User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
Why?
WHY DIDN'T I READ THIS BOOK SOONER?!
It was so AWESOME!
MY EMOTIONS!!
Let me go ahead and get this out of the way. I loved this book. Why in the world did I procrastinate with reading it? I've had
Cinder sitting on my Kindle for a few months now and I continued to put it off over and over again. What a HUGE mistake! I even had the nerve to go into my local bookstore twice, pick
Cinder up, and put it right back down. But all that doesn't really matter now because I've remedied the problem and absolutely fallen in love with this wonderful story.
When I first heard of
Cinder before it's release, it was gaining quite a bit of buzz known for the retelling of
Cinderella. Marissa Meyer, my hat's off to you because a cyborg Cinderella in New Beijing, China? Badass. But then shortly before I read it, another blogger informed me that not only is it a
Cinderella retelling, but also had
Sailor Moon elements. OMG... someone had answered my prayers! I don't think you can understand my excitement for that.
Sailor Moon was my all-time favorite TV show and manga as a child. Reading
Cinder reminded me of a simpler time before responsibilities, when the biggest thing I had to worry about was setting up the VCR (yes, a throwback!) every day because at 4pm, right before
Dragon Ball Z,
Sailor Moon would come on. If I were to miss one episode, I would cry my little eyes out because I just had to know what happened next to Serena! I have seen every episode including the fifth season that didn't air in America. I've even seen the live action series in all Japanese. And for those that watch subtitled Japanese shows, you know that there comes a time in your marathon watching where you stop reading the subtitles and start thinking Japanese in your sleep. Yes, I am super fangirling and not ashamed one bit! So I think it goes without saying that the reasons for me loving Cinder so much, aside from being blasted by a rainbow of awesome with its creative premise, is that it has a lot to do with sentimental memories. I tell you this so you can understand one big thing:
I wasn't sure about Cinder at first. As soon as the book started I noticed on every obvious downfall: Predictability. Seriously, the plot twist ran up to me and sucker punched me in the face at only 10% in. This concerned me, but it quickly became a non-issue as I continued to read. Why? Because the story was interesting. It was engaging. It was just plain old
fun! And I haven't had this much fun reading a book in a while.
The plot was brilliantly done. Cinder is a mechanic, under appreciated by her mother and one of her step-sisters. The other step-sister adores her. As a cyborg she doesn't have the same rights as a normal person and her step-mother goes out of her way to remind Cinder this whenever she can. One day Prince Kai (*swoon*) requests her services to fix his android. And in true fairy tale fashion he begins to fall for her not knowing she is a cyborg. But this isn't just a love story. Oh no! The world has been suffering from a deadly disease that kills in a matter of days and it starts to become painfully obvious that Earth's only hope for a cure depends on an alliance with the evil Lunar Queen. And as you may have guessed it, she has plans for Earth. Dun, dun, duuuunnnnnn!
I loved all the characters in
Cinder, especially the heroine. Cinder was independent, feisty, and relatable. She didn't always make the right decision, but this is a heroine that learns from her mistakes. And
Tuxedo Mask Prince Kai? I loved him.
Ah, the memories!The romance was so sweet. At first Cinder is wary of the Prince's advances because she is cyborg and doesn't want him to find out, but she can't help but develop feelings for him along the way. Basically what I'm saying here is that there's no insta-love. And you know how much I hate insta-love!
Oh, and that ending! Marissa Meyer, how could you do that to my little heart? I need to know what happens now! You took two of my favorite stories and twisted them into this big ball of badass awesomeness and now I'm expected to wait until next year for book two?! And just look at the character line-up for the next books in the series:
Scarlet ,
Cress and
Winter . Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Snow White?! I am so
there. Just so we are clear, I'm not above stalking.
I will have the next book and I will have it soon...An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. Thank you!
More reviews at Cuddlebuggery Book Blog.
Rating: really liked it
Stuck at home? Got some time on your hands? Want to start
a long series? But you don't want a dud?
Check out this
booktube video all about which series are worth your time (and which ones aren't)!
Check Out the Written Review! 3.5 stars
A Cinderella story through and through...or is it? “Even in the Future the Story Begins with Once Upon a Time.”
Everyone knows this story. At this point, I have read so many versions that I have a tough time going through yet another one.
