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Girls*Heart* Books: "Cinder" by Marissa Meyer: Review

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

"Cinder" by Marissa Meyer: Review




Cinder

The Lunar Chronicles Book #1 

by Marissa Meyer



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 the first book in The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. Meyer took a very well known tale and modernized it, adding in a few fantastic twists to make it her very own. To say it's unique would be a vast understatement in my opinion. Cinder is a superb reading experience from beginning to end.

The story is told in the third person perspective and follows both Cinder, our main character and Kai, the prince of New Beijing. I love when we get to delve into the heads of different characters in a book and this was no exception.  Cinder and Kai are both dynamic and interesting characters to behold and they kept me more than entertained as the story went on. 

Cinder is a truly unique character in the young adult genre. How many cyborgs do you read about? She was my first and I could not help but admire her as I followed her story. People  in Cinder's world seem to think that because she's a cyborg she doesn't have feelings but that couldn't be further from the truth. Cinder is deeply loyal, brave, sweet, smart, and spunky; she is more human in her feelings than most of the 'normal' people in her life. Then we have Kai. Yep, he's a prince and he is most definitely charming but there is so much more to him than that.  He is genuine and selfless and so many other lovely qualities that I could just keep going on and on. What I like most about his character, though, is that he acts like a regular person. He doesn't expect special treatment, he doesn't look down his nose at people. He is extremely lovable. 

This book was amazing from start to finish; fast paced, thrilling and addictive. I was completely sucked in from the beginning. I read it in a day; barely putting my kindle down and ignoring my husband's attempts to interact with me. There were a few twists thrown in that made me gasp aloud and when the end came I was left wanting more. I cannot wait to read the next installment, Scarlet which is due out on February 5, 2013. 
My Rating: 
If you'd like to listen to a clip from Cinder, here is Chapter 1 courtesy of Macmillan Audiobooks!



Marissa Meyer lives in Tacoma, Washington, with her husband and their two cats. In addition to her slight obsession with books and writing, she's big on road-tripping, wine-tasting, and hunting for antiques.
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29 comments:

  1. i'd love to read a contemporary twist on Pinocchio - does he count? there's a fairy in it :). most fairy tale inspired books focus on female characters. i'd like to see someone write about the male ones as well.
    i have heard so many good things about Cinder since it came out and i would love to win a copy! thanks for sharing your thoughts and for the giveaway too!

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  2. It's probably been overdone with many different takes on it, but I like Beauty and Beast. I think if we could take more time on the Beast and the reason why he turned into a beast would be cool. Kind of like a series book. First book being the beast and his curse. Ending that one with Beauty barely making an appearance then Second book with Beauty and Beast taking his curse away. I think it would be cool to have the Beast as main character so we can see his entire "ugly" side and take the pretty out of it, but maybe there's a reason he was so awful...maybe there's something that will make the readers still fall in love with him....I better stop now before I ramble away :)

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    1. Have you read "Beastly" by Alex Flinn, Jessy? It's only a stand-alone (I think) but it's kind of a take on Beauty and the Beast, from "Beast's" perspective. And so much better than the movie, omg...lol Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale.. :3

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    2. I agree about Beastly (the movie was really awful in comparison to the book). It was really interesting being in the "Beast's" mind and seeing things from his perspective.

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  3. my favorite is sleeping beauty. I would love to see that done somehow. but beauty and the beast would be my second choice

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  4. as for the reason, there isn't really one... i just love those stories so much and love reading different versions of my favorites

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  5. Love giveaways and free books. Thanks to my Kindle app with it's neat text size adjustability, I am reading again. Plus I have now added nook and another reading app too.

    Please check out my page, where I have shared this post and more:
    JD's Leisure Zone
    http://www.facebook.com/jdspg3

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  6. I can't think of one fairy tale I would like to see rewritten. To me they are classics, and I love them the way they are. But I think they provide great inspiration for new stories.

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  7. Another awesome review Mel! Great giveaway as well. Sleeping Beauty hasn't been worn out yet, I guess I'll go with that one.

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  8. The fairy tale I would like to see rewritten, I guess beauty and the beast, but maybe this time the girl is the beast. I think that be pretty cool a new perspective. Awesome giveaway and review thanks :)

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  9. I was always a fan if the three little pigs and rikki tikki tavi. Either one of those would be cook since everyone always sends to remake the princess type fairy tales. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  10. ok, so let me start by saying 95% of what i read is paranormal romance and erotica, so yes my mind is going there (lol). what about a goldilocks types story with shifters playing the 3 bears??? not a dad, mom, baby bear but 3 bears still for goldilocks to explore and find the one that is just right ;)

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  11. Hi! I would love to see Red Riding Hood written! That's my favorite fairytale of all time! I know Red Riding Hood is going to be the main focus of the next book and I'm really looking forward to that! (:

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    1. You should check out SISTERS RED by Jackson Pearce. It is a very different Red Riding Hood kind of story. Also, her SWEETLY kind of mixes Red Riding Hood with Hansel & Gretel in a cool, twisted way.

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  12. I'm crazy about the new takes on Cinderella, but other than that, I would like to see Snow White!

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  13. I need to read this book!I have been interested in it since I first heard about it. Your review is fabulous and makes me even more curious about it. Thanks so much for the giveaway. I would be over the top if I won!

    I would love to have The Twelve Dancing Princesses retold.
    ~Jess

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  14. I'd like to see Sleeping Beauty! It was my favorite growing up! :)
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  15. Beauty & The Beast, it has always been one of my faves.

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  16. The Beauty & The Beast with a modern flare to it.

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  17. I love the cover and it sounds really good too

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  18. As a kid, CINDERELLA was my favorite fairytale, so I'd love to read this re-take on such a classic. As for another fairytale...RUMPELSTILTSKIN. I think that could be a very dark, twisted and yet adventurous and romantic story.

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  19. the fairy tale i would probably like to see re written would be Sleeping Beauty its my favorite!! thanks for the giveaway!!!

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  20. Why pick 1> I love them all but Snow White is my fav. But there has been what 3 new movies out on it and more books in the last yr.

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  21. Id love to see a Rupunzel re write. Thanks for the giveaway

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  22. This is one of my favorite fairy tales, so this read would be great but another fairy tale would be, like others mentioned before, Sleeping Beauty!! I'd love to read that!! Great review Mel and thanks for the great giveaway!!! :)

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  23. yes, sleeping beauty definitely needs to be redone. I haven't read a good retelling of that fairy-tale. :D

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  24. Thanks for the giveaway! My choice is Sleeping Beauty. My fav ❤❤ it!!

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  25. I'd say Little Red Riding Hood. There could definitely be some darkness there as well as some romance.

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