Welcome to "Blogging From A to Z April Challenge." Today my letter is "C." To access the entire list of participants, go HERE. Also, at the end of the month one follower of this blog will win a $20 Amazon Gift Certificate. Just fill out the rafflecopter form HERE to be eligible for the drawing.
Marissa Meyer
Feiwel & Friends
Ages 12 to 18
400 pp.
Summary (from Amazon):
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.
Review:
I listened to this book on my Ipod and I have to say I absolutely loved it. While the ending was a bit predictable, it didn't detract at all from the exceptional quality of Marissa Meyer's writing and the overall experience of this engaging story. This may be a twist on the Cinderella fairytale (and there are elements from other fairytales, too), but the similarities really are minor. Cinder is a completely unique concept: a futuristic science fiction story about a cyborg mechanic, a worldwide pandemic, tense relations between Earthens and Lunars, and, of course, a gorgeous prince. Not since Ella Enchanted by Gail Carsen Levine has a fairytale so completely captured the hearts of its readers or deserved so many accolades.
In addition, I have to mention that this story is set in future China and that its characters are therefore Chinese. This fact is not heavy-handed at all. Nowhere are their Asian features described. We only make that inference from the setting, cultural landmarks and clothing, and their names. But I think in this day and age when the need for more cultural and racial diversity in books is a growing topic of interest, Cinder should stand as an example for others to follow. I applaud Ms. Meyer for reaching beyond our white/American comfort zone and creating a multi-cultural story we all can enjoy.
A word about the age appropriateness of this story. Cinder is considered YA, for ages 12 to 18, probably because the characters are in their late teens. But I found nothing in this book that would be inappropriate for younger audiences. Rather, the story and the writing itself is fine for middle grade readers. There is a single kiss and very minor violence involving a gunshot, but otherwise I plan to hand this to my nine and eleven-year-old kids as soon as I get my hands on a print version. This book is worth adding to my permanent home library.
Oh, and by the way, according to Ms. Meyer's blog, the sequel, Scarlett, is forthcoming. Can't wait.
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Profanity - None
Violence - Mild
Sex - Mild (a single kiss) 
Your description makes this story sound so interesting! I'll have to look for it.
ReplyDeleteGreat C choice, and I agree completely with your love of the novel! Cinder is one of my favorites that was released this year.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what your "D" choice is tomorrow. :-)
Thanks for coming by and reading my blogger childhood post. Now I'm here and have followed you. I love reading about China (Lisa See) but this sounds intriguing, future China. A very puzzling culture.
ReplyDeleteDenise
Adding it to the to-read list!
ReplyDeleteI'm addicted to audio books and I need a new one. I've also been dying to read Cinder. I've actually picked up the book several times at Barnes and Noble and almost bought it. If you say, audiobook, I'll go that way.
ReplyDelete