SO I'm stupidly in love with The Lunar Chronicles as a whole. I only read Cinder because there was a product in June's Owlcrate box. Best. Decision. Of my life. Before reading the series (when it came out, actually) I was suspicious of this series that claimed it combined sci-fi with fairytales. Like, who does that? I thought it would be terrible, and I would have to swear to only read my precious Alex Flinn retellings. My opinion has since changed (though I do still love Alex Flinn).
I mean they're fairy tales in space. Does it get much better than that? The answer is no.
Here are some reasons why these books are awesome and you should go read them immediately.
1. They got me out of a bit of a reading slump. I'd been reading, but nothing that had engaged me so wholly as these books
2. You might think "ugh why mix sci-fi and fairy tales? They're ruining (x) genre!" you are wrong. So so wrong.
3. Ok so the characters are freaking awesome. Like really really good. These babes are all non-static and rounded characters which is hard to find in just 1 or 2 characters, but guess what? Marisa Meyer creates 8 main characters that you can find these traits in. Not to mention countless side characters that are also given strong personalities. Plus a couple of supporting main characters, such as Iko, who has an amazing personality (chip) and the villain. MM is sure to include every character in a way that moves the book forward.
4. Plus there's a heck ton of diversity and even a relative amount of disabled representation? So Cinder is for sure not white, and Kai is legit 100% Asian. Then you have Wolf who's Middle Eastern, Scarlet is French and then Winter who’s strong, black, and is described constantly as “the most beautiful” girl in the book. And bonus! none of this diversity feels forced! Plus the disabilities: Cinder has a couple prosthetic (or cyborg) limbs, and Thorne is blind for a while. In fact, Cinder’s prosthetics come to play a lot and are a major part of her plot.
5. PRAISE BE TO THE HEAVENS ABOVE. There aren't any love triangles. Ever. The romance is well written and well placed and there isn't really any instalove (I’m excluding Cress's fascination with Thorne for right now). I actually cannot physically describe how much I love all of these ships, and the intricacies within them. Just. Read about them.
6. ACTION. There's so much action and it's great. But the author also knows how to pace, and that shows, because developmental moments happen, but not at some weird super fast rate. Actually something I loved was that the final little rebellion thing didn't happen all at once! It took weeks, which is unusual to find mentioned in YA books, but MM did!
7. Have you ever read those books where it's targeted at a certain age, but you feel like it's well written enough that you (a person outside the targeted age bracket) can still read it? Cause I have (although not frequently) and this series is one of those cases. So just in case you’re worrying about that, don’t!
8. And then there's the girl power. All of the main ladies are incredible. They're strong and varying in independence, and also can be weak in different ways. They have flaws. They love, without giving up their autonomy. It's magical. And each one brings a different kickass trait to the table, both in ability and personality. I love them all so much!
9. And also my boys. They're cool too! These nerds are also completely unique individuals that have character development (like, it gets intense) and grow and change throughout the books. My small small babies. Plus, they love their ladies, and still have their own important parts of the plot, and contributions.
I mean they're fairy tales in space. Does it get much better than that? The answer is no.
Here are some reasons why these books are awesome and you should go read them immediately.
1. They got me out of a bit of a reading slump. I'd been reading, but nothing that had engaged me so wholly as these books
2. You might think "ugh why mix sci-fi and fairy tales? They're ruining (x) genre!" you are wrong. So so wrong.
3. Ok so the characters are freaking awesome. Like really really good. These babes are all non-static and rounded characters which is hard to find in just 1 or 2 characters, but guess what? Marisa Meyer creates 8 main characters that you can find these traits in. Not to mention countless side characters that are also given strong personalities. Plus a couple of supporting main characters, such as Iko, who has an amazing personality (chip) and the villain. MM is sure to include every character in a way that moves the book forward.
4. Plus there's a heck ton of diversity and even a relative amount of disabled representation? So Cinder is for sure not white, and Kai is legit 100% Asian. Then you have Wolf who's Middle Eastern, Scarlet is French and then Winter who’s strong, black, and is described constantly as “the most beautiful” girl in the book. And bonus! none of this diversity feels forced! Plus the disabilities: Cinder has a couple prosthetic (or cyborg) limbs, and Thorne is blind for a while. In fact, Cinder’s prosthetics come to play a lot and are a major part of her plot.
5. PRAISE BE TO THE HEAVENS ABOVE. There aren't any love triangles. Ever. The romance is well written and well placed and there isn't really any instalove (I’m excluding Cress's fascination with Thorne for right now). I actually cannot physically describe how much I love all of these ships, and the intricacies within them. Just. Read about them.
6. ACTION. There's so much action and it's great. But the author also knows how to pace, and that shows, because developmental moments happen, but not at some weird super fast rate. Actually something I loved was that the final little rebellion thing didn't happen all at once! It took weeks, which is unusual to find mentioned in YA books, but MM did!
7. Have you ever read those books where it's targeted at a certain age, but you feel like it's well written enough that you (a person outside the targeted age bracket) can still read it? Cause I have (although not frequently) and this series is one of those cases. So just in case you’re worrying about that, don’t!
8. And then there's the girl power. All of the main ladies are incredible. They're strong and varying in independence, and also can be weak in different ways. They have flaws. They love, without giving up their autonomy. It's magical. And each one brings a different kickass trait to the table, both in ability and personality. I love them all so much!
9. And also my boys. They're cool too! These nerds are also completely unique individuals that have character development (like, it gets intense) and grow and change throughout the books. My small small babies. Plus, they love their ladies, and still have their own important parts of the plot, and contributions.
