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November 18, 2012

Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer


Title: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication date: January 3rd, 2012
Genre(s): Young Adult (Sci-Fi)
Challenges: A-Z, 
Source: Library
Format: Hardback
Pages: 387
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.
I've heard so many great things about Cinder, but I just never had the time to actually start it. Now, I regret doing so. Cinder absolutely deserved all of the attention it got from all the readers. Now I finally understand why so many people loved and devoured this book. For me, the thought of reading about cyborgs kind of weirded me out. I didn't exactly understand what cyborgs were, and I kind of thought I was getting myself into a book that was all about mechanics and robots. I was mistaken. True, it had a little bit of that, but it was so delicious and yummy to read about. (Does that even make sense? haha) The main protagonist, Cinder, is the best mechanic you can find in New Beijing. Despite that, she's also a cyborg, who has always been treated differently because of that. Cinder lives with her stepmother and her two stepsisters.  
If you don't already know, Cinder is a retelling of Cinderella. That might sound a bit annoying or intimidating, but it never felt like cinderella at all. It was so different in so many ways, and I honestly loved every part of it. I liked how sometimes I expected something to happen because I know it happened in Cinderella, but then it doesn't. This book was very unexpected. Now, let's talk about the characters. Cinder was such an amazing character to get to know. I really felt connected to her, and I really liked how she coped by herself, and was so responsible in so many things. She wasn't one of those female protagonists that have you feeling sorry for them because of their sad situations. Prince Kai was in so many ways perfect, and non perfect, if you get what I mean. I really loved how the two of them met each other, and it was more to the realistic side than the oh so romantic this feels like a true fairytale side. The conflict of the story was brilliant, and just genius. I don't think there was ever a part where the story felt a tad boring, or just out of place. The flow was great, and it really got me turning pages.
I'm not a person who really cares about the world building, but I've got to say, it was really amazing in Cinder. Cinder takes place in the future, where science is very developed to the point where they have cyborgs, moving androids, and hovercrafts. It was mesmerizing to get into it all, and it was really fun to imagine the whole scenario. To me, I think the most important part of the book is the ending, and let me tell you, Cinder has one HECK of an ending. I absolutely loved it, and I really cannot wait to find out what happens next. Overall, I recommend Cinder to all readers out there. If you haven't read Cinder, don't wait and be an idiot like me because you will regret it. 

30 comments:

  1. Woohoo! Glad you liked it, I knew you would! :D

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  2. Oh yay!!!! I remember LOTS of people were on the fence about this then loved it. Me included. It just delivered on all sides for me. World, characters, plot... it had it all. I'm so glad you enjoyed it too!

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  3. I must read this soon! I've only heard fabulous things and though the blurb doesn't really grab my attention, sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and give books you might usually pass up a go - this is one of those times. So glad to hear your a new fan of the series and that the hype is well worth it :D

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  4. I feel bad every time when I see a review for Cinder. I've hear some amazing things about it and I feel bad for not reading it. Now I surely will! Great review! :)

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  5. Faraaaahhh! Your review make me want to drop my current read and read Cinder now! Ugghhh, I don't know why I still haven't read this. I need to get into this real soon. Fantastic review, girl. So glad to see you enjoyed this too. I can't wait to meet Cinder and Prince Kai! :)

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  6. Yay! So glad you loved this!! I really enjoyed it too. I listened to the audiobook and it was fantastic!! Can't wait for Scarlet!!

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  7. I was actually attracted to the cyborg part of it, but I generally avoid retellings at all costs, so I avoided this one too despite the wonderful reviews. I seem to have been wrong all along, though. I'm glad to hear that it has little to do with Cinderella.
    Great review.

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  8. I love that this book is unexpected. I got this book for review and I actually started reading it and then school got crazy and I put it down. Then my roommate wanted to borrow it and I haven't gotten it back. Your review reminds me that I need to go get it ASAP and finish it.

    Great review!

    Michelle @ Book Briefs

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  9. Glad you enjoyed it! The world building and the plot is the best thing about this series. I recently read the sequel, Scarlet, and I also really loved it!

