Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

 Title: Cinder

Series: The Lunar Chronicles

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Puffin

Publication Date: 5 Jan 2012

Source: Reviewed for We Love This Book

 Challenge: DAB

Synopsis from Goodreads

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.

REVIEW

Although I adore the retelling of fairy-tales I entered reading of this book with some trepidation, thinking it would be more science fiction than fairytale. This book defies classification, although the words steampunk fairy-tale do keep popping into my head, I have to say it is completely genius. The steampunk-esque detailing on the pages added to the overall steampunk feeling. I am hooked and cannot wait for the rest of the stories to be released.

The 3rd person narrative used within the book is a necessary tool in order to keep the many threads of the story under tight control. Not only do you have Cinders story you have her history, the history of Earth and the Moon and the underlying parallels to the original fairy-tale alongside Prince Kai’s story. I was constantly making comparisons of the characters with the original tale to work out who was who. I am still not certain but I think I can see shades of other tales being woven in with the characterisations. Some comparisons came as a surprise and the way in which the characters developed was not predictable in the slightest.

The world building was amazingly easy to imagine, a futuristic robotic dystopian steampunk fairy-tale. So easy to picture with the wonderfully descriptive writing. The images of the disease and how it was handled brought to mind the SARS outbreak a few years ago and the television coverage at that time; even the updated version of Ringa Ringa Roses aided the overall atmosphere. The Asian based imagery and names worked perfectly for this story.

The plot is so detailed and in depth it really does take you away with it and cannot be summed up without giving away too much. Characterisations and interactions were constantly taking me by surprise. Cinder is a fabulous character and details surrounding her unravel as the story develops. I adored the ‘sidekick’ little android (whose name I cannot remember) the girlie way in which the robot put on lipstick and jewelry and squeed over dresses and boys added such a delightful touch of humour to the story.

Although the world is now run by councils from the different continents working together the atmosphere of tension between them and Lunar is quite palpable through the narrative. Prejudice still exists and manifests towards cyborgs more than anyone else apart from Lunar’s. I honestly couldn't fathom why there was a problem with cyborgs. I would love to be wired into the net, be able to tell when someone is lying by have a little orange light blink in the corner of my vision, throw in a little bit of super-powers and away to go. So why the problem with cyborgs. This is one of the questions I would like an answer to in the future.

The whole fairy-tale romance ideal kept playing through my mind, and I have to say I was super imposing the Disney version onto Cinder and Kai. I adored their interactions. I really really really want to tell you more and am now sitting on my hands to stop myself.

I am just blown away that this is a debut. Believe me it is absolutely fantastic. I cannot wait for more. Someone please tell me I don't have to wait long.

Watch the Trailer HERE

Read a short story prequel HERE

Musical Moments: Book Theme Songs: Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev

Title: Perchance to Dream

Series: Theatre Illuminata

Author: Lisa Mantchev

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Publication Date: 25 May 2010

Synopsis: From Amazon

We are such stuff as dreams are made on.

Act Two, Scene One

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY

But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—

Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.

Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.

When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

Review here

Review: Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev

Title: Perchance to Dream

Series: Theatre Illuminata

Author: Lisa Mantchev

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Publication Date: 25 May 2010

Synopsis: From Amazon

We are such stuff as dreams are made on.

Act Two, Scene One

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY

But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—

 Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.

 Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.

When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?

Review:
Following on from Eyes Like Stars (review here) we join our frolicking friends in the ornately painted caravan as they embark on their journey in the outside world but this isn't any reality I have encountered. Such a marvellous blend of fantasy and realism woven together to create a world within a world - if I am making any sense at all.

The book is written both as narrative and play giving it just stunning imagery. The descriptions are rich in simile and metaphor. Even after just a few pages I could feel my intellect expanding via osmosis *grins*. The weaving of Shakespearean references into modern scenarios is nothing short of genius.

I had forgotten how much I liked the little fairies taken from A Mid Summer Night's Dream; their constant food references and playful manner provide light entertainment within the story. They make me smile and laugh out loud. The incident with Peaseblossom and the marzipan groom is absolutely hysterical.

Plus how could I forget that Beatrice now has purple hair *swoon* I so want purple hair (is that weird?)

The highlight of the book for me was there was oh so much more of Ariel *sswwoooonn*, I adore that air elemental to pieces; the way he can fly with the wind, the way he makes butterflies into hair accessories (without killing them I must add) his honesty, his strength and the way he wasn't afraid to show his weaknesses. I keep meaning to write a guest post for SisterSpooky about how Ariel as a fictional husband. This review has just reminded me to add it to my list [ : D ]

Although I have to say I absolutely HATE the love triangle in this book. Ariel just cannot be topped [ : p ] There are events that tugged at my heart strings. I honestly do not see Nate's appeal at all especially after he tricked Bertie into 'something' whereas Ariel has always been honest with her. As the story progresses we are able to see that Bertie has far more in common with Ariel than previously anticipated.  The narrative shows how easily language can have a dual meaning and be misconstrued or used to trick people.

Surprise revelations tumble forth opening up the underlying plot; giving background detail and validity to current actions and events. Bertie's 'powers' grow exponentially through the story. The overlap of Bertie's personal story with that of her parents brought past and present together seamlessly.

The book is a wonderful piece of escapism, I am trying to find different words to use other than beautiful but that is what this book is simply beautiful.