Author: Marissa Meyer
Genre: YA Science Fiction, Fairytale Retelling, Dystopian
Published: 2012
Rating: ★★★★☆ – 4/5
“Even in the Future the Story Begins with Once Upon a Time.”
– Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cinder is a futuristic retelling of Cinderella—but with a twist. Our Cinderella is a cyborg. She fixes androids in a crowded market, lives under the rule of a bitter stepmother, and hides parts of herself that could get her killed. But when a deadly plague spreads through the city and the mysterious Prince Kai shows up with a broken robot (and a few secrets of his own), Cinder’s life shifts in ways she never imagined. Suddenly, she’s caught between a crumbling world, a political crisis, and a past that’s been kept from her.
This book was one of my childhood favorites, and it still holds up. I remember loving the concept right away—classic fairytales, but set in the future with androids, viruses, and moon colonies? Yes, please. But it wasn’t just the concept that hooked me. It was the characters. Marissa Meyer gives them real depth, emotion, and stakes. And while this first book is just the beginning of a bigger series, it does a great job laying the foundation for what’s to come.
– Cinder –
Cinder is one of those protagonists who’s easy to root for. She’s smart, practical, and constantly underestimated—both by the people around her and by herself. Being a cyborg means she’s treated like she’s less than human, and the way she pushes against that—quietly, stubbornly, and with growing strength—is what makes her shine. She’s not perfect, but that’s what makes her feel real. Her journey is about finding out who she is, but also deciding who she wants to be.
– Prince Kai –
Kai could have easily fallen into the “charming royal love interest” trap, but Meyer gives him a surprising amount of pressure and complexity. He’s juggling political responsibilities, grief, public image, and the weight of keeping a crumbling world afloat. And while his dynamic with Cinder has hints of the classic fairytale romance, it never feels forced or shallow. He’s likable because he feels like a teenager put in a near-impossible situation—and trying his best to do the right thing.
– Iko –
Iko is Cinder’s android sidekick, and honestly? She steals every scene she’s in. She’s funny, loyal, and somehow has more personality than a lot of fully human characters I’ve read. Her obsession with dresses, drama, and rebellion adds the perfect dose of humor and warmth to balance the book’s darker tone. It’s rare for a non-human character to feel this alive—and while some books fail to make you care about their “quirky” side characters (looking at you, Lessons in Chemistry), Cinder absolutely nails it. Iko isn’t just comic relief—she’s unforgettable.
– The Setting –
The worldbuilding in Cinder is one of its strongest elements. The futuristic version of Earth—complete with hovercars, androids, political tension, and a deadly plague—feels fully imagined without ever becoming overwhelming. And even though this book focuses mostly on New Beijing, you can feel the larger world (and Luna, the moon colony) lurking in the background, waiting to come into play.
– My Honest Review –
Cinder is fast-paced, creative, and full of heart. The writing isn’t overly flowery, but it’s clean and engaging. The twists are exciting, even if some are a little predictable (especially if you know the Cinderella story well). But that didn’t bother me much—because the fun of Cinder isn’t just in where it goes, but how it gets there.
This book kickstarted a series that only gets better as it goes. And while this first installment isn’t perfect—there are moments where the pacing slows or the dialogue feels a bit YA-cheesy—it still delivers a powerful story about identity, agency, and rising above what the world tells you you’re worth.
If you like fairytales, sci-fi, or just strong female leads with a lot of heart, this one’s worth picking up. I’d read it again in a heartbeat.
Happy reading—long live the cyborg revolution.
