Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) in Kelly Oram Geek League

Aug 14, 2011 Rachel (The Rest Is Still Unwritten) rated it really liked it

Shelves: i-own

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Find my complete review here: http://rachybee-the-rest-is-still-unw...

As far as fairytale retellings go Cinder is one of the best. Set in New Beijing, Cinder blends together the traditional fairytale of Cinderella with futuristic machines and royal affairs in a fun, easy read that you simply can’t help but get lost in! The traditional plot housed within Cinderella gets an overhaul as we see Cinder, a mechanic and cyborg navigate the world of New Beijing where she discovers secrets, finds blossom

Find my complete review here: http://rachybee-the-rest-is-still-unw...

As far as fairytale retellings go Cinder is one of the best. Set in New Beijing, Cinder blends together the traditional fairytale of Cinderella with futuristic machines and royal affairs in a fun, easy read that you simply can’t help but get lost in! The traditional plot housed within Cinderella gets an overhaul as we see Cinder, a mechanic and cyborg navigate the world of New Beijing where she discovers secrets, finds blossoming romance and then faces some shocking truths.

One of the things this book had going for it was the setting and overall feeling! Marissa Meyer has done a fantastic job with her world building and her detail and descriptions easily allow you to fall into the story. The science fiction world that Cinder and her friends inhabit is enthralling. It’s captivating. You cannot help but become addicted to the story set within this amazing world. While the plot was somewhat predictable and not at all surprising it was easily entertaining. There was plenty of adventure and humour to keep me entertained and just the right amount of hinted romance to keep me on my toes. If ever there was a way for a been-there-done-that fairytale to get a makeover it’s Cinder!

With such a vivid world, the story needed a cast of fantastic characters to back it up and Meyer doesn’t disappoint! Almost every character Cinder meets throughout the story is fabulous and well crafted, especially the vibrant android Iko Cinder’s closest friend and the charming Prince Kai. They all helped build the story and make it what it was and their animated personalities and fun interactions with Cinder managed to steal my heart every time.

I loved Cinder! As the protagonist, she had plenty of fire and spirit, and despite her cyborg nature was very human. Considering that she’s part machine and that wires make up a lot of her internal system, I was thrilled to see how normal Cinder remained. She felt natural fears and insecurities a normal person would and even though she wasn’t able to show her emotions, she still felt them. Smart and quick thinking, with an intelligence that allowed her to look at things critically, Cinder was self sufficient and able to get what had to be done, done.

Now as for Prince Kaito, I found Kai to be charming, kind and extremely likeable. This guy is awesome! Unlike some male leads in fairytales, Mayer has managed to give him some actual personality and it was easy to see just how deeply he cared about his people, wanting to do right by them. Choosing their interests above his own shows a lot about his character and it’s no surprise that Cinder fell for him.

Throughout the story, with the future of the Eastern Commonwealth always on the line, it was interesting watching the friendship and even relationship that develops between Cinder and Kai. Knowing the secrets Cinder keeps and then learning more about her, as the reader you always know that their relationship is in for some tough times. However as it blossoms slowly, into a sweet and endearing one, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m vying for them. Meyer broke my heart with what she did to them and I’ll certainly be praying for a happy ending for them.

There are some big developments at the end of this book, ones that change everything Cinder knows. Marissa Meyer ends her first novel in The Lunar Chronicles with a cliffhanger that’s just downright mean! Cinder is an impressive futuristic debut by Meyer that will captivate you and leave you begging for more, more, MORE!

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Jun 28, 2015 Jessica rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It isn't the author's fault this wasn't as good a book as it could be. This would've been such a good book IF:
1) it weren't so damn predictable; seriously, I can't be the only one that guessed that Cinder is Princess Selene. For one, it was stressed how important it was that Princess Selene was alive. There were only rumors that she was even alive. However, as we all know, if it's stated in the book, no matter how unimportant or unrealistic it may seem, it's always incredibly important to the pl It isn't the author's fault this wasn't as good a book as it could be. This would've been such a good book IF:
1) it weren't so damn predictable; seriously, I can't be the only one that guessed that Cinder is Princess Selene. For one, it was stressed how important it was that Princess Selene was alive. There were only rumors that she was even alive. However, as we all know, if it's stated in the book, no matter how unimportant or unrealistic it may seem, it's always incredibly important to the plot and, as I like to call it, the "big unsurprising surprise." There were way too many connections to make between Princess Selene and Cinder. Cinder doesn't remember anything from her childhood, which is highly suspicious. Gasp, ohmygosh, could she have gotten it from the fire Princess Selene was in? Not a long shot, considering she's the main character and all. Plus, this story's based on CINDERALLA. Of COURSE, she's going to be a princess or some other big-shot. But that isn't completely the author's fault. I guess I'm just annoyed she didn't get to this "big surprise" earlier in the story; it would've saved a whole bunch of time.
2) Kai and Cinder's relationship wasn't so aggravating. GAHHHHH there's so many things getting between them it makes me want to throw a lamp at someone. Their failing relationship can't be completely blamed on outside forces (AKA the bitchy stepmother, stepsister, Queen Levana). Kai and Cinder are driving a wedge between themselves, too. Seriously, buck up already Cinder. If Kai doesn't like you for being a cyborg or a Lunar or whatever, then just dump his sorry ass. Or, in this case, just ignore him. Your low self-esteem is killing me; I need more witty one-liners. I can't take all this looking-down-at-the-ground-omg-I-hope-he-doesn't-hate-me-for-yada-yada-yada. I'm dying here. And you, Kai, mister-prince-turned-emperor. Yeah, I'm calling you out. Could you BE any more of an IDIOT??? Yeah, she's a cyborg. So what? It's not like she threw herself into that fire when she was a baby. How do you THINK people get turned into cyborgs? I know you guys are going to end up together in the end anyways since I foresee a HEA at the end of the trilogy. But come on; move it along people! Get over your stupid disgust and prejudice against cyborgs. We've got bigger problems. And could you be denser? Of COURSE Cinder didn't tell you about being a cyborg and a Lunar. How could she? You're already looking at her in disdain.

