Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Book Title: Cinder

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publish Date: January 3, 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fairy Tale Retelling

Plot (from Goodreads):  

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.

Why I Read this Book: I have been wanting to read this book FOREVER, so I picked it up at my library.

 

Review 

Wow!  This book is fantastic!  It does not stick much to the original Cinderella story, but it does not disappoint!  This mix of fairy tale and science fiction is perfect.  Full of action and intense plot shifts, this book leaves you intrigued and wanting more.  I do not want to spoil the intense action, so I will just leave it at this.

This book is incredibly unique and I cannot wait to find out what happens in the rest of the series.  I already have the second book in the series on hold.

There are only a few negative points about this book.  Firstly, the first 100 pages or so of the book were slow, filled with world and character building.  It was interesting, but difficult to get through.  The last 200+ pages were intense and I would give it a 5.5/5!  Secondly, part of the plot was easily predictable and it was frustrating that the main character did not realize it.  For more on this, check out my Goodreads review where I use the spoiler tag to discuss this more in depth.

 

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age: 13+ for intense action scenes

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Blog Tour, Review, and Giveaway: TaleSpins by Michael Mullin

Tour Schedule

General Analysis

Book Title: TaleSpins (TaleSpins #1-3)

Author: Michael Mullin

Publish Date:  February 2, 2013

Genre:  Fairy Tales, Fantasy

Plot:  This includes three short retellings of popular fairy tales.  These include retellings of Snow White (in the perspective of the "8th dwarf"), the "Frog Prince" and the "giant, thief, and beanstalk" story.

Why I Read this Book: I received a free copy of this book as part of a blog tour hosted by "I Am A Reader Not a Writer" for my honest review.  I have received no compensation for my review.

In Depth Analysis

These stories were unique and interesting retellings.  I wish that there were not inappropriate references (drugs and sexual references), but the stories were worth the read. The characters were surprisingly detailed for such short stories.  The retellings had a good mix of the classic stories that are told to children and original content.  The last story was definitely the best!

Final Statements

Recommended Reading Age:  Although these are marketed to young adult, I recommend them to an adult audience for the few inappropriate references.

Overall Rating:  4/5

Check out the links below to purchase this book.  Also check out the praise for the book and the giveaways below.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Praise for Tale Spins

Not usually enamoured of either re-tellings or poetry I was totally taken aback by just how much I relished this trilogy of alternative fairytales and re-tellings aimed at the Young Adult market. ~Tracy (Goodreads)

TaleSpins was like walking into a vintage store and finding a true treasure. This book takes the fairytales we all grew up on and gives them an interesting and modernized version that I enjoyed. ~Rose (Goodreads)



Author Michael Mullin

Michael Mullin is a native New Englander living in Pasadena. He is the author of TaleSpins, a trilogy of alternative fairy tales and retellings for YA readers. TaleSpins stories (in the 1-book collection) are "8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf"; "The Plight and Plot of Princess Penny"; and "Jack'd". Michael is also the co-author of the successful "Larry Gets Lost" children's book series. His screenplay "Zooing Time" was recognized by the WGA's Written By magazine. Before all this writing, he taught preschool and college, two positions he found disconcertingly similar.
Website * Facebook * Twitter


Tour Giveaways

Giveaway #1 - Open to US only

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Giveaway #2

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 1/21/14

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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