‘Cinder’ gives fresh twist to classic fairy tale
Audiobook excerpt: https://soundcloud.com/
Hold on to your bootstraps, because I, the one with a fetish for romance novels, have finally gotten out of my solid-romance books and have read something sci-fi and fantasy. But, here’s the catch: It does have a hint of romance. Don’t expect me to give up altogether.
Have you ever read a retelling of those classic fairy tales, say “Cinderella,” where she was part human, part machine? Well, in “Cinder” by Marissa Meyer, you read all about it.
One of the aspects my friend likes about the book is that Meyer uses the basic plot of “Cinderella.” You’ve got your typical characters, a ball and an endless list of chores. Other than these parameters, Meyer runs away with her imagination. Instead of mice for friends as in the Disney version, you’ve got an android as a friend. Instead of Cinderella – called Cinder in the book – mopping the floors, she’s a mechanic fixing everything for everyone, including the prince.
You’ll love this book. The twists in the plot are awesome. It’s a futuristic, dystopian novel, and like I said earlier, it’s somewhat sci-fi. I mean, we’ve got people living on the moon – the moon – called Lunars. They are a manipulative, cruel and savage people. They have the potential to have gifts called glamours. But wait, this book gets better. There’s this disease, letumosis, killing hundreds of people. It’s a big worry, especially when it comes close to home for Cinder. All of the sudden, Cinder is thrust right into the middle of a pandemic.
If you’re looking for my honest opinion of this book, it is this: It is so fresh and different. I know I’ve said that before, but it really is. I never read a retelling before, but so far, I love it. As mentioned previously, you have your basic Cinderella story, but honestly, this book feels like a whole new idea all on its own.
Meyer’s writing is easy to follow. It’s not a complicated read, and it is engaging; you have to wrap your mind around portscreens, netscreens, hovers and androids, cyborgs, Lunars and letumosis. There is so much going on that you have to keep reading to find out what it all means. I, for one, didn’t see some of the plot twists coming.
Cinder, I believe, is a relatable character. She’s had a rough past that she doesn’t remember. She has a complicated present and an unknown future. One minute she was a well-known mechanic in the market and the next thing you know, she is friends with the prince, valuable to so many people. Her identity is questioned, her abilities tested. She has a secret to hide, especially from the prince. As a cyborg, there are strong prejudices against her, and it becomes more and more difficult to keep her secret.
Intriguing, is it not? It is positively fascinating. I hear that it ends on a major cliffhanger, making you grasp for the next book like you gasp for air after you hold your breath. Maybe that was a touch dramatic, but who cares? It’s good. The next book, “Scarlet,” has Little Red Riding Hood in it. Following that is “Cress.” However, we have to wait a whole year for the fourth book.
– Marissa Neeley is a freshman majoring in history with an emphasis in teaching. She is an avid reader, reading anything from historical fiction and fantasy to romance and nonfiction. Send any comments to marissa.neeley@aggiemail.usu.edu.