Let me go ahead and get this out of the way. I loved this book. Why in the world did I procrastinate with reading it? I’ve had Cinder sitting on my Kindle for a few months now and I continued to put it off over and over again. What a HUGE mistake! I even had the nerve to go into my local bookstore twice, pick Cinder up, and put it right back down. But all that doesn’t really matter now because I’ve remedied the problem and absolutely fallen in love with this wonderful story.
When I first heard of Cinder before it’s release, it was gaining quite a bit of buzz known for the retelling of Cinderella. Marissa Meyer, my hat’s off to you because a cyborg Cinderella in New Beijing, China? Badass. But then shortly before I read it, another blogger informed me that not only is it a Cinderella retelling, but also had Sailor Moon elements. OMG… someone had answered my prayers! I don’t think you can understand my excitement for that.
Sailor Moon was my all-time favorite TV show and manga as a child. Reading Cinder reminded me of a simpler time before responsibilities, when the biggest thing I had to worry about was setting up the VCR (yes, a throwback!) every day because at 4pm, right before Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon would come on. If I were to miss one episode, I would cry my little eyes out because I just had to know what happened next to Serena! I have seen every episode including the fifth season that didn’t air in America. I’ve even seen the live action series in all Japanese. And for those that watch subtitled Japanese shows, you know that there comes a time in your marathon watching where you stop reading the subtitles and start thinking Japanese in your sleep. Yes, I am super fangirling and not ashamed one bit! So I think it goes without saying that the reasons for me loving Cinder so much, aside from being blasted by a rainbow of awesome with its creative premise, is that it has a lot to do with sentimental memories. I tell you this so you can understand one big thing:
I wasn’t sure about Cinder at first. As soon as the book started I noticed on every obvious downfall: Predictability. Seriously, the plot twist ran up to me and sucker punched me in the face at only 10% in. This concerned me, but it quickly became a non-issue as I continued to read. Why? Because the story was interesting. It was engaging. It was just plain old fun! And I haven’t had this much fun reading a book in a while.
The plot was brilliantly done. Cinder is a mechanic, under appreciated by her mother and one of her step-sisters. The other step-sister adores her. As a cyborg she doesn’t have the same rights as a normal person and her step-mother goes out of her way to remind Cinder this whenever she can. One day Prince Kai (*swoon*) requests her services to fix his android. And in true fairy tale fashion he begins to fall for her not knowing she is a cyborg. But this isn’t just a love story. Oh no! The world has been suffering from a deadly disease that kills in a matter of days and it starts to become painfully obvious that Earth’s only hope for a cure depends on an alliance with the evil Lunar Queen. And as you may have guessed it, she has plans for Earth. Dun, dun, duuuunnnnnn!
I loved all the characters in Cinder, especially the heroine. Cinder was independent, feisty, and relatable. She didn’t always make the right decision, but this is a heroine that learns from her mistakes. And Tuxedo Mask Prince Kai? I loved him.
Ah, the memories!
The romance was so sweet. At first Cinder is wary of the Prince’s advances because she is cyborg and doesn’t want him to find out, but she can’t help but develop feelings for him along the way. Basically what I’m saying here is that there’s no insta-love. And you know how much I hate insta-love!
Oh, and that ending! Marissa Meyer, how could you do that to my little heart? I need to know what happens now! You took two of my favorite stories and twisted them into this big ball of badass awesomeness and now I’m expected to wait until next year for book two?! And just look that the character line-up for the next books in the series: Scarlet, Cress and Winter. Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Snow White?! I am so there. Just so we are clear, I’m not above stalking.
I will have the next book and I will have it soon…
Ikhlas Hussain
Great review, Stephanie! I’m so glad you loved it as much as you did! 😀
Hahaha, yes the sentimental memories of Sailor Moon was what propelled me to read this book as well, and I loved reading about the fusion between the fairytale and the manga.
Also Prince Kai/Tuxedo Mask? Totally swoon-worthy! 😀
Stephanie Sinclair
@Ikhlas Hussain:
Thank you! Meyer did a wonderful job and I can’t wait to see how she ties in the other characters. I mean, wow. I’m blown away right now with the premise!
