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 … 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.
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This book was sold to me on the premise of ‘It’s Cinderella except she’s a cyborg who has to save planet earth from being invaded by aliens from the moon with mind control powers.’ The problem was, the story itself couldn’t quite live up to the expectations set by that description. Don’t get me wrong, the image of Cinderella leaving her actual robotic foot behind as she flees a ball overrun by aliens trying to kill her fills me with great joy but the plot felt a bit predictable (the ‘big twist’ in particular was obvious from maybe one or two chapters in) and it didn’t quite pull me in enough to actually make me keen to read any further in this series. I think this is ultimately a series that would suit readers on the younger side of YA, who I have no doubt will have a greater appreciation for this futuristic and campy take on the classic fairytale.
Love the whole series
Predictable but intelligent and enjoyable. Unique with great characters.
This is a great story with a prevalent plot. There was no foul language or sex. It is great for grades 5-12 students.
My fourteen-year old has been begging me to read this one for at least a year now–and it’s spectacular. I love the world-building. Everything from Cinder’s cyborg parts to her stall in the market is shown in beautiful detail that makes the story come alive.
And, of course, fairy-tale re-tellings are among my very favorite kinds of stories. This Cinderella remake is absolutely delightful. Yes, I’m reading the other books (just as soon as I make some headway on my to-do list).
Cinderella reimagined as a Cyborg in a futuristic New Beijing, Cinder has to figure out how to save herself, her emperor and her people without starting an intergalactic war.
What I liked about this story is the developing romance between Cinder, a mechanic, and Kai, the emperor-to-be. It felt sweet, real and forbidden.
The stepmother was nasty enough without being over the top and making it difficult to read. There’s just enough horridness in Cinder’s life to make you root for her more.
My favourite part of the book is when Cinder finally arrives at the ball – in her very unique way. Loved it!
Cinder is a character I’d love to journey with in more books. She’s interesting, smart and strong, not letting her heritage get in her way of being who she wants to be.
And though I wanted to see a happily ever after immediately, I know that defeating the evil queen Levana and bringing peace to Earth and Luna has to happen first – which means I’ll have to read the rest of the series to see what happens!
I recommend this to everyone who loves fairy tale retellings along with science fiction and a dash of fantasy in their Young Adult books.
This book constantly had me captivated from the beginning to end. The main character Cinder is very well developed. Her companions she meets along her journey help Cinder prepare for what’s to come. Overall this book was an amazing read.
I absolutely love this book. It is my all time favorite and now I have my sister reading it!
I chose to read Cinder as part of the Summer Reading program with my local library. I’m so glad that I was challenged to read outside my normal genres. Cinder is a fantastic retelling of Cinderella with a SCI-FI twist. I was immediately caught up in the story. It’s well written and nicely paced. This book was hard to put down.
Recommend to those who enjoy young adult sci-fi.
I borrowed a copy from my local library. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
I don’t even know where to start with this book… I’ve read all the books in the Lunar Chronicles including the spin-off novels and they have all blown me away. Such a creative re-telling of our most basic fairy tales – Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, The Snow Queen, Snow White, and a myriad of other tiny details from other stories that I’m sure many readers also picked up on.
This was probably one of the most unique retellings I’ve ever read and is one of my favorites, years later and my teenager is now reading them as well and I love that we can both bond and gush over these books together. I think this series will continue to gain new fans for decades to come, who knows? Maybe they’ll become just as immortalized as the original Grimm tales?
This whole series is amazing and I’m glad I read it. The world building and the characters are spectacular and this is one of my favorites.
I didn’t think I would like this book solely because it is based in the future and involved space ships… I was wrong.
I was so hooked by Cinder that I immediately bought the rest of the series. In the end, Cress was my favourite!
This book is great. A different rendition of Cinderella. Where she ends up being a princess from the moon. Fast and easy read. Great characters
And easy to follow.
Cinder is a book I’ve seen ALL OVER the internet for years. My little sister even picked it up to read, so I decided I may as well give it a try. The concept is unique enough. A futuristic spin on Cinderella, with cyborgs and moon people. I give credit for that, but the story itself simply didn’t hold my interest. I guess cyborgs aren’t my jam. I seem to be in the minority with my opinions on this book. Most people seem to love it, so if it sounds like something you would enjoy, I say go ahead and give it a chance. You may disagree with me on this one.
Oh my gosh this was a fantastic read. I loved this book and then got obsessed with Marissa Meyer’s writing and bought all her novels. She is such an amazing writer it’s unbelievable. There are original characters that still have a base in the original fairy tale. The plot is so amazing it keeps you on the edge of your seat and will have you not wanting to put the book down.
As much as I love Cinderella stories, let’s face it–there are a LOT out there, giving Meyer some pretty fierce competition (Ella Enchanted, anyone?). That being said, this book very quickly skyrocketed to the top of my favorites list. I absolutely loved the concept of Meyer’s heroine– where Cinder isn’t a housebound cleaner, but a CYBORG mechanic. I mean, how cool is that? Pairing in a cast of wonderful characters (if you don’t fall in love with Iko are YOU even a human? You too, might be a cyborg) and some of the best world building I have ever read, Meyers weaves a thrilling, completely immersive tale that you can’t help but be lost (and happily so) in.
Honestly, I have a hard time imagining ANYONE disliking this book, and have no problems recommending it to basically everyone, BUT that being said: if you like fairy tales, Cinderella, Sci Fi, adventure, romance, and incredible worlds, check out Cinder–you’ll be glad you did.
This book and the series it’s in (The Lunar Chronicles) is no doubt my favourite book! I love how the author takes these fairy tales and turns them around. It’s no doubt a page-turner. I stayed up reading them till 11 and 12. I Highly recommend this book!!
I loved this book so much! I love how Real it could be an dhow it relates to my life! Marissa Meyer
I love how the book is packed with action. There isn´t a part that I hate. I love how there´s a big cliff hanger so you HAVE to read the next books!!
I wish I had finished Cinder when I first started it about four years ago! I came back this year to read the book in its entirety and I am so glad that I did. Cinder is an intricate, high stakes story filled with vivid characters that breathe life into the compelling concept of a futuristic world containing a cyborg Cinderella. I enjoyed the characters, their relationships, and their realistic motivations and struggles. The villain was believable and dangerous, adding more tension to an already tense world facing a seemingly incurable plague, where the heroes have to make difficult decisions to preserve themselves or to save others. The ending sets up the beginning of the series nicely and makes you want to reach for the sequel the moment after you’re done with Cinder!