Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, wa...
read full description
reviews
Feb 08, 2012
Tatiana
rated it: 
As seen on The Readventurer
Let me first give credit where credit is due. A cyborg Cinderella? Wow! It's a bold premise. I applaud Marissa Meyer for thinking this up.
In this re-envisioning of the fairy tale, Lihn Cinder is a cyborg, meaning, she is almost half mechanical - she has prosthetic hands and a foot, a big chunk of her internal organs are wired into her body. Cinder is a mechanic in New Beijing, the capital of the Eastern Commonwealth, a country ravaged by plague out More...
Let me first give credit where credit is due. A cyborg Cinderella? Wow! It's a bold premise. I applaud Marissa Meyer for thinking this up.
In this re-envisioning of the fairy tale, Lihn Cinder is a cyborg, meaning, she is almost half mechanical - she has prosthetic hands and a foot, a big chunk of her internal organs are wired into her body. Cinder is a mechanic in New Beijing, the capital of the Eastern Commonwealth, a country ravaged by plague out More...
26 comments
like
(74 people liked it)
Feb 04, 2012
Reynje
rated it: 
3.5 stars
I’d venture to say that the version of Cinderella most people of my generation (or thereabouts) were introduced to was Disney’s blonde, blue-dress-wearing wearing, rags-to-riches interpretation. I know that for most of my childhood I associated the name with animated mice, glass slippers and that ‘Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo’ song. <spoiler>Is it stuck in your head now? You’re welcome.</spoiler>
But Cinderella’s roots lie centuries deeper, and forklore t More...
17 comments
like
(35 people liked it)
Jan 30, 2012
Minli
rated it:
Okay, so, Cinder is full of so many awesome ideas. I say, cyborg Cinderella, you say, hell yea?
The geographic landscape in the indeterminate future is thus: conglomerated continents are the new countries, with the "other" as the strangely mystical humanoid society called the Lunars inhabiting the moon. On earth, Linh Cinder lives in New Beijing, works as a mechanic in a marketplace stall, and deals with her stepmother's daily crap. However, aside from the stepmother and th More...
The geographic landscape in the indeterminate future is thus: conglomerated continents are the new countries, with the "other" as the strangely mystical humanoid society called the Lunars inhabiting the moon. On earth, Linh Cinder lives in New Beijing, works as a mechanic in a marketplace stall, and deals with her stepmother's daily crap. However, aside from the stepmother and th More...
9 comments
like
(16 people liked it)
Dec 05, 2011
Jillian -always aspiring-
rated it:
(Actual Rating: 3.5 stars)
There has been much buzz surrounding Marissa Meyer's debut novel, Cinder, over the months leading up to its publication. How could there not be? The main hook is Cinderella as a cyborg. Even without reading the synopsis, many people would likely snap to attention at the mention of such an idea, and I was no exception to to the allure of what this book might entail.
In the end, my curiosity felt only half-rewarded. Cinder was an enjoyable read with More...
There has been much buzz surrounding Marissa Meyer's debut novel, Cinder, over the months leading up to its publication. How could there not be? The main hook is Cinderella as a cyborg. Even without reading the synopsis, many people would likely snap to attention at the mention of such an idea, and I was no exception to to the allure of what this book might entail.
In the end, my curiosity felt only half-rewarded. Cinder was an enjoyable read with More...
8 comments
like
(26 people liked it)
Jan 05, 2012
Katya
rated it: 
Also found here: http://theninjareader.tumblr.com/post/15...
Linh Cinder is a cyborg - part girl, part machine. Her unique make-up, combined with her adoptive father's inventions in cybernetics, allowed her to become the best mechanic in New Beijing at the tender age of sixteen. Her talents become so widely known that one day the crown prince himself brings an android for her to fix, and while he tries to make light of the subject, it's apparent that it's a very serious matter.
More...
Linh Cinder is a cyborg - part girl, part machine. Her unique make-up, combined with her adoptive father's inventions in cybernetics, allowed her to become the best mechanic in New Beijing at the tender age of sixteen. Her talents become so widely known that one day the crown prince himself brings an android for her to fix, and while he tries to make light of the subject, it's apparent that it's a very serious matter.
More...
5 comments
like
(16 people liked it)
Feb 16, 2012
◕ ◡ ◕ Arooj
rated it: 
HOLY CHEESUS.
People. PEOPLE. This book...I-I...
I think I'm in love. *gazes at the book*
OHMAGOSH IT WAS SO GOOD!
