Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Penguin
Rating: 4 stars
Brief description: In a futuristic world Cinder(ella) fights against an oppressing society for freedom. She is a cyborg living in a humans world and is not given the same rights. Working in a mechanics shop she encounters the prince of New Beijing who captures her heart. How much is she willing to tell him about her real identity? And does she even fully know her own identity?
Thoughts in a sentence
Bee: This is one of my favourite books. I love the unique twist on a classic fairytale.
Kathy: Funny, romantic and clever. This book has you enraptured until the very end.
Review:
This novel is set in New Beijing, a futuristic city full of cyborgs, androids and portscreens. I was very intrigued to read a novel set in an Asian country as there are few YA books set in this continent. I think Meyer chose to set her novel here because it is busy, hot and ultimatley a huge machine. A city has so many wires and connections that it is all a big circuit. This is ironic as cyborgs are discriminated against in New Beijing yet the people will happily live off of a machine city. I think Meyer is trying to reflect our society in this instance as we discrimate people for their appearance and differences yet in the end we rely on them as they are working citizens of our country and world. Cinder takes the reader on her journey and we get to see first hand the kind of hurt she recieves. This can range from just a disapproving glance to not having the rights over her own body.
I really liked the relationship between Cinder and Kai. I really hope they end up together as they've been through too much to not get a shot at happiness. The ending was very tense and shocking. Having read the other novels in the series so far I know more about who Cinder is and what powers she can posses. However from the view of only this book I think Meyer revealled Cinders identity in a spectacular way and left us heartbroken.
I have found parallels between Cinder and Kai. For instance they do not both possess complete freedom. Kai is restricted becaus of his status as King and Cinder can never be free because of her lower cyborg class. Maybe they find a sense of freedom in each other and a glimpse of what life is like when you're reckless. There are many questions to be held over Levana and the disease letumosis. Levana, representing the evil witch who disguises herself to trick cinderella, is a cunning and malicious character. She appears to have no pity or even a sense of humainity, maybe because she isn't human. I am interested to see how Levana will be otherthrown and for Cinder to recognise her true power.
Finally I want to say how this is a very quick, fun read that makes you feel good. I would compare it to Anna and the french kiss, because they both have a lovable quality to them.
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