Yet, the further I read, the more I was delighted. This book was unexpectedly sweet, endearing and enjoyable.
My younger sibling had this book on a shelf for the longest time and (finally) at the nudging of one of my friends, I picked it up. I'm glad I did.
Cinder is a
cyborg mechanic living in New Beijing who, along with her best friend (a robot named Iko) and sister (a fully human gal named Pearl),
fall in love with Prince Kai. But,
life isn't all cleaning and singing, there's a ravaging plague and crippling poverty. The plague can strike anyone at any time.
Aside: Does no one know basic disease prevention? The plague is detected in a public area, everyone ALWAYS scatters. Gee, I wonder why this hasn't been contained.
Cyborgs (like Cinder, our heroine) are recruited at a rate of one-per-day to be sacrificed for plague research. Their families are given a
hefty sum for their 'sacrifice.'
Since cyborgs aren't considered true citizens, they can be turned in at any time. When Cinder's stepmother was pushed just a little bit too far, she decides to turn Cinder in. From there, she's interviewed by the doctor and set up to be sacrificed.
“I don't know. I don't actually remember anything from before the surgery."
His eyebrows rose, his blue eyes sucking in all the light of the room. "The cybernetic opetation?"
"No, the sex change."
The doctor's smile faltered.
"I'm joking.”
Despite the humor, the treatment of the cyborgs by humans really threw me off. There's longstanding prejudices that cyborgs are living on borrowed time and thus owe their lives to society if need be (i.e. cyborg draft).
Now, I could see the logic against cyborgs
if all of them had wiring in their brains - thus rendering them incapable of independent thought (or something of the like).
One could conceivably claim that their brains are ruined (or some other nonsense). But the book treated all cyborgs the same. (i.e. Some poor guy lost his foot and got a replacement?
Disgusting creature. Sacrifice him.)
Other than that, this was an
entertaining retelling of Cinderella.
I liked how the relationship with Prince Kai is more of a crush than an end-all-be-all sort of love. It was sweet, but not overwhelmingly so.
Kai cleared his throat. Stood straighter. "I assume you are going to the ball?"
"I-I don't know. I mean, no. No, I'm sorry, I'm not going to the ball."
Kai drew back, confused. "Oh well... but... maybe you would change your mind? Because I am, you know."
"The prince."
"Not bragging," he said quickly. "Just a fact.”
I've heard from others that the remaining books still follow the characters from the first. I'm hoping for a more slow build sort of thing.
There was one thing that just
completely blew me out of the water: Our main character was
burned in a fire (thus requiring cyborg surgery) at a very young age. She lost ~30% of her body and needed to live in a suspended animation tank for months.
And what do we name her?
Cinder. Just let that sink in. Audiobook CommentsRead by Rebecca Soler - and she absolutely rocked it. I loved listening to her tone/characterizations (especially Iko! That was literally the cutest little robot voice I ever did hear).
If you are curious about Rebecca Soler, check Tucker the Reader's interview!
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Rating: really liked it
“I'm sure I'll feel much more grateful when I find a guy who thinks complex wiring in a girl is a turn-on.”
In this, my third attempt to read Cinder, I finally made it to the end. But I find myself wishing I hadn't bothered. Going into this book, I thought it was fair to expect a light, probably unremarkable, but ultimately
entertaining read. I did not come to this book wanting my mind to be blown with science or to be taken to another world by beautiful prose, but I also did not expect it to be so painfully boring. Which it was.
Cinder takes a bold and fascinating premise, sketches out a basic outline of it, and then never fleshes it out with any substance.
Let's look at the wonders we have here. A part-cyborg protagonist, a loose Cinderella retelling in a future/alternate universe, a setting in New Beijing, and a potential war with a kingdom of Lunar people (a race who live on the moon). This sounds like a recipe for a fantastic science-fiction novel, and yet we get very little info beyond what I've provided here.
Who are these Lunar people? What about their history? How did they come to be on the moon? How disappointing it was that we never found out ANYTHING about them beyond the fact that they have an evil ruler - Queen Levana.
And this setting in a future/alternate world. In New Beijing, even! Do we ever get an exciting look into its culture? Any beautiful or ugly visuals? Any insight into its history, customs... anything? Nope.
