Cinderella the Cyborg
3:04 AM
Summary of Cinder
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.
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
Retellings of fairy tales hold a soft spot in my heart. I grew up reading books like Ella Enchanted, The Storyteller's Daughter, Beauty Sleep, and Snow. When I heard Cinder by Marissa Meyer was a retelling of Cinderella set in futuristic New Beijing with a cyborg for a protagonist, I knew I had to read it. I am happy to report that I enjoyed reading the book and particularly liked the world building and the characters.
Part of what I enjoyed so much while reading Cinder was the futuristic setting. I have't read too many Science Fiction books, so I found myself fascinated with the world building in this book. I love the way Meyer incorporates details about what it's like to be a cyborg into the theme of Cinderella feeling like she didn't fit in with her stepsisters and stepmother.
I was never really a big fan of the original Cinderella story or the Walt Disney animated film (the live action one they recently released was so visually stunning in comparison). The character of Cinderella was always too meek and mild mannered for my taste. In this book, however, Cinder is smart and capable. She is a mechanic and a whiz at fixing things. Her best friend is an android named Iko whose faulty personality chip means she loves to gush over pretty shoes and the Prince. Unlike Iko, and her stepsister Peony, Cinder has no desire to meet the Prince or go to the ball. In addition to Cinder's characterization, I also liked that Meyer made Prince Kai into a well developed character instead of a cardboard cut out Prince Charming. She also made sure to give Cinder's stepmother and stepsisters clear motivations for their actions.
Though I was able to predict a lot of the major plot reveals, I still enjoyed reading Cinder. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series!
Part of what I enjoyed so much while reading Cinder was the futuristic setting. I have't read too many Science Fiction books, so I found myself fascinated with the world building in this book. I love the way Meyer incorporates details about what it's like to be a cyborg into the theme of Cinderella feeling like she didn't fit in with her stepsisters and stepmother.
I was never really a big fan of the original Cinderella story or the Walt Disney animated film (the live action one they recently released was so visually stunning in comparison). The character of Cinderella was always too meek and mild mannered for my taste. In this book, however, Cinder is smart and capable. She is a mechanic and a whiz at fixing things. Her best friend is an android named Iko whose faulty personality chip means she loves to gush over pretty shoes and the Prince. Unlike Iko, and her stepsister Peony, Cinder has no desire to meet the Prince or go to the ball. In addition to Cinder's characterization, I also liked that Meyer made Prince Kai into a well developed character instead of a cardboard cut out Prince Charming. She also made sure to give Cinder's stepmother and stepsisters clear motivations for their actions.
Though I was able to predict a lot of the major plot reveals, I still enjoyed reading Cinder. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in the series!
2 comments
I agree, I like Marissa Meyer's version of Cinderella more than the more meeker versions of her. I like that she is given more of a purpose and it's so much fun to root for Cinder and company in this series. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series!
ReplyDeleteYes, I much prefer to read about heroines who are strong and actively try to better their lives. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the rest of the books in the series as well:)
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