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hurrikanekathrina's review against another edition
3.0
3.45 stars
So, the reason why I wanted to read this book, apart from all the attention it was getting, was mainly: Cyborgs!! I mean, Cyborgs, people. Count me in!
Cinder is set in a future, sci-fi world and the premise of a cyborg mechanic Cinderalla was interesting. And so was the book. It was an enjoyable read, but ulitmately lacked something for me to love it. I did enjoy Meyer's writing and story telling, though, and am still interested in the series, so I will read the second (and probably third) book as well.
I head the series gets better, and although I didn't head over heels love it, I'm willing to give it a chance to change that.
The story itself more borrows the character's dynamics from Cinderella than their personalities, so I'd so that it isn't as much a retelling as it is inspired by it.
The characters
Cinder herself isn't the most exciting, different, outstanding character, but I liked her well enough. I can't really put a finger on it, since she doesn't have very distinctive personality traits, but I liked her voice and way of seeing the world around her.
Now, the character I have the strongest feelings about, is without doubt the evil stepmother. Oh, how I hated Adri. She is a dispicable, evil, sly person, but has enough humanity to make you momentarily think that she might not be that bad. She mourns over her daughter and seems slightly guilty for having Cinder turned in, but those emotions are never really explored anymore. The whole book, I was waiting for Cinder to kick her ass and show her who's boss. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, which left me rather unsatisfied.
All the other characters (except Iko, who was lovely) were rather bland IMO. I did not connect strongly with them. I think that might be the main reason why I didn't love this book.
The reason why this book was still interesting to me was that I was intrigued by this whole Sci-Fi society. Cyborgs, Lunars, the Commonwealth, the plague. It could have easily been one of the best stories ever, but again, it was missing the characters for that. So, it's simply a good story, which is well enough for a first book.
Also, the setting in New Beijing gave the book a different atmosphere than most YA that are set in the USA, which I also enjoyed tremendously.
So, the reason why I wanted to read this book, apart from all the attention it was getting, was mainly: Cyborgs!! I mean, Cyborgs, people. Count me in!
Cinder is set in a future, sci-fi world and the premise of a cyborg mechanic Cinderalla was interesting. And so was the book. It was an enjoyable read, but ulitmately lacked something for me to love it. I did enjoy Meyer's writing and story telling, though, and am still interested in the series, so I will read the second (and probably third) book as well.
I head the series gets better, and although I didn't head over heels love it, I'm willing to give it a chance to change that.
The story itself more borrows the character's dynamics from Cinderella than their personalities, so I'd so that it isn't as much a retelling as it is inspired by it.
The characters
Cinder herself isn't the most exciting, different, outstanding character, but I liked her well enough. I can't really put a finger on it, since she doesn't have very distinctive personality traits, but I liked her voice and way of seeing the world around her.
Now, the character I have the strongest feelings about, is without doubt the evil stepmother. Oh, how I hated Adri. She is a dispicable, evil, sly person, but has enough humanity to make you momentarily think that she might not be that bad. She mourns over her daughter and seems slightly guilty for having Cinder turned in, but those emotions are never really explored anymore. The whole book, I was waiting for Cinder to kick her ass and show her who's boss. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, which left me rather unsatisfied.
All the other characters (except Iko, who was lovely) were rather bland IMO. I did not connect strongly with them. I think that might be the main reason why I didn't love this book.
The reason why this book was still interesting to me was that I was intrigued by this whole Sci-Fi society. Cyborgs, Lunars, the Commonwealth, the plague. It could have easily been one of the best stories ever, but again, it was missing the characters for that. So, it's simply a good story, which is well enough for a first book.
Also, the setting in New Beijing gave the book a different atmosphere than most YA that are set in the USA, which I also enjoyed tremendously.
sarahmaae's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
guessed the 'twist' from abt page 10 but regardless this book was a pretty fun time. a cyborg teenage girl living in a futuristic version of beijing while being hit on by a prince was an entertaining premise and the end was certainly not boring. so much was going on I was laughing at how absurd things were getting. not groundbreaking by any means but im glad I finally got to reading it!
3.5 stars!
3.5 stars!
aasia's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
debster1982's review against another edition
4.0
Great story. Don’t know why I waited this long before reading it.
Can’t wait for the next ones in the serie.
Can’t wait for the next ones in the serie.
thecryptsleeper's review against another edition
5.0
Cinder is definitely one of my favorite books this year! I absolutely loved Marissa's twist on Cinderella.
I liked how different Cinder's character was from other YA main characters. Not only that she was an android, but that she had unique skills and an interesting job.
Iko was my favorite character in this book and I really hope to see more of her in the next book, if Marissa is going to continue on with Cinder's story in the series, and not write from another point of view, like I get the feeling might be the case.
I can't wait to see what else Marissa will offer in her future books! I look forward to reading more from her!
I liked how different Cinder's character was from other YA main characters. Not only that she was an android, but that she had unique skills and an interesting job.
Iko was my favorite character in this book and I really hope to see more of her in the next book, if Marissa is going to continue on with Cinder's story in the series, and not write from another point of view, like I get the feeling might be the case.
I can't wait to see what else Marissa will offer in her future books! I look forward to reading more from her!
beckeal's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars, rounded up. Premise was good! Execution a strange mixture of predictable and surprising. And the predictable parts weren't even the Cinderella parts. One of the more imaginative retellings I've read. Story is not at all resolved—quite unsatisfying and I’m annoyed at now being forced to debate the entire series. Ergh.
jenmangler's review against another edition
2.0
Several of my students really liked this book, and I can understand why they did. I personally don't have strong feelings towards it either way. It was a quick read for me and, for the most part, I enjoyed it, but I'm not feeling terribly compelled to continue the reading the series. The biggest reason for that is the ending, which is completely abrupt and really left me feeling a bit angry. I get that it's part of a series and the books feed into each other, but that's no reason to leave the story so incomplete.
butterflyl3's review against another edition
4.0
A bit predictable and has some unrealistic elements in the romance, but still very tightly written nonetheless.
ann6's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0