Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Add it: Goodreads
Source: Raincoast Books for review
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Format: Hardcover, 390 pages
Release Date: January 3, 2012

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 wonderfully unique book, brilliant and entrancing. Marissa Meyer brings life back to the old fairytale by revamping, well... almost everything.

Now, I'm guessing that most of you are familiar with the tale of Cinderella. While I love it for certain reasons, there are also things that get on my nerves when I'm feeling particularly critical. Like, for example, Cinderella herself. Instead of a somewhat wimpy heroine that can't seem to manage much without the help of a fairy godmother, Cinder in this story is strong and capable. I loved her fiery personality! She isn't afraid to speak her mind, even though she's a cyborg and therefore deemed "second-class."

When Cinder meets Kai (Prince Charming)... she is charmed. Charmed, attracted, shocked -- but not hopelessly in love. I love the direction the author chose for Cinder and Kai's relationship. They start off in a business-related relationship (and tell me, is it not awesome that Cinder is a mechanic?) and friendship blooms from there. They have an easy banter between them and I was really, really rooting for them by the end. Kai is a sweetheart!

The setting? The plague? The possible war? EXCITING STUFF! Cinder is packed with things that are just completely unique and inventive. There are a lot of genres working together here and it's almost a bit overwhelming at times, but for me, it just totally worked.

I didn't want this book to end. I prolonged the read when I came to the last few chapters because I wasn't ready to let it go yet and that is never something I do. I think I've been driving my family and friends a little crazy with all of the talk of this book because it has wrapped its gorgeous pages around my brain and will not let go!

Magnificent.

Cover Comments: It's really cool! There's that connection to the original story with the shoe but you can also clearly see the sci-fi aspect as well, which I think is very representative of the novel. Plus, the font is neat.