Cinder

 

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Interest Level: Grades 7+

Reading Level: 5+

As is apparent by the title and cover art, this book is a retelling of the classic tale of Cinderella. Cinder is a gifted mechanic and a cyborg, living in New Beijing after World War IV with her mother and two stepsisters. She's an unwanted member of the family by all but her youngest stepsister, hated because she was being brought home by her stepfather for the first time when he was killed in an accident. But her talents bring home money so she's tolerated, but just barely.

Things really become interesting when Cinder meets Prince Kai, soon to be Emperor of New Beijing, who visits her stall in the market to have his tutor robot repaired. Although he shows interest in Cinder she rebuffs him because she's a cyborg and he doesn't know it. Add to the story a pandemic plague that both the Emperor and Cinder's young stepsister are struck with, Cinder's unusual immunity to the plague, inhabitants of the moon who can change people's will with their thoughts, and Cinder's mysterious past and you have a story that will keep readers interested and waiting for the next installment.

Advanced Reader copy received without compensation. Publication date January, 2012

Meyer, Marissa. (2012). Cinder. New York, NY: Feiwel & Friends.