And even if I forgive that, if I say that maybe all that goodness is being saved for later series installments, I simply cannot forgive the
lack of personality in our principle characters. Cinder and Prince Kai are empty, self-sacrificing heroes with little-to-no hopes, fears, desires and thoughts of their own. Adri is the classic evil stepmother. Iko was the not-so-funny sidekick.
I'm also not sure I understand why part-cyborg people are considered second class citizens when they're basically regular humans who've had parts added to save them. But let's imagine I suspend that disbelief for a second - why did Meyer waste this perfect opportunity for Cinder to consider what it means to be human? For example, how much of a person can be replaced before they stop being a person and start being a machine? Are there really any differences between humans and machines beyond the materials they're made from?
So many fascinating questions not being asked.Though really, I could have forgiven many things if only the plot had been compelling, the conflicts engaging, and the characters vaguely interesting. I honestly had to force myself through.
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Rating: really liked it
wow. wow. WOW.
I went into this book not expecting to like it. I'm not sure why, but this book completely surprised me!
Rating: really liked it
As seen on The Readventurer
Let me first give credit where credit is due. A cyborg
Cinderella? Wow! It's a bold premise. I applaud Marissa Meyer for thinking this up.
In this re-envisioning of the fairy tale, Lihn Cinder is a cyborg, meaning, she is almost half mechanical - she has prosthetic hands and a foot, a big chunk of her internal organs are wired into her body. Cinder is a mechanic in New Beijing, the capital of the Eastern Commonwealth, a country ravaged by plague outbreaks. One day, the heir to the throne of the Commonwealth, Prince Kai, steps into Cinder's shop to get his android fixed, and everything changes for Cinder. She falls in love, she becomes a center of multiple intrigues, she discovers her own well hidden (even from her) secrets.
As much as I appreciate an author willing to think outside the box, I am afraid in this case Marissa Meyer bit off more than she could chew. The world of Cinder is very imaginative and full of potential. New Beijing, royalty, plague, cyborg falling in love, a war with the Lunar (Moon) Empire. I mean, just think about the possibilities here. Too bad, these possibilities are never explored to their best advantage.
Let's take Cinder, for example. She is almost half robot, there is stuff wired into her brain and body. Is she a human? Does she have artificial intelligence? Does she think of herself as human? How can she love? Are her emotions real or programmed? None of this is explained with any kind of depth. I compare this book to The Adoration of Jenna Fox, and Cinder fails miserably.
How about the setting? New Beijing! Futuristic China! Is there any Chinese flavor in this story? Any infusion of Eastern cultures, customs? Not really.
Ok, maybe there is something to this Lunar business then? Who or what are these Lunar people? How did they get there? How do they live on the Moon? Why exactly are they at war with Earth? I still have no clue.
My general impression after finishing Cinder is that every good idea in this story is developed very superficially. It's like Cinder is... Ship Breaker's ugly cousin. What Paolo Bacigalupi managed to do in his fairly short book with great depth - the world ruined by environmental changes, genetically altered human beings, poverty - is all done here, but in the most shallow way, as if the author was determined to keep the plot moving at a break-neck pace, afraid that any paragraph spent on layering the world or characters' personalities would bore readers.
There is still some entertainments value in Cinder, and I did get all the way through it to find out how the story would unfold. (BTW, you can predict the novel's outcome at about page 50 and it all ends with a cliffhanger.) But the novel fails miserably at being thought-provoking, challenging or truly engaging, even though the ideas are all there. Squandered potential.
Rating: really liked it
I guess I'm on a year-end quest to be the last person to read popular series. Last week: Hunger Games. This week: Cinder.
Or not. I hated it. No binging this series, sorry, dear friends. You may think it's harsh that I give this book one star when there was nothing offensive about it, but
considering the hype, I expected far, far more than that we were given.
Before reading the book, I knew why it came highly recommended to me; in theory, this book should have been awesome. An Asian protagonist (
Everyone knows Khanh loves Asian shit!!!!), an alternate universe, plenty of opportunities to spin a beautifully-woven (Asian!!!!) setting! A fairy tale retelling (Khanh loves retold shit!!!!).
Yet for years, I resisted the many, many "KHANH, YOU GOTTA READ CINDER" because of one reason.
