Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Genre: YA Science Fiction/Dystopia
Series: Lunar Chronicles #1
Release Date: 3rd January 2012
Pages: 384
Book Source: Feiwel & Friends & NetGalley

Synopsis: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.


My Thoughts:
A cyborg Cinderella in a futuristic world complete with handsome prince, wicked step-mother, evil moon queen and the deadly Letumosis plague. As far as fairy tale re-tellings go Cinder is unique, fantastical and weirdly awesome!

The Cinderella fairytale is familiar in the mix of cyborgs, androids, hovers, netscreens and comm links. I loved the representations from the original tale and the inventiveness of the new world. Set in the Eastern Commonwealth capital of New Beijing, post 4th World War, this here is fascinating world building and compelling reading. 

Meyer assembles a cast of characters that truly shine. I was rooting for Cinder (and her freedom) from the beginning and wishing her wicked step-mother a nasty end. Cinder's step-sister Peony was a sweetie, her android bestie Iko; adorable, & Prince Kai; grounded, kind & down-to-earth.

This was such a fun read, an enchanting meld of fairytale adventure, intergalactic political intrigue and futuristic scifi ... and the pages just flew by. For pure entertainment Cinder's a winner!

Cinder is the first book in the Lunar Chronicles quartet. Of the remaining three books Scarlet will star Red Riding Hood, Cress will feature Rapunzel and Winter; Snow White ... bring it on. I can't wait to see where Marissa Meyer's imagination takes us. 

Want to know more about Marissa Meyer - visit her live journal.




18 comments:

  1. Wow!! This does sound good! :):):):):):):):):):):)

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  2. Sounds good, and certainly different, which is something I really like

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  3. I'm looking forward to the next books in the series!

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  4. I loved this book and just reviewed it on Royal Reviews!

    Best,
    Angela

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  5. I'm still not sure how I feel about this book. Currently I have it at 2/5, even though I'll definitely be reading the next book. I started off thinking it was so original until it clicked that not only is it a retelling of Cinderella but she's also lumped in Sailor Moon as well.

    But I do love Iko so much! ^_^

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  6. I love the originality of this one!! Putting it on my blame Sheree list and seeing if the library has it!

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  7. I hadn't heard that information about the next books; I'm not a big fan of Red Riding Hood but I love Rapunzel (especially after Disney's adaptation). Love everything to do with fairy tales!

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  8. Yay! Just received the audio in the mail. Glad it's a keeper.

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  9. After the recent TV shows that are fairy-tale themed, I think I'd get a kick out of this one.

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  10. This book seems to be all over the place. I look forward to it.

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  11. Cinderella and sci-fi?! Love it! Thanks for the review.

    Laura

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  12. Great review! I love the mix of a classic fairytale and a new age sci-fi world. I am definitely going to read this one! Thanks@

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  13. Cinder sounds like an awesome book! It's cool of Marissa to combine a traditional fairy tale with a sci-fi setting. A cyborg Cinderella is so different and already brings up an image of a strong Cinderella, unlike other Cinderellas where she's weak and needs to be saved. I read a preview of the book and her friend Iko sounds like fun! And I like the idea that Cinder meets Prince Kai early on to establish a blossoming relationship!

    I need to get this book!

    Chen Chang

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  14. It sounds good, and I'm curious about the other 3 books as well.

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  15. I rooted for Cinder too! LOVED the book cant wait for more!

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  16. thanks for this great giveaway. It sounds compelling and special. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. I love this book idea! I can't wait to read/listen to it! Thanks for the opportunity! muzettew(at)yahoo(dot)com, or at upallnightreading.wordpress.com

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