Cinder

Book One of the Lunar Chronicles

By: Marissa Meyer

Narrated by: Rebecca Soler

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2012 Marissa Meyer (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Cinderella with resonance with Star Wars

You get the Cinderella story but better. All the portions of the story are well thought out so nothing feels contrived. Cinder and the prince get to know each other. There are good reasons for Cinder to keep some secrets from the prince. The prince has urgent needs for himself and the country. Cinder may be just what the prince needs, even though neither he nor Cinder realizes it. It is adventurous and adorable. Strong female lead. Touches all the key points of the fairy tale.

A Great Story, Well Done!

This is a well-done and imaginative re-telling of a classic loosely based on the plot of Cinderella. No, it's not an exact copy. The writing is good, the characters well-developed and fleshed out...they come to life from the "pages" (or earbuds). Kai and Cinder are great characters, I really came to care about them during the course of the story. I look forward to the next book and seeing what unfolds for them. The threat to Kai's sovreignty, indeed the threat of war between "countries" and even planets in the author's imagined world, and the battle against an insideous disease enhances the plot, making it about much more than relationships. The narration is good, the voice is appropo of the main character and delivers the story well. The only thing I would say could be done a little better is some of the male voices, particularly that of Kai himself. To me his voice should have been a little more distinguished and indentifiable. (That is a minor complaint, however.) Overall, I would highly recommend this. It is one of my favorite stories (overall) and favorite Audible listens that I have experienced recently.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Would you listen to Cinder again? Why?

I love this book. Very creative take on old fairy tales. Can not wait for the next story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

absolutly

Love a Twist.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'm a fairy tale lover, but I have standards. The same story over and over again isn't enticing. THIS book, though, has some fun stuff going on. I abhor spoilers so you won't get any, but the politics and intrigue turn the Cinderella foundation into just a backdrop for an awesome adventure. I'm looking forward to Scarlet!

What other book might you compare Cinder to and why?

I'd compare it to A Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson - strong, smart, SPECIAL heroine faced with big problems.

What does Rebecca Soler bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Sardonic tone for Cinder, good grasp of character, great voices.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I almost did!

A Great Twisted Cinderella Story!!

I loved this story! Even though it is a twisted Cinderella story, I could not predict how it was going to come out. I am eagerly awaiting the next story in the series.

The reader (Rebecca Soler) was excellent and enjoyable to listen to.

1st in a quartet!

I did not realize that this was the first of four books when I bought it. Other than that jarring realization at the end of the reading, (causing me to scream out loud in frustration when the credits began to roll), it was amazing.

I listened to this book as I was traveling across states to attend and participate in a friend's wedding. I thought that it would be a great little romantic tale that would help keep me in the wedding mood.

While there is romance, that is not the focus of this Cinderella retelling. The main protagonist, Cinder, is one of my favorite fairy-tell characters to come onto the page since Virginia Lewis in The 10th Kingdom. Cinder has all the trappings of the poor, unloved maid about to be rewarded for her goodness with a handsome prince, but then, she takes a big wrench and throws it into the cogs of the fairy tale machine.

Cinder is amazing. She can do science, she can fix things and she kicks the idea that a girl needs to meet some type of weirdo-fashion standard in the face with her cybernetic leg. Her interactions with the Prince are slow and she doesn't fall for him because of his prince-y-ness but because of who he is as a person.

There are three more books in this series and I am going to be counting down to each one. I loved the reader as well. She kept the action going and truly seemed to care about the story she was telling. I hope that more people get this and share it with their friends. It's definitely worth the credit or the cash.

unique retelling of a fairy tale gone sci-fi

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This will definitely be a staple on "ALL" of my nieces bookshelves when they are old enough to read young adult -teen books. I will be making sure of it!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cinder?

Without giving away any spoilers I would have to say the most memorable moments of Cinder took place as all memorable Cinderella story moments take place. at the ball of course.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I won't deny that there wasn't any room for improvement with the reader, mainly I thought the readers weakest point was the lack distinguishing the characters though her voice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

it's NOT like the fairy tales!

pleasantly surprised

What did you love best about Cinder?

I really loved how this story plays with the readers knowledge of the Cinderella story. It hints to the story, but as you go along you realized that it is not the same story. When you get to the end of the book you realized it is only the beginning of the story. Wonderfully written.

Any additional comments?

Rebecca Soler does a fantastic job. You forget it is the same person doing all the voices. She has the ability to become the voice of each character without sounding false. A wonderful talent to read a wonderful story.

A fun sci-fi fairytale

Cinder is a futuristic tale (borrowing some elements from Cinderella) in which a young mechanic girl (part cyborg) catches the eyes of a prince. She is invited to a ball with him but her stepmother and sister make that difficult. Meanwhile a plague sweeps the nation and the Lunar colonies threaten war.

So initially I was a bit skeptical of the book based on the fairytale premise, but it really turned out well. It has a lot of science fiction elements including the lunar people, cyborgs, androids, letamosis (a plague), hover vehicles, etc. And things were done differently (for example, one of the step-sisters was a wonderful person, and the step-mother is far from the main villain).

I really liked the romance, the political intrigue, the secrets of the Lunars, the evil Lunar queen, and of course prince Kai. The characters were well done, and I never lost interest in the plot.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was superb.

This was a wonderful book (5 stars for me) and I'm really looking forward to reading the sequels.

NOTE: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

great book, keeps you going

Would you consider the audio edition of Cinder to be better than the print version?

the reader of this book is very good. I like the different moods she can put into the story.

What other book might you compare Cinder to and why?

I will be getting all of the books of this story line.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, but was not able to.