Cinder by: Marissa Meyer
Bibliography: Meyer, M. (2012).CINDER. Detroit, Gale Cengage.
ISBN:978-1250007209
Plot 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.With high-stakes action and a smart, resourceful heroine, Cinder is a Cinderella retelling that is at once classic and strikingly original.
Critical Analysis:
Cinder is a captivating book which hooks the reader from the beginning. Every page is action-packed and easy to follow as the author uses simple words and doesn’t obfuscate or boggle down the plot with useless, complicated vocabulary. The characters are very well developed and very relatable. The story is mainly written in the main character’s point of view,
or third person, which gives the reader an invaluable insight into the character rather than having to guess or infer her motives or actions. Cinder’s themes of courage, acceptance, and sacrifice make it great for an audience of 13 and over as many young readers sadly experience situations that put their self-worth and other personal issues into question. Some of the content, however, makes it inappropriate for younger readers.
Review Excerpt(s):
"Prince Charming among the cyborgs." ―The Wall Street Journal
“There's a lot of moving parts in this fresh spin on "Cinderella," the first in a four-book series. First, we've moved from a fairy-tale kingdom to a post World War IV future in New Beijing. Plagued by her stepmother and shunned by society for being a cyborg, Cinder keeps her head down as the city's best mechanic until she catches the eye of the dashing Prince Kai. He's got matters of state to worry about, though, including an incurable plague and the ever-present threat of war from the moon-people, known as Lunars. The over-the-top, spiteful cruelty that dogs the heroine from all sides is a little too cartoonish to take seriously when retrofitted from fairy tale to science fiction, and it's best not to ponder things like why such a technologically advanced civilization would get into such a tizzy about a fancy-dress ball. Still, readers will enjoy lining up the touchstones from the old favorite, and Meyer brings a good deal of charm and cleverness to this entertaining, swiftly paced read.” -ALA Booklist
“With no memory of her life before becoming a cyborg, teenage Linh Cinder (who lives with her stepmother and two stepsisters) is forced to earn the family's living as a mechanic. Her life changes after an encounter with New Beijing's Prince Kai. Meyer ingeniously incorporates key elements of the fairy tale into this sci-fi Cinderella story.”- Horn Book
Connection:
*Students can identify one or two themes of this story.
*Students can compare a classic Cinderella story to Cinder.
Other similar books:
CRESS: THE LUNAR CHRONICLES by: Marissa Meyer ISBN:978-0312642976
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