When I plopped this book down for my librarian to check out, he mentioned that he had meant to read it for a long time. Hey, me too! Then he said something about reading Pride & Prejudice and Zombies and not really liking it. I wasn't too impressed with that book either. I think I made it about ten pages in. But it took me a while to figure out why he mentioned that book while I checked out CINDER. Then it hit me -- retelling with paranormal elements. Plug in. :D
From MarissaMeyer.com: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a 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.
Audience: YA (12+)
Genre: Science-Fiction
Length: 400 pages
Rating: **** (Really liked it)
The Pros: I'm a fan of fairy tale retellings, of any good retelling, really. Especially ones with an original idea and told well. This one is definitely original and done well. The world building was good. It could have been expounded on (there's some things I'm not sure about) but I didn't have any frustrating questions. I guessed rather quickly at Cinder's true identity, but it didn't bother me that Cinder didn't pick up on it.
The Cons: Really the only thing I can think of is that certain elements of the world weren't better explained. For instance, what does T.E. mean in the dates that are mentioned? There's a World War IV talked about, but what about World War III and how did the world get to be how it is? etc.
Disclaimer: Two bad words. (No seriously. I only counted two.)
Buy CINDER on Amazon.
Check out Marissa Meyer's webpage.
Good to hear this one is good... I really want to read it! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI'm actually not a fan of fairy tale retellings... but this one is getting such good reviews I might have to give it a read.
ReplyDeleteIt's so little like a fairy-tale, you really should try it out. :)
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