It is not uncommon for us in this book loving community to always be looking forward to new books and future releases, but sometime I think we forget the great books that have already been published that we have not read yet, or books that we have read once and probably should read again. To try and stop myself from doing this too much, I am reviewing a backlist title (a book over 3 years old) every week, to explore the treasures of our past. This week, I am reviewing Cinder, the first book in the Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer.
Synopsis
A forbidden romance.
A deadly plague.
Earth’s fate hinges on one girl . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She’s reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen – and a dangerous temptation.
Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth’s future.
Review
This book is so good! I love the way that Meyer crafts a story around a classic story. She somehow manages to make a plot we all know exciting and unpredictable, but still throwing in references to the original story to allow us to feel like we know what is going on.
Even in the future the story begins with once upon a time.
The world in which this story is set, is unbelievably well thought out, with details that make you feel like it could actually happen in the future. There is no glamorising the world and ugly truths like poverty and poor living conditions are brought up. I also enjoy the fact that this story does not shy away from the complex world of politics and the responsibilities of being emperor and the hard decisions that come with it.
Mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.
Finally, the characters and incredibly well written, making it impossible not to love them. Each character perfectly fills their role in the story without being incompetent or over-competent. You feel as if the problems have to be solved the way they do, and not that the problems are there merely for the sake of the plot. Each character has a strong motivation and backstory that seeps out through their actions even when it is not clearly explained.
A Full Time Nerd 
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