Sunday, February 25, 2018

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1) by Marissa Meyer

Narrated by Rebecca Soler
Synopsis (via Goodreads): Sixteen-year-old Cinder is considered a technological mistake by most of society and a burden by her stepmother. Being cyborg does have its benefits, though: Cinder's brain interference has given her an uncanny ability to fix things (robots, hovers, her own malfunctioning parts), making her the best mechanic in New Beijing. This reputation brings Prince Kai himself to her weekly market booth, needing her to repair a broken android before the annual ball. He jokingly calls it "a matter of national security," but Cinder suspects it's more serious than he's letting on.

Although eager to impress the prince, Cinder's intentions are derailed when her younger stepsister, and only human friend, is infected with the fatal plague that's been devastating Earth for a decade. Blaming Cinder for her daughter's illness, Cinder's stepmother volunteers her body for plague research, an "honor" that no one has survived.

But it doesn't take long for the scientists to discover something unusual about their new guinea pig. Something others would kill for. 
“Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.”
I want Rebecca Soler to narrate my life. I thought she did an amazing job when I listened to the audiobook for Heartless, so I didn't think twice about requesting the audiobook for Cinder from my library. She has such a wonderful range of voices, and I'm never confused by who is speaking. She. Is. Incredible. The story is fabulous on it's own, but her voice really awakens the characters in my head.

I loved Cinder. I should have read it ages ago when it first came out, but now I get to read the entire series without a wait! I guess silver linings and all that jazz, but... it was a wonderful read regardless of when I read it, and it's sure to be one that I read again. The writing was phenomenal, and Marissa Meyer's twist on Cinderella was breathtaking and beautiful. Cyborgs! There were cyborgs and robots, a futuristic world with new rules, and a plague. Meyer really went above and beyond with the creativity of her world and characters. I never felt like I was somewhere unfamiliar, it was just someplace I hadn't been before, but knew all about.

Cinder made me feel so much. There were times when I was horrified and so very angry, and other moments my heart broke for these characters. My emotions were all over the place with this one, and I felt compelled to give hugs to some and stab others repeatedly.

I seriously will forever read anything this author ever writes. She's an auto-buy for me now! "Oh, my stars!" The story is fabulous, too. (Yes, I know I said this earlier, but it's worth repeating.) I was so invested in the characters and engaged in their struggles and triumphs. I thought something might be something while I was reading it (vague, I know), but the reveal was nicely done. I cannot wait to see where the story goes from here! I have so many questions, but more importantly, I want to immerse myself in this world again.

Should you read this? Yes! Absolutely! Are you free right now? ๐Ÿ˜

36 comments:

  1. Yes!!! I LOVED this series! I hope you are able to get to the rest of them soon :)

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    1. I definitely will! You couldn't keep me away, lol.

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  2. Yay!!! Another fan joins the club. I envy you your first time through them. Enjoy!

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  3. I've heard others say that this was good too. It's in my tbr pile so at some point I'll get to it.

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    1. I hope you're able to get to it soon! Let me know what you think when you do.

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  4. I liked it too :D But then I listened to book 2, and dunno, something was wrong with the cd. I got it from the library and I was confused. I think it skipped tracks and such. They never got a new one

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    1. Scarlett, right? I'm thinking about listening to that next! I'm sorry something was wrong with the CD. That's a bummer! I definitely think it's worth buying, though. I loved the story and the narrator.

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  5. Oh, I love this series. I've read the first three plus Fairest, and I hope to FINALLY read Winter ASAP.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I forgot about Fairest! Thanks for the reminder.

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  6. I read this so long ago and really liked it, but now in order to continue, I need to re-read it because it's been so long. I do own all the books though because I picked them up really cheap from Book Outlet.

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    1. Nice! There are a few books I need to reread so I can finish a series, but I don't mind! I'm really enjoying this one, too.

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  7. This reminds me that I still need to finish this series. I was waiting for the final book to come out in paperback, but that happened now.

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. Yes! I'm happy I can read them all without having to wait, lol.

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  8. This is one series that kept popping up a while back but I just never got around to it either. Something about the description just never made it feel like a must read. Never thought about doing the audio, but that's a great idea after seeing your love. Great review, Lindsi! :)

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    1. I don't know why, but something always made me pass it up. I finally decided to give the audiobook a try, and now I'm in love with this series. If you decide to listen to the audiobook, or just read them, let me know what you think!

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  9. I need to finish up this series, it's so good!!

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  10. I really liked this series, well, this book but for some reason, even though I bought them all, I have yet to finish it. I will though, one day. ;)

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  11. I'm soooo glad you loved this, L! I swear, the series gets better as it goes on. The characters get more depth, and the plots thicken... I haven't finished the series YET, but I can vouch for the amazingness of books 2 and 3, so go read them ASAP! <3

    - Aimee @ Aimee, Always

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    1. I'm barely into Scarlett and loving it already! Cinder just reappeared! I'm glad the following books don't disappoint. I always worry when the first book is WONDERFUL. Have you read Fairest? Doesn't that go along with this?

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  12. I was lucky enough to read this when it first came out. I loved it and I still love this series. So good! I hope you enjoy the rest just as much.

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  13. So glad this was such a hit for you! I have had Cinder sitting on my shelf for *years* despite friends raving about it and telling me that I'll love it. Thanks for putting this back on my radar! :)
    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

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    1. It needs to be in your hands and on your mind! Lol! It's wonderful.

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  14. YES! I loved Cinder and the audio as well. She is such a great narrator!

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  15. Yay, I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed Cinder. I just finished this series last month and thought it was wonderful! I already want to re-read it so maybe I'll check out the audio version next go around.

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    1. Already wanting to reread?? That's when you know a book is good. Try the audiobooks! They're some of my favorites!

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  16. Wow, glad you loved this so much! It does sound like a really creative retelling, which is prob hard considering all the Cinderella retellings out there. The narrator sounds great too!

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    1. Try it! Cyborgs and robots are your thing!! The narrator is superb, and the retelling is sooo original. There's nothing like it!

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  17. I didn't love Cinder but of course I read it when it first came out, surrounded by hype, but I did love Scarlett and Heartless (which is VERY dark). Still need to read Winter.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Heartless was hard to read at times! I loved it. It made me feel awful and amazing simultaneously. I'm sorry you didn't love Cinder! I'm listening to Scarlett right now and want to read the rest of the series.

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  18. Excited you like Cinder. I read some great reviews and has been on my list to buy for awhile. It sounds so different.

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“Stuff and nonsense. Nonsense and stuff and much of a muchness and nonsense all over again. We are all mad here, don't you know?”
― Marissa Meyer, Heartless