Boom, Marissa Meyer  just threw down the gauntlet. Cinder is a unique and an enchanting take on the Cinderella fairytale. Seriously, it is completely different from ANY fairy tale retelling I’ve EVER read before.
Cinder
Cinder by Marissa Meyer is set in the future. Earth is divided into confederations. Cinder lives in New Beijing. She is a cyborg mechanic who lives with an evil stepmother named Adri and two stepsisters – Peony and Pearl. When Prince Kai stops by Cinder’s booth to have his android fixed, they connect and soon after, Cinder’s life is COMPLETELY changed.
I was able to predict a large plot point 130 pages into Cinder by Marissa Meyer but I didn’t mind because I felt the journey was the most important part. I wanted to see how the story would unfold and how I’d get to the revelation — also how Cinder would discover the revelation.
ALSO, omfg, as the weirdo who pops up with attention whenever a plague is mentioned (Black Death what up), I appreciated the plague in Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Letumosis is a very real threat for the residents of Earth. There is no cure and it is highly contagious. Letumosis is just one more problem facing Kai, as the threat of Queen Lavana – ruler of the Lunars – people who live on the moon and can do magic- is looming (that is a LOT of dashes).
Some crazy shit goes down in Cinder by Marissa Meyer and I LOVED IT. From plot revelations to a fight to the scheming of Adri and also Queen Levana. And then there is heartbreak on SO MANY FRONTS. Plus, you guys, the excellent characterization right down to the minor characters – such as Iko, an android who helps Cinder out who has such an awesome personality and also Dr. Erland – the head of the research staff who is search for a cure to Letumosis.
I can’t freakin wait for the next book in the Lunar Chronicles. I mean, I want to know what happens to Cinder and Kai and the gang. I mean, I heard a rumor that the next books won’t star Cinder, but c’mon there’s bound to be SOME resolution in them, as it’s the LUNAR CHRONICLES so there’s got to be connections and all. I mean, just using my brain here to make that prediction.
Right, so if you are down for a unique fairy tale re-telling, like books that will grip you, and are kind of scared of sci-fi, but at the same time want to read it so you can be one of the cool kids, Cinder by Marissa Meyer should make it on to your TBR stack.
Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher.
Other reviews of Cinder by Marissa Meyer:
The Book Rat
Paranormal Indulgence
The Book Swarm
Angieville
Beyond Books
inkcrush
The Book Smugglers
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AH I’m glad you finished & loved! And yes, I totally predicted that plot thing too (see, I kept my word – didn’t spoil it for you!) I loved the journey. And the minor characters were fabulous and Iko was hilarious and just so much love for this book. Awesome review, April!
Marissa M tweeted me that Cinder would be the protag but she’d share the spotlight with another girl, as each book is based on different fairy tales. Just FYI 🙂
LOL TARA thank you for not spoiling and thank you so much for being there on G-chat when I needed to share my feelings about Cinder hahahaha.
And even bigger THANK YOU for that information about the next book.
#cinderlove,yo
Oh my goodness! YES! Right?! SO awesome! I loved this book! And, I am VERY forgiving of predictability in my fairy tale retellings so long as the book still FEELS like a fairy tale. And man. This one ROCKED MY FACE! 😀
Also, as mentioned by Tara, it’s still largely Cinder’s story, and will be throughout all three remaining books, but they will be based around other fairy tales (I want to say next is red riding hood, but I could be wrong) and the main girl for each fairy tale will be different (each with their own side stories and love interests). So, this is the only one where Cinder is the only main character, but she and Kai will still be big parts of the other books too. 🙂
And, umm… I want the rest of them NOW 😉
Got it — with regards to the characters of the rest of Cinder.
RIGHT, dude, Right, I am forgiving of predictability too, because as a fairytale retelling, you kind of expect certain things to maintain elements of the original fairytale.
Big yay to face rocking! <3
Sometimes I think the best books are the ones that are predictable but the ride is still totally worth it, KWIM?
I cannot wait to read Cinder, I am a total fairy tale nerd! So I think the sci-fi twist will be fun, and I’m glad that you found it gripping! Thanks (as always) for the awesome review!
I know exactly what you mean. The journey really matters to me in what I read.
Jac, I think you will adore Cinder. 😀
I’m all for a unique read with a fun protagonist. I have to admit, the idea of androids definitely intrigues me. I think I can handle some predictability given how awesome you thought the rest of the book was!
Natalie, the entirety of Cinder is awesome and made of winning.
I’ve been wavering back and forth on whether to read this one. It does sound interesting though, and I’m glad I’m not the only who gets excited by the mention of a plague.
