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thewordslinger's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was not really what I expected, given how many people I've seen talk about this series. But I'm surprised in a great way. I'm sort of addicted to this story (that part wasn't surprising, it was like crack a few years ago, I couldn't get <i>away</i> from people gushing about it); I wasn't expecting the ending we get--but now I have to know where this whole thing is going.
I'll be honest, fairytale retellings aren't really my jam. I've read a fair few of them, but none of them have ever really blown me away. They're either too on the nose to the original or they're too bizarre and I'm left wondering where the fairytale aspect even came in...but not this book. It's somehow straddling the line between retelling a classic, and well known story and creating something entirely new and original.
It had all the hallmarks you'd expect from the Cinderella story, without any of the cliches. And the original stuff--the sci-fi elements--I put off picking this series up specifically because of that. It just didn't interest me.
Alas, as with most other massively popular series, curiosity eventually kills the cat. In this case, I'm so glad I caved.
This world is fascinating. The characters have depth and are worth rooting for. I really have nothing bad to say about this and I sort of feel like an idiot for putting this off for so long. I do think the writing's a little...simple. But it's not a complaint! It made this book easy to breeze through and accessible to a large audience.
On to the next!
I'll be honest, fairytale retellings aren't really my jam. I've read a fair few of them, but none of them have ever really blown me away. They're either too on the nose to the original or they're too bizarre and I'm left wondering where the fairytale aspect even came in...but not this book. It's somehow straddling the line between retelling a classic, and well known story and creating something entirely new and original.
It had all the hallmarks you'd expect from the Cinderella story, without any of the cliches. And the original stuff--the sci-fi elements--I put off picking this series up specifically because of that. It just didn't interest me.
Alas, as with most other massively popular series, curiosity eventually kills the cat. In this case, I'm so glad I caved.
This world is fascinating. The characters have depth and are worth rooting for. I really have nothing bad to say about this and I sort of feel like an idiot for putting this off for so long. I do think the writing's a little...simple. But it's not a complaint! It made this book easy to breeze through and accessible to a large audience.
On to the next!
literaryleta's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
laurenbookishtwins's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was a really good book, and a very unique spin on the Cinderella story. It was good how Meyer built the Cinderella tale into the story, rather than try to build the story around the Cinderella tale. It was very well executed. The writing style was very good and captivating, as well as the pace of the story, despite not much happening, I didn’t feel myself getting bored.
Cinder has definitely got to be one of my favourite heroines. She was passionate, strong and caring, but also vulnerable and self-conscious, but she works through this in order to protect those she loves. Kai was also another favourite, and I really did feel that he cared for Cinder. I also liked that he had his own problems to deal with.
There is a bit of a plot twist at the end (although I sort of guessed it coming) - although the reason why she was immune was actually a bit of a shock. Overall, an easy and interesting read. I would highly recommend.
Cinder has definitely got to be one of my favourite heroines. She was passionate, strong and caring, but also vulnerable and self-conscious, but she works through this in order to protect those she loves. Kai was also another favourite, and I really did feel that he cared for Cinder. I also liked that he had his own problems to deal with.
There is a bit of a plot twist at the end (although I sort of guessed it coming) - although the reason why she was immune was actually a bit of a shock. Overall, an easy and interesting read. I would highly recommend.
megsbookishtwins's review against another edition
5.0
I heard a lot of great things about Cinder before I read it, and I can totally understand why. The concept of this book was great! It was a very unique and captivating twist on the Cinderella fairytale. I loved the idea of cyborgs and it was executed really well. I also love a good dystopian. This was a very different and well developed dystopian which I didn't expect, and I was very impressed.
World building is needed for a dystopian and Meyer had no problem doing this and I felt that I was there. It was done exceptionally well. I also liked the idea that Cinder wasn't set in America as a majority of YA books are. This was very refreshing.
The writing was beautiful, and it kept me captivated from the start. Despite it not having much action in, I didn't get bored at all, and wanted to keep reading.
The characters in Cinder were great. Cinder was a character which I loved, she was passionate, independent, strong and brave. She was also sarcastic and funny which entertained me. Kai was also a character which I grew to love. He had a lot resting on him and a huge amount of pressure and handled it well. He was a great character and I enjoyed his and Cinder's relationship, as it didn't feel too rushed.
Iko was also a lovely character and her and Cinder obviously had a good friendship. Peony death upset me as I would have loved to have seen more of her.
Overall, It was a great read and I would definitely recommend. Especially if you love fairytales and dystopia's.
World building is needed for a dystopian and Meyer had no problem doing this and I felt that I was there. It was done exceptionally well. I also liked the idea that Cinder wasn't set in America as a majority of YA books are. This was very refreshing.
The writing was beautiful, and it kept me captivated from the start. Despite it not having much action in, I didn't get bored at all, and wanted to keep reading.
The characters in Cinder were great. Cinder was a character which I loved, she was passionate, independent, strong and brave. She was also sarcastic and funny which entertained me. Kai was also a character which I grew to love. He had a lot resting on him and a huge amount of pressure and handled it well. He was a great character and I enjoyed his and Cinder's relationship, as it didn't feel too rushed.
Spoiler
How they parted was just so upsetting tho Iko was also a lovely character and her and Cinder obviously had a good friendship. Peony death upset me as I would have loved to have seen more of her.
Overall, It was a great read and I would definitely recommend. Especially if you love fairytales and dystopia's.
evelyn_4444's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pizzagotpunk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tiffanysmith's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5