| BOOK REVIEW | CINDER BY MARISSA MEYER

Cinder
Author : Marissa Meyer
Series : The Lunar Chronicles
Genres : Science Fiction, Young Adult
Publication : January 5th 2012 by Puffin

Synopsis : A forbidden romance.
A deadly plague.
Earth’s fate hinges on one girl . . .

CINDER, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She’s reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen – and a dangerous temptation.

Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth’s future.

This is not the fairytale you remember. But it’s one you won’t forget.

I kept hearing amazing things about The Lunar Chronicles and I must say, the hype was justified ! This book put me back into my reading kick !

Even in the Future the Story Begins with Once Upon a Time.

Plot

It’s a retelling of Cinderella. I was kind of worried I wouldn’t like it. The idea of reading a retelling wasn’t that appealing to me. But it was more than Cinderella story. In fact, you can sense it’s Cinderella because of some scenes but it wasn’t THAT obvious. It’s just a touch of references. The setting is from a fairy tale I must stay : she lives in New Beijing, in a post apocalyptic world where a lethal disease, Letumosis is becoming a pressing issue.
Cinder is a cyborg and a well-known mechanic in New Beijing. She lives with her tutor, Adri and her two half sisters.

I have to say that the plot was predictable. I guessed most of the plot twists or revelations way before it was revealed.
That being said, it didn’t bother me that much. The story was really gripping so I was more interested by the action taking place than by how predictable some points were.

Prince Kai! Check my fan, I think I’m overheating.

The characters are, on other hand, very intricate and intriguing. You want to know more about them ! I think the retelling’s setting brought more depth to them.

I find Meyer’s writing style amazing ! She writes wonderful descriptions of the surroundings, of the characters, of everything ! I could almost breathe New Beijing’s air !
I also liked how she wrote Kai/Cinder interactions. There’s no insta-love which I loved ! He flirts with Cinder, there are ups and downs and that makes their chemistry even more real.

Mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.

Characters

• Cinder is an amazing character ! She is such a badass woman ! I loved her from the beginning ! She is strong, fierce and sooo sarcastic !
  She’s honest and loyal to the very few ones she loves ! I love the idea of Cinderella being a mechanic and a cyborg ! I thought I wouldn’t like it, or find it too weird but how wrong I was !
• Prince Kaito is also a great character ! He wants to do what’s best for his country, he is ready to sacrifice himself in order to achieve it. He isn’t as flat as I thought he would be !
• Iko was so funny ! She is so lovely and I really adored her ! She is Cinder’s best friend.
• Queen Levana is really frightening. I hated her from the moment she was talked about. A real evil character !
• Dr Erland is such a nice character. I guessed what he was hiding very early but it’s okay ! He is such support for Cinder !

But if there was one thing she knew from years as a mechanic, it was that some stains never came out.

I’m currently reading Scarlet and I cannot wait to know more about this amazing series !

About the author

I live in Tacoma, Washington, with my husband and beautiful twin daughters. Represented by Jill Grinberg. Learn more about me and my upcoming books at www.marissameyer.com.

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