Paperback, 390 pages
Published Jan. 8, 2013 by Square Fish.
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, but mostly a forbidden love, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.
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, but mostly a forbidden love, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.
Me ha gustado bastante. Es predecible en algunos momentos, pero lo compensa con creces con el argumento y sorprendiéndote en varias ocasiones a lo lago del libro. Muy recomendada!!
What I love about this book: Cinder is a mechanic cyborg. The prince likes her in the beginning when she is covered in grease wearing a t-shirt and cargo pants. Her doctor friend is very much like Yoda. He teaches her how to use the force if you will. It ended exactly how I thought it would. It is a fast read and I am looking forward to reading the next one. I don't at all feel manipulated into reading a second book.
What I love about this book: Cinder is a mechanic cyborg. The prince likes her in the beginning when she is covered in grease wearing a t-shirt and cargo pants. Her doctor friend is very much like Yoda. He teaches her how to use the force if you will. It ended exactly how I thought it would. It is a fast read and I am looking forward to reading the next one. I don't at all feel manipulated into reading a second book.
I'm not sure why I chose this except that: 1) I have an almost 6 year old daughter who makes princesses a large part of my daily environment, and 2) I recently read The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi, which I also really enjoyed. This book touches on some of the same themes as The Windup Girl, but tells a much different story. I liked the way this story used the Cinderella tale as a touchstone rather than a blueprint. I felt the characters were interesting and the story flowed well and kept me hooked. I'll be waiting for the next installment...
I'm not sure why I chose this except that: 1) I have an almost 6 year old daughter who makes princesses a large part of my daily environment, and 2) I recently read The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi, which I also really enjoyed. This book touches on some of the same themes as The Windup Girl, but tells a much different story. I liked the way this story used the Cinderella tale as a touchstone rather than a blueprint. I felt the characters were interesting and the story flowed well and kept me hooked. I'll be waiting for the next installment...
A futuristic retelling of Cinderella's story, Cinder is a cyborg, forced to use her mechanic skills to make money for her adoptive family. Everyone that knows she is no longer completely human looks down on her, she has no freedom and few friends. A chance encounter with Prince Kai, heir to the Eastern Commonwealth, pulls her into a world of politics and subterfuge but a plague is running rife throughout the world and her kind stepsister falls ill, leaving Cinder with no one on her side.
At first I felt the writing style was a bit basic and aimed at the younger end of the young adult spectrum however it did seem to improve as the story unwound. I wanted more scientific explanation of the plague or at least more history of it although Meyer does a good job trying to explain the powers of the Lunar, a race that …
A futuristic retelling of Cinderella's story, Cinder is a cyborg, forced to use her mechanic skills to make money for her adoptive family. Everyone that knows she is no longer completely human looks down on her, she has no freedom and few friends. A chance encounter with Prince Kai, heir to the Eastern Commonwealth, pulls her into a world of politics and subterfuge but a plague is running rife throughout the world and her kind stepsister falls ill, leaving Cinder with no one on her side.
At first I felt the writing style was a bit basic and aimed at the younger end of the young adult spectrum however it did seem to improve as the story unwound. I wanted more scientific explanation of the plague or at least more history of it although Meyer does a good job trying to explain the powers of the Lunar, a race that settled upon Earth's moon. I guess the information will come in later books.
There wasn't any satisfactory resolution for me. There is a growing trend in young adult literature to make everything a trilogy or part of a series. Which is great, except that each book should really stand alone as a novel not an episode of a series that you have to wait over a year for the next one. According to my edition, there are four books planned with the final instalment being released in 2015! I read a lot of series aimed at adult readers and whilst there is always a little something that makes you want to know what happens next, I never end one feeling short changed. Cinder ends in the middle of the story, just because Tolkien did it doesn't mean it's right. I do believe Lord of the Rings was meant to be one book and he got a bit carried away.
Great idea and an interesting world but let down by too many loose wires at the non-end.
TL;DR I loved it.
The story kept the elements of the classic fairy tail, without seeming clichéd. I even found myself getting excited about how elements of the classic would be worked in. When they were worked in, I was pleased that they didn't compromise the new characters that had been created in this story (Cinder is awesome!).
Even though there were elements of a love story, it didn't seem idealistic or childish. Although I must admit there were situations where I came over all silly and just wanted the characters to kiss and it to all be lovely. However the Marissa manages to find that balance where you can get all mushy over the characters romantic intentions without being bored at how unrealistic the situation is.
The world was bright and colourful with lots of opportunities to explore side avenues. I hope to hear more in the later books …
TL;DR I loved it.
The story kept the elements of the classic fairy tail, without seeming clichéd. I even found myself getting excited about how elements of the classic would be worked in. When they were worked in, I was pleased that they didn't compromise the new characters that had been created in this story (Cinder is awesome!).
Even though there were elements of a love story, it didn't seem idealistic or childish. Although I must admit there were situations where I came over all silly and just wanted the characters to kiss and it to all be lovely. However the Marissa manages to find that balance where you can get all mushy over the characters romantic intentions without being bored at how unrealistic the situation is.
The world was bright and colourful with lots of opportunities to explore side avenues. I hope to hear more in the later books about the lives of the Androids, and perhaps something about hackers, and the Luna society.
However it's clear that Meyer isn't an engineer, and I found myself flinching at some of the technological terms. However this didn't overshadow the story, and I it wasn't so far off the mark that it spoiled the story. Maybe I'm just a technology snob.
Overall I would say I loved this book. I've been waiting a little while to get my hands on a copy of this, and I can certainly say it was worth the wait. The world was bright and exciting, the characters and plot engaging, and there was plenty of scope for the next book in the series.
