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isabel_is_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I found this book to have a very interesting setup and the author is definitely talented. A Cyborg Cinderella living in a post apocalyptic futuristic Beijing is a very interesting premise. However, I do think the book wasn’t executed in the best way. I’m going to split this up into sections on characters, plot, world building, and writing.
Characters
Characters
- Cinder- Cinder is a pretty lovable character, she’s stubborn, caring, kind and tomboyish. I liked the fact she’s a talented mechanic and I enjoyed her relationship with Iko and her younger step-sister. She played an active role in the story, which is always a good thing.
- Kai- Kai is an interesting twist to the ‘Prince charming’ character, he’s focused, he’s pretty smart and he has always wanted to lead his country. But, I got so annoyed with the way he dealt with the marriage storyline.
*Let my dramatic interpretation begin*
“We’re going to war!” 💂🏻
“No, I am going to marry her and avoid war!” 🤴🏻
“No, you can’t marry her, war is coming anyway and she might kill you!” 💂🏻
“Despite the fact that I know that marrying her will not help with previous problems and It might hurt me I’m still going to do it for no reason.”
“No, don’t marry her! She’s evil” 👩🏽🔧
“ I have to marry her!”
“I am evil and I will kill your loved one if you don’t marry me!” 🦹🏽♀️
“ I am sorry evil one, now that you want to kill my loved one, so now there is an actual reason to marry you I can’t marry you…despite the fact that I was going to marry you like...one second ago!”
LIKE, Why!!!! Your supposed to be smart, why are you changing ur mind in 6 seconds!
I’m a Libra and I’m not this indecisive.
Rhe rest of the characters we one dimensional and forgettable so I don’t have much to say.
Plot
I found the plot to be pretty interesting, but predictable. Now you can kinda expect this from a retelling since the basic plot outline is already laid out for you and sent it from an old very well-known fairytale. Most people know how the basic structure is gonna go, but some of the twist which were supposed to be impactful, were pretty obvious to me since the beginning. I’m not a huge fan of this genre anymore, but if you enjoy young adult fantasy you might like it. The romance was ok, but it was to insta loving for me and I wish there was a better foundation for the realtinonship.
World building
The world building is my biggest problem with this novel despite the fact, it was the reason why I actually wanted to pick it up. For one this is in a futuristic Beijing and I wanted to see what it would be like to be in this world white with new technology and especially with a culture that isn’t represented a lot and young adult fiction, especially during the time this book was written. However, this wasn’t really explored. I wish we got more details of how life is to live in this area. I wanted to see more about how the world works and the information that we are given is just confusing.
The cyborg discrimination makes no sense to me.
Just to simplify things;
~Cyborgs are people who have one or more metal parts. A human becomes a cyborg when they experience an accident and need this technology to, you know, NOT DIE.
~Androids are robotic machines that are programmed to act like humans. They function according to commands.
~Lunars are people who posses magic and live on the moon. They have the ability to mind control (glamour) humans.
The biggest problem that I have with the world building is that I don’t understand why cyborgs are look down upon and discriminated in society. I mean first of all the cyborg is just a person who have metal part so someone who for example, gets a prosthetic leg and maybe a prosthetic arm is going to be “ more human” then someone who has like a fully metal brain and heart and lungs and arms and legs, and just everything as prosthetic. So if the problem is that they’re discriminated because they’re not fully human wouldn’t certain individuals be treated better than other individuals? Just like the same way with real life racism individuals wear darker skin experience, colorism compared to light skin individuals who don’t experience colorism. Also, I just don’t understand how someone being saved by new technology that gives him another chance at life after horrible accident would be treated badly by society that just doesn’t make sense to me at all and the author doesn’t explain it in a way that makes sense.
Writing
“Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.”
This is a debut novel and the writing is actually pretty good 👍🏻.
“We’re going to war!” 💂🏻
“No, I am going to marry her and avoid war!” 🤴🏻
“No, you can’t marry her, war is coming anyway and she might kill you!” 💂🏻
“Despite the fact that I know that marrying her will not help with previous problems and It might hurt me I’m still going to do it for no reason.”
“No, don’t marry her! She’s evil” 👩🏽🔧
“ I have to marry her!”
