Nicole’s Letter Essay #5: Cinder

Dear Classmates,

Recently, I finished the book Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer. It is a 387 paged novel which was published on January 3rd, 2012. I first heard of this book from a couple of my friends last year but never got around to reading it. I eventually had forgotten about the book until I came across it in the library. It didn’t seem like something I would want to read but I found out it was fantasy and science fiction so, I got addicted and ended up reading the whole series in 4 days, practically locked in my room. I don’t regret those hours I used up everyday though because it was such a great book and I highly HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who likes a little twist on classic stories. Cinder

Cinder is about a girl named Linh Cinder who lives in New Beijing during a time where a deadly plague devastates the earth. At a young age she is believed to have been in a terrible accident causing her to be half human, half cyborg. She was taken in by a man named Linh Garan but, after his death her stepmother, Adri, is forced to look after her.

Cinder, being part cyborg, is treated very poorly from her stepmother and is made to work to make money for Adri. She eventually becomes the town’s mechanic.

Her being the mechanic eventually leads her into situations. One involving the emperor’s son, Prince Kai and another involving a war with Queen Levana of Luna, from the moon. Therefore, you should definitely read the book to find out what happens in the end. I assure you that it will be worth.

I loved how the author added the plague to the story. It heightens all of the painful moments in the story whether it’s from betrayal to inequality to love. Every time you read something new in Cinder it somehow attaches to disease. Which I enjoyed having in a story because it made it feel more real. They are many deaths from the plague which gives you a sense that you are really present in the whole tragedy (but in my case it’s also bad because I get way to attached to fictional characters and feel like the author is taking away part of my soul).

I’m sure from the summary you might be able to see that the story, in a way, is very much like Cinderella. The story starts with Cinder living with her stepmother and two stepsisters because her father had died. The story also has Cinder go to the ball without her stepmother knowing which, is very similar to Cinderella. Yet, I love how this “version” is very different. There is a lot more misfortune and problems in this story.

A quote from the book that I really like is “My only mistake was in waiting too long to be rid of you. Believe me Cinder, you are a sacrifice I will never regret” (287). This quote was said by the stepmother after she had told cinder she was giving her up for plague research. I don’t necessarily like how she is going against Cinder but it shows how far people will go to better themselves. Cinder went years with being pushed around by her stepmom because she is a cyborg. Yet, the only reason the stepmom wanted her was so she could make money. Not once before Cinders father left did the stepmom ask anything about Cinder. She failed to realize the importance of this one person’s existence and now that she could give up this “useless” cyborg for money, she was all for it.

I loved this book very much! If I were to rate it out of 10, I would give it a 9.5.

Sincerely,

Nicole Angelescu

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

10 thoughts on “Nicole’s Letter Essay #5: Cinder

  1. Nicole-
    I had read Cinder a few years back and remember really disliking it so I never got past book one but now based off of your glowing review, I’m compelled to give it another try! Really great job summarizing without giving a ton away (I know the storyline is very complicated) and I love the quote you picked.
    Nice job!
    -Sophia

    1. Yeah I am reading it right now and it doesn’t make any sense to me and I have 0 points for my AR goal right now and my quarter for school finishes tomarrow and I am nearly finished with the book today I will be finished with it but I don’t understand anything thy are talking about?

  2. Dear Nicole
    I like your review it sounds good i might even read Cinder! It sounds cool that Cinder is a cyborg, I want to know what happens between Prince Kai and Queen Lavana! Sounds cool how it is based off of Cinderella yet a little more twisted.
    Good Job
    From Robbie

  3. Nicole-
    GAAAAAAAAAHHHH! You finally read it! I’m so glad you liked it, Cinder will always hold an important place in my heart and on my bookshelf. I was hoping you’d be as attached to it as I was seeing that you are just about as much of a Sci-Fi and Fantasy junkie as me. I loved the quote you picked (just so you know I almost threw my book across the room at that part).

    From,
    Gabi

    1. Dear Gabi,
      Hahah! I actually slammed the book shut after that part…it didn’t help that I was in the middle of eating dinner with my family and cousins :b. It stressed me out! THE WHOLE BOOK WAS JUST VERY EMOTIONAL AND STRESSFUL! That’s why after reading it I had to take a break from everything and watch Dan and Phil videos. XD

      -Nicole A. 🙂

  4. Dear Nicole,
    This book sounds pretty good. I too have been told to read this book by my friends but I never got around to reading it. I also like books with a little bit of twist. I think your review was good and very informational!
    -Olivia

  5. Dear Nicole,

    I loved your letter essay. This book seems like a great book. I am reading this book right now and I think it is a great book so far. This book seems like a interesting twist on Cinderella. I loved your quoted passage and the book cover picture is a really cool add on. Great job.

    Kiki

  6. Dear Nicole,

    Great job! I have not read Cinder, but I have been meaning too. After reading your letter essay, I definitely am going to read this book! It sounds interesting how its like Cinderella. I definitely need to read this book!! Again, great job!!

    Your friend,

    Margaret

  7. Nicole,
    I really enjoyed reading your letter essay. I read the book myself and really enjoyed it, since you rated it a 9.5 out of 10, you must have thought it was very good as well. I like how you told the reader how it was related to the story Cinderella. Nice job.
    Alex H

  8. Dear Nicole,
    You did Great job on your letter. I have been wanting to read this book for a very long time and I’m happy to hear that you liked it. I’m really excited to read it. Your letter was one of the best I have read, great job!

Leave a Reply to rbrucehkms Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *