Book Review| Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) // Author: Marissa Meyer

Date of publication: January 3rd 2012 by Feiwel and Friends // Print length: Hardcover, 390 pages

You can buy this book from Amazon

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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 second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Trigger Warnings: death of a family member, gaslighting, abuse, violence, murder, marginalization for being different, bullying

Diversity Tags: asian characters in the main cast ( assumption – see the diversity point)

GFDS

ADD TO GOODREADS

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Writing Quality 4/5, Character Development 5/5, ‘Couldn’t put it down’ – ness 4/5, Intellectual Depth 5/5, Originality 5/5, Overall 4.5/5.

I didn’t know what to expect when it came to this book. I was intrigued by the synopsis, but also because it was a Cinderella retelling. Also, is there any need to talk about the tag line: ‘This is not the fairy tale you remember. But it’s the one you won’t forget.’? I finished it fast, and it wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be.

“Even in the Future the Story Begins with Once Upon a Time.”

When the book started, I was a bit confused because the first few pages talked about mechanics, but as soon as I dove deeper into the book, I began to enjoy it. The writing style was so simple, and I swear, it can be so easily read by a 12-year-old. It also made an astonishing base for the audiobook, which I very much enjoyed (I switched between the audiobook and the paperback quite often). The actions were easy to follow, and it was easy to keep up with the characters.

“Prince Kai! Check my fan, I think I’m overheating.”

That brings me to how amazingly written all the characters were. Cinder was so sarcastic, and even if she faced so many difficulties for being who she was, she still managed to keep her head up and hope. Iko was the best side-kick I have ever come across in a loooong time. She was so sweet, and I got attached to her so easily. Even if he was the prince, Kai hadn’t had a bad attitude. He was caring, and although he faced so many pressures because of his father’s death, he didn’t take his frustration out on other people. Peony had a huge impact, as the plot couldn’t take place without her. Even so, I wish we leant more about her background. Now Adri, she played the hateful step-mom role in such a lovely way, but I still think we will see a better side of her in the upcoming books.

“That you prefer to rule through fear rather than justice? So sorry, Your Majesty, I’m afraid I already knew that about you.”

I also have a few words to say about Kai and Cinder’s relationship. Even if you could see from afar that both were attracted to each other, they haven’t got past the crush phase. I liked that, but I also hope we can see more of them. More romance if you know what I mean :))

“Imagine there was a cure, but finding it would cost you everything. It would completely ruin your life. What would you do?”

At first, I was going to give this book 4.3 stars, but the plot twist at the end sold me. I felt as if something was coming, but oh dear, I have never expected it to go this far.

“Do your kind even know what love is? Can you feel anything at all, or is it just… programmed?”

Overall, the book was good. It was my first sci-fi book, and I was impressed. I expect more from the next novels, but from what I’ve heard, it only gets better.

Diversty – Even if it didn’t feature POC or LGBTQAI characters, I would assume at least some of them were Asian (the action took place in New Beijing). The book also dealt with sensitive subjects as marginalization for being different, and I think they were portraited in a good way.