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A review by brebeingwell
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book is a very loose Cinderella retelling taking place in the distant future after several world wars and major world events that have changed the borders and culture of the planet. Humans have gone off world and settlements have been made on the moon and possibly other planets (other planets unconfirmed in this book).
My favorite trait of the main character was that she was capable. So many fantasies and sci-fi books make the main female character out to be unskilled until a major event happens. Cinder, from the beginning, was a very capable and skilled being. But she is also still a teenage girl and has the desires and feelings of someone befitting her age. I thought she had a good personality and very interesting abilities that made her POV enjoyable.
The world building, while complicated, was explained in a very digestible way. The only issue I took was with the lunar colony. Besides doing things for power and seemingly to be evil, there was no real reason presented as to why they were so ruthless. I suspect this may be explored throughout the series.
Kai's response towards the end was not akin to how I pictured him as a person, which makes me think that his actions were only for dramatic effect. The ending straight up sucked and was super unsatisfying, which is why this book only received a 3 star rating.
My favorite trait of the main character was that she was capable. So many fantasies and sci-fi books make the main female character out to be unskilled until a major event happens. Cinder, from the beginning, was a very capable and skilled being. But she is also still a teenage girl and has the desires and feelings of someone befitting her age. I thought she had a good personality and very interesting abilities that made her POV enjoyable.
The world building, while complicated, was explained in a very digestible way. The only issue I took was with the lunar colony. Besides doing things for power and seemingly to be evil, there was no real reason presented as to why they were so ruthless. I suspect this may be explored throughout the series.
Kai's response towards the end was not akin to how I pictured him as a person, which makes me think that his actions were only for dramatic effect. The ending straight up sucked and was super unsatisfying, which is why this book only received a 3 star rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: War