Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Review: Cinder (Audiobook)




Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Series: Lunar Chronicles
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Fairy Tales
Length: 10 hours and 6 minutes
Narrator: Rebecca Soler
Source: eLibrary
Author's Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Buy it: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Book Depo

Description:

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
My Rating:



My Review:
Cinder is a cyborg, an outcast in a world where she is already alone.  Adopted at a young age, she is hated by her step-mother who blames her for the death and illness that has struck first her adopted father and then her step-sister.  To earn her keep Cinder works as a mechanic.  When she realizes the full extent of her step-mother's hatred, she wants nothing more than to run away.  Unfortunately it isn't an option and she is taken away to be experimented upon.  But this has major consequences.  She develops a friendship with Prince Kai, learns more about herself, and realizes the threats to earth.  She soon faces choices that test her loyalty, friendship, and love.

On the story...
Cinder is a lovely retelling of Cinderella with a new futuristic story line.  the world-building in this one is fab-tastic!  It was truly my favorite part.  I could picture everything viivdly.  I also love that it took place in New Beijing instead of America.  Cinder is a feisty cypoarg (part girl and part machine) who has gone her whole life despising herself and feeling unloved.  She doesn't mope.  She plans and does the best that she can.  She isn't over the top or predictable.  Prince Kai is sweet but I'm sure there will be a lot more to learn about him so I look forward to that.  Cinder is action-packed and I was sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time. People who aren't a fan of dystopias that focus on violence and death will like this one more.  There is death (mostly because of a plague) but this one feels less violent so far.  The adventure is the search and find variety rather than the violent fighting variety.

With all retellings I mourn a bit because I feel like I know where thing are headed.  Cinder isn't really any different.  My only negative for this one is that I knew the big reveal well before it was revealed.  I found myself impatiently waiting for it, only caring about the consequences.  I didn't get to entirely enjoy the build-up as much because I really wanted to know about that one issue.  I was revealed at the very end and then the book ended and I was a tad disappointed.

On the narrator...
Ms. Soler was awesome.  Everything was perfect.  Voices were distinct and the tone was right on.  I loved when Ms. Soler did the android voices because they were slightly robotic without being over-the-top.  It made me smile every time.

Overall,  I quite enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing this series.  I also recommend this to those who don't read dystopia because they find them too depressing.  This has a different feel to it.
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26 comments:

  1. I have had this on my shelf for like ever now and your review was the first to convince me that I need to pick it up asap.

    This line: "I also recommend this to those who don't read dystopia because they find them too depressing. This has a different feel to it." Sold me!

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  2. I really enjoyed the audio! I can't wait for Scarlett.

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  3. Honestly I can't even imagine this book, must be so cool

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  4. I enjoyed this audio as well. I thought the story was interesting as far as re-tellings go. I too figured out the big reveal long before the actual reveal, but I'm happy to say that didn't take away from the enjoyment of the story for me.

    Now I'm anxious to see how the rest of the story plays out.

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  5. This one was great...granted, a bit predictable as you said, and that was my only huge disappointment. But I liked Cinder a lot, and can't wait for the sequel!

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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    1. The predictable part was disappointing but I'm thinking book 2 will be less predictable.

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  6. Cinder is a fun twist on the traditional Cinderella story. I really enjoyed it and I don't typically read YA nor dystopian. I'll soon be reading Scarlet, an ARC, which is the second in the Lunar Chronicles of which Cinder is the first. Should be good!

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    1. I'm not lucky enough to have an ARC of Scarlet but I can't wait to read it.

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  7. This one is on my list to read too. So many books so little time! Thanks for this review. I may pick this up in audio, just so I can squeeze it in sooner than later. :-)I always like to hear with the audiobook narrator is a perfect fit.

    Tamara @ Shelf Addiction

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  8. I am going to have to give this one a whirl. you are the 2nd one singing it's praises this week :)

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  9. Oh Cinder was awesome! The second book comes out in February if I am not mistaken. I listened to the audiobook a while back and LOVED it.

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    1. I can't wait for the second one. This one set this series up well.

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  10. Awesome review!!! I have heard so many good things about this book but I have yet to read it!! I think I definitely need to get it!! Especially before the second one comes out!

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    1. I would get it soon! Or you can wait till the second one comes out and read them at the same time. The wait will be difficult otherwise.

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  11. I see this one around Goodreads a lot. Great review. I'm curious about the book myself :)

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    1. It's cute. Definitely different enough to stand out from the others in this genre.

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  12. I have this book and I will read your review once I finish it. I am looking forward to it

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  13. Looking forward to Scarlet ... how bizarre can this Cinderella retelling become? :)

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    1. It gets pretty creative... I enjoyed Scarlet more than Cinder. The story really digs in.

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