But let's be honest: you had me at "Cyborg Cinderella." ;)
To say that Cinder is a cyborg Cinderella story really doesn't do it justice, though - much like this cover:
Apparently Meyer's publisher hoped a Twilight cover clone would make us confuse her with Stephenie Meyer - a deception only made worse by the fact that not only does Cinder never wear red shoes in the book, she doesn't even have skin over her metal foot. Ug.
Quick comparison shot.
That's about where my griping ends, though, and we can't hold the cover against Meyer; odds are she didn't have a say in it anyway. Besides, cover notwithstanding, Cinder is darn close to absolute literary perfection.
You heard me: perfection.
Now, you might be tempted to think - as I did - that a cyborg Cinderella story simply MUST have an element of humor to it.
It doesn't.
In fact, Cinder is a wholly nuanced, sophisticated, and surprisingly believable story that adheres to the fairy tale only in its most basic aspects. It then builds on those aspects, layering in a deeper, richer story with so much more at stake than romance. At times Cinder is fighting for friendship, for family, and later for the freedom of her entire planet. This is not the Cinderella who runs weeping to her room; this is the Cinderella with the strength and independence to fight for both herself and those she loves.
[To clarify: there are lighter moments of humor in Cinder, like in any good book, but the overall story isn't meant to be funny. Sorry if I made it sound too dark!]
The setting for Cinder is its own character: a futuristic "New Beijing" that reminded me strongly of the cityscapes in Blade Runner or The Fifth Element, complete with hovercrafts and cramped marketplaces. The Asian cultural elements sprinkled throughout add another layer of depth and color, as the prince won't be king some day, he'll be emperor.
Cinder herself is a mechanic - the best in the city - but she's reviled for the android limbs and programming that make her a cyborg. She tries to hide her identity behind gloves and high boots, but a chance encounter with the prince soon makes her life a lot more complicated.
Again, Meyer does a masterful job of raising the stakes: a deadly plague is decimating the country, while a hostile planet continues to threaten war. She also tries to create a mystery around Cinder's origins, but sadly gives the whole thing away on page 44 (!!) with her heavy-handed hints. I wish she hadn't made the "mystery" so obvious, but that's a minor qualm, really, and not so central to the story that it makes much difference.
I should also mention this is one of those stories that grabs you from the first line and refuses to let go, so clear your schedule before you pick it up. I made the mistake of starting it around midnight, and was close to finishing all 450 pages in the same sitting, except John started questioning my sanity around 7AM. Ha! Tired as I was the next day, my first priority after work wasn't a nap, it was finishing this book. (Don't you love that feeling?)
Cinder feels like an older YA title, but content-wise it's fine for younger kids, too; no violence, language, or sexual content. There are some heavy topics and potentially disturbing imagery, but no where near as dark as, say, The Hunger Games trilogy.
Cinder's ending doesn't exactly end, but it does reach a point where I felt pretty satisfied to leave off.
You all know how I feel about cliff hanger endings (KILL THEM WITH FIRE), but no obvious threads were left dangling, and you're given a strong sense of what's going to happen next, so it feels like a natural stopping point.
That's a tricky line to toe, reaching a conclusion while still moving forward, and I'm really impressed with how well Meyer pulls it off. I've already ordered the sequel, Scarlet
, but I'm not so much desperate to see what happens next as just looking forward to continuing a great story. If only all "cliffhangers" ended so well!So in a nutshell: definitely pick this one up if you haven't already - but maybe get a good nap in, first. ;)
Looking for more? Then check out my complete list of book reviews and recommendations right here. And as always, please tell me what I should read next in the comments!
sadly gives the whole thing away on page 44 (!!) with her heavy-handed hints
ReplyDeleteYeah, that was my biggest gripe with the story too. I almost gave up on the series after reading Cinder because I disliked how predictable it was. Luckily, I didn't, and the next two books just get better. I can already predict you're going to LOVE Cress!
You lost me at "no humor." I might pick it up from the library and give it a shot, but I'm not a big drama fan. My favorite authors have the ability to write laugh-out-loud lines (cake wrecks, for example). The whole thing doesn't have to be a laugh-a-minute, but there has to be something fun about it or I might as well be reading Steinbeck.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it, though. I distinctly remember reading one of the Harry Potter books until 6am once. It's always fun when a book grabs you, isn't it?
