Recommendation: Cinder

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Release: 1/3/2012

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

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. 

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I admit it: I'm a sucker for fairytale retellings (in fact, my WIP is a semi-retelling/semi-original fantasy). So when I heard the premise of Cinder, I went--WHAT? A Cinderella Cyborg? How cool! And even after reading Cinder by Marrissa Meyer, I still think "how cool".

We all know the basic story of Cinderella, but you've never seen it like this. I found Cinder a refreshing and very relatable character, who is a far cry from the Disney film version. She's no pushover and she demands respect, despite society telling her that she's a ugly, unwanted cyborg. Cinder's hurt by the words, but more than that, she attempts to prove them wrong. She's smart, resourceful, and one heck of a mechanic. Yeah, Cinder is pretty awesome.

So what about the setting? It's futuristic and takes place in a country called New Bejing. I somehow picture a city that resembles the hovering cars and towering buildings in Star Wars. And yes, I said Star Wars. Don't judge me. New Bejing, though, is under quite an epidemic, and there is a frantic rush to find a cure. I won't spoil the who's and what's, but when you crack open the cover, you're in for one heck of a story. And the ending--MY what a cliffhanger. It made me hungry for the sequel, Scarlet.

I have only two issues that bring down my overall rating: I thought Kai was sweet, but not someone that stands out. He's average, I suppose, and this affects my impression of Cinder and Kai's relationship. Perhaps the second book will make him more appealing in my eyes? The second, and last issue, I have with the book is that the "big reveal"/plot twist was very predictable. I knew what it would be from page 55. Now, how it would be revealed and what would happen were all unknown, so being able to guess the plot twist didn't detract too much from the novel. It's still a point worth making.

Anyway, go out and get your copy today. I definitely recommend it!

RATING: 4 SLICES 

Recommendation: The Assassin and the Pirate Lord

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord by Sarah J. Maas
Released: January  13, 2012

On a remote island in a tropical sea, Celaena Sardothien, feared assassin, has come for retribution. She’s been sent by the Assassin’s Guild to collect on a debt they are owed by the Lord of the Pirates. But when Celaena learns that the agreed payment is not in money, but in slaves, her mission suddenly changes—and she will risk everything to right the wrong she’s been sent to bring about.

I had the pleasure of reading S.J. Maas' first draft of Queen of Glass on FictionPress. With that said, I am slightly biased in my recommendation of The Assassin and the Pirate Lord--the first of four novellas that chronicle Celaena Sardothian's life as an infamous assassin. She's young--only 16--but fiery and full of passion. That is what I like about Celaena. She is SUCH strong heroine, but still full of many faults. From the Assassin's Keep to the Pirate Lord's lair, Sarah weaves together a story that is just play FUN. It’s face-paced and an enjoyable peek into the life of Celaena. It’s more than a Cinderalla retelling-it’s a fantasy novel of epic proportions that you don’t want to miss. Look for Throne of Glass coming out August 7, 2012

RATING: 5 SLICES