Monday, January 23, 2012

Review: Cinder

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1)
by Marissa Meyer
Paperback
384 pages
Published January 5th 2012
by Puffin 

Summary:
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. 

Thoughts:
This book truly deserves all the hype that it's getting. And I would definitely include this as of the great reads of 2012. Although the story is predictable given that it is based on the famous fairy tale; Cinderella, the setting and the author's take on the characters made it much more interesting than just a tale of a normal girl falling in love with a prince.
Cinder is a cyborg and has no memories whatsoever on the events prior to her becoming one. And she's also a damn good mechanic. So in one surprisingly very eventful day, her life changed forever when Prince Kai came to her booth and request her to fix his beloved android. 
Prince Kai is very one dimensional in some way. He's kind, handsome and well he's a prince. He's the perfect Prince Charming. Unfortunately, with the death of his father, the Commonwealth is under severe threat from the Lunar Queen Levana who is forcing him to marry her.
Yes a 30 year old queen is forcing a much younger (18) prince to marry her. Cougar alert! And the political conflict that Prince Kai is embroiled in is essentially the core of the story because Cinder is very much part of it. Ah..since I'm trying hard not to include spoilers..you have to read it yourself to find out.

Dislikes
I love everything about this book except for the Lunars of course. As villains go they're pretty scary especially Queen Levana. She's like the Wicked Witch of the West or something with her unnatural beauty and her powers of persuasion. She makes Cinder stepmother; Adri look like an angel. Really scary.

Likes
Cinder! I love it when a character is humble and independent. She resisted Prince Kai so many times and she's quite resourceful on her own. She only came to the ball to rescue him eventhough she knew that her life is at stake. I am so rooting for her all the way! And Iko the android is pretty funny too.

Oh my God! Yes the ending is just so...I'm speechless. I can't believe that we have to wait a whole year for the next book. 

Recommended for: everyone
Verdict: 5 stars.

In my Debut Author Reading Challenge
Available on: Amazon

14 comments:

  1. WOW! Thanks! I have been unsure about this one and then I recently decided I definitely needed to check it out. But your review really makes me want to read it. I'm curious about the ending now. I hate waiting for the next books!

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  2. Great review! I already have this on my shelf and still I procrastinate even after all the good reviews I read ;)

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  3. I will definitely be reading this book. Cinderella is one of my favorite princess stories so I know I will enjoy this book. The storyline is so unique, no wonder so many people are giving this book a high rating.

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  4. This book has been everywhere over the Internet. It does fascinate me.

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  5. Nice review! I agree, Queen Levana was SO scary and evil! Her powers were unnerving. I can't wait to read the next book (I can't believe we have to wait so long!)

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  6. ROFL at "cougar alert"...that made me laugh so hard. Thank you for that. This was an excellent review.

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  7. i want to read this one..heard a lot of good review on cinder.. thanks for the review:)

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  8. Great review, this book is on my wishlist. I'm thinking I may have to movie it upto the top of my list. :)

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  9. I loved Iko too!! I was so sad when what happened to her happened. I hope Cinder can fix her!! I'm also rather antsy waiting for Scarlett, hehe.

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  10. LOL at The "Cougar Alert"! Great review! You've made me want to read it even more now! :)

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  11. I really loved this book too. At least you found something to dislike. When I wrote my review, I honestly couldn't come up with anything. Even the evil is awesome in this one.

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  12. Cinderella is my all-time favourite calssic fairy tale. Most of my Goodreads friends gave 4-5stars for this as well. Can't wait to read this!

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  13. Loveeedd to get my hands on this! I chat with Marissa last week and she wanted Harry Shum to be prince Kai if there was a movie, I want to ask for your opinion, who do you think should play Prince Kai? :P

    I kind of have a love for evil character, I can't wait to see how I feel about Queen Levana.

    Amazing review! Short and precise! <3

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    1. Since I'm assuming Prince Kai is Asian then I would love Korean heart throb Kim Hyung Joon to play him but I guess the problem with most Asian actors is that they cannot speak English properly. :)

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