Sunday 26 February 2012

Cinder by Marissa Meyer **Review**


Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Series: Lunar Chronicles #1
Pages: 400
Publisher: Puffin
Release date: 5th January 2012
Buy: Book Depository | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Waterstones

Goodreads synopsis:
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.


Cinder is a truly unique novel, and original take on the classic Cinderella fairy tale. I had expected to quite enjoy it, but no where near as much as I found I actually did! 
I'll start with Cinder herself. She was such a well-rounded character, that I found myself relating to her almost immediately, and by the time I'd read a few chapters, she seemed so real, and so alive, that the story also became real. There are mysteries surrounding Cinder's character, however, that I had guessed fairly early on in the novel - I even wrote them down as predictions - and I was proven correct in both instances. So the so-called 'twists', to me, were fairly predictable. But this, it has to be said, was set up by the pages of the story that I had already read, and was not an entirely predictable route for the story to take - and it certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of it. 
That Cinder is a cyborg is also a fairly unique idea - certainly at the moment. Obviously cyborgs are not an original concept - but I personally haven't read a novel that contains one before (not that I can remember, at least), and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Cinder, and what it might be like to be her. Her character was written in such an exceptional way, that this was not difficult to imagine. 


The world that Meyer built up around Cinder was another incredible exhibition of skill. New Beijing was a detailed and complex setting. It had everything - a history, a monarchy, a cultural background - all of this, and more, made it come alive. It becomes easy to smell the sweet, baked goods in the market, the engine oil, hear the children playing in the market place. In places, it is definitely an evocatively described place. 
The one thing that irritated me about the world that Meyer has created - and I realise this is trivial, but it got under my skin a little - was the name of the British monarch. If Queen Camilla isn't stereotypical, I'm not sure what is! Like I said, trivial, but I felt the need to mention it. There are plenty of typical English names that could have been used, without stereotyping quite like that. Enough said on that though!


I was incredibly impressed with this novel, as you can tell. To take an already well-known story, that has already been reproduced countless times, over centuries, and still manage to make it unique and exciting, is a feat worthy of congratulations! 
I recommend this to all fans of science-fiction, fantasy, YA fiction and of course, Fairy Tales! 
I will look forward to the next in the series!


50 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent review on a great book. I also enjoyed Cinder thoroughly. One of the best books to come out this year, in my opinion. :)

Dani Cotton said...

I'll agree with that, Vanessa!
It's certainly one of the better ones I've read so far this year!

Dani :)

Linda Henderson said...

I've been really up in the air about this one. I just don't know if I can get into a sci-fi version of Cinderella. I may read it yet. Thank you for your honest review.

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

I'm so glad everyone is liking this story. I thought it was fabulous

Chocolate Chunky Munkie said...

I'm really looking forward to reading this one Dani. I think the cover is brilliant :D Thanks for the great review. Now I must get round to reading this soon.

Book Passion for Life said...

You've sold me! I think I'm reading this next! :) Thanks Dani :)

Rachel said...

Fabulous review! I'm a new follower :D I'll definitely be checking out your reviews from now on!

Rachel @ The Rest Is Still Unwritten

Xia said...

I love Cinder!!! It's one of my new favorite books.

Great review by the way. :)

Cackleberry Homestead said...

I loved this book as well! I did not think I could get into a cyborg novel, just did not think it would appeal to me. But I was sucked in from the first page but I loved it and could not put it down. I actually agreed with you about the Queen Camilla point, I thought that when I was reading as well. Enjoyed the review!

Evie said...

I've read a lot of great reviews about this book. I'm really looking forward to read this one now and to know more about Cinder's mysteries.

Gigi said...

I can't wait for my copy to arriveeee! I'm dying to read it!

Steph said...

I just picked up my copy of this book - I can't wait to read it!! Great review!

Doodle said...

I'm up in the air about reading this. I love Cinderella, but I'm not sure how I would feel about the sci-fi take. Great review!

Leannessf said...

Wonderful review! I love re-imagined fairy tales and this one seems really unique with the cyborg aspect! Although you found it a little predictable, it's great that you still enjoyed it - definitely on my TBR list!

Thanks!
Leanne
leannessf

Jewel said...

Loved your review. This book is already on my TBR list. Can't wait to read Cinder & judge it for myself.

Oana H. said...

Awesome review.When i heard about this book i thought that maybe its not something interesting,but your review changed my opinion.Thank you!

aparajita said...

Your review confirmed one thing to me....THAT I NEED TO GET THIS BOOK AND FAST(i can't believe i missed the chance to read it via netgalley)

mimz said...

Thanks for the review! :) I recently got Cinder but unfortunately I haven't been able to read it so far. I'll get on with it asap, cause I've seen so many great positive reviews I'm starting to feel guilty.

Jolene and Family said...

I really enjoyed this book and was so glad I got my hands on it. I haven't read any book that had a cyborg as a main character and Cinder herself was so unique and refreshing. Great review

Anonymous said...

Everyone has had such great reviews of this book. I've been dying to read it. I love the twist fairy tale twist of the book.

Veronika said...

Awesome review! I've heard so much good things about this book, all great reviews, but haven't had the chance to read it yet. I love fairy tale stories, so I'm sure I'll love it.

Brittany C. said...

Thank you for taking the time to do this review :) I have been wanting to read this book for awhile now, so after reading your Mayfair Moon review, I just HAD to come see what you thought about Cinder. As usual, you have convinced me that I need to read this...SOON!! :)

Krista said...

