Latest Read: Cinder

Here are the basics ...
Book: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles, #1)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Site: http://www.marissameyer.com/
Category: Young Adult - Fantasy / Dystopian

Summary: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, the 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. (Adapted from goodreads.com) 

My thoughts…

The good: I've been aware of this book pretty much since it came out but I was sure I wouldn't like it.  I mean, a futuristic retelling of Cinderella in which she's a cyborg mechanic? No no no. Then I started seeing more and more glowing reviews and a blogger friend (Hi Alexa!) encouraged me to read it.  Needless to say, I was singing a different tune by the end of the book.  I really enjoyed how the author took all the elements we're familiar with - evil stepmother, stepsisters, a handsome prince, a ball - and incorporated it into this completely different setting.  There are some interesting twists along the way, a couple of which I was able to figure out immediately.  But I thought that was a good thing.  It made me even more eager to find out if I was right and when I was, it made me happily validated.

Cinder was an easy character to like.  The author did an awesome job of balancing the cyborg-influenced parts of her personality with her humanity.  And the prince - I loved their relationship.  I like how they actually talked to one another and we got see things progress between them.  Every character played an important role, whether it was one we were familiar with or something new.

The bad:  (1) Expect a slow start as you get introduced to the characters and the world the author has created.  But it pays off.  (2) Expect to haaaaate the evil stepmother.  (Not a bad thing but I really hated her!) (3) Major cliffhanger! Can't believe it ended there.. I still wanted more!

Do I recommend?:  Yes! This review was hard to write because there are things you're going to know right off the bat because it's based on Cinderella and I really didn't want to give any more away.  But just read it with an open mind.. it's a great book!

Happy reading!