While it's not a humor-based storyline, there are DEFINITELY parts that would have you laughing out loud. Don´t write it off just yet!
Delete--Elizabeth G
Oops, sorry, I should go back and add a caveat: I more meant that the story's *concept* is not humorous, but there are definitely lighter moments, including a funny robot sidekick. Definitely not Steinbeck, I promise!
DeleteBut Steinbeck is great! And funny! Well, not East of Eden (which had me crying my eyes and heart out), but Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday saw me laughing all the way through.
DeleteI loooooooooove this series, predictability aside. However, I have to disagree with you about there being no humor. It's not a comedy, of course, but I think she does sprinkle some humor in there (how can you not laugh at Iko sometimes?). This probably happens even more in the next two books with the addition of one character in particular. I'll be curious to hear what you think of Scarlet and Cress. I continue to love them even more, but my husband didn't like Scarlet nearly as much as Cinder (he hasn't gotten to Cress yet because we have to trade Kindles).
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ReplyDeleteSpoilers sweetie!
DeleteNot having had the chance to finish the Divergent series yet (there are nearly 200 holds on the second book at our local library) I would have appreciated not knowing this, or at least be warned of major spoilers so I could skip over the comment.
DeleteAAHH!! I'm a librarian so I'm around fans of the series all the time but I haven't read all of the books yet and I managed not to find out about that. Until now :( Careful with that kind of thing, please!
DeleteSorry, guys! I just deleted the original comment for major spoilers.
DeleteSorry, but I would have preferred to know about that kind of major 'spoiler' before beginning to read a book - I wouldn't have started the series if I had known about the ending! That kind of ending ruined my day.
DeleteOh also, if you haven't already, check out The Girl Who Would Be King and Storykiller, both by Kelly Thompson.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great series. I picked cinder up as a bargain hardcover - then immediately ran back and purchased the just-released scarlet right after, and pre-ordered cress. I can't wait for the last book in the series.
ReplyDeleteI can forgive the hints about cinder's origins since it doesn't really spoil the story for me.
I could be completely wrong but from what I heard, this started out as sailor moon fan fic that took on a (wonderful) life of its own. That was the other thing that sold me on the book (other than cyborg cinderella) cos I *loved* the sailor moon series growing up.
~erin kristine
Okay one more. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson. That entire series was very universally loved in my house.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, maybe I will give this a go. I giggled out loud over KILL THEM WITH FIRE. We just finished The Paladin Prophecy Book 2 (Alliance), and not only is the ending obnoxiously cliff hanger, I struggled to find a release date for book 3 anywhere. Le sigh.
ReplyDeleteI sincerely hope you went ahead and ordered Cress as well! I love these books SO MUCH. I am dying having to wait for the last book next year!
ReplyDelete--Elizabeth G
This sounds a whole lot like The Windup Girl, by Paolo Bacigalupi, which I HIGHLY recommend. Be warned, though, that Windup Girl is darker and much more adult than Cinder, but it is advertised as mature young adult. It takes place in a post-oil-dependent world, in Bangkok. The world is run by multinational corporations called "calorie companies," who are constantly on the lookout for new foods that can be genetically manipulated and patented. The seas are rising. Bangkok is filled with Chinese refugees. So that's the backdrop for a wonderfully realized, dystopian story about an engineered girl who is manufactured only for the very rich. I really liked this one!
ReplyDeleteThe description here reminded me of The Windup Girl, too! Although I would warn certain readers away from the latter due to graphic rape scenes, objectification of women, a controversial amount of "othering" Asian culture, and few likeable characters. But so many people loved it that I can't say it was a bad book; just one I wasn't prepared for.
DeleteI had this in my hand one week ago and decided I would look for a little more info online. I think I'll be picking it up now. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved Cinder! I've read Scarlet and have Cress in my pile of "to read" books. I like how she keeps adding fairy tale characters to the books.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the few books that I really enjoyed as an audio. We listened to it on a long road trip with two 70ish and a 12 year old and we all loved it. Scarlet wasn't my favorite, but it helps understand parts of Cress.
ReplyDeleteUgh, I hate when the clues are obvious. That's generally why I don't like mysteries. But I love plays on fairytales, especially Cinderella (Ella Enchanted was one of my FAVORITE books as a kid, and I feel it holds up even as an adult), so this is definitely on my to-read list.
