Scan barcode
A review by abby_ace_of_books
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
4.0
Okay, so Abby might have a new favorite fairytale retelling series.
Look, my cousin has been begging me to read Cinder for years, but I didn't actually add it to my TBR until I saw the author post art of the love interests from her series, and I am only slightly ashamed to admit that I chose to read this because of pretty pictures. That being said, I am once again learning that my cousin may or may not know my book tastes better than I do because I read this in less than 24 hours.
Essentially, the story is a Cinderella retelling but with androids, cyborgs, and evil moon colonists with mind control. Cinder is a cyborg and a mechanic, and after meeting Prince Kai in the market one day, she becomes embroiled in politics, plagues, and an evil queen's plot for world domination. While it follows the familiar "girl goes to the ball" pattern, I was surprised at how many subplots could fit into one story. There are plagues, robots, princely politics, and fast pacing to keep me occupied. I found the plot twists to be a bit predictable, but given this reads as younger YA, I forgave that (because I would not have seen it coming a few years ago). I'm also a bit mad at the ending because I didn't realize the series would continue Cinder's story and was expecting more closure.
I thought the cast of this book was very enjoyable to read about. Peony being a "nice" stepsister was unexpected, and I liked Iko as the family's android, too. I still have mixed feelings about the doctor. I really liked Kai (because I've always been a fan of princes with morals who just want to be green flags), although I wish we got to see more of Levana's manipulation of him, considering she has the power to; she just never really did. Cinder is an intriguing protagonist, given she knows about as much about her backstory as the reader does, and I thought her stubborn personality, mixed with her technological knowledge, was unique for a "Cinderella" character.
Cinder is the first book in a sci-fi series of fairytale retellings that promises action, intrigue, and characters you'll root for from beginning to end.
4.25/5
Look, my cousin has been begging me to read Cinder for years, but I didn't actually add it to my TBR until I saw the author post art of the love interests from her series, and I am only slightly ashamed to admit that I chose to read this because of pretty pictures. That being said, I am once again learning that my cousin may or may not know my book tastes better than I do because I read this in less than 24 hours.
Essentially, the story is a Cinderella retelling but with androids, cyborgs, and evil moon colonists with mind control. Cinder is a cyborg and a mechanic, and after meeting Prince Kai in the market one day, she becomes embroiled in politics, plagues, and an evil queen's plot for world domination. While it follows the familiar "girl goes to the ball" pattern, I was surprised at how many subplots could fit into one story. There are plagues, robots, princely politics, and fast pacing to keep me occupied. I found the plot twists to be a bit predictable, but given this reads as younger YA, I forgave that (because I would not have seen it coming a few years ago). I'm also a bit mad at the ending because I didn't realize the series would continue Cinder's story and was expecting more closure.
I thought the cast of this book was very enjoyable to read about. Peony being a "nice" stepsister was unexpected, and I liked Iko as the family's android, too. I still have mixed feelings about the doctor. I really liked Kai (because I've always been a fan of princes with morals who just want to be green flags), although I wish we got to see more of Levana's manipulation of him, considering she has the power to; she just never really did. Cinder is an intriguing protagonist, given she knows about as much about her backstory as the reader does, and I thought her stubborn personality, mixed with her technological knowledge, was unique for a "Cinderella" character.
Cinder is the first book in a sci-fi series of fairytale retellings that promises action, intrigue, and characters you'll root for from beginning to end.
4.25/5