“I am evil and I will kill your loved one if you don’t marry me!” 🦹🏽♀️
“ I am sorry evil one, now that you want to kill my loved one, so now there is an actual reason to marry you I can’t marry you…despite the fact that I was going to marry you like...one second ago!”
I’m a Libra and I’m not this indecisive.
Plot
I found the plot to be pretty interesting, but predictable. Now you can kinda expect this from a retelling since the basic plot outline is already laid out for you and sent it from an old very well-known fairytale. Most people know how the basic structure is gonna go, but some of the twist which were supposed to be impactful, were pretty obvious to me since the beginning. I’m not a huge fan of this genre anymore, but if you enjoy young adult fantasy you might like it. The romance was ok, but it was to insta loving for me and I wish there was a better foundation for the realtinonship.
World building
The world building is my biggest problem with this novel despite the fact, it was the reason why I actually wanted to pick it up. For one this is in a futuristic Beijing and I wanted to see what it would be like to be in this world white with new technology and especially with a culture that isn’t represented a lot and young adult fiction, especially during the time this book was written. However, this wasn’t really explored. I wish we got more details of how life is to live in this area. I wanted to see more about how the world works and the information that we are given is just confusing.
The cyborg discrimination makes no sense to me.
Just to simplify things;
~Cyborgs are people who have one or more metal parts. A human becomes a cyborg when they experience an accident and need this technology to, you know, NOT DIE.
~Androids are robotic machines that are programmed to act like humans. They function according to commands.
~Lunars are people who posses magic and live on the moon. They have the ability to mind control (glamour) humans.
The biggest problem that I have with the world building is that I don’t understand why cyborgs are look down upon and discriminated in society. I mean first of all the cyborg is just a person who have metal part so someone who for example, gets a prosthetic leg and maybe a prosthetic arm is going to be “ more human” then someone who has like a fully metal brain and heart and lungs and arms and legs, and just everything as prosthetic. So if the problem is that they’re discriminated because they’re not fully human wouldn’t certain individuals be treated better than other individuals? Just like the same way with real life racism individuals wear darker skin experience, colorism compared to light skin individuals who don’t experience colorism. Also, I just don’t understand how someone being saved by new technology that gives him another chance at life after horrible accident would be treated badly by society that just doesn’t make sense to me at all and the author doesn’t explain it in a way that makes sense.
Writing
“Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.”
This is a debut novel and the writing is actually pretty good 👍🏻.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Child death, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Death of parent, Blood, War, and Gun violence
the_rolypoly_man's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Genocide, Ableism, Child abuse, and Death of parent
giulidrago's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
Cinder non è un libro perfetto, soffre un po' troppo di prevedibilità e le sue piccole ingenuità non permettono al lettore di dimenticare che sta leggendo un esordio, ma al tempo stesso- Cenerentola cyborg in una futura Nuova Pechino devastata da una malattia e per contorno, una possibile guerra contro gli abitanti della Luna? Marissa Meyer, tanto di capello, con una premessa del genere avrei scusato errori anche più grossolani.
Cinder è un libro leggero e divertente che riesce a intrattenere ed emozionare dall'inizio alla fine, i suoi personaggi sono il giusto impasto di dolcezza e sarcasmo, le relazioni interpersonali, sebbene semplici, arrivano dritte al cuore ed è impressionante come siano invecchiate bene senza scadere negli stilemi irritanti tipici del 2012.
Un retelling dev'essere giudicato anche in base a come si rapporta con la materia originale, e decisamente uno dei pregi di Cinder è poter scovare tutti i riferimenti alla fiaba! L'autrice ha saputo gestire molto bene i cambiamenti e le novità introdotte, ogni innovazione ha un suo perchè e questo ha reso la lettura ancora più gradevole! Non vedo l'ora di leggere il seguito!
Cinder è un libro leggero e divertente che riesce a intrattenere ed emozionare dall'inizio alla fine, i suoi personaggi sono il giusto impasto di dolcezza e sarcasmo, le relazioni interpersonali, sebbene semplici, arrivano dritte al cuore ed è impressionante come siano invecchiate bene senza scadere negli stilemi irritanti tipici del 2012.
