Review: Cinder

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.

******

I should start this review with a disclaimer. I have a major soft spot for sci-fi, which I don’t indulge often. I also love a good fairytale retelling. So when this book floated across my Goodreads homepage, I knew it was a likely winner!

This retelling was truly a delight. There were plenty of twists and turns to give it a fresh take, while keeping the original story recognisable. Add in a sassy, sarcastic main character with Cinder, an even sassier android sidekick in Iko, and you’ve got me hooked. The scenes jumped off the page, particularly  when they were describing that gruesome disease. Seriously; gross, but awesome. I stayed up all night to finish it in one day.

Admittedly, it wasn’t perfect. I did see the major plot twist coming, but I find that happens more often these days. It was still highly enjoyable watching the moment of realisation dawn for the characters.

I was also not really won over by Prince Kai, possibly because he seemed a bit… well, spineless is harsh, but close to that. However, he was bound by duty, etc etc, so he had his reasons.

All up, 4.5 stars, and GIMME THE NEXT ONE.

 

(Current book progress: 11,071 words into first draft)