I love Cinderella themed books. I will definitely check this one out! Thanks for the review.

book_nerd93 said...

Great review i wasn't sure about this book because it was in the science fiction section but thanks to your review i think i am going to read it now.

Veronika said...

Wow, 5 stares!! I haven't read the book yet, but keep hearing awesome things about it! I love usually the cinderelly kind of stories, so I'm sure I'm gonna love it! Thank you for the review!

Dark_Calling said...

Amazing review. I'm loving the dystopian/technology theme. I'm really looking forward to reading this book but :/ I have too much to read. I hope I eventually read it.

Happy reading

Kelly said...

Still haven't read it yet. I am not really feeling the love for the book in your review. Maybe I will wait until it comes out in paperback before buying it if at all. thanks for the review!

Debdatta Dasgupta said...

Now this is one book that I would love to get my hands on.... interesting storyline, great cover and absolutely raving reviews!

Beth said...

Thanks for the amazing review!! I am so excited to read this book!

Beth xx

Lynn K. said...

Thanks for the review!

I just read this and it was really good! Cinder's real identity was fairly predictable, despite that, it was still a really good read. The New Beijing created by Ms. Meyer was fascinating and I flew through the pages in one sitting. :)

Midnight Styles said...

I was really into this book, I found that putting a technological twist into the life of Cinder wasn't hard to love. I thought I would have a hard time getting into this kind of story but I agree with your review!

Unknown said...

Cute!!! Thanks for the review!!! I also love this book because it is a classic fairy tale gone cyborg... And what I really love the most (and I agree with you) that the story is unpredictable... And your comment about the queen was a little funny for me...

Suz said...

Great review! I also really liked Cinder! I was a little skeptical about a retelling of Cinderella because it's been done so often but this was so unique! Cinderella as a cyborg! I too loved her character - kind and plucky.

Sharmaine C said...

Whhheeeeeeee! I can't wait to read this book! I just need more good reviews to really convince myself that I should read this. Thanks for the great review!

Dani F. said...

I have heard such good this about this book. I like the cinderella's fairy tale (must of the times, I'm not a big fan of love at first sight) and this seems an interesting take of it.
I'm a little worry about the predictable twists, i don't like when i know where the story is headed (that is why i don't watch soap operas, and becausa my mother and sister said i ruined the story line for them,not my fault that all of them seem like the same one althought i just keep it to myself :S), yet i still read i few pages ahead so i know what happen. I'm an strange reader!! ja ja (that is "ha ha" in spanish)
I can wait to read it, but i must eait since its not out in my country yet, but it's in Spain so i don't think that i wait that long :)
Good review. Gracias. :)

Hanulla said...

I'm looking for this book for a long time... after your review I'm going to read it... definitely :D

Michelle said...

Thanks for the amazing and thorough review! I really am looking forward to getting my hands on this book. It sounds great!

Michelle

Laura said...

Ooh...this one has been in my TBR pile for a while. Thanks for the great review, I may just have to bump it up a bit!

Anindita! said...

Sounds like a great book. Definitely in the to-read section!

Isa said...

I've been looking forward to reading this book so much but my local book stores do not carry it. I love the concept of a Cinderella cyborg but after reading your review I'm even more excited to read it. The background and setting of the story sounds rich, I'd love to get lost in a world like that while I'm reading.

Kim said...

I've seen so many good reviews for this book but for some reason I never intended on reading it anytime soon! But what the heck! Another great review from someone, I'm buying this! lol.

Debora B said...

Since the first time I heard the blurb about Cinder I wanted to read it. I love retellings of fairy tales and lately I've jumped on the sci-fi wagon, so it was sounding pretty perfect! BUT I really was concerned about the cyborg thing. You're review is so good, I'm feeling better about giving Cinder a try =) Thanks so much!

aldelei89 said...

i've been wanting to get a hold of this book since it came out. no, since it had been promoted in the blogging world. very great review! :) thanks

Stepping Out of the Page said...

Fantastic, thorough review. I read Cinder earlier in the year and absolutely loved it too! I can't believe how long we have to wait for the next instalment - so impatient!

Schez said...

This is on my very long list of TBR... and it has been since I first heard of it. The cover caught my attention straight away and the reviews that followed it just made me want to read it more!

I'm wondering if predictable plot twists as you describe will make the novel a little diappointing, yet in the same breath, I'm looking forward to sampling Mayer's writing style!

I'm really looking forward to getting on to this book!

Unknown said...

I love how a fairy tale can be turned on it's head :) Really looking forward to getting my hands on this one Great review :) xxx

Waniliowe Czytadła said...

hey Dani (agatha90xo from twitter here ;)). I have to say one thing - even though I'm from Poland the "Camilla" name also hit me :) xo

Goth Angel said...

I loved Cinder too - like you say, it has a very unique concept, even though it's based on a fairy tale. I'm with you on everything you said, apart from Queen Camilla - I had a chuckle when I first encountered her, as I thought it was quite funny, even though I don't like the Duchess of Cornwall. I'm sure it was meant more tongue-in-cheek than anything ^_^

Ashfa said...

I'm not a huge fan of Sci-Fi so I stayed away from this book despite the rave reviews I read. But with the release of Cress so near, I decide to give it a try and ordered it. Still haven't read it though. Great review and loved the way you described the MC. Definitely looks like she's spunky.

Anonymous said...

I also enjoyed the book very much. It was the first book of this year for me and an adorable choice. The only thing I felt missing was the chemistry between Prince Kai and Cinder, but the sci-fi setting made up for it.

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