As you might have already figured out, Cinder is a retelling of the classic fairy tale Cinderella with a sci-fi, fantasy twist which makes this version quite readable for an adult.  Instead of a fairy godmother, our heroine has a research doctor looking out for her.  Her side kicks aren’t talking mice or birds, but an android with a celebrity crush on the prince.  And instead of a slipper, Cinder’s downfall is a metal foot.

Would an adult like it?  Yes, this one is worth reading, as are the sequels Scarlet and Cress.

What was good about the story:

• Prince Kai first meets Cinder at her stall in the marketplace.  She’s a mechanic, not a princess or a marriage prospect.
• The setting is interesting, futuristic, post-apocalyptic but in a world trying to rebuild.
• Cinder, as a character, is sympathetic, but she doesn’t let anyone pity her, including the reader.
• Yes, Cinder wants a dress to go to the ball (what girl wouldn’t?), but it’s so she can check out the food, not to find a husband.
• Prince Kai scoffs at the idea he’ll meet a girl and fall in love at the ball.
• When Cinder hits bottom, you feel for her.  You hate the step mother