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• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (January 3, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312641893
• ISBN-13: 978-0312641894

Belinda Says

Cover

Just call me Imelda Marcos. That red shoe is sumptuously eye catching. You have to focus a little to notice the mechanics super imposed over the foot and the font of the title is just a little bit special. It stands out on the shelf… especially to a shoe addict like me.

Characters

It is a retelling of Cinderella, so the usual suspects are on hand to get the story going… with a twist.

Favourite

I enjoyed Iko; the house=keeping android in the role of the fairy god mother. She’s cheeky and sweet, I enjoyed the giggle she brought to the story.

Least Favourite

Pearl. She’s in the role of one of the wicked step sisters and perhaps plays it a little too well. I wanted to slap her on more than one occasion. Definitely a b with and itch.

Beginning

Pearl, Peony and their mother are preparing for the up-and-coming Ball. Cinder, as the story goes, is denied the opportunity to go with them.

Storyline

New Beijing had been at peace for 126 years after World War 4. The King is dying from plague and Prince Kai is about to be dumped in the middle of a big pile of steaming you know what.

Ending

As this is a retelling with a twist, you’ll have some idea of how this first Chronicle is supposed to end; however, don’t expect anything but the unexpected.

Thoughts

I was amused by the alterations Marissa made to the original fairytale. It makes me believe that perhaps we may be able to read our daughters stories that won’t fill their heads with the clap trap of happily ever after’s and women being typecast into the role of damsels in distress.

I would love to see this done as a either a movie or a TV series… Anime would work really well as the book is written in a very visual manor.

Favourite Quote

“Plus we couldn’t afford the gasoline,” continued Iko. “We could trade in your new foot and still not be able to afford enough fuel to get out of here. Plus, the pollution fines. Plus, I’m not getting in this thing. There’s probably decades’ worth of rat droppings under those seats.”

Krista Says

Cover

Amazing cover, it suits the story perfectly, and it’s gorgeous, love the red.

Characters

Favorite

This question is always the hardest for me to answer. I am usually on the side of the villain because they make the story interesting. Even though this story had an awesome villain, I think it’s a tie between Cinder and Kai. They are fantastic characters and they really drive this story. Cinder is so smart and protective and Kai is caring and sweet. I loved both of them so much.

Least Favorite

Adri, the step mother plays the part well. I hated the thought that Cinder even had to deal with her on a daily basis. But as we all know she is a necessary character in the story of Cinderella.

Beginning

The reader gets to jump right into Cinder’s daily life and get information about the world through dialogue or actions of the characters. I love this, I have never been a fan of big info dumps. The reader is introduced to Cinder whose job is as a mechanic in the market. We also get introduced to the Prince right away and his need to have all of his affairs in order before the big ball takes place.

Storyline

Cinder who is a mechanic and cyborg in the city of New Bejing, finds herself in the middle of a world being seriously threatened by the Plague. Her own sister has fallen ill and everybody is fighting for the cure. When she accepts a job from Prince Kai she soon finds herself in the middle of a galactic war in which the lunar people have been watching and preparing for.

Ending

Heart pounding ending. It is like the tension being pulled in a rubber band and just about to snap. Sit on the edge of your seat kind of suspense that will leave you craving for the next book immediately. This is just the beginning of Cinder’s story and I for one cannot wait to see what happens next.

Thoughts

I thought this story was very imaginative and very well put together. It had a growing sense of foreboding and suspense that kept me reading so fast that I never wanted to set it down. Although I did not like Adri because of how awfully she treated Cinder, all of the characters were really amazing and made such an impact to the overall story. Perfect pacing and an all out enjoyable read from start to finish.

Quotes

“Even in the Future the Story Begins with Once Upon a Time.”

“Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.”

Lisa Says

Cover

I know we’re only two months into the year, but the cover of Cinder is my favorite cover so far. It has been ever since I saw it on an online bookstore. I love it! I really like the bold red shoe, and the way it pops compared to the dark background (and plus, it ties in with the whole, Cinderella glass slipper thing).  My second favorite thing about this cover has to be the way you can see right through her leg, and see all of the mechanics that make up her body.

Overall, I find the cover, very unique, and definitely one of my top 5!

Characters

The story is a re-telling of Cinderella, so all of the usual characters are included. Such as the evil stepmother with her two ugly and mean daughters (Cinder’s stepsisters), and the handsome prince everyone wants to be with.

Even though Cinder is a re-telling, you also get to meet a few new characters that really make the story interesting, and intensify the story line from the one we all know and love.

Favorite

Personally I love strong female characters! Yes, I love romance stories where the strong and tough man saves the young and hopeless girl, but I do like strong female characters as well. Cinder has gone through a lot. Her dad isn’t around, and she has to deal with her stepmother and sisters every day; dealing with their problems, cleaning up after them, and having to run a store as well.

Usually strong female characters don’t start off that way. They always have to endure something bad, and grow from it. But Cinder endures this every day, and has already grown from it. She was never that weak girl who all of a sudden decided she needed a change.

This was a bit different, but still very interesting to see how Cinder finally makes a move.

Least Favorite

The stepmother has to be my least favorite. In the classical Cinderella story, I actually hate the stepsisters the most. You would think they would be nicer than their mom but they’re not, they’re worse.

Throughout the story, Cinder (who is a robot), purchases a new leg, which is fine and great, until her stepmom actually takes it away from her, and Cinder is left to hobbling around on one foot, and a pair of crutches. This is the main reason why I make Cinder’s stepmother, my least favorite character.

Beginning

Instead of reading the actual book, I had an audio copy. So whenever I was going somewhere in my car I would turn on the CD and have it play, until I got to where I was going.

With the CD, I felt the beginning went pretty quick, and it wasn’t dry at all. I can’t really say the same for the actual book copy, since I didn’t read it. But if you can get your hands on a audio book version, I recommend you pick it up. It’s AWESOME! I love how the way it’s read, it’s great!

Story Line

The story line is a little different from the original Cinderella, but it does stick to everything we know. Cinder has no dad, lives with her stepmother, and her two daughters, and she has feelings for the prince. That all stays the same.

But Cinder is a robot, has a store, works as a mechanic, tries to escape with an old car she finds, doesn’t plan on going to the ball (even though, the prince invited her, himself), but ends up finding her way there anyways.

Cinder sticks to the script, but it also includes a lot more romance, drama, and action, which I thought was really good!

Ending

I felt that the ending reached all of my expectations. But Cinder is only the first book, to a series of three or four, I think. (Don’t quote me on that, but I think so!) I’m very excited to see how the adventure continues!

Overall Thoughts

I loved the audio book itself, it was fabulous. I’m really picky about audio books, the reader really has to get into character for me to like it, and Cinder did a great job.

The story was great, I thought it was a bit weird that the main character was going to be a robot, but it worked out perfectly, and I can’t wait to see what Marissa Meyer has in store for us.

Favorite Quotes

As I said early, I own Cinder in audio book, and I would listen to it whenever I would hop in my car and go places. I don’t have the book, so I don’t really have any quotes written down.

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