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The Lunar Chronicles #1

Cinder

Marissa Meyer

4.56

Soon to be adapted into major motion picture!

The first book in the #1 New York Times- and USA Today-Bestselling Lunar Chronicles series by the “Queen of fairytale retellings,” Marissa Meyer! See where the futuristic YA fairytale saga all began, with the tale of a teenage cyborg who must fight for Earth's survival against villains from outer space.

"An interesting mash up of fairy tales and science fiction . . . a cross between Cinderella, Terminator, and Star Wars." —Entertainment Weekly

The prince straightened, forcing her gaze to follow him. “You’re not quite what I was expecting.”

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.

With high-stakes action and a smart, resourceful heroine, Cinder is a Cinderella retelling that is at once classic and strikingly original.

Don't miss the other books in The Lunar Chronicles series:

Cinder

Scarlet

Cress

Winter

Stars Above

Fairest

Wires and Nerve Vol. 1

Wires and Nerve Vol. 2: Gone Rogue

AdultMiddle GradeYA
Pages
400
First published
January 3, 2012
Language
English
Edition
Ebook

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Shelved by 13 Litcadians

Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Finished September 11, 2022 · Read 2 times

    EDIT: I forgot just how much that one quote pained me. I'm currently very unwell. Anyways, it's still 4.5/5 stars, and I actually devoured this, and I'm so glad I reread it! ____________ I’m not sure where to start, actually. There’s a lot I could say, but like I said, I’m not sure where to start. I’ve read this book twice before, but that was before I had Goodreads, so it doesn’t count. I actually really enjoyed reading this. I forgot how much I loved Iko, and I really missed her at the end of the book 🥲. I also forgot how much Peony dying actually hurt. I loved her, even though she was only alive for like.. five minutes. The hate I have for Adri and Pearl.. I can’t even begin to explain the hatred I’ve got for those two. Levana too. Obviously, I already knew that Cinder was Princess Selene, but I’d forgotten some of the reveal, so I’m glad I reread it. I also really liked the plot. The whole ”lost princess thing was extremely enjoyable. I remember enjoying it the first time I read it, too. Overall, I give this book 4.5/5 stars, but I probably won’t read it again this time.

  • Started January 17, 2024 · Finished January 18, 2024 · Read 2 times

  • adventurousdarkemotionalinspiringmysteriousFast-paced

    Started March 17, 2026 · Finished March 22, 2026

    I had no idea what I was getting into with this book but I loved it. I loved the sassy characters and how the story twists and turns around the original fairy tale in a unique way. The world building was fantastic and simple but descriptive. I listened to the audiobook via Borrowbox and the narrator was great. Clear with great emotion.

  • Started October 22, 2025 · Finished October 22, 2025

  • Finished September 10, 2024

  • · Read 2 times

    I read this book once before, quite a long time ago, but I still felt all the emotions while reading and the revelations still hit me just as hard! I did noticed some smaller details which I would have likely missed, or not thought of as significant, when I first read so I am glad I have re-read this incredible story.

  • Started August 19, 2026 · Finished October 27, 2017 · Read 2 times

  • Finished July 26, 2016