ReplyDeleteI second the recommendation for "The Windup Girl"! If you don't mind a little horror, I also totally recommend Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko (the English translation, obvi). I haven't read the rest of the series yet, but I ate through Night Watch like nobody's business. It's not super-scary, but it's got some pretty dark themes, and I love it. Not YA though.
I'd second night watch and add day watch and twilight watch (and have but haven't started last watch or new watch).
DeleteHere's another one that sounds interesting. I got this blub from the Tor.com website. Every month they profile upcoming new releases. This one sounds like the same steampunk universe as the Parasol Protectorate series (which is another frothy cozy steampunk series):
ReplyDeleteShanghai Sparrow—Gaie Sebold (May 8, Solaris)
The British Empire is at war, both within and without.
Eveline Duchen was once a country child, touched by the magic that clings to the woods. Now she is a street urchin in a London where brutal poverty and glittering new inventions exist side by side, living as a thief and con-artist. Caught in an act of deception, Eveline is faced with Mr Holmforth, who offers her a stark choice. Transportation, or an education—and utter commitment to Her Majesty’s Service—at Madam Cairngrim’s school for female spies.
The school’s regime is harsh, but she plans to take advantage of everything they can teach her, then go her own way. But in the fury of the Opium Wars, the British Empire is about to make a devil’s bargain. Eveline’s choices will change the future of her world, and reveal the truth about the death of her sister Charlotte.
I saw this at target and took a pic so I would remember it....twice. I forgot about the first time when I took the pic a second time....then went to add it to my goodreads list and it was already there!! And now this....I think the universe is conspiring to get me to read this series!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's well worth it. I thoroughly enjoyed Cinder and I'm halfway through Scarlet. They're well written and fun twists on the traditional fairy tale. :)
DeleteArghhh I've been eyeing this up for weeks in the local charity shop. What's the betting it'll be gone now I do want to read it?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't start Scarlett unless you have Cress handy... It is a less satisfying ending, and leaves more threads loose (Cress knocks it back out of the park).
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one concerned with the Escher-ness of the shoe on the cover? I'm not sure if it's the heel in shadow that's throwing me, but that is some awkward looking footwear.
ReplyDeleteI think that's because it's supposed to be a glass slipper. I think Cinderella would have been a lot snazzier with red glass slippers, though she would then have to have had a red dress. I could still live with that.
DeleteMy sister owns this book, and is nearly done with it. It's definitely on my read-asap list.
ReplyDeleteThis book is currently only $2.99 as a Nook Book so I'll be reading it on my tablet!
ReplyDeleteI JUST finished the third book in the quartet, Cress, the other day. I absolutely adore this series, and the way Meyer weaves all the stories together is masterful, especially since you consider that they're all NaNoWriMo novels.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Neal Stephenson's "The Diamond Age, or A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer"? It's not YA by any stretch, but based on what you say here I bet you'd really enjoy it.
ReplyDelete:D I way scooped you on this one, Jen. In fact, Marissa Meyer was kind enough to sit down and answer some of my questions. If anyone is interested, here is the interview.
ReplyDeletehttp://thechristianmanifesto.com/archives/6670
Sad to say I really really really hated this book. It should have been great, but I found it to be plodding and predictable, and I disliked the major characters immensely. I also hate the new trick of "You know I'm going to turn this into a trilogy (or more) because dollars, so all of my books will end in a supremely unsatisfying way". I also like my villains to be more three-dimensional. We rarely disagree, Jen, but I think this one is a stinker :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to see someone else feels like I do. I wanted to love it, I forced myself through it and can't even say I liked it. Sorry, but we must agree to disagree on this one, Jen.
ReplyDeleteI was just going to let you know Jen that there is a third book out in the series called "Cress". All three of these books are awesome! I cannot wait for the fourth book, "Winter" to come out. For now I am stuck reading Laini Taylor's series Daughter of Smoke and Bone
ReplyDeleteI bought this book today on your recommendation ($2.99 on Kindle!) and let me just say, I'm in love.
ReplyDeleteThere are no love triangles, which I absolutely despise and Iko is my favorite. I felt like she was me inserted into the book (because of the Kai fangirling, Iko kept it real).
I'm hesitant to buy the next books because the final book isn't going to be released until next year, and that makes my face sad. I'm about as patient as a toddler when it comes to finishing book series, I want them all at once.
