Monday 6 February 2012

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.

8 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed CINDER too, and for pretty much all of the same reasons you mentioned. I love the pairing of sci fi with fairy tale -- so awesome!

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  2. Whoop whoop! I'm so glad you enjoyed this book. I LOVED it! Great review!

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  3. Yay, so glad you enjoyed this one! I also love Cinder's fierce personality and yep it is pretty darn awesome that she is a mechanic. :D

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  4. SQUEEEEEEE! SONIA! YOU READ CINDER! AND YOU LOVED IT! AND I AM SO HAPPY! Totally agree with EVERYTHING you said. Cinder's inner fire, the friendship that first blossomed between her and Kai, the amazing worldbuilding, IKO!!!! and wow, just everything about it was fantastic. Love your review! But why why why do we have to wait so long for the sequel? *weeps*

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  5. I've got to read this now! I'm glad Cinder's tough in this one, because the Disney version always annoyed me to a point. Like, "You don't have to be a slave, you know. Grow a spine. Stick up for yourself!" Ah well.

    Great review! Cinder's on my list now for sure.

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  6. Cinderella gets on my nerves too! I don't actually like the fairytale - but that's why I love retellings. They take an old story and twist it - and sometimes it's even better! It seems like the case with Cinder - Cinder seems like an awesome character! So glad she's not all wimpy like Cinderella. Really excited to read this one - fab review! :)

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  7. I keep reading such great reviews about this one! And the more I read about it the more I want to pick it up

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  8. DUDE, IKR. Cinder as a level-minded mechanic who is attracted to the prince, but totally keeping it businesslike because she needs the moolahs more than lurve. She's kind of like my working idol. xD

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