The main character is an cyborg. I don't like cyborgs, I don't like androids. Not the Google-based operating system, the concept of
part-human, part-machine. No, thank you. I like my main characters purely organic and carbon-based.
Let's get one thing straight. I have nothing against technology, it's just the concept of a human meshed with a robot that bothers me. I don't think such a being can have the same
emotions, the same characteristics, the same failings that makes human so, well, human. Here is where the book could have changed my mind; Cinder could have been made to be more than a inhuman robot (what she is, in my mind).
What's ironic to me is that
Cinder is too human. I know she is part machine, but it never felt like that part of her was explored as much as her humanity is sold to us.
Furthermore, the KHANH LOVES ASIAN SHIT part of me was so not sold on this. Yes, it's cute that the MC is Asian. Yes, it's cool that the new world is New Beijing.
Those are just names, this is not an Asian-based book. You know how you go to one of those super chic Asian fusion restaurants and you order a fusion dish that costs $100 on a beautiful plate, and the only thing that's "Asian" about it is the one drop of lemongrass essence that they add to the sauce? This book is like that.
There is no explanation about New Beijing's culture. There is no explanation as to why it became that way.
It was a world that was entirely unexplored, and unworthy of the hype, and of the "Asian" label slapped onto it. Sorry, guys, this series is not for me.
Rating: really liked it
Sooooo,
Cinder is
basically my life now.
I am absolutely kicking myself for not starting this series earlier. Why didn't y'all tell me!?
This is actually my first Marissa Meyer book and I am completely blown away by her imagination. We stan.
The
cyberpunk feel was exactly what I needed to become fully immersed within this world.
Our protagonist, Cinder, is a mechanic in the city of New Beijing.
She's also a cyborg, a fact she's kept hidden from the world; the exception being her adoptive family.
She doesn't recall any of her life prior to the operation that resulted in her cyborg status, but has never questioned it much either.
After all, what is the point of trying to remember? The past is the past.
When a highly contagious plague sweeps over the city, her beloved stepsister, Peony, becomes infected.
Peony was visiting a market with Cinder just prior to coming down with the illness, so of course Cinder's wicked Stepmother blames her for Peony's infection.
In the most heinous of acts, one she considers a righteous punishment, the wicked Stepmother donates Cinder to be used for scientific research finding a cure for the disease.
Apparently, in this world, cyborgs are considered no more than property. Add in the fact that people have not been surviving the research process, and it is clear her Stepmother never wants to see Cinder again. She's basically handed her a death sentence.
Cinder feels alone and betrayed, but in a way, she blames herself for Peony's sickness.
Once experimentation begins however, it is revealed that (view spoiler)
[Cinder is immune. Something in her body's chemistry destroys the plague immediately. (hide spoiler)] How could that be?
Prince Kai is intrigued with Cinder from the moment he drops off his android at her shop to be repaired. In fact, he asks her to the royal ball, but of course she cannot accept.
The cutest crush ever ensues and once (view spoiler)
[ the Prince's father, the Emperor, dies, another victim of the plague, they are pushed together even further. (hide spoiler)]
Our villain, Queen Levana, descends from the moon, otherwise known as the 'planet' Luna. She is an extraordinary enemy with a ton of power, only rivaled by her ambition.
She discovers something about Cinder, before Cinder even knows herself, and will stop at nothing to take her down, as Cinder's true nature threatens Levana's power.
I adored this. I loved all the delicious SciFi elements that somehow paid perfect homage to the original tale.
You could definitely tell this was the story of Cinderella, just bumped far into the future.
I thought the pace was great. I enjoyed Cinder as a character and also loved her relationship with Dr. Erland and Peony; and of course, her android, Iko, who was hilariously sweet.
I cannot wait to continue on with this series. Scarlet is calling to me!
Rating: really liked it
*4.5*This was amazing!! Why didn't anyone tell me to read it sooner?! Just kidding..
The world and characters are so great, I can't wait to continue on in the series.
