Thursday, February 16, 2012

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Another mini-review! I feel like my recent posts have been too lengthy and some of those books have been lingering in my sidebar too long, so I'm going to attempt to work on brevity.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer was an impulse purchase based on a whole lot of blogger buzz -- fortunately, one I don't regret. Cinder is a futuristic retelling of Cinderella in which the heroine is restyled as a cyborg (part human, part mechanical due to serious injuries sustained early in her life) who works as a mechanic at a stall somewhere in a new-world China. In this futuristic world, Earth is fighting a devastating plague and there is a serious threat of war from a colony on the moon.

I whipped through Cinder and have to admit I was stunned by the excellence of Meyer's world-building, characterization, slow unraveling of clues (I did figure out one important facet of the plot, early on, but it didn't change how I felt about the book) and the way the author concluded the book in a satisfying manner, in spite of the fact that it is the first in a series.

Addendum: A commenter has reminded me that Cinder does have a cliffhanger ending. I think I may have forgotten that because I was forewarned by a friend who read it. Being prepared can help, but I do recall thinking enough of the story was wrapped up to satisfy me.

Highly recommended to lovers of Young Adult novels. The futuristic setting is believable but it did take me a while to adjust to the idea of Cinderella's story taking place in Asia of the future. I liked Cinder enough to save my copy for a reread and doubt I'll forget the book before the second in the series is released.


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20 comments:

  1. This book has been getting a lot of buzz but I'm on the fence about it.

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    1. Kathy,

      It might help you to flip through it and read random passages to see if they grab you, like I did. I got my copy at Sam's. Probably wouldn't have gotten a copy if it hadn't passed my "flip test" with flying colors.

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  2. I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to book 2.

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    1. Me, too! I think we'll be waiting for a while, though.

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  3. My only criticism would be that Cinder has fallen into the YA reader-manipulating pitfall of ending a book right in the middle of a major plot-point, thus insuring that the rabid reader will stand in line for the sequel. I will be one of those people (if a bit resentfully), but I wish this madness would stop. It is possible to write/edit a YA novel and wrap up the main story while keeping enough carrots dangling to keep the reader anticipating the continuation of the tale. This just seems like a device for a book that is not as well constructed as Cinder is. The merits of the Cinder alone would have prompted readers to seek out the sequel, the gimmick is unnecessary. If anything, it makes me not want to recommend this book to my friends until the sequel has come out so they won't be hanging on tenterhooks like I am.

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    1. France,

      I just added a note about the ending because I'd forgotten the book is a bit of a cliffhanger. I knew it was coming because someone warned me, but I was obviously satisfied with where it ended and I'm sure that's why I'd forgotten. Of course, knowing it's a series meant I knew she wouldn't get the prince in Book 1. Thanks for the reminder about the ending!

      I agree with you completely about the manipulation of readers to get them to continue a series. The Maze Runner by James Dashner was one that made me feel like I'd been led down the garden path. I went ahead and got a copy of The Scorch Trials, but chose to wait for a copy from Paperback Swap because of that -- and so far, I haven't managed to talk myself into reading it. The only way I tolerated the ending of The Maze Runner was to pretend it didn't end the way it did. Weird, I know, but it worked for me.

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  4. Oh, I am so glad that you loved this one! I thought it was a really creative concept, and it was told in a way that just grabbed me right from the start. I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series as well. Hopefully it's just as good as the first!

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    1. Zibilee,

      I'm glad you loved it, too! I agree 100%. It's a unique twist on the Cinderella tale and I couldn't put it down. The pages absolutely flew. I hope we don't have to wait too long for the second book!

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  5. I'm looking forward to the second book as well. Great worldbuilding for a YA!

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    1. The world-building really impressed me, too.

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  6. I saw the big reveal coming from early on in the book too, but I also loved this book.

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    1. I think that's the sign of a skilled writer, when you know what's coming but it's so fun getting to that point that knowing doesn't ruin the book for you.

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  7. I got an ARC I haven't had a chance to pick up yet -- but I'm dying to!

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    1. Oh, hurry, Audra! LOL It's so fun. Once you pick it up, you won't want to put it down till you've reached the end.

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  8. YA? A cyborg? but despite my prejudices, it still sounds good. I may have an unconscious thing for the Cinderella story. Ye gads.

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    1. Carrie, I honestly think you'd enjoy Cinder. It's a breezy read because it's gripping, not just because it's YA. It's done very well.

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  9. Confessions....I SKIMMED so I could enjoy this from beginning to end no matter what happens. Thanks for your careful editing and writing. I can read your feelings and still not have things spoiled. You're great!

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    1. Why, thank you, Gaye! I try diligently not to spoil the reading for others. I appreciate your comment!!

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  10. I'm glad you don't regret purchasing it. Phew! Not that I'm the one who encouraged you but I might as well have been since I liked it so much.

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    1. I don't even remember who raved about Cinder, but wasn't it awesome? Very creative storytelling, I thought, and nicely done. I will really enjoy rereading it when the next book comes out.

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