Un retelling dev'essere giudicato anche in base a come si rapporta con la materia originale, e decisamente uno dei pregi di Cinder è poter scovare tutti i riferimenti alla fiaba! L'autrice ha saputo gestire molto bene i cambiamenti e le novità introdotte, ogni innovazione ha un suo perchè e questo ha reso la lettura ancora più gradevole! Non vedo l'ora di leggere il seguito!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic and Ableism
ranee_samaniego's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Rating = PG
I was hesitant to read this book - I thought it would be a predictable romance with a sci-fi twist. Boy, was I wrong - and I am so glad I read this book!
While some aspects of the plot were predictable, the ending completely surprised me and made me eager to dive into the next book in the series.
Meyer did a wonderful job crafted a sci-fi world that was fascinating and different but still easily understandable. She also skillfully took the essence of the classic Cinderella story but added enough unique twists that I was engrossed the entire time. Finally, she created true, heartfelt moments throughout that often left me near tears.
I also really appreciated that this book was a clean sci-fi novel.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
I was hesitant to read this book - I thought it would be a predictable romance with a sci-fi twist. Boy, was I wrong - and I am so glad I read this book!
While some aspects of the plot were predictable, the ending completely surprised me and made me eager to dive into the next book in the series.
Meyer did a wonderful job crafted a sci-fi world that was fascinating and different but still easily understandable. She also skillfully took the essence of the classic Cinderella story but added enough unique twists that I was engrossed the entire time. Finally, she created true, heartfelt moments throughout that often left me near tears.
I also really appreciated that this book was a clean sci-fi novel.
I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Emotional abuse
noellegrace8's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This is such a cool modern (future, actually??) retelling of Cinderella. She is NOTHING like any Cinderella we've read or watched before. She is a mechnic with a good portion of her body being mechanical in and of itself. Meyer does a fantastic job creating interesting plot points that surprise the reader yet also point them to the original source material of Cinderella. Overall a quick-paced, clever book. I can't wait to read the next installments! The few issues I had with the book were just that it was a bit hard to get into at first, especially because some of the characters weren't as interesting as they could have been, and sometimes the word usage was odd, almost like she used the word adjacent to what she actually meant.
I don't include the audio performer in my overall star review, but I'd give Rebecca Soler 3.75/5.0. There isn't much to say outside of her performance falling flat. It wasn't actively bad, but there wasn't enough excitement and variance in her narration to intrigue me; my inner reading dialogue is much more enthusiastic than her performance itself is.
I don't include the audio performer in my overall star review, but I'd give Rebecca Soler 3.75/5.0. There isn't much to say outside of her performance falling flat. It wasn't actively bad, but there wasn't enough excitement and variance in her narration to intrigue me; my inner reading dialogue is much more enthusiastic than her performance itself is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Classism, Grief, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Medical trauma, Blood, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Death, and Medical content
Minor: Deportation, Car accident, Colonisation, Confinement, Murder, Violence, Death of parent, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Vomit, Xenophobia, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, and War
Those listed in "graphic" are central themes, although the ableism is more of metaphor (Cinder is a cyborg and treated poorly because of it) than a direct commentary. Moderate categories listed are related to the death of a loved one in the plot, a medical research focus due to the epidemic theme, and the aforementioned ordeal of Cinder being cyborg. "Minor" category items are straightforward and not too present in the book.campredwood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Pandemic/Epidemic, Emotional abuse, and Trafficking
Minor: Abandonment
jessicadoom's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
After reading Renegades, I had high hopes for the rest of Marissa Meyer's books. World-building wise, I was still very much impressed. And the story was great! There was just something missing to keep it from being a full 4 stars. Maybe it was the insta-love. Maybe the fact that I called the twist from very early on. Not sure, but I did still enjoy it! Just not yet ready to pick up the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Medical trauma, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Xenophobia, War, Abandonment, and Violence
Minor: Murder, Self harm, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
jadeandherbunny's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Ableism, Blood, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Toxic relationship, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Self harm and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Slavery and War
smileypers0n's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Genocide, Ableism, Child death, Child abuse, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Blood, Car accident, Medical trauma, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, and Gun violence
fierygecko's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Really creative fairy-tale remake with fun, funny, and frustrating characters that bring the story to life. A pretty light read but touches on heavy topics that are still very relevant today. It’s honestly pretty action-packed but each scene is given the time it deserves. Great on it’s own, but also an excellent first book to the whole Lunar Chronicles series. Disclaimer: I am biased because I read this several times as a young teenager and was obsessed. But it did hold up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Terminal illness, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Ableism and Body horror
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Car accident