Review: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fairy Tales, Retellings
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: January 3, 2012

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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.

Review
Take one part Sailor Moon and one part Ghost In The Shell and mix with a healthy dose of Fairy Tale characters and you have Cinder, a book that I went into with insanely high expectations. Since Cinder's release in 2012 I've heard nothing but praise for not only this book but the entire series. So, naturally, you can probably understand why it has taken me so long to read it. Thankfully, long story short, I am pleased to announce that not only were my expectations met but they were actually exceeded several times over as well!

One of my favorite parts about Cinder as a character was that she was flawed and beautifully broken. Due to several events beyond her control, Cinder is treated as a second class citizen and her artificial parts keep her from being accepted by those who hold sway over her future. It takes the kindness of a few such as her step sister Peony and the charming Prince Kai for Cinder to realize that she is so much more than her cybernetic parts. 

Another thing I really loved about the book was the way the Author blended together so many genres. Cinder is no one trick young adult pony. If you like Science Fiction there is plenty. Like Dystopians? Yup, there is some elements of that as well. Want epic Romance? Plenty of Action and Adventure? Thrills,Chills,Fantasy? Yup,yup,yup Cinder has all of that and then some! It's really rare where a book can combine so many elements and pull it off flawlessly. It is a true testament to Marissa Meyer's writing that she is able to do so.

Lastly, I loved the pacing of the story it was simply perfect. If I didn't need to sleep and eat I easily could've finished Cinder in one sitting.

Now even though I loved Cinder. It did have one slight flaw that I feel should be mentioned even though it in no way changes how I ultimately feel about this book. My really insignificant problem occurred midway through the story. Cinder goes to visit Peony and spots the android nurses doing something highly illegal. She mentions her concern to the Doctor but nothing ever really comes from it. I just felt like it was a big nugget of information that shouldn't have been brushed aside so carelessly. Then again, I do have an idea about those chips so maybe, just maybe, we'll be seeing them again.

Final Thoughts
Cinder was an insanely good book from the first to very last page. I really can't express how much I enjoyed this Cinderella retelling. To the Authors credit she was able to take such a universally well known story that's been retold a million and one times over and yet despite this still managed to find an angle that hasn't been done before making Cinder and its world wholly unique and all its own. Really,well done Marissa Meyer, well done indeed. I highly recommend picking Cinder up and it's sequel Scarlett while you're at it. Trust me when I say you will not want to stop reading about Cinder, Kai and the oh so evil Lunar Queen once you turn that very last page. With that being said, I will be rating Cinder by Marissa Meyer ★★★★★.

 *Copy purchased. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated in an which way  for providing them.

About the Author
I live with my husband and our three cats (Calexandria Josephine, Stormus Enormous, and Blackland Rockwell III), who go in and out, in and out, about eight hundred times a day. In addition to my slight obsession with books and writing, I'm big on road-tripping, wine-tasting, and hunting for antiques.My favorite non-bookish things include Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, re-watching episodes of Firefly, and playing all manners of dress-up. 

I'm represented by Jill Grinberg.

Follow Marissa: Twitter / Pinterest / Goodreads / Website / Facebook

Comments

  1. *Fist pump* It is so good when a book exceeds your expectations!! It has so many elements that I know I will love! Great review Kristin!!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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    Replies
    1. Yes, yes, yes it truly is awesome when that happens. Let me know what you think if you ever read it!

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  2. I can't believe you're just now reading this, but I'm super happy that you liked it Cinder was one of the first books that I was approved for on NetGalley, so it'll always be dear to me without being as awesome as it is.

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  3. Oh, yay, I always love seeing someone pick up this series for the first time and loving it, too! And don't worry, your issue will be addressed. :) Hurry up and read Scarlet and Cress now! :D

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  4. Awesome to hear and yes I plan on reading Scarlet in the next few days.

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  5. I remember that I read Cinder right in the middle of all the hype so it didn't quite meet might expectations. I've kept up with the series though and I like it more with each book.

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