When I first heard about this book, I was very skeptical. See, I'm not a big fan of the whole fairytale re-telling thing. You have to actually know the fairy tales well to understand the re-tellings. I do know many fairy tales, everyone has heard at least one right? But I'm no expert on them. But if anyone asked me what my favo More...
People. PEOPLE. This book...I-I...
I think I'm in love. *gazes at the book*
OHMAGOSH IT WAS SO GOOD!
When I first heard about this book, I was very skeptical. See, I'm not a big fan of the whole fairytale re-telling thing. You have to actually know the fairy tales well to understand the re-tellings. I do know many fairy tales, everyone has heard at least one right? But I'm no expert on them. But if anyone asked me what my favo More...
6 comments
like
(12 people liked it)
Jul 26, 2011
Natalie
rated it:
I got my hands on a fabulous ARC of this title and read my heart out. I'll keep this spoiler free since it releases in January 2012 :)
Cinder is Book 1 in the Lunar Chronicles Series (4 books total) that combine classic fairytales with futuristic sci-fi, plus generous dollops of adventure, romance and some totally delicious snarky dialogue!
Cinder features Cinderella as a cyborg, a gift mechanic with the requisite wicked stepmother living in the distant future, dreaming of More...
Cinder is Book 1 in the Lunar Chronicles Series (4 books total) that combine classic fairytales with futuristic sci-fi, plus generous dollops of adventure, romance and some totally delicious snarky dialogue!
Cinder features Cinderella as a cyborg, a gift mechanic with the requisite wicked stepmother living in the distant future, dreaming of More...
2 comments
like
(20 people liked it)
Jan 17, 2012
Rane
rated it:
Set in a world were androids and humans walk side by side in the city of New Beijing, a deadly plague looms over the city, with death just around the corner. A young mechanic- Cinder lives with her “wicked” stepmother, and being a cyborg is made more of a second-class citizen. But when her path crosses with Prince Kai and her sister falls ill to the plague, Cinder’s life and past start to intertwine with the future of those of the city and even the worlds.
Marissa Meyer crea More...
Marissa Meyer crea More...
14 comments
like
(13 people liked it)
Feb 18, 2012
Mimi
rated it:
Anyone can write a re-telling of Cinderella, but only Marissa Meyer can write a fantastic, original, and completely enchanting Cinderella re-telling as amazing as this one!
To say that I loved this book would be an understatement! Cinder dodged every bullet I worried about when I picked it up. Rather than being a simple Cinderella knock-off, Meyer created a story with lovable characters, a captivating world, and a story line that was a blast to follow from beginning to end.
More...
To say that I loved this book would be an understatement! Cinder dodged every bullet I worried about when I picked it up. Rather than being a simple Cinderella knock-off, Meyer created a story with lovable characters, a captivating world, and a story line that was a blast to follow from beginning to end.
More...
27 comments
like
(6 people liked it)
Oct 17, 2011
Sam
rated it:
*3.5 stars*
'She was a cyborg, and she would never go to the ball.'
Life for Cinder is anything but luxurious. Cinder is a cyborg, a freak - an inferior citizen on principle.
She also happens to be a pretty darn good mechanic.
When the young Prince Kai turns up at her stall one day, Cinder is left flabbergasted. The last thing she expected was for royalty - in such a charming package - to turn up. After stumbling for a moment over his appearance, Cind More...
'She was a cyborg, and she would never go to the ball.'
Life for Cinder is anything but luxurious. Cinder is a cyborg, a freak - an inferior citizen on principle.
She also happens to be a pretty darn good mechanic.
When the young Prince Kai turns up at her stall one day, Cinder is left flabbergasted. The last thing she expected was for royalty - in such a charming package - to turn up. After stumbling for a moment over his appearance, Cind More...
6 comments
like
(15 people liked it)
Feb 01, 2012
Dija
rated it:
Cinder begins with a cyborg mechanic sitting around in her shop as usual, when suddenly, His Royal Highness Prince Kai walks in with his mysteriously broken android, which he wants Cinder to fix. A lot of mumbling and blushing on Cinder's part ensues and the prince leaves thoroughly enchanted with her speaking abilities charming personality.
Unfortunately, that none-too-impressive beginning only leads to more of the same, starting with the dull narration. There's something entirely p More...
Unfortunately, that none-too-impressive beginning only leads to more of the same, starting with the dull narration. There's something entirely p More...
5 comments
like
(10 people liked it)
Dec 23, 2011
Angel
rated it:
WHAT. That can't have been the end!