Rating: really liked it
“Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.”After finishing
“Cinder” I was kind of curious what other reviewers wrote about it and I was pretty surprised when I found out that a lot of my friends gave it only two or three stars. As it seems the main reason for those low ratings were 1.) It’s just not my jam or 2.) I read too many retellings. Sometimes even a combination of both. XD
Well, I guess it’s kind of good then that I wasn’t all too big on retellings over the last few years because I definitely enjoyed this! I don’t know if I would have liked it less if I would have read more retellings, but as some sort of “newbie” to the scene I actually ended up loving it to bits and pieces!
This was just amazing! <3 I mean a cyborg Cinderella who’s a mechanic and lives in a futuristic world?! Sign me f*** up! I loved the entire New Beijing vibe and I was so down for all those “Star Wars” moments! XD (And just in case you wondered, I’ve been a Warsie AND a Trekkie since my early childhood days! *lol* Being a fan of both is impossible? Hah! I’m your living and breathing proof it’s not! ;-P) Anyway! I relished the breath of fresh air this retelling gave me and after reading all those “normal” fairy tales with my kid this was balm for my soul. *lol*
Finally something different! Finally a break from “Cinderella” who lost her glass slipper on the stairs. This so wasn’t your ordinary fairy tale and Cinder certainly wasn’t your ordinary heroine either. Before I go into more detail, I’ll head into my characters section though. Wouldn’t want you to get spoiled, right?! (Is it even spoiling if we all know about Cinderella’s story? *lol*)
The Characters: Fair Warning: This is a spoiler well. If you lean forward you might tumble into the rabbit hole. I urge you to exercise caution. Proceed at your own risk. ;-P Cinder:“I'm sure I'll feel much more grateful when I find a guy who thinks complex wiring in a girl is a turn-on.”Haha! I loved Cinder! She was such a cool character and totally down-to-earth! Funnily enough she didn’t seem to enjoy beautiful dresses (the real Cinderella would have been shocked!) and rather preferred to stay in her room working on androids instead of going out. Which in all honesty made her a very relatable character. XD I liked that she was so strong-willed and had her own opinion about everything, but I also felt very sorry for her. Aside from Prince Kai and Dr. Erland, Peony was probably the only person who ever showed her some kindness and to lose her must have been a more than just hard blow. >_< Especially because Peony was just lovely and kind! I don’t know how it came to be that Peony was the only one who accepted Cinder the way she was but I was really glad that she had at least one sister that cared. XD Still, no matter how sad her death made me I think Cinder would have never dared to be so bold if she would have been around to see it, so I guess there’s at least one positive thing that came out of it. Poor Cinder though! T_T
A flash of hurt crossed his face. “What? I can’t buy you a gift?” he asked, in a tone that nearly stopped the electric pulses of her wiring.
“No. Not after I’ve ignored six of your comms in the last week. Are you dense?”
“So you did get them!”Prince Kai:Kai stepped closer to Torin, ignoring a group of lab technicians that were forced to swarm around them. "I have a plan. My plan is to not marry her. Diplomacy be damned. There. End of discussion.”WHAT. A. HOTTIE! *swoons* I adored him right from the moment he appeared in the book! GAH! Prince Kai was just awesome! I loved that he didn’t back down and fought Queen Levana with every breath he took. There was so much at stake for him but he stayed true to himself and this even though Levana and the other countries certainly didn’t make it easy for him. So much pressure! Poor boy! =(( Plus can we acknowledge how caring he was even though his own life turned upside down. I mean he lost his father to the plague and yet he still managed to keep Levana at bay, served his country, tried to persuade Cinder and wanted to find a cure. XD Not to mention his adorable humour and enticing defiance. *lol* The perfect prince for sure! ;-)
”I will –“ He paused again, straightened, and focused his eyes on some distant, invisible point. “I will do whatever needs to be done to ensure the well-being of my country. I will do whatever needs to be done to keep you all safe. That is my promise.”Iko:Iko rolled to her side, clasping her metal grippers over her chest. “Prince Kai! Check my fan, I think I’m overheating.”IKO!!! <333 She was one of the best sidekicks ever and she definitely asked the right questions. *LOL* The idea of an android with feelings might have been nothing new but the way it was executed in here was perfect! XD When you read about Iko you involuntarily see her as a normal person, well until some body parts of her are mentioned and you’re reminded that she’s actually a machine with a soul. ;-) I can’t believe Adri destroyed her and my poor heart bled when Cinder found her in her room. I really hope Cinder will find a new body for her and that this time around it will be a human looking one. Iko deserves it and she’d be so happy if she’d have curves to wear all those pretty dresses. *lol*
Cinder flinched. “Can we please not talk about the prince?”