But I have a feeling Winter will be worth the wait.
I enjoyed these books (so far #1, #2 and #3). They are easy reads. I am looking forward to the 4th book. I also recommend the other mini-books that she has written. It flushes out the back story and they are super quick reads. I've only read Glitches and The Queen's Army. She also has The Little Android (The Lunar Chronicles, #0.6) and Carswell's Guide to Being Lucky (The Lunar Chonicles, #3.5).
ReplyDelete+1 to KILL THEM WITH FIRE (tone: still disgruntled about a book I read FOUR YEARS ago that literally just stops mid-conflict and the next book in the series is STILL NOT OUT YET and I just aaarrrrrgggghhhhh)
ReplyDeleteAhem.
Thanks for this rec, Jen. I've seen this at the library and hadn't picked it up yet, at least partially due to the Twilight-esque cover. ;)
I had such hopes for this book when I picked up a couple months ago. Her heavy handed hints telegraphed not only her origins, but also that this book was sentenced to sequel purgatory. Perfection is not the word I would use to describe this book, but it does have some nice atmosphere to it.
ReplyDeleteWell there goes my book allowance for the month...
ReplyDeleteCan't beat Gail Carriger when it comes to steampunk. Jane Austen meets Jules Verne. The Parasol Protectorate is fabulous. Waiting for the Custard Protocol.
ReplyDeleteI went to get Cinder and the Kindle edition is only $2.99! I love a good deal!
ReplyDeleteGlad you loved Cinder! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Cress... it is pretty close to perfection. The characters, the action, ack! Love it all!
ReplyDeleteCinder is actually the one I liked least of the series, the next two book she really improves her writing and the way she integrates the fairy tale origins with her tale. Cinder is the base of the whole series and she continues to build solidly off it, although she is still a little heavy handed in her foreshadowing. I can't wait for the forth book.
ReplyDeleteSounds like I have found the next book I am going to read. Thanks for the awesome reviews.
ReplyDeleteBTW, have you read the sequel to Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children yet? I saw it in BJ's last week and thought of you right away, since it was your recommendation that got me hooked on the book in the first place.
I can't wait to read this. I've been a fan of the author for a very long time. I used to write fanfiction when I was younger and she was ine of my biggest role models - she has written some breathtaking Sailor Moon fanfiction. I know it has a big stigma, but fanfiction is the springboard for many writers today to start from, and she was always unfailingly polite and helpful even to a not-so-great writer like me. If you're ever interested, you can read some of her best stuff online including an amazing epic that is all about fairy tales, which is what imspired her to write Cinder. It's calle sThe House on Thornrose Lane, and you can find her fanfiction here if you're so inclined: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/658410/Alicia-Blade
ReplyDeleteSince I liked your review, I bought Cinder ($2.99 on Kindle) and quickly read through it, being hooked right from the start. However, I felt that the ending was extremely a cliffhanger. It just stopped in the middle. I won't put any spoilers here, but it was extremely dissatisfying to see it just end without any resolution to anything. Which meant I bought Scarlet right away, and I was extremely disappointed to see that didn't start up where the last book ended.
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely in love with the Lunar Chronicles! I think that each book has gotten better than the last, and cannot wait for the last one, Winter.
ReplyDeleteStarted Cinder on your recommendation, finished it the same night. Picked up the next two. I like any book that runs a movie in my head while I'm reading it. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting about this book! I downloaded it to my Kindle app and absolutely devoured it. Just downloaded the 2nd book, Scarlet, today and I can't wait to read more about Cinder!
ReplyDeleteJust read this this weekend (rainy camping- perfect for a good book!) and just had to say thank you for the recommendation. I'll be honest- with the likeness to the Twilight cover, I was tempted to ignore it. Glad I didn't, and just picked up the second book this morning.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Thanks for this recommendation! I read it and loved it. Now I'm almost at the end of Scarlet. These books are fun and interesting. I read Cinder over the course of an entire Saturday (sorry laundry, dishes, bills!) and had a blast doing so. I also have to thank my local libraries for having the books on the shelves. :)
ReplyDelete-Ally
Cinder is amazing. My favorite character has to be Kai though, because he's one of the few examples of teenaged royalty in books that actually GETS STUFF DONE and cares more about his country than himself.
ReplyDelete