So yeah, this was just me venting. The book wasn't all bad. It intrigued me enough to get the rest of the books in the series. However, I'm really hoping I'll like the second book better than the first. I'm also hoping Cinder will get her ass in gear enough to yell Kai, Adri, and everyone else that shunned her into shame. That would be quite pleasant. Sadly though, I'm predicting Cinder will just be wandering around, alone and lost, for a majority of the second book. Well, here's to hoping. ...more

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Mar 31, 2014 Lillian rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, sci-fi, dystopian, favorites, retelling, coyer-winter-2014-2015

A cyborg Cinderella....really?!

So that was my initial reaction a few years back when Cinder by Marissa Meyer hit the shelves. In fact, if I'm being honest, that was my reaction to ALL fairy tale retellings. My thoughts were why mess up a good story. Well, I'm here to confess something to you...

Cinder is just...I was just so...OMG!!! It was amazing :D Who knew a cyborg Cinderella could be so awesome?! Cinder is a renowned mechanic (how convenient) in the town of New Beijing, part of the Commonwe A cyborg Cinderella....really?!

So that was my initial reaction a few years back when Cinder by Marissa Meyer hit the shelves. In fact, if I'm being honest, that was my reaction to ALL fairy tale retellings. My thoughts were why mess up a good story. Well, I'm here to confess something to you...

Cinder is just...I was just so...OMG!!! It was amazing :D Who knew a cyborg Cinderella could be so awesome?! Cinder is a renowned mechanic (how convenient) in the town of New Beijing, part of the Commonwealth empire. When Prince Kaito arrives with his android for her to fix, Cinder discovers more than just a broken android, but a plot to overthrow the kingdom.

The author seamlessly interweaved her own sci-fi story with the classic! Cinder is the loathed step-sister/daughter who was adopted by the now deceased husband of Adri. Adri doesn't want Cinder, but keeps her because since she is a cyborg, she is property. All the money Cinder makes as a mechanic, goes to Adri. Basically she is like free labor. Pearl and Peony are the angel daughters, except one of them is truly kind to Cinder and I [icon name="fa-heart"] her! Then there's Prince Kai who only has eyes for Cinder just like in the classic. There's even a ball where the Prince dances with her....but this is where the similarities end.
Cinder is an intriguing lead lady. She's kind-hearted, if a bit naive and wants only her freedom. She has no memories of her life before she was adopted at 10, and I found this strange. Luckily the author explains it later on in the story. Cinder's competent but she is also extremely insecure with her cyborg nature. Cyborgs are less than human and as such are not looked at as human in the Commonwealth. They are treated as mere machines, with no feelings and no rights. So when the prince approaches her stall with his android she hides her mechanical parts so as not to reveal them.

Prince Kaito....oh my prince! He is thoroughly distraught in this book, except for when he is with Cinder. She takes his mind off the problems surrounding his kingdom, like the fact that his father has just died of Letumosis (the plague that is killing the populace) and now at 19 he is the emperor. Oh and you can't forget the pressure to marry queen of Luna (the first colony established on the moon hundreds of years ago) in an attempt to bridge peace. Prince Kai is naive, hard-working, and wants to marry someone of his own choosing, not for peace, and not a tyrant. So he has a plan, he's searching for the long-lost princess of Luna, the rightful heir who is rumored to have escaped to earth and is in hiding. His plan is to find her, but he hasn't really thought the whole thing through.

Meyer does a fantastic job of building this dystopian world. The plague, the colony on the moon, and the advanced technology along with the decaying lifestyles is intriguing and even believable. I can't wait to read more :D And the cliffhanger....

It's one of the worst I've read in a long time. I'm not sure I can wait for book two to be available in the library!!! If you enjoy young adult dystopians or are looking for a different kind of fairy tale with some hi-tech science fiction involved, go read it now! ...more

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