Recently, I came across “Cinder” by Marissa Meyer and found it really intriguing, though I wasn’t quite ready to buy it in hardcover. After finishing my thesis, I saw it on Amazon for a great price and decided to get it. Once it arrived, I devoured it in a single day. “Cinder” is the first book in The Lunar Chronicles, a five-book series that reimagines classic fairy tales like Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White, but set in a futuristic world. The latest book, “Fairest,” even delves into the backstory of the Evil Queen. In essence, “Cinder” is a futuristic take on Cinderella, featuring cyborgs and a moon-dwelling culture developed after World War IV. The other books build on this foundation, and it all really works. While post-apocalyptic literature isn’t usually my go-to, something about this concept piqued my curiosity, and I found it a beautiful mix that kept me hooked.
If you’re not familiar with young adult (YA) science fiction and fantasy, this series has similarities with other dystopian stories like “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins and the “Divergent” series by Veronica Roth. They all feature strong female protagonists navigating their broken worlds.
“Cinder” has some of the traditional Cinderella elements: there’s an orphaned girl who is mistreated by her stepfamily, falls in love with the local prince, and loses a shoe (though in this case, it’s a cyborg foot). However, much of the story diverges from the original fairy tale. We learn about Cinder’s unusual and mysterious past, which is just starting to be revealed. Instead of meeting the prince at a ball, Cinder meets him professionally as the city’s best mechanic. The prince, named Kai, has his own set of problems and undergoes significant character development. He hires Cinder to fix a palace droid, and as they interact, they slowly develop feelings for each other.
The plot thickens with a plague wreaking havoc on Earth, taking center stage as a major conflict with far-reaching consequences. Beloved characters, including Cinder’s favored stepsister, fall victim to the disease. As a cyborg, Cinder is selected as a test subject under the Cyborg Draft, a government initiative to find a cure by experimenting on second-class citizens. One particular doctor has hidden motives that become evident as the story progresses.
Adding to the tension, the Lunar Queen Levana comes to Earth seeking a marriage alliance with Prince Kai. Although she claims to pursue peace, she likely aims to conquer Earth. She fears the rumor that Princess Selene, the rightful heir to the Lunar throne, is alive somewhere on Earth. While trying to avert war and juggle his feelings for Cinder, Kai also searches for Selene, who alone can challenge her power-hungry aunt. Lunars possess the magical ability to manipulate appearances and others’ perceptions, known as Glamour, and only another royal can counter Levana’s influence.
Though some plot twists were predictable, the journey Meyer crafts is worth the read. Her characters are relatable, flawed, and face genuine consequences for their mistakes, making the story even more engaging. The romance remains unresolved by the end of this book, leaving plenty to look forward to in the series. Despite “Cinder” being a retelling of a seemingly simple fairy tale, it tackles complex issues like cyborg rights, interplanetary politics, prejudice, beauty standards, love, and the abuse of power.
Overall, “Cinder” promises to be an exciting start to a series definitely worth your time. My only gripe is that the book felt too short—I could have easily spent a few hundred more pages with these characters and their world. Still, since this is just the first of five books, a lot more will undoubtedly be revealed as the series continues.
When it comes to fantasy and sci-fi, everyone has their preferences, and mine happens to be fairy tales. I love how authors reinterpret classic stories while maintaining their essence. Authors like Gregory Maguire, Juliet Marillier, and Gail Carson Levine each offer unique takes on these timeless tales, and “Cinder” fits right in with its fresh perspective. YA literature is rich with fairy-tale retellings, and this one is a standout.
I think this series would make a great film adaptation, ideally spread over several movies to do justice to the story’s intricate details and special effects. This format would allow for the inclusion of flashbacks and short stories, making the films not only fun and exciting but also visually stunning.
Overall Rating:
A must-read from the very start.
Romance Rating:
Intriguing possibilities abound.
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