Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles, #1)

by Marissa Meyer

Sixteen-year-old Cinder is considered a technological mistake by most of society and a burden by her stepmother. Being cyborg does have its benefits, though: Cinder's brain interface has given her an uncanny ability to fix things (robots, hovers, her own malfunctioning parts), making her the best mechanic in New Beijing. This reputation brings Prince Kai himself to her weekly market booth, needing her to repair a broken android before the annual ball. He jokingly calls it “a matter of national security,” but Cinder suspects it's more serious than he's letting on.

Although eager to impress the prince, Cinder's intentions are derailed when her younger stepsister, and only human friend, is infected with the fatal plague that's been devastating Earth for a decade. Blaming Cinder for her daughter's illness, Cinder's stepmother volunteers her body for plague research, an “honor” that no one has survived.

But it doesn't take long for the scientists to discover something unusual about their new guinea pig. Something others would kill for.

Reviewed by Chelsea on

5 of 5 stars

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Initial Thoughts

I loved this book the first time and I really hoped I’d love it the second. I read it quite a whole ago so this re-read was actually a great idea because I didn’t remember as much as I thought.

My New BFF

Can I please be BFFs with Cinder? Plleeeeeease? She’s just such a great character! She’s in a really bad situation but she still makes the best of it and does what’s right. She’s also extremely brave doing all those things she did. Not many people would have the courage to take on a queen in front of that many people.

My Crush

Who could read this book and not fall in love with Prince Kai? It’s basically mandatory. He’s nice and mysterious to draw you in and then you see little parts of his life and see how unhappy he is. You start to feel for him and then slowly fall in love with him. That’s exactly how a love interest is supposed to make you feel! Well done to the author for pulling it off!

Writing Style

I love that even though this is a fairy tale retelling, it’s not that predictable. The biggest chunk of the plot has nothing to do with Cinderella and I’m very grateful for that. The plot is fast paced and designed to suck you in immediately, which it does of course, and the characters are what keep you reading. I can’t say anything bad about this book.

Closing Thoughts

I think this is a book everyone should read no matter how hyped up it is. I know everyone isn’t going to like it but I think it’s something everyone should at least try because it’s so different that it might just spark something in you. I love fairy tale retellings even if they are predictable, that’s just who I am. I can say that this is easily my favorite retelling because it’s not predictable and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I love that it’s set in the future and that it’s set in China. I can’t say I’ve read a lot of books that took place in China. I love the dystopia feel of it while not being your typical dystopia book. I love all the genres that are mixed into this book that really do make it possible for so many people to enjoy. I love everything about this book (as you might have noticed) so I recommend it to everyone!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 2 August, 2015: Finished reading
  • 2 August, 2015: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • Finished reading
  • 2 August, 2015: Reviewed