"Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, 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." - goodreads.com
I really wanted to get this book off my tbr pile because it sounded so interesting, also the hype on this book is ridiculous. Currently sitting at a standing of 4.12 out of 5 on goodreads, which means its good ,right? ... Right?! Well sadly, I guess I'm the black sheep because I only gave this book a 3 out of 5, reasons soon to be discussed.
Cinder is a Cinderella retelling, Cinder is a cyborg mechanic in New Beijing. Think 7 of 9 meets Cinderella, for those of you who don't know who 7 of 9 is.. I'm sorry. Anyway, I loved the way Marissa Meyer put in little pieces here and there to represent the original Cinderella, my favourite being the orange car. The writing is beautiful, flows very well and the details are great. Marissa makes sure you know all the characters, everything they are feelings and all the small details. The book was beautiful in that aspect. My very favourite thing about Cinder is the settling. New Beijing, it had obviously a very Asian feel to it, and as someone who loves everything about East Asia, I fell in love with the setting. Not many authors set their stories in that part of the world, it was a breath of fresh air.
Now what I didn't like? The foreshadowing in this book is ridiculous. By chapter 3 I already knew what was going to happen. I understand foreshadowing in books is so that you can think, wonder and guess what is going to happen. But there is a small line that if crossed you give away the entire ending, and sadly Marissa Meyer long jumped that line and landed four feet over it. Now, this doesn't mean the book is terrible, No not at all. I enjoyed the book, I just would rather find out the ending of the book at the end. It was like waiting all week for that last episode of your favourite show, finding out you can't watch it until the day after it airs, for it to be spoiled by friends on facebook.
I do plan on continuing with the next books, maybe not right now, but I will get to them eventually. I feel like if a book is way over hyped that you go in with all these expectations and when they aren't met then you fall on your face and go... what? why do you all love this? Hype is great to get things known but it also ruins it.
I do recommend this book to whoever would like to read an amazing retelling of Cinderella, but don't go in with hype on your shoulders, or you will be disappointed.
3 out of 5 Stars!
"I don't know. I don't actually remember anything from before the surgery."
His eyebrows rose, his blue eyes sucking in all the light of the room. "The cybernetic operation?"
"No, the sex change."
The doctor's smile faltered.
"I'm joking.”
Meyer was born in Tacoma, Washington and attended Pacific Lutheran University, where she received a degree in creative writing. Before writing Cinder, Meyer worked as a book editor for five years and wrote Sailor Moon fan fiction under the pen name of Alicia Blade. In an interview with The News-Tribune, she said that doing the fan fiction helped her learn the craft of writing, gave her instant feedback and taught her how to take criticism. - wikipedia.org
You can purchase Cindy from any of the retailers below
Amazon.ca - HERE
Amazon.com - HERE
Book Depository - HERE
I bought this book shortly after it was released and it is still waiting to be read. still looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy the book I just felt like the author gave too much away at the beginning. It was a good book though, I'm looking forward to the others she has written
DeleteI like this book too but there were things that annoyed me. I don't really like it when a western fiction uses Asia as a setting because it always feel fake and awkward to me. I am an Asian so I guess I have a lot of expectations and when it doesn't deliver I get irritated. Besides, I don't know if I'm the only one who have problems with the setting because I think it contributes to a lot of plot holes that comes with the setting like the language used by the citizens (Mandarin, Cantonese, Hakka etc?) and how they actually looks like (squinted eyes?). Maybe after they were colonized, all the Asian countries turn to a more western tradition? The subject was never brought up and remain unexplained. I might be the only one with this problem so, you don't need to heed me. xD Anyway, sorry for the long comment! I guess when I start complaining, I couldn't stop! xD
ReplyDeleteYah, that's understandable, I assume this would work the other way around, someone from China/Japan/SK writing from an American point of view. I am working very hard towards living and working over seas hopefully Japan (see my dream) so anything to do with that part of the world I snatch up right away! Feel free to comment as long as you want :P Different opinions and views is what makes the world turn!
DeleteI have this book in my TBR and I agree with you that it sounds grt..I have heard mixed comments abt this one and after reading your review I think I will wait now and take up some of the other books first. Thanks for sharing the review Karleigh :)
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-Nikita @Njkinny's World of Books & Stuff
Yah I find when something is hyped up to the extent this book is sometimes its a huge let down when it doesn't live up to the expectation. I'd love to see your review when you read it!
DeleteqJHKK - from brynn
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