I am so glad I am not the only fan of a good plague. Hahahaha. I know, I know that makes me the weird kid at school but at least I’m not the only one.
Hope you do give Cinder a chance! 😀
You’re right, the next books won’t star Cinder, but I don’t think Scarlet, Cress and Winter will disappoint you. This was such a fun review to read!
Thank you! I do strive for FUN in my reviews 😀
Oh yay I’m so glad you liked it! Scarlet definitely won’t disappoint; all of the people who have read it so far have said that it’s even better than Cinder. Marissa’s said that Cinder’s story will traverse the four books, so I don’t think the Kai/Cinder relationship will be resolved until then, which is quite alright with me as long as I get to see more Kai!
I’m glad Scarlet is EVEN BETTER! Mainly because I like to have things to look forward to!
Also big yes on Kai, he is wonderful 😀
Loved Cinder!! I guessed the major plot point early on too, but like you I didn’t even care because I was so in love with the story. Awesome review!
Right, as long as the story is engaging predictability isn’t a huge deal — at least for me.
This is one where I was completely GLAD it was a series–so I’d have more to look forward to (god, can you imagine the pressure on the girl to write a stellar sophomore novel that lives up to CINDER? eep!). Loved the plague bit, too, and how she was with her youngest step-sister. SOOO good!
Oh, Peony and Cinder slayed me. And I know you know exactly what I am talking about.
I imagine the pressure is huge, but according to the comments here, Scarlet IS STELLAR, so yay!
Okay, I really want to read this now. I’ve seen so many good things about it that, despite my hesitancy, I really want to see what all the fuss is about! Although I guess it’s not so much fuss as it is amazing praise for this new series! As always, great review; definitely laughed a few times!
Thanks Candice, that’s my aim to make the people laugh. That and to get you all to pick up more books. Definitely pick up Cinder, it rocks.
Reading this now and loving it too!!!!!
Glad to hear that 😀
I freaking adored this book. I love how you pointed it out that it was predictable, but you just didn’t care. I felt the same way! I had a few surprises along the way, and could see where things were going, but it was just so UNIQUE that I loved every bit of it. HUGE Cinder fangirl.
Word. We need Cinder fangirl gang signs.
I freaking loved this book so hard. There’s nothing else to say.
Seriously. Excellent mash-up of genres, excellent spin on a classic, I love hovercraft and sci-fi stuff, and who doesn’t love a weird virus, right?
Also, I’ve heard the audio for this is excellent.
Weird viruses FTW!
And hovercrafts are so awesome.
I was hesitant to read this but after reading your review it sounds like something I’d love. *adds to wishlist*
Yay! I hope you love this one, Lisa.
Love love LOVED Cinder! I like sci-fi, YA and fairy tales independent of each other, but put them together? I’m totally sold. I think I’d recommend this book to anyone. It’s engaging, fun (a tad predictable – but that’s always the case with a known fairy tale!), and UNIQUE. Great review!
Thank you Cecelia! And I totally agree about predictability and well known fairy tales — we all know the endgame, it’s the getting there that is important.
This is the second review in a row I just read of this and now I just *really* need to go and get myself a copy.
Do it! 😀
I love crazy shit. And it speaks highly that you still loved the read even after predicting the huge plot point. Good to know!
Crazy shit is THE BEST! And seriously if the writing is good that I will still read after guessing the plot point. Then again, I will also read just to prove myself right.
Cinder sounds amazing. The plot is so unique and I really enjoy re-tellings and fairy tales so this is right up my alley. Great review.
Oh it totally IS amazing. I hope you check it out soon. 😀
I found it a very interesting read and am looking forward to the other books as well. Its quite a twist from the fairytales we know very well. I also love the subtle romance in this story (which i hope will develop into something more later!). Also, the fact that Cinder is quite a strong character on her own.
**POSSIBLE SPOILERS**
Cinder is still the main character in the other 3 books as well in Scarlet (which i have no idea what will really happen besides that its in France and Scarlet’s grandmother is missing), Cress (about the girl programer and how she is released from Sybil), and Winter (how she will meet Princess Winter, her cousin, and bring down the Queen!). BTW, its anybody’s guess what will happen, and what i put in parenthesis is just my guess!
I really hope the romance develops in Scarlet as well. I am totally DYING for Scarlet!
This book was awesome, right. I loved loved it and I can’t wait for the sequel. And for the rest of the series. I find combining Sci-fi and fairy tales was a brilliant idea and Marissa Meyer did it very well.
Yes! It was such a unique and cool idea and I think Marissa Meyer blew it out of the park, so to speak.