Marissa, Meg, Jojo, Tamara: WE NEED TO TALK. I fully expect to be comforted and held.
You can find this review and many more at Mermaid Vision Books!
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 387
Format: Hardcover
Source: ARC received from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group
Discovery: I've been friends with Marissa for t More...
Marissa, Meg, Jojo, Tamara: WE NEED TO TALK. I fully expect to be comforted and held.
You can find this review and many more at Mermaid Vision Books!
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan)
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 387
Format: Hardcover
Source: ARC received from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group
Discovery: I've been friends with Marissa for t More...
9 comments
like
(15 people liked it)
Feb 09, 2012
Brandi
rated it:
Super heavy sigh 1.5 stars is more of what I felt for this.
There might be some spoiler-ish information through here, so don't read the tags if you don't want to know, but I will do my best to not spoil it outside of the tags.
I'm in the minority when it comes to the lack of adoration towards this book, and I just don't get it. There were so many things that annoyed me that I couldn't really focus on the story.
Cinder is a cyborg version of More...
There might be some spoiler-ish information through here, so don't read the tags if you don't want to know, but I will do my best to not spoil it outside of the tags.
I'm in the minority when it comes to the lack of adoration towards this book, and I just don't get it. There were so many things that annoyed me that I couldn't really focus on the story.
Cinder is a cyborg version of More...
4 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Feb 15, 2012
Megan
rated it: 
Cyborg Cinderella is such an awesome concept that unfortunately never made it as an awesome story. At least, not in this book. The reviews for Cinder are all over the place, so even though I didn't enjoy this from the first chapter, I stuck with it hoping for a satisfying ending. Blegh, big mistake.
Where to begin? The fact that this is inspired by Cinderella takes a lot of intensity out of the novel. Will Cinder go to the ball? Does the prince really like her? Will herstep-mother g
More...
Where to begin? The fact that this is inspired by Cinderella takes a lot of intensity out of the novel. Will Cinder go to the ball? Does the prince really like her? Will her
4 comments
like
(13 people liked it)
Dec 11, 2011
Amber
rated it:
3.5 Stars
*This review is based on the audio book*
Marissa Meyer's debut novel, Cinder, is a futuristic re-envisioned version of the classic tale of Cinderella.
Blurb:
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 seco More...
*This review is based on the audio book*
Marissa Meyer's debut novel, Cinder, is a futuristic re-envisioned version of the classic tale of Cinderella.
Blurb:
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 seco More...
0 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Dec 09, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
OK, ok I gotta calm down before I write this review or it will make no sense. But I must start by saying I wanted to throw this against the wall when I was done and not in "I hated it and wasted my time", but in a "NOOOO it's not done and is leaving me hanging!" I really liked this book. It has lots of great elements!The main character is what carries any fairy tale retelling and I really liked Cinder, she was so real and really made the story for me. This book flows so well,
More...
3 comments
like
(8 people liked it)
Nov 23, 2011
Hayden
rated it:
More owlishly good reviews at The Teen Bookworm!
Cinder, Cinder, where to start . . .
Cinder is a modern retelling of Cinderella, but it doesn't come off as so immediately. Upon the mentioning of a ball, and a prince, it soon dawned on me like a frying pan to the face. Other than those two things, it doesn't have much connection to Cinderella as we know it . . .
. . . but what it does have is an amazing, twistful plot and some rockin' characters!
Seriously, gu More...
Cinder, Cinder, where to start . . .
Cinder is a modern retelling of Cinderella, but it doesn't come off as so immediately. Upon the mentioning of a ball, and a prince, it soon dawned on me like a frying pan to the face. Other than those two things, it doesn't have much connection to Cinderella as we know it . . .
. . . but what it does have is an amazing, twistful plot and some rockin' characters!
Seriously, gu More...
39 comments
like
(11 people liked it)
Jan 16, 2012
Diane ϟ [ Lestrange ]
rated it:
Prequel of Cinder -Glitches
While reading this book, I remembered a movie, the "Cyborg She" (also known as Cyborg Girl or My Girlfriend Is a Cyborg). A 2008 Japanese movie about a girl cyborg that came from the future and a guy from present.
I didn’t say that it’s similar to this book because it’s not, I’m just saying that I remembered it while reading this book. It just gives quite an imagination of how the future will be. Plus the cyborgs (Oh More...
While reading this book, I remembered a movie, the "Cyborg She" (also known as Cyborg Girl or My Girlfriend Is a Cyborg). A 2008 Japanese movie about a girl cyborg that came from the future and a guy from present.
