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 ladygrey on

3 of 5 stars

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I liked Cinder more the second time around. Yes, the twist is predictable (at page 44 to be precise). But somehow predictability is forgiven when rereading a book because you know you already know whats going to happen.

And there were definitely things I'd forgotten. Like how much time Kai and Cinder spend together in the second act. And things I noticed because I was read it before so I brought that context to some of the early details, which made it more interesting rather than more predictable.

I enjoyed the story more this time around, the pacing and the plot of it; the characters and the little moments. I didn't love the dialog in a few places but mostly it was a pretty decent book. And a nice dose of sci-fi.

First review-----
I liked [book:Cinder] well enough. The writing was good enough that I didn't really notice it (which is a compliment). I think it helped that it was third person which isn't a pov common to YA but I enjoy.

While the twist on Cinderella was unique and interesting it also hindered the story some because it's predictable. Even if it wasn't based on a fairy tale, the "twist" at the end was instantly obvious. And the prince gets to end up with the girl he wants and thwart the evil queen. Why would I read 4 more books to see it happen?. I definitely think I would have liked it more if it wasn't so terribly predictable.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 12 May, 2012: Finished reading
  • 12 May, 2012: Reviewed