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3.5/5
Non-Fiction
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Re-read for the nth time.
Rating: 4/5
Pages: 448
Started: 25 December 2023
Finished: 26 December 2023
Summary:
Cinder is a cyborg and a mechanic, a subservient ward in her stepmother's household in New Beijing, a futuristic city in a world wracked by the deadly disease letumosis and living in fear of Queen Levana of the Lunar colony endowed with the power to manipulate others' perceptions. When her sister is infected with letumosis, Cinder is enrolled by her stepmother as a test subject for a cure for the disease, but ends up discovering that she's immune. As her testing and employment as a mechanic bring her closer and closer to Prince Kai, Cinder becomes involved in keeping a set of secrets that could determine the course of history and rewrite Earth's chances at remaining free from Lunar rule.
Thoughts:
Sixth grade Ella knew how to pick books--I had forgotten how truly excellent this series is. The writing is clearly YA but not dumbed down or juvenile, as are the characters. The plot is complex and multi-faceted, and the world-building is complex enough to be interesting but not so strange that it's overwhelming. Cinder is a deeply likable character; her sardonic no-bullshit attitude mixed with her determination is really pleasant to read.
Usually when I re-read old favorites, I find a bunch of discrepancies or problems that I wasn't able to see from a younger perspective, but I genuinely didn't find much in this book. Cinder's perspective around her sister's illness and death was the one thing that stood out to me--how does Cinder not spend more time hating herself for not being faster in administering the cure? If she hadn't been flirting with Kai for ten minutes in the elevator just before, she would have made it to Peony in time to save her life, yet she never even considers guilt.
I remain infatuated with the fairytale/sci-fi crossover, as well as all the character dynamics, including Levana. I think the ability war (cyborgs as second citizens) is very interesting, more a commentary on ableism than capitalism which I think is quite rare in science fiction. I also think the demonization of perfection and beauty as an evil-associated facade connected to manipulation and cruelty is a fascinating way to turn the image of the flawlessly beautiful princess on its head.
This re-read has been very nostalgic--I first read this series eight years ago, on an ARC copy from my school librarian---and I am very excited to continue the series.