Give meh more Kai, please! Lol.
Ali
Oooh, awesome review!!!
I’ve had this title on my kindle but just keep putting it off… but then you mention Sailor Moon?! I am so there!!
And now I shall listen to My Only Love, hehe
Stephanie Sinclair
@Ali:
LOL! Yes, read it!
Katie @ Blook Girl
YAY! I am sooo glad you loved Cinder. It is easily my favorite read of 2012 so far! I think by the end of the year, it will still be in my Top 5, if not the Top 3. Marissa Meyer is a genius, and I can’t wait to see what the next three books have in store for us! 🙂
Stephanie Sinclair
@Katie @ Blook Girl:
It’s now one of my all-time favorites. I love what she did with the story. The other books in the series sound amazing. I can’t wait! 🙂
Kara @ Great Imaginations
Great review, Stephanie. I, too, am looking forward to the next books in the series. They look awesome!! And she was so inventive with this one so I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.
Stephanie Sinclair
@Kara @ Great Imaginations:
It was so surprising and unexpected. I love when I’m totally surprised by a book. That doesn’t happen often enough.
elena
Ahh I wasn’t a huge fan of Cinder BECAUSE of the Sailor Moon element! I’m a huge Sailor Moon fan, I even read Marissa’s fanfic back in the day and watched the live action also. With Cinder, it felt too reminiscent for me though and I know Marissa acknowledged it before since she’s said it’s hard to go away from your roots. I wish I had the same reaction as you did because I really wanted to love it, I thought it was SUCH a great idea. Fairytales and a cyborg Cinderella? Yes please! Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. 🙁 I will definitely continue reading the series though and I hope I love them!
Stephanie Sinclair
@elena:
Aww, well not all books are for everyone. Hopefully you will enjoy the next one!
Adam Pring
Awesome review. I actually have this to read too but have been putting it off.
Stephanie Sinclair
@Adam Pring:
I’d be interested in what you think of it, Archer.
Adam Pring
@Stephanie Sinclair:
So much to read… gotta finish Seraphina, then I’ll probably get around to this lol.
Kat Kennedy
I love your reviews, Steph. You make me want to read this so bad!
Stephanie Sinclair
@Kat Kennedy:
Thank you! And yes. *nods head* Yes you do.
Lexie B.
Alright, yep. Yep. You’ve convinced me. After I finish my current, rather cringe-worthy read, this is next on my list.
And I haven’t even watched Sailor Moon. Or any mangas, for that matter. (I know, deprived child.) But the concept of this is so freaking badass, and that, combined with the lack of insta-love and the fact that everyone is completely in love with this, is enough for me.
Stephanie Sinclair
@Lexie B.:
You haven’t seen Sailor Moon?! One day you should check it out. I can’t wait to see what you think about Cinder. 🙂
Heidi
So glad you liked it Steph. I did too but wasn’t thrilled with ending and wanted just a touch more detail in the world building but I loved the writing and the characters.
Shiku
Love this review! Well, and I love that book as well. Actually, after I was finished I wanted to punch someone, because I get pretty aggressive sometimes when there’s a really great ending and I realize I have to wait so damn long for the next book … sigh. If you have any ideas how to speed Marissa Meyer’s writing process up without affecting the quality of the story – let me know, I’m in!
Stephanie Sinclair
@Shiku:
Haha! I wish! The only hope left is to pray we get an ARC of book two. 😀
Shiku
@Stephanie Sinclair: Don’t tempt me! I shouldn’t hope too much, at least not for me what with living in Germany, having no eReader and refusing to read on the computer. xD Though of course it would still be great if someone else gets an ARC, is delighted, posts a great review and I can patiently (or not) wait for the awesome second book to arrive. If it’s awesome. It has to be. At least a little bit.
GoogleUser1
I don’t usually read YA, but you had me at “Sailor Moon” lol. Now off to the library I go…
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