I didn’t say that it’s similar to this book because it’s not, I’m just saying that I remembered it while reading this book. It just gives quite an imagination of how the future will be. Plus the cyborgs (Oh More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jan 24, 2012
Shirley
rated it:
EEEEEEE!! A fabulous futuristic re-telling of Cinderella! I remember staying up until 4 in the morning, because I so needed to finish reading it! Seriously, this is no doubt the perfect book to start off the year!
There are likable characters, ones you’ll dearly miss upon the completion of the book as well as those you hate so much you literally want to jump inside the story and strangle them to death. I remember in the original fairytale, both the stepsisters were horribly cruel, but More...
There are likable characters, ones you’ll dearly miss upon the completion of the book as well as those you hate so much you literally want to jump inside the story and strangle them to death. I remember in the original fairytale, both the stepsisters were horribly cruel, but More...
2 comments
like
(6 people liked it)
Jan 27, 2012
Jess (Gone with the Words)
rated it:
Read this review on my blog! --> Cinder by Marissa Meyer
I really loved the characters Marissa Meyer has created in this story. From our leading lady, Cinder, and our handsome prince, Kai, to the alien enemies that threaten Earth, to Iko, Cinder’s android sidekick, who had me smiling anytime she was on the page. They were all unique and imaginative.
I really loved Cinder. She is smart and her sense of humor made her very endearing. She knows what needs to be done and wh More...
I really loved the characters Marissa Meyer has created in this story. From our leading lady, Cinder, and our handsome prince, Kai, to the alien enemies that threaten Earth, to Iko, Cinder’s android sidekick, who had me smiling anytime she was on the page. They were all unique and imaginative.
I really loved Cinder. She is smart and her sense of humor made her very endearing. She knows what needs to be done and wh More...
3 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Jan 25, 2012
Lucy
rated it:
I have two words for you: Cyborg Cinderella. Honestly, with a premise like that, do you really need any more incentive to rush out and buy yourself a copy ASAP?
Cinder is a novel I've had my eye on for some time (thanks to goodreads!) but I can safely say that even by the end of the first page the story had completely surpassed my expectations. Marissa Meyer's debut novel, the first installment in a series of four, tells the story of Linh Cinder, an orphaned cyborg girl and talented More...
Cinder is a novel I've had my eye on for some time (thanks to goodreads!) but I can safely say that even by the end of the first page the story had completely surpassed my expectations. Marissa Meyer's debut novel, the first installment in a series of four, tells the story of Linh Cinder, an orphaned cyborg girl and talented More...
8 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Jan 25, 2012
Kelly
rated it:
Disclaimer: I am a sucker for Cinderella re-imaginings. Ever After? Love it to pieces. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve watched said movie. I lost track after 20. Remember when Danielle de Barbarac rescued Prince Henry and carried him on her back? Now that was a real Buffy/heroine in action. But back on point, er somewhat, I’ve also viewed every Cinderella re-imagining ever made. Even the Selena Gomez one. *shudders at the very thought* But hey, I’m keeping it real and it is what it is.
More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Jan 14, 2012
Tammi
rated it:
This story starts out with Cinder’s booth in the New Beijing market. She is taking off her foot, while Iko retrieves another one for her. Iko is another android who lives with Cinder in their household with her step-mother, Adri and her step-sisters Peony and Pearl. While she is waiting, Prince Kaito comes up to her booth and asks for Linh Cinder. At first he doesn’t believe that they are the same person as Linh Cinder is supposedly the best mechanic in New Beijing. He then relays to her th
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jan 03, 2012
Lisa
rated it:
Originally posted at Read Me Bookmark Me Love Me
As soon as I opened this book I knew it would be an all-time favourite. The main character, Cinder, drew me in immediately with her kind heart, humour and willingness to help others. I never thought this would be my kind of read - androids and space people? - but my goodness did Marissa Meyer blow my mind. Her clever world crafting and fully developed characters will leave you breathless and begging for more. Is it 2013 yet? Surely it can More...
As soon as I opened this book I knew it would be an all-time favourite. The main character, Cinder, drew me in immediately with her kind heart, humour and willingness to help others. I never thought this would be my kind of read - androids and space people? - but my goodness did Marissa Meyer blow my mind. Her clever world crafting and fully developed characters will leave you breathless and begging for more. Is it 2013 yet? Surely it can More...