“I don’t think that will be possible. You’re working on his android, after all. Just think about the things she knows, the things she’s seen and –“ Iko’s voice sputtered. “Do you think she’s seen him in the nude?”Queen Levana:”I want her found and brought to me.”
“Right,” said Kai, “that’ll be no problem in a city of two and a half million people. Let me just go dig out my special Lunar detector, and I’ll get right on that.”
Levana tilted her head back so she could peer down her nose at Kai, even though he was taller than she was. “You do not wish to try my patience with your sarcasm, young prince.”Queen Levana is no fun! Seriously, that woman has a stick up her ass. >_< The way she treated Kai and all her machinations… I really despised her for it! How can anyone be so cruel and heartless? I mean that moment with the mirror on her plate? ARGH! If I’d have been Prince Kai I’d have flipped her the bird multiple times. *lol* I guess in his own way he actually kind of did it. Haha! Considering how Cinder reacted to her once she saw through her glamour she must be as ugly on the outside as she’s on the inside and I really hope she won’t get Kai.
Adri:”I think it a fair solution. After all, you bought it with my money, therefore it is mine to do with as I please. In some cultures they would cut off your hand, Cinder. Consider yourself fortunate.
“But it’s my foot!”
“And you will have to do without it until you can find a cheaper replacement.” She glowered at Cinder’s feet. Her lip curled with disgust. “You are not human, Cinder. It’s about time you realized that.”There were moments when I wasn’t sure which one of them is worse. Adri or Queen Levana? And honestly sometimes I was even inclined to give Adri first place. For some of the things she did, she would have deserved to stand on the pedestal. *shakes head* I really don’t know what’s eating her but after reading “Glitches” I’m fairly certain that it had nothing to do with Cinder. As it seems she was always that hostile and I have no idea why Garan married her. That woman is just horrible and I hope she never meets Queen Levana! I don’t even want to think about what would happen if those two would join forces. *shudders*
The relationships & ships:Cinder & Prince Kai:”I shouldn’t be telling you all this anyway. It isn’t your problem to worry about. It’s just … you’re easy to talk to.”
She shuffled her feet. “It is kind of my problem. I mean, we all have to live here.
“You could move to Europe.”
“You know, I’ve actually been considering that lately.”
Kai laughed again, the warmth returning to the sound. “If that’s not a vote of confidence, I don’t know what is.”I’m totally on board of this ship! Those two were soo cute together and I loved their easy banter. <3 Poor Prince Kai though! I have no idea how Cinder managed not to give into his advances. I mean there’s this amazing Prince who is determined to take her to the ball with him and she crushes his hopes again and again! WTH?? You might be a cyborg Cinder but I don’t think Prince Kai would have loved you any less if you would have told him the truth about yourself. I think if anything he might have loved you even more. If she would have just told him on her own terms. The way it was revealed was just too much for Kai and I can understand him, really. His words at the end of the book killed me but I get why he was so disappointed. There were plenty of opportunities to come clean with him, but Cinder never told him. =( Also I think that his last words were meant in the sense of it hurts him more to look at her than at Levana because he felt betrayed by her and at least Levana put her cards on the table. I’m really worried about him now because who knows what he might agree to now that Cinder is out of the picture. >_< He’s strong willed but the longer he stays in Queen Levana’s presence the harder it will get to resist her and I just don’t want him to give up on himself!! ARGH!!! I’m so afraid of what will happen to him in those next few books!
”It’s gone now,” she said. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” said Kai. “What causes it? What can we do to make it stop?”Kai peeled his eyes away, finding some place of resignation off in the glistening garden. “You’re even more painful to look at than she is.”
Cinder’s heart shrivelled inside her until she was sure it would stop beating altogether.Queen Levana & Prince Kai:She was still battling Kai across the table, her eyes cold and calculating, and he unable to look away. “I have learned something valuable about you tonight, young prince. I hope you have learned something about me, as well.”
“That you prefer to rule through fear rather than justice? So sorry, Your Majesty, I’m afraid I already knew that about you.”
