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!
