Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) in The Not-So Austen Bookclub

Feb 03, 2012 Booknut 101 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-love-dearly, dystopian

"Cinderelly, Cinderelly!" Ah, the story of Cinderella - a fairytale/Disney legend that has always been associated with images of talking mice, ugly stepsisters, a stepmother with a bouffant hairstyle, pumpkins, a fat fairy godmother and the words "Bippity, boppity, BOO!" When I started this book, Cinder, I was expecting a re-telling that was predictable and not at all emotion-stirring.

Well...I was wrong!

In fact, the story of the cyborg Cinder - a mechanic in New Beijing - and her battle to esca "Cinderelly, Cinderelly!" Ah, the story of Cinderella - a fairytale/Disney legend that has always been associated with images of talking mice, ugly stepsisters, a stepmother with a bouffant hairstyle, pumpkins, a fat fairy godmother and the words "Bippity, boppity, BOO!" When I started this book, Cinder, I was expecting a re-telling that was predictable and not at all emotion-stirring.

Well...I was wrong!

In fact, the story of the cyborg Cinder - a mechanic in New Beijing - and her battle to escape from her dreary and horrid existence was one of the most vivid and touching re-tellings I have ever read. Not only does it incorporate the 'skeleton' or 'basic structure' of Cinderella's original tale, but it explores beyond the child-like story we all know. The tale is given a darker twist, with a twisting plot that will have you both intrigued and longing for more (says the girl who read it in one sitting!)

The highlights:

- Cinder; how cool is she?!! Her mechanic knowledge had me dazed since I know squat about mechanical lingo and cars, etc, and her personality, her selflessness and the way she feels emotions strongly even though she can't cry - it touched me so much! I think I cried enough for the both of us!
- Iko. She is adorable!! And a fellow fangirl of Prince Kai *winks*. I like how she knows just how hot Prince Kai is and is not afraid of making Cinder feel uncomfortable by telling her 24/7!
- Kai.
- Kai.
- Kai (no this is not a spell error or a repetitional error. He's there multiple times for a reason!)
- The ball scene (tears, tears, crying, emotional rollercoaster)

The end was horrible...in a good way! I mean, how can Marissa just LEAVE US THERE?!! Argh! I was dying to know what happened next and then ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS appeared and I was like "WHAT????" Yes...I'm not always this emotional! Blame it on Cinder!

Loved it. Adored it. So read it!!! Yes, you! All of you should read this masterpiece and submerged yourself in a world - Lunar versus Earth - where cyborgs and lost feet are only the beginning!! ...more

21 likes · Like · see review

Mar 11, 2012 L rated it really liked it

A novel that is new, current and contemporary with a twist. Anyone who is a fan of modern fantasy, science-fiction, Doctor who and cybermen will just love this book and how the cyborg is incorperated within the plot that is so unique and origional. Having read quite a few really positive reviews on Cinder beforehand and also having read an interview by Marissa Meyer on a book blog, i was naturally not only curious to read this but encouraged by all the feedback that i had been presented with bef A novel that is new, current and contemporary with a twist. Anyone who is a fan of modern fantasy, science-fiction, Doctor who and cybermen will just love this book and how the cyborg is incorperated within the plot that is so unique and origional. Having read quite a few really positive reviews on Cinder beforehand and also having read an interview by Marissa Meyer on a book blog, i was naturally not only curious to read this but encouraged by all the feedback that i had been presented with before even encountering the book in its paperback form. I was looking for a book that was going to be fast-paced and exciting that i could really delve into at full pelt and get lost with a really engrossing storyline, and this book was just the ticket that did literally tick all the boxes when it came to a fantastic YA novel. It was a book that was not greatly long like many other books that i have read and loved but have which taken me it seemed an apsolute lifetime to read because they were just so dense and the pages would go on and on forever. No, Cinder was a read that did not take me a lifetime nor was it great at the begining and petered out into something less exciting after a few chapters which some books do, but it kept me hooked throughout and kept up the momentum from page 1 right until the last page. Marissa Meyer has already created a great block stepping stone that will be the launchpad i am certain to a really sucsessful literary career in ficitonal writing and i only have a lot of admiration and respect for her now that i have completed reading Cinder, hence i cannot wait to see what is next waiting just around the corner. I love a book that is facinating and interesting and which can make me smile and titter at the dry humor and whit that it contains, as well as being engrossed with all the thrilling action that is taking place. I was completely mesmirised and transported to a brilliant new world, one which startled and dazzled me so much so that i was unable to put the book down once i had begun. A really brilliant read for anyone who loves fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, action and drama novels with added suspense and creativity, a real winner in my mind and i shall certainly not hesitiate to pick this book up again shortly. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Dec 29, 2012 Claudine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, i-ll-read-again-and-again, my-perfect-ideal-guy, oh-my-new-world

I can't believe I wait this whole time before I read it. I'm so in love with this book I want to carry and hug and kiss and cuddle it everywhere I go.

