Book Review: Cinder

Cinder
(The Lunar Chronicles #1)

written by Marissa Meyer

390 pages // published in 2012 // young adult // science fiction



My Review...




After spending about 4 years "avoiding" this book, thinking I wasn't interested in a fairy-tale retelling, I finally gave in -- to the start of an amazing series, I believe.

This is no mere Cinderella story. To begin with, it has more science-fiction than anything, and is set in the very distant future in New Beijing -- instantly more interesting that a regular Cinderella-type story. To sketch in a few more details, our heroine Cinder is, in fact, human, but with machine parts -- a cyborg girl (something she tries to keep hidden as best as possible). Her best friend is an android named Iko. And the final kicker? There's no scenes of Cinderella scrubbing the floors and dressing in rags (exactly); instead, Cinder is a highly-skilled... mechanic.

Is this story fascinating enough to keep one interested with all the fresh story elements? YES.

Does the reader see how the story will end up unfolding as a fairy-tale? NO WAY.

There's only just enough resemblances to the original Cinderella story that the reader will acknowledge it's the same story, but Cinder is a book completely different than the original -- a story so captivating that I didn't expect it myself. There were definitely some plot twists that I never could have come up with on my own, and it created a truly one-of-a-kind story.

Usually, I don't care to read young adult fiction, which can easily filter in unwanted mature situations and bad language -- However, I didn't find that this is the case at all in Cinder (another reason why I like the book so much!

Overall? Cinder has action, a smidgen of the fairy-tale sweetness it derives from, and some romantic interest -- it is Prince Charming himself, after all (just under a different name). Together this creates a fascinating read, and... now I simply can't wait to find out the story behind Book 2 in the Lunar Chronicles. Recommended best for teens and adults.

Cinder is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, audio, and e-book format.

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