Publisher | Feiwel & Friends |
| Published | January 2012 |
| Source | Library |
| More |
Cinder by Marissa Meyer at Goodreads Cinder by Marissa Meyer at Amazon Cinder by Marissa Meyer at The Book Depository |
8 Comments:
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Xia says:
I loved Cinder! Even though it was a bit predictable, I enjoyed it a lot. Glad you did too! I’m looking forward to Scarlet. It’s going to be interesting that it’s going to be from a new character’s POV, but hopefully Cinder and Kai will be in there a lot.
Philippa says:
OMG Scarlet is from someone else’s point of view!!!???? I didn’t realise
Ok will have to investigate that more now!
Angelya says:
So glad you loved it! It was one of my fave reads of the year too
I keep hoping to see Scarlet arcs about… keep yr eyes peeled!
Philippa says:
I will be on the look out for that arc too
Jess Haight says:
Fantastic review! I am glad to hear that this is a book that you couldn’t put down. I love the cover and I cannot wait to read this. It has been on my list forever.
Philippa says:
Thanks for commenting and I hope you get a chance to read it soon
Krista says:
I love Cinderella themed books, but I initially passed on Cinder because the cyborg thing was kind of a turn off for me. However, I kept seeing amazing reviews for it, so I downloaded chapters 1-5 off of Amazon, and this book sounds fantastic! I can’t wait to read it. Great review!
Philippa says:
I was the same Cyborg just doesn’t do it for me but this is a really great read! Hope you get to read the full story soon