Cinder is a futuristic retelling of Cinderella. Yes, I hear you screaming about how sick you are of the constant Cinderella retellings, that they are now as commonplace as a loaf of bread, but let me tell you, Cinder is different. I mean, how many of you have read a Cinderella story where the Cinderella character is a cyborg? If you've read Cinder already, stop raising your hand. That's cheating.
Where was I? Oh yes.
Cinder is a futuristic retelling of Cinderella, set in Japan, where androids are common as servants, there are colonies on the moon, and if you're in a horrible accident, you can get fixed by doctors putting all sorts of metal gears in you as legs, arms... Seemingly anything. That's how one becomes a Cyborg. Now, Cinder has had some major surgery when she was eleven, making her over 30% not-human, and she can't remember anything from before the surgery.
Now, things are not so great between the moon colony (called Lunars) and the Earthens. Like, edging on major war if Prince Kai (next in line to be emperor of Japan) doesn't marry the queen of the Lunars. Who is a horrible person and no one likes her because she manipulative and slightly magical (or has some bio-electricity thing, which I didn't quite get.) and there is also a horrible, seemingly incurable plague that is killing people off like flies. Which Cinder's nice stepsister happens to catch (yes, there is also an evil stepmother and evil stepsister).
Then Cinder is volunteered by her "legal guardian" (stepmother) for the cyborg draft for testing to find a cure for the plague. Which no one usually survives. Spoiler alert: Cinder does.
Cinder was an excellent read, an interesting plot paired with good writing and an apparent understanding of futuristic technology, if that's possible. There were some things involving mechanics and androids and such that was a bit over my head, being completely hopeless in the realm of that sort of thing. I read it quickly - okay, devoured it - and was left dying for more. There are future books, but the next is planned for release in 2013, and I'm not quite sure I can wait that long.
Cinder receives 4.5 hearts! A wonderful read.
♥♥♥♥❥
Cinder can be bought here, and you can learn more about Marissa Meyer and her writing on her website, here!
Cinder is also a nominee for YALSA's Teens' Top Ten, as are some of my other reviews, like The Scorpio Races. Check them out!
Happy reading!
x
Eleven
