Genre: YA, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Fairy Tale Retelling
Series: Lunar Chronicles
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.
Imagine there was a cure, but finding it would cost you everything. It would completely ruin your life. What would you do?
Originally I read this book back in 2014 and my review from then is what follows. I wanted to add some more information from my reread that I just did of the story! I still loved the story as much as the first time. Meyer had such a unique take on a well known story. It was full of interesting characters, intriguing content and that secrets.
I think this is a fun, feminist take on a classic as Cinder is a kick ass character and not going to let anyone get in her way of taken care of herself and the ones she loves. Just like a fairy tale, I was swept up in this tale and completely lost in the world and story that was so beautifully weaved together by Meyer.
Original Review
Until I read this book I was on the edge about fairy retellings. I feel like retellings are a hard thing to tackle, the creation of a new story based off of one already in existence can end up being too similar and like a rip off of the original.
This was not the case for Cinder, which is about a girl named Cinder who is a cyborg (how cool is that) Although I knew going into this that this was a story based off of Cinderella, I completely forgot as I got lost in the brilliant world and story created by Marissa Meyer. The sci-fi elements and twist were a refreshing take on the fairy tale. I also am in love with the incorporation of the Lunar and the elements of the disease that are added to this story. Iko was my absolute favorite character, she is funny and such a great sidekick.
Overall, everything about this story was great and it was all so new and unique. The character development and world building alone is a reason this is a must read book.
“Even in the future the story begins with once upon a time.”
*disclaimer this contains affiliate links*