Lihn Cinder, ugh you're perfection. Cyborg. Mechanic. Lunar. You're the most awesome fictional character I ever encounter in my book fandom life. I FREAKING LOVE YOU! (And Iko and Peony.)

Prince Kai, you can be the daddy of Cinder babiessssss. OH YEAH!

THE ENDING IS SUCH A CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!!!! ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Oct 20, 2012 kento rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014, ebooks, read-along, series-read-along-challenge

An amazing retelling of Cinderella with a twist!!

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 28, 2012 Elena Love rated it it was amazing

Shelves: immortal-beloveds, fairytales, teen-fiction-and-reality

I'm so so angry right now.I just finished reading this book and I wanna punch someone in the face.It wouldn't be nice to throw the book across the room but punching someone would be really convenient right now.Because what happened in this book was so so unfair.I wanna scream.Seriously.Okay I'll just stop babbling and get to the point.
Cinder tells the story of...Yeah you guessed it...well Cinder.It's actually pretty much identical to Cinderella's story but very very different.It's about a mechan I'm so so angry right now.I just finished reading this book and I wanna punch someone in the face.It wouldn't be nice to throw the book across the room but punching someone would be really convenient right now.Because what happened in this book was so so unfair.I wanna scream.Seriously.Okay I'll just stop babbling and get to the point.
Cinder tells the story of...Yeah you guessed it...well Cinder.It's actually pretty much identical to Cinderella's story but very very different.It's about a mechanic who's also a cyborg.That means she's something like a human and a robot at the same time.And there are androids and all that kind of stuff...kinda like a human robot community with a king and a prince and...you got the point I think.So Cinder isn't actually an orphan she is adopted.And she has two sisters.The one hates her and the other loves her.Her stepmother treats her like shit...sorry about that but then she meets the prince when he takes her to fix something.They slowly start having a friendly relationship but when her sister gets the plague her stepmother blames her.So she becomes a laboratory rat and soon discovers that she is Lunar.Lunars are people who live in the moon and whose fault the plaque was.And they live in the moon.So they start trying to find an antidote for the plague and then the queen of the Lunars who treats them as prisoners and killed all of her family to take the throne,comes to earth to marry the prince.But Cinder learns that the queen plans to kill the prince and take over the world.And she has an antidote for the plague by the way.In the end Cinderella goes to the ball and her mother tries to hit her but the prince stops her but Cinder's true self is revealed.So everyone now knows that she is a Lunar,they take her to prison until the Queen leaves.There the doctor who helped her tells her to escape and there...the book ends.With Cinder and a new foot and a hand which the doctor gave her to run away.
And even when I'm writing this review people..I'm ready to start screaming.Seriously.I have to admit that I wasn't even thinking about getting this book but then it felt like it was calling me and it wanted me to read it.So...what could I do.I got it.And yes I liked it.Not only liked I got all the feelings that you get when reading an amazing book.And this book for me was AWESOME.And know I can't wait for the second book to come out.And it will be with Red Riding Hood people.Yes...and I have to tell you that the characters of this book were so fascinating.I wanted to punch her stepmother in the face or start shouting at Cinder to do something.But...she couldn't hear me.No because she's just a character in a book.A character I love and is one of my favorite female characters.So..go get this book if you haven't already!!! XD ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 20, 2013 Rams rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, book-boyfriends, young-adult-paranormal, young-adult-dystopian, highly-anticipating, so-beautiful, swoon-worthy-male-lead, kick-ass-heroine, favorite-couple-ever, adorable-couple

Oh, my stars! I loved this book. I've been eyeing this one for a long time but I can't say I regret that I just read it now because after that ending, GEEZ, I badly need to like have the next one asap.

The whole new take on Cinderella totally caught my interest and wow was it AH-MA-ZING! Imagine Cinderella as a cyborg. Absolutely ridiculous, isn't it? But Meyer totally knows how to tell a wonderful story. It didn't take long for me to love Cinder, the swoony Prince Kai, the adorable Iko, and the ...more

Like · see review

Feb 07, 2013 Asra rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-reads

An enjoyable read. Was hoping for more conclusion at the end. I'm not surprised by the big revelation towards the end. It was pretty clear early on what the deal was going to be with Cinder. All in all a decent book.Looking forward to book 2! ...more

Like · see review