Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) in Addicted to YA

Apr 23, 2012 ╟ ♫ Tima ♪ ╣ ♥ rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2012, 4-stars, source-library, genre-young-adult, genre-fantasy

I had a hard time deciding whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars. I settled at 3 because I truly enjoyed the book but it was not amazing. Edit, one day later: And then I came back and gave it 4. Because, while it wasn't the best book written, it was really fun to read.

Very basic summary that does the book no justice and barely makes sense: Cinder is a cyborg, a race that is considered lower life form in her world, and the best mechanic in New Beijing where she lives with her evil stepmother and ...more

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Jul 08, 2020 Veronica245 rated it liked it

Ok, so I did not hate this really. It is a solid 3.5 stars read for me.
The problem here, is that it took me about a half of the book to get really into it. And I also was able to guess “the twist” immediately from the first mention of it.

What I liked: this truly is a Cinderella retelling, not like a Throne of Glass for example, where the only way I knew that it was, was by hearing that the author said it was, if that makes sense lol. It was also a unique twist on the retelling with the sci-fi ...more

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Sep 26, 2012 Alyce (At Home With Books) rated it it was amazing

Cinder is a re-imagining and retelling of the classic Cinderella story. As such I was curious to see how predictable the story would be. Would it be creative enough to hold my attention? Considering that the main character, Cinder, is a cyborg – a person considered abhorrent by most and who barely has any rights in her society – I’d say the creativity and originality within the framework of the established storyline is fantastic.

Cinder is the top robot mechanic and one day the prince arrives at Cinder is a re-imagining and retelling of the classic Cinderella story. As such I was curious to see how predictable the story would be. Would it be creative enough to hold my attention? Considering that the main character, Cinder, is a cyborg – a person considered abhorrent by most and who barely has any rights in her society – I’d say the creativity and originality within the framework of the established storyline is fantastic.

Cinder is the top robot mechanic and one day the prince arrives at her booth in the market wearing a disguise and needing her services to repair his personal robot. Within minutes of his departure an outbreak of a plague is discovered the plot speeds right along from there.

Between the threatened spread of plague, the truly evil plans her stepmother concocts, and the possibility of the lunar colony attacking earth, there is a lot to keep the plot moving forward. And of course there’s a ball – it wouldn’t be a Cinderella story without her having to struggle to find a way to get to the ball. I was worried that this element of the story might seem cheesy or not fit well into the futuristic storyline, and although it was probably the weakest plot element, it didn’t keep me from enjoying the overall trials and adventures of Cinder.

There was one main plot element that was supposed to be a big reveal at the end, but I had guessed it early on in the book because of a little bit of hinting and foreshadowing. But the story had more to it than just the revelation of that secret, and ended on quite a cliffhanger (it’s the first in a series of four books).

Cinder is a fast-paced and fun sci-fi read that happens to touch lightly on serious ethical topics such as:

What constitutes humanity?
How much can a person be altered as a cyborg and still be considered human?
Children’s rights vs. those of a guardian.

I enjoyed this story far more than I was expecting, and recommend it to fans of science fiction and those who like fairy tale retellings. ...more

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Aug 18, 2015 Ana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed

This dystopian take on Cinderella had me glued to the seat (I was listening in my car to the audio). I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

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Mar 09, 2013 Kim rated it really liked it

Shelves: blogged, fantasy, series, fairy-tale, science-fiction, own-it, young-adult, book-club, aliens

So thanks to all the holiday madness, I took quite a break from reading and reviewing and blogging, but now I'm back. I'm really happy that I used Cinder to get back into the game. Unlike the usual, I didn't grab this book to see what all the raving was about. I found this book at a yardsale and bought it because I loved the cover. I am not usually one for retellings, I almost always prefer the original and am usually thoroughly disappointed. I completely avoided the hype and other reviews until So thanks to all the holiday madness, I took quite a break from reading and reviewing and blogging, but now I'm back. I'm really happy that I used Cinder to get back into the game. Unlike the usual, I didn't grab this book to see what all the raving was about. I found this book at a yardsale and bought it because I loved the cover. I am not usually one for retellings, I almost always prefer the original and am usually thoroughly disappointed. I completely avoided the hype and other reviews until I finished it so that I wouldn't build up unrealistic expectations. I'm glad I didn't.

I enjoyed how the twist on the classic fairytale Cinderella wasn't creepy. I don't like creepy versions, this was a unique twist I enjoyed. We have Cinder, a cyborg mechanic who's treated like garbage by her stepmother and stepsister. Her stepfather is gone, and her younger sister who actually likes her is quickly infected with a plague that's spreading throughout all the Commonwealth, even into the Palace. Cinder is of course blamed and her lot in life gets even harder than before. Once her path crosses with the Prince, she is forced to choose between her freedom and her loyalty to her country.

There was a clear picture painted in the world, I would have liked a little more background as to why cyborgs were treated so terribly. It's just stated more as a fact instead of getting any history as to why. New Beijing was a new location for typical YA which was refreshing. I do wish there was a little more depth, but this is the first in a series so there may be more in future installments.

I liked the characters, Cinder was strong and independent. She definitely fills that tom boy status in her boots and covered in grease. She felt very realistic seeming self-conscious yet stubborn. I really enjoyed the banter with the androids, Iko was fun and refreshing. I wish there was a little more of Peony, I liked how she quietly and sweetly defied her mother. Kai was alright, he didn't really stand out for me. He seemed like your typical Disney prince, saying all the right things and smiling at the right times, adoring the girl that doesn't seem to deserve the attention. Adri made me angry, which was her role, and it's too bad that Pearl wasn't the one who got infected because she's that bully that leaves a nasty taste in your mouth. I really enjoyed Queen Lavana as the villain. She was so manipulative and powerful, and not easily destroyed. Each of the characters were quite mature and intelligent, there wasn't a lot of ditzy immaturity floating around this YA. I felt like the characters have a good base, I'm just hoping there's a little more depth to them as the series continues.

The pace was good, there was a little slowing at some points, but for the most part, I just kept going. There wasn't as much sci-fi as I was expecting. With all these droids, cyborgs, hovers and old-fashioned cars being worked on, and the fact she was a mechanic, I expected a little more in that regards. On the same token, however, I'm not a big fan of getting into all the details, and the mechanics is one of those I don't mind skipping. I was interested in the doctor's work more than we are given but I'm hoping future installments will fill that desire. I enjoyed the book, maybe I just wish there was a little more, like everything turned up a notch or two.

For me, the ending was the hardest. I wasn't totally thrown by the turn of events. It was quite predictable from the first third, but once you are told what you already know, it's over. There's very little closure to any of the plot lines, everything is left wide open. If you aren't a fan, I suggest having more than one in the series ready. I believe the next opens with an entirely new character so I am eager to see how it all works together. I will be continuing with the next in series.
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Mar 28, 2017 Jessie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book! It was both comfortingly familiar and surprisingly new. Cinder is a great character and I can't wait to find out what happens next. My only complaint is that I don't have the second book readily available right now! ...more

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