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  10. Yaaaaay, another fan! :D I wasn't so happy with the whole cyborg-thing in the beginning, but it totally blew me away. The world-building is a wonderful aspect of this book. Add a fascinating plot and nice characters and you got yourself a perfect book ^^ Great review!

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  11. Wahoo! So glad that you loved it too! I loved the whole thing about the cyborg and the Cinderella retelling together, but i thought that it was obvious who and what Cinder was. Anyway, great review as always! (Makes me want to read it again.)

    Sangita @ Whisper of Reads.

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  12. YAY I'm so glad you loved this one Farah! When I went into this book last year (I got it on NetGalley- it was actually my first approved book!), I had absolutely no idea it was a retelling of Cinderella. It was after I had finished the book, and saw a review on Goodreads when I finally found out. So you're so right, this book doesn't really feel like a retelling of it at all, and I actually loved that! I like how the author only loosely based the story off of Cinderella.

    I think the romance also has a fairy tale feel to it! I totally agree that it was realistic and sweet. Cinder grew on me so much, as did Prince Kai! I was cheering for them both throughout the entire book.

    Fantastic review Farah! <3

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  13. 5 stars?? Farah I really need to pick Cinder up soon, it sounds like it sure packs a punch; delicious, yummy, full of conflict and a killer ending, I want to whack myself over the head for not picking it up sooner. I'm always worried about picking up retellings, but your enthusiastic review has definitely given me the encouragement to give it a try! Beautiful review Farah! :)

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  14. 5 stars! Yay! I enjoyed this too, maybe not as much as most people, but I still look forward to the sequel. Wonderful review, Farah! :)

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  15. Oh man you've got me afraid for the ending! one heck of an ending, what does that mean??

    I put off Cinder for a long ass time because of the cyborgs, like you I just didn't get it. Then I read the five chapter sampler and was hooked! o.o I've got this one on my shelf, I hope to read it soon.

    Fab review!

    Amber Elise @ Du Livre

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  16. I am dying to read this book and after your review I want it in my hands ASAP!! LOL ;p I can't wait to meet the characters and explore the unique world for myself! YAY for 5 stars! Glad you enjoyed it so much! Awesome review, Farah! :)

    ~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair

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  17. 5 stars!! Woohoo! I'm glad you liked this :) I loved it too!!!

    -Ariella @ Secrets of Lost Words

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  18. I believe I'm an idiot! :p I haven't read this yet. I know it's good and many others loved it. I don't know what's keeping me from reading it, maybe I'm just waiting for the second installment so I don't have to wait for a very long time. I'm happy that you loved this one, Farah! :D

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  19. Ha, yay! I'm so happy you loved this! Even though it was a four star for me, I have so much love for this book, and recommend it highly to anyone. :)

    I'm not incredibly world building focused either as a reader. I'm much more about characters.

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  20. Great review! I keep meaning to start this series. Hopefully soon!

    Thanks for following my blog! I am now a happy new follower of yours!

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  21. I really loved this book! I thought it was such a unique spin on a well-worn story. Great review!

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  22. I plan on reading this soon cause I got the second book for review. Nice review :)

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  23. I'm glad you loved it as much as I did! I can't wait for book two, because Cinder was bloody amazing XD

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  24. So glad you loved it! And yeah, the ending.... oh man. I can't wait to read the 2nd book!

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  25. I have read so many positive reviews for this lately. I really need to read it soon! :)

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  26. I'm happy to hear you loved it, Farah! I didn't like it as much as you did, but I can certainly see why you loved Cinder so much. Lovely review!

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  27. Really need to get to this one!!!

    Valerie
    StuckInBooks.com

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  28. Aah, I want to read this so bad! The fact that even though it's a "retelling" and it's still detached from the original is AWESOME.

    Great review Farah!

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  29. I have heard so many amazing things about this! But I haven't had a chance to read it yet either. I was also on the fence since a cyborg Cinderella sounded weird to me but with all the fantastic reviews I'll definitely give it a try. I love world building so I'm glad to hear that was impressive!

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