Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

 

 

Genre: Young Adult (Sci-Fi Fantasy Romance)

Cinder is the first book in the Lunar Chronicles written by Marissa Meyer. In New Beijing, where humans, androids, and cyborgs exist together, a young cyborg named Cinder lives and works as a very talented mechanic for her mean step-mother. Cinder became a cyborg as a young child when she barely survived a fatal accident. Since then, she has been looked down upon by many of those around her. Her life becomes a whirlwind of change when Prince Kai brings his personal android in to be fixed by her. Shortly after her step-sister comes down with the plague and her step-mother blames Cinder and sends her off to be a lab rat for the palace scientist to poke and prod. Cinder makes plans to escape, but as she learns new things about her past and her self, a new sense of duty starts pulling at her to stay.

Cinder takes place in the future, after World War IV. The story had a strong Star Wars feel to it. I was apprehensive about reading it at first, because I have a hard time really getting into and focusing on the story in many Science Fiction books. This was not the case with Cinder. It was a pleasant little surprise and I'm very glad I took a chance on it. From the very beginning, Cinder started to pull at my heart strings. She is a sweet, young teenager who has been forced to live a very hard life and as the book goes on, it only gets harder for her. This was a very emotional read. The author is truly gifted in creating strong feelings in her readers for her characters. They are strong and believable. Prince Kai is endearing. When you see things from his point of view, his conflicting emotions of heart vs. duty as he debates over what is best for his people are realistically portrayed. Even Cinder's android best friend, Iko, will sneak her way into your heart as the story progresses. On the same note, you will thoroughly loathe the villains! This is not the typical Cinderella story. While reading it you will laugh and you will definitely cry, but you won't be able to guess if this girl is going to get her happily ever after.I will definitely be keeping an eye on this series. 

Cinder will be released on January 3, 2012. Be sure to pre-order your copy.

Watch the Book Trailer Here!

To learn more about Marissa Meyer and her books, visit her Blog. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter. 

You can also see this review on Examiner.

Check out my review of the next book in this series!

This ARC was provided to me by the publisher through Netgalley for review. The opinions are my own.