20 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Jan 19, 2012
Lydia
rated it:
Hot damn. Can I give this 20 stars? No, never mind... even that wouldn't be enough.
I repeat: Hot. Damn.
edited to add:
Cinder is a retelling of Cinderella in a sci-fi world. I simply adored it. The world-building was very well done, which is something I tend to be picky about in sf/f. The retelling of Cinderella had just enough elements of the familiar tale that I could recognize it as a foundation, but Cinder's story is definitely unique. For one, she's a cyborg. The More...
I repeat: Hot. Damn.
edited to add:
Cinder is a retelling of Cinderella in a sci-fi world. I simply adored it. The world-building was very well done, which is something I tend to be picky about in sf/f. The retelling of Cinderella had just enough elements of the familiar tale that I could recognize it as a foundation, but Cinder's story is definitely unique. For one, she's a cyborg. The More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jan 26, 2012
Charlotte
rated it:
I just finished this book and could not wait to write my review! I stumbled upon this book when it was advertised here on Goodreads and it sounded like something I would enjoy: full bodied Sci-fi, with cyborg parts made of romance, the re-telling of a fairytale, with an aroma of steampunk. It did not disappoint.
The characters were all well written and you loved them or despised them with equal passion. Even though I figured out the main secret at the first mention of it as a passing th More...
The characters were all well written and you loved them or despised them with equal passion. Even though I figured out the main secret at the first mention of it as a passing th More...
3 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Dec 30, 2011
Phoebe
rated it:
Full review at the Intergalactic Academy.
Cinder, Marissa Meyer’s debut, easily delivers on the great fun of its premise: it’s a sci-fi retelling of Cinderella, set in New Beijing, with a cyborg as our poor little waif. I suspect there can be a temptation to oversimplify fairytale retellings, relying on the bland characters of the original stories rather than breathing new life into the source material. Here, however, we’re given a fresh spin on this old story.
What makes C More...
Cinder, Marissa Meyer’s debut, easily delivers on the great fun of its premise: it’s a sci-fi retelling of Cinderella, set in New Beijing, with a cyborg as our poor little waif. I suspect there can be a temptation to oversimplify fairytale retellings, relying on the bland characters of the original stories rather than breathing new life into the source material. Here, however, we’re given a fresh spin on this old story.
What makes C More...
9 comments
like
(13 people liked it)
Nov 01, 2011
Christine
rated it:
From the beginning, I was hooked. The world Marissa has created, especially with it not being in the US but, from what I can tell, is set more in Asia or maybe Russia (?). Not sure, but the country is called the Commonwealth and the city is New Beijing.
Cinder is part cyborg. She was 'adopted' at 11, but doesn't remember anything of her life before the accident that lead to her need for mechanical parts. Her discovery of what happened before and who she really is wasn't hard to figure More...
Cinder is part cyborg. She was 'adopted' at 11, but doesn't remember anything of her life before the accident that lead to her need for mechanical parts. Her discovery of what happened before and who she really is wasn't hard to figure More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 06, 2012
Ashley
rated it:
Check out my review here on my blog for cat pictures. And yes, they are relevant, I swear.
Um, I LOVED it. That could really be my whole review. I loved it, it was amazing, so please read it! However, I assume you might want to know why I loved it, so I will attempt to explain it. You should know, though, that I started off trying to write a more traditional review for ‘Cinder’ but it just didn’t work. I kept digressing into fangirl squeeing, so I’ve decided to write this one in point More...
Um, I LOVED it. That could really be my whole review. I loved it, it was amazing, so please read it! However, I assume you might want to know why I loved it, so I will attempt to explain it. You should know, though, that I started off trying to write a more traditional review for ‘Cinder’ but it just didn’t work. I kept digressing into fangirl squeeing, so I’ve decided to write this one in point More...
Jan 20, 2012
Leslie
rated it:
Review to come on January 5, but the short version is that this book is crazy awesome and I already want to read it again.
Read my full review on Working for the Mandroid
I gave it nearly a week. I thought by now my fannish glee and adoration towards Marissa Meyer’s Cinder would have died down a little. It hasn’t. I’m just as likely to start flailing like the crazy fangirl I am whenever I think about this book as though I finished it mere moments before. So you’ve been More...
Read my full review on Working for the Mandroid
I gave it nearly a week. I thought by now my fannish glee and adoration towards Marissa Meyer’s Cinder would have died down a little. It hasn’t. I’m just as likely to start flailing like the crazy fangirl I am whenever I think about this book as though I finished it mere moments before. So you’ve been More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
