Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: January 3, 2012
ISBN: 978-0312641894
Pages: 400
Note: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I always approach the retelling of a fairytale in a skeptical manner. However, Marissa Meyer did a beautiful job and I can't wait to read more! She kept the basic idea of Cinderella and updated it to a sci/fi cyborg story with death and disease and a horrid Queen trying to overtake Earth. What more could you ask for?
The Characters:
Cinder - a true delight! She knows what she is and what she isn't, seems proud that she can do things as a cyborg that regular humans can't, yet at the same time is embarrassed about being a cyborg. She's reasonable, romantic, adventurous...I just love her! Did she remind anyone else of FIREFLY's Kaylee? I mean, Kaylee wasn't a cyborg...but if she was, she would have been Cinder.
Kai - Prince of New Commonwealth, has a temper, hates that he has to do things he doesn't want to do, wants to be a regular guy sometimes, is prepared to do all the things he doesn't want to do, and seems to only really want one thing for just himself - Cinder.
Peony - the youngest stepsister, loves Cinder, very sweet and lovable.
Pearl - the oldest stepsister, rude, mean, haughty, but still shows humanity here and there.
Adri - the stepmother (guardian), awful, but does show other emotions.
Iko - the family android, but really hangs out with Cinder most, has a delightful personality chip (remember the android in Robin Williams' BICENTENNIAL MAN?)
Dr. Erland - research doctor in the palace, trying to figure out how to cure the plague and maybe has his own research going on....
Queen Levana - Lunar Queen, true evil, a royal B...
The Plot
First off there's the whole Cinderella thing, you know - Cinder has to work to support the family, she does all the dirty work, she never gets updated parts or clothes, she sleeps in a tiny room and isn't allowed to attend the ball. There's a tiny bit of romance, but just enough to keep you wanting more.
Then there's the fact that there's a plague in the world - Letumosis. No one seems to know how the plague starts, spreads or how to cure it.
The whole book was wonderful and I really enjoyed it. I love that Miss Meyer took a traditional fairytale and updated it so well. Congratulations!
We definitely enjoyed the twist on this classic fairytale too. Cinder, Kai and Iko were by far our favorites, and we're excited to see their adventures continue in the series. Glad you liked it so much!
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