The set up
Here’s the honest truth: I judged a book by its cover. I am into teen fiction with the best of them and I can do a bit of soft sic-fi but I sniggered out loud when I saw the cover of this book. Go on, look and tell me you didn’t do the same. And then I ready the back of Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles) and thought “Right. Well that hasn’t been done before- NOT.”
But lo! This book is not half as bad as you might think. In fact, it’s actually pretty good. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that I think this book is going to become one of ‘those’ series.
I’m liking
The characters are strong and believable. Meyer takes the time to construct back-story and gives authentic motivations. She plays the Cinderella thing but it’s not hammed up and she approaches it with a light tough-referential, rather than derivative. Cinder is a likable character but she’s not perfect and she’s not sickly.
Things that made me go hmmm….
The book is labeled ‘Lunar Chronicles #1’ and you know from the first page that you’re not going to get resolution. Having said that, there’re enough plot lines established to tantalise and resolution enough to satisfy.
The conclusion
A good read. I can see this book being a real hit with the Intermediate aged crowd and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in part 2.
