Title: Cinder 
Reading level: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction/Fairy Tale Re-telling
Size: Hard Cover, 390 pages
Release Date: January 2011
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Stand Alone or Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1
Source: NetGalley
First Line: "The screw through Cinder’s ankle had rusted, the engraved cross marks worn to a mangled circle.”
Summary (from GoodReads):
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.
My Thoughts:
Without a doubt this is the best fairy tale re-telling that I have read to date. To be completely honest..there were many moments where I would forget that it was a retelling at all until something popped up at me and made me smile at the comparison.
This book draws one in from the first page and propels one along until the last…where one stops and says...”Noooooo! I have to wait for book 2?!?!” The language is sophisticated and flows beautifully and to be quite honest ..did not read at all like a YA novel to me. The world building was also absolutely amazing…I could vividly picture the futuristic big city with it’s grittier and more old world type components like the marketplace.
The characters made the book come alive. I loved Cinder from the beginning and relished in the sweet and well developed romance between herself and Kai. The secondary characters of Iko and Peony quickly found their way into my heart. And I loved hating Adri.
Issues of discrimination, conflict, love and sacrifice build as this novel hurtles one toward it’s conclusion…a conclusion that may have been a bit predictable…but still managed to be 100% satisfying.
Was it worth my Time?
I so agree with you. This is a must have for all YA readers. Love it!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://sosimplesara.blogspot.com
I’ve heard so many great things about this book. Ugh! I may have to rearrange my TBR pile so I can get to this book sooner. So many books, so little time...
ReplyDeletePatricia @ Lady with Books
Definitely a great read-especially for someone who wants to read some YA but is afraid of stepping in the waters.
DeleteO great review. I keep hearing awesome things about this one :)
ReplyDeleteI was surprised by how much I liked it...I knew I was an eclectic reader...but even I am surprised that so much YA is slipping in!
DeleteAhh, yes! You liked it too. :D *does the happy dance* It was SO awesome... Gosh, I can't wait for the sequel! I can't wait to see what happens and meet more fairytale heroines... NEED! Great review. :D
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of this one, but it sounds great! I now have another book to add to my to-read list! Thanks so much for the fabulous review.
ReplyDeleteYay.. I love when other people love the books I love. lol... that's a lot of love, huh? I can't wait for the next book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking your review.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a very interesting book. I can't wait to read it. I'm glad you liked it. :)
Carla
Library Mosaic
i loved cinder! i am so glad you liked it, too. she's such a great character and adri is soooo evil! i am so sad i have to wait until 2013 for the next book.
ReplyDeletethis book... sigh.. just.. amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I just won a copy and I can't wait to start reading it. It sounds so good!!
ReplyDeleteHaving read reviews on books we have both read and not having read this one yet, I am now going to grab the book. You and I both seem to have some similarities in taste .. going to grab to read now!
ReplyDeleteGreat review. I had my doubts that I would like it, but was so happy I got my hands on it because I really enjoyed it
ReplyDelete