From the Bookshelf of Teens @ Pewaukee Public Library…

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1)

Marissa Meyer

Start date: November 27, 2013

Finish date: January 22, 2014

Why we're reading this: Teen Book Club pick for January 2014.
[close] Teen Book Club pick for January 2014.

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Dec 16, 2013 Sarah rated it it was amazing

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Book Review: Cinder

A dystopian world where everyone has one ID number, one identity. But Cinder some she didn’t even know about. Linh Cinder has lived with her cruel stepmother and two stepsisters for as long as she can remember. Seriously, she can’t remember anything from before her surgery. She is a cyborg, with a metal hand, a prosthetic foot, and a lot of wires. In Marissa Meyer’s twisted version of Cinderella, Cinder learns new things about her home, the Commonwealth, her prince, and hers Book Review: Cinder

A dystopian world where everyone has one ID number, one identity. But Cinder some she didn’t even know about. Linh Cinder has lived with her cruel stepmother and two stepsisters for as long as she can remember. Seriously, she can’t remember anything from before her surgery. She is a cyborg, with a metal hand, a prosthetic foot, and a lot of wires. In Marissa Meyer’s twisted version of Cinderella, Cinder learns new things about her home, the Commonwealth, her prince, and herself.
Like in Cinderella, there is the handsome prince that meets the regular girl. But this girl isn’t just regular. Being cyborg is like being a scrap of metal. The programming inside of her is good for only one thing, which is that Cinder can put her knowledge of technology to use by working as a mechanic with her andriod, Iko ,at her side. When Prince Kai comes to her market booth to have her fix his andriod, she pretends to be immune to his charm. Kai is basically the biggest celebrity in the Commonwealth, with about a million adoring fans and yet he falls for her.But she has more important things to worry about, like the plague that has been spreading across Earth called Letumosis. The fatal disease soon grips Cinder’s youngest sister and best friend, Peony. Cinder’s hated stepmother, Adri, becomes furious and volunteers her for Letomosis testing in a desperate search for an antidote. But what the test reveals is something she never suspected; she’s immune to the disease. She’s Lunar, which means she is one of the evil magic-using liars that originated from the moon. Not only is being cyborg bad enough, but now she is a hated fugitive. Soon after the disease takes Prince Kai’s father, the Emperor, the Lunar Queen Levana comes to Earth. Levana plans to marry Kai in order to take over the Commonwealth and eventually, the world. Cinder knows that she can’t let that happen and she also knows that if the Queen finds her, she will be killed. She risks everything in order to protect Kai, by going to the big festival ball. There, the truth is revealed to not only Kai and the Queen, but also the entire Commonwealth. She is cyborg. She is Lunar. She is a monster, but she is also the only person the can stop Levana.
This is personally one of the best books I have ever read. The author style of writing is very descriptive and paints a perfect picture in your head. She also pulls you into the story, making you feel Kai frustration and Cinder determination. The way she develops the characters throughout the story helps you relate to them and feel what their going through. For example, when Kai’s father dies, Levana comes and gives him the supposed antidote for one “adult male”. In the moment, you can feel the tension between the characters. The book is paced so you are always on the edge of your chair. The author throws in many twists and surprises in the story that keep you captivated in the story. My only real criticism is the ending. In way very predictable if you caught a couple of hints earlier in the story. I’m not sure if the author was trying to make it that way, but it still makes you want to read to sequel. People who like fantasy/dystopian books would love this book, although if you don’t like sort of “make up” and/or long stories, then this book meant not be for you. Still, I think this book has a little of everything (fantasy, fiction, romance, etc.). If you like books such as the Divergent and Hunger Games series, you would really like this book. I definitely want to read the rest of the Lunar Chronicles, and I hope that if you read Cinder, you will too! ...more

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