Book Review #433 - Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

My Rating: 4/5

 

According to Goodreads I have had this book sitting unread on my bookshelf since February 2012. The fact that a book of this quality sat on my shelf that long is a little embarassing. 


From the first page when I discovered that this wasn't set in the United States like virtually every other dystopian book in existence I knew I would enjoy this book. 


I didn't really know that much about the book before reading and whilst reading didn't really ever know where the book was going - which is a massive positive. Although I did predict the main and major plot twist very early in the book which was very annoying. 


The Lunars were the ideal antagonists. The abilities they have that could potentially destroy humans is just terrifying. I would have liked more explanation about them though. Like information about their home and how they initiated contact with Earth. 


Although I am not very familiar with the story of Cinderella, the only similarities I could find between the two were Cinder's family life. 


Kai was a character that I was left quite disappointed with. For him as the main male protagonist and as the potential love interest for Cinder I had expected him to be developed more. He seemed likeable enough but there just wasn't enough substance to him to enable me to connect with him. 


There were a few brief moments were I felt some chemistry between Kai and Cinder however for the most part I wasn't a fan of them as a couple. 


Plot-wise there didn't seem like there was any major structure. It seemed to follow numerous smaller plot-lines which I thought worked perfectly for this book. 


At this point I can't really see how this story can span itself over four books but I am definitely on board for checking them out.

Book Review #166 - The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous.

Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves.

One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens.

My Rating: 4/5

I received this book for review from Netgalley.

I was really excited to read this book because the first book ended with a huge cliff hanger.

I liked how the book changed its setting from London in the first book to New York in the sequel as I love any book that it set in New York.

The characters from the first book aside from Finley, Griffin and Jasper were only in the background. The chemistry between Finley and Griffin finally progressed.

Book Review #152 - The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles #1) by Kady Cross

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one - except the thing inside her...

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But not all Victorian girls have a darker side that makes them capable of knocking out a full-grown man with a single punch...

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that makes Finley special - makes her one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities; Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin’s investigating a criminal called The Machinist - the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help - and finally be a part of something.

My Rating: 4/5

It took me a while to get into the book as the beginning was slow paced and confusing. I found the further I got into the book the more I enjoyed it.

I haven't read very many Historical books nor have I read any Steampunk novels so this book was a very refreshing read and I am definitely going to read more in these genres.

It took me a while to like Finley and Griffin because of the change in the points of views throughout the book. Although by the end of the book Griffin became by favourite character. I am still undecided about Finley.

When I first read about the Jekyll and Hyde aspect I was a little hesitant to keep reading but I thought that it was incorporated into the story perfectly.

I really liked Jack Dandy. He reminded me of Bubba from the Sookie Stackhouse Series. He was probably my second favourite character.

I really liked the description of the Victorian era of England as it really felt like you were there.

I am hoping to read the sequel The Girl in the Clockwork Collar that I got from Netgalley as this book ends with a pretty big cliffhanger.