“No, indeed. I hope you noticed that I am capable of choosing my battles.” Her lips curved, her beauty returning full force. “If that’s what it takes to win the war.”Those two were like cat and mouse! Unfortunately Kai was the mouse in this scenario and even though he held his own I’m afraid that Queen Levana might be able to persuade him to marry her. It’s not just her glamour but also the cure she offers. He always said that he only wants what’s best for his people and if it saves them he might even consider making a deal with the devil. =( Plus now that Dr. Erland vanished with Cinder he has no one that would continue his research for an antidote. To him it might look like there’s only one option left and
I DON’T WANT HIM TO CHOOSE THAT FREAKIN OPTION! GOSH DARN IT!!! *dies*
Conclusion:I LOVED this!!!
“Cinder” read like a unique mixture of “Cinderella” featuring “Star Wars” and even though I didn’t know it when I started to read the book this was exactly what I needed! XD Give me more of this and I might overcome my growing aversion to ordinary fairy tales. *lol* Maybe one day my kid will read those books too! ;-) This said: I can’t wait to continue with “Scarlet”!!!
Happy reading and enjoy!
_________________
Okay, so here’s the thing: At the moment, my daughter is crazy about fairy tales and every night I have to read a story to her. Since I’ve been doing this the last few months I’m pretty sure that I know them all by heart by now. *lol* (The things we do for our children… XD)
Which is the main reason why I crave for a really, really
untypical fairy tale and Cinder seems to be the right choice. I mean a cyborg Cinderella who’s a gifted mechanic? Sounds perfect!
Give me this modern fairy tale because I can’t read the typical Cinderella anymore!
Hopefully the old tales will get a new appeal after I’m done with this! ;-P
Rating: really liked it
*mild spoilers* Cyborgs!!!! *squeeaaaal*
Androids!!!! *squeeaaaal*
New Beijing!!!! *squeeaaaal*
Cinderella!!!!! *sque—uhm, I’m more of a Beauty and the Beast girl. But not bad.
Cinder was one helluva ride for me. Saying that it was a special one is an understatement. Why I call it special? Because of the ups and downs it had. If you read my Kindle notes for this review you’d thing I’m suffering of DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder).
What do you think doctor House? Am I sick? Can it be treated??
Yes???
This book looked so much better in my head. I replaced this
With this
I’m sure Cinder would prefer to be the uncool version.
Dude, you’re a freakin’ cyborg... I wouldn’t hide this from the world, I’d enhance it. Probably add some cool gadgets and make everyone drool over me. Imagine the possibilities since you’re a badass mechanic! Imagine what you could create!!!!
And Mrs. Meyer, please boost your universe. There are so many things you missed in this new world you have created. I want to know more about their infrastructure, more about what type of transportation they have, what clothes, toys, gadgets, what food even! There are so many possibilities out there!
The book’s weakest element was Kai. His POV made me almost fall asleep. He’s weak, not charming, and not funny and he bores me to tears. I wish Cinder transforms him into a brainless zombie in the coming book.
But, in the end, I have to say that I didn’t mind this book at all. It was a very interesting one, kept me entertained and didn’t piss me off. Much.
Rating: really liked it
Re-Read On Audio! I love the narrator =)I'm still loving Cinder, Iko and Prince Kai. I loved one of Cinder's sisters but the other one and her stepmom. Ugggg.
Cinder being a cybor-mechanic is too cool!
There is a deadly disease going around and it kills so many people. They are trying to find a cure by doing some evilness.
Cinder gets to meet Prince Kai and sigh, I felt so happy for her.
Then there is Queen Levana from Luna. Don't even want to talk about her evilness right now. And Cinder finds out who she really is... eeep!
Here's a really cool fan art of Cinder by MiraPau ↓
This book was so good. I remember when I read it the first time that it was so amazing. Listening to it, I find that it is still amazing. I'm loving these audio re-reads. Well, unless I get a bad narrator!
I'm still in awe and I'm still in love! Oh, the joy of a re-telling with cyborgs and all kinds of different things! And there is a war brewing. Isn't there always a war brewing! It's just the beginning to an amazing series. In my opinion anyway. =)
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
***2015***
I LOVED this book so much!
Rating: really liked it
Even people living in actual caves had read it so it was about time I did too.
