EbonyInkReviews: DAC I ~ January: Cinder

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

DAC I ~ January: Cinder

Author: Marissa Meyer

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.

In this thrilling debut young adult novel, the first of a quartet, Marissa Meyer introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine and a masterfully crafted new world that’s enthralling.

My Review:

I absolutely loved this book! This is one of those books you’re going to either love or hate, there really is no in between. At first, I thought this would just been one of those new debut young adult novels that everyone drools over for no good reason. Surprisingly for me, it was well written and the story line, enticing. This is saying alot, for this fairy tale retelling/steam-punk/dystopian premiss may seem a bit predictable and unoriginal. But Meyer’s does not disapoint!

Cinder, our main protagonist and Cinderella remake, is a cyborg, and in her Society, an outcast. Stuck at the bottom of the social class, she’s forced to work tirelessly as a mechanic to support her stepmother and two stepsisters. As fate would have it, she’s thrust into a forbidden relationship with the Prince Kai, soon to be Emperor. She also becomes involved in the research for a cure to the disease that plagues their kingdom. There’s also the threat looming over all their heads, that of the Lunars, the alien race inhabiting the moon. Their Queen wishes to form an alliance... by marrying Prince Kai.

Characters:

While the characters themselves may be based off of the original Cinderella story, Meyer’s did an excellent job portraying them with a new spin. They are no longer dull, retold characters but ones who have new names, characteristics, and personalities that draw you into the story.

Plot:

Again, though the plot is based off this well known fairy tale, the basics may be a bit predictable, but the added imagination thrust into the story builds up a great, suspenseful read.

Disclaimers:

There really isn’t much to disclaim about for once. Profanity wasn’t really prevalent. The romance was nice and clean. I guess for the more squeamish readers, there’s alot involved concerning a life threatening, deforming disease. And with cyborgs come missing limps. So I wouldn’t recommend it for young readers. The description never is too nasty, though.