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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
5/5!! It had the classic fairytale characters that Cinderella did: the prince, evil step mother and sister. It was like a futuristic and epic Cinderella story! And I loved it!! The protagonist, Cinder, is very much loved by me. I love her attitude and personality. At times she got me thinking she should have done certain things but she's only 16, so you have to keep that in mind. It's a bit predictable, but it also has you rethinking certain things. I can't wait to read the next one.
adventurous
medium-paced
I loved the book so much. I was so invested in Cinder story ! My only complaint is for myself because I searched on safari to know if one of the character was evil and it spoiled me an important part of the plot (even though I had my suspicion already) Peony, Kai and Cinder are defenitly my favs but Dr.Erland made me laugh when he said "What a shame you cannot blush, Miss Linh." Like sirrr. I must admit it was a bit predictable but nonetheless I really enjoyed reading it.
A strong female lead in a dystopian young adult series--I can already hear the "its the next The Hunger Games!" talk begin. I heard all about that with Divergent, Glow (Sky Chasers), and Matched (Matched (Paperback - Trilogy)) and didn't think any of them held a candle to The Hunger Games.
Cinder, however, is a bit different. I'm not going to go so far as to say I liked it as much as The Hunger Games but I will say Cinder has immense potential to be a true gem of a series. Where The Hunger Games excelled (and the other books I mentioned failed) was character development. Katniss was a complex character with real emotional depth and Cinder can really hold her own in this category. Cinder isn't overwhelmed with emotion, fear or hate but exhibits all of them throughout the story and her decisions/actions throughout the book ring true. She isn't a blindly trusting sheep but she also isn't a loner. I found this balance really refreshing.
Now, this book isn't perfect. Its slow and there is a lot of setup--however, it isn't ever boring. You are learning new things about the world, Cinder and the other characters throughout the story. While there aren't any gun fights or heart pounding sequences, it isn't without building tension. The other issue with the book is its predictability. I don't want to ruin any plotpoints but there are a few things that you can kind of see coming from a few miles away. I don't think this really hurts the story though--much as you know Katniss is going to go to the Hunger Games, and most heroes/heroines win in the end, the joy is in getting there and seeing how it unfolds.
I am incredibly anxious to read the next installment and I certainly hope it is released soon. If Marissa Meyer can deliver on the delicious little world she has set up in Cinder, this series really could go on the shelf right next to The Hunger Games as one of the great young adult series.
Its four stars now but could easily be a five star series. Just don't let me down, Marissa--I really want to love it.
Cinder, however, is a bit different. I'm not going to go so far as to say I liked it as much as The Hunger Games but I will say Cinder has immense potential to be a true gem of a series. Where The Hunger Games excelled (and the other books I mentioned failed) was character development. Katniss was a complex character with real emotional depth and Cinder can really hold her own in this category. Cinder isn't overwhelmed with emotion, fear or hate but exhibits all of them throughout the story and her decisions/actions throughout the book ring true. She isn't a blindly trusting sheep but she also isn't a loner. I found this balance really refreshing.
Now, this book isn't perfect. Its slow and there is a lot of setup--however, it isn't ever boring. You are learning new things about the world, Cinder and the other characters throughout the story. While there aren't any gun fights or heart pounding sequences, it isn't without building tension. The other issue with the book is its predictability. I don't want to ruin any plotpoints but there are a few things that you can kind of see coming from a few miles away. I don't think this really hurts the story though--much as you know Katniss is going to go to the Hunger Games, and most heroes/heroines win in the end, the joy is in getting there and seeing how it unfolds.
I am incredibly anxious to read the next installment and I certainly hope it is released soon. If Marissa Meyer can deliver on the delicious little world she has set up in Cinder, this series really could go on the shelf right next to The Hunger Games as one of the great young adult series.
Its four stars now but could easily be a five star series. Just don't let me down, Marissa--I really want to love it.
Scifi fairy tales...
UTTERLY AMAZINGNESS is what I would use to describe these books. And it does not disappoint in the least! 5 stars!!
UTTERLY AMAZINGNESS is what I would use to describe these books. And it does not disappoint in the least! 5 stars!!
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reread for the first time since probably middle school and it held up really well! i adore a fairy tale retelling, and the sci-fi angle still feels fresh. even though the twists/reveals are written for a YA audience, it's fun to put the pieces together now, especially stuff from later books. there's a bit of a one-two punch with cinder's insecurities that can be a bit repetitive, but i was definitely rooting for her the whole time. excited to reread the rest of the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Child death, Slavery, Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Deportation
Minor: Car accident
Loved it. Predicted who the princess is but I loved it
Big Disclaimer: I read this book with my little sister for our own little makeshift book club. I mention this because had I not felt the obligation to read this book, I wouldn't have finished it. This is by no means a bad book, it just isn't for me. I've read quite a few YA books in my time, enough to know that the genre, and the tropes attributed to the genre, just aren't my cup of tea.
And that's fine, right? I'm a 24 year old man, this book clearly wasn't written for someone like me. Overall, the premise is cool. Cinderella in a cyberpunk retelling, I mean, come on; I LIVE for those kinds of "modern" or "hybrid" fairytales. The story is told at a great pace, you can easily invest in the characters, and the worldbuilding is good on a surface level but a bit lacking underneath. If you've read a few YA books then you'll see the twists coming from miles away. It doesn't really bring anything new to the genre, but I won't hold that against it.
Overall, a familiar and enjoyable experience if you're into YA.
3/5. C1ND3R_311A.
And that's fine, right? I'm a 24 year old man, this book clearly wasn't written for someone like me. Overall, the premise is cool. Cinderella in a cyberpunk retelling, I mean, come on; I LIVE for those kinds of "modern" or "hybrid" fairytales. The story is told at a great pace, you can easily invest in the characters, and the worldbuilding is good on a surface level but a bit lacking underneath. If you've read a few YA books then you'll see the twists coming from miles away. It doesn't really bring anything new to the genre, but I won't hold that against it.
Overall, a familiar and enjoyable experience if you're into YA.
3/5. C1ND3R_311A.
adventurous
hopeful