With that said, I probably don't have anything different to say from the rest of the people but my GOD it was good. Sure a bit predictable but it was fun reading it.
Science fiction is not my thing (except for TMR series) so I was not expecting to like it
this much.
So good.
Rating: really liked it
“Even in the Future the Story Begins with Once Upon a Time.”
Once Upon a Time,there was an avid reader (let's call her K) who thought she was very clever but she couldn't be more wrong.You see,she'd heard about a
futuristic version of Cinderella in which Cinder is a cyborg mechanic that everyone seemed to love but she refused to read it,because she was
skeptical and
a little prejudiced.One day she read the first page but when she came to the part where Cinder takes off her foot she said "Ok I tried but it's not for me,end of story" and she continued her life.Until she decided to give it another shot,and then the skies opened and the stars above made her see the truth.That she was a
Oh my stars,she really was an idiot.Because there can be only one reaction towards a book that narrates a
classic tale that takes place in the
future after the Forth World War,when
androids are a part of daily life and a
plague kills thousands of people and the Earth is threatened by the cunning and inhumanly beautiful
Queen of the Moon who has mind-controlling powers:
“Soon, the whole world would be searching for her--Linh Cinder.
A deformed cyborg with a missing foot.
A Lunar with a stolen identity.
A mechanic with no one to run to, nowhere to go.
But they will be looking for a ghost.”
K was
mesmerized by Cinder.Even though it was a fairytale retelling,there were
twists and turns in the story she could not predict.As she was reading next to the fireplace,eating chocolate and drinking chocolate flavored cappuccino,she forgot about her responsibilities and instead she grew wings and she flied to the East.She visited labs and sick people while they were sleeping,she laughed with Iko's witty retorts,she heard Evil Queen Levana scheming,she smelled the fear towards the Lunars and their unholy abilities,she saw spacecrafts take off,she swooned over a prince who was not ready to rule and give up his freedom but deep down he knew he would sacrifice even himself for the sake of his people and finally,she landed on a basement,hiding in a corner,watching a stained with grease mechanic named Cinder working and dreaming that one day her life would be hers,that she would be considered a human and not an emotionless machine.
“Do your kind even know what love is? Can you feel anything at all, or is it just... programmed?”
K loved the
multiple POVs because they gave her the chance to witness both Cinder's life and the politics of the Empire.She was aggravated by the social injustice,she was hurt by some characters' malice and hatred,she felt giddy when Kai tried to flirt with Cinder and frustrated with all the secrets and the hidden agendas.Even though she loved the romantic element,she was actually happy
it wasn't overwhelming and many other themes were explored,like Cinder's journey to finally accept herself,Levana's reign and plots,Kai's struggles regarding his new role,the part androids and cyborgs played in the society and the attempts to find a cure.In the end,K couldn't help but admit that
Marissa Meyer is more than capable of enchanting the reader,even in a technology dominated world.
There are two reasons she didn't give Cinder 5 stars though.First,she found Cinder's behaviour towards Kai extremely infuriating because
how can you keep saying no to a sweet prince that practically begs you to go the ball with him?If she just stopped hiding the truth and acting like a child on a whim things would be so different!And second,K had a gut feeling that the next books would be even better so she decided to save the fifth star for them.
If you're one of the few people who haven't read Cinder yet,don't hesitate to try it.It's different,unique and extremely enjoyable! P.S. I know it may be a little hard to see through the lines
not,but K is me.Shocking,isn't it?
Rating: really liked it
CAN'T REVIEW.
NEED THE NEXT ONE NOW.
THIS IS ALL I'VE EVER WANTED IN A RETELLING.
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Rating: really liked it
*I know this sounds ridiculous. The whole point of the book is to create a futuristic cyborg Cinderella, right? Meyer is a wonderful writer. Her writing is engrossing and I was engaged throughout the entire book. But it really takes a certain amount of the fun out of a story when a reader already knows a lot of where the story is going. Cyborgs are relatively novel in the YA world. Books set in Asia are relatively novel in the YA world. I still really enjoyed the book the way it was but I think Meyer could do (arguably even more) wonderful things with her own imagination.
3.5/5 stars
EDIT: A-ha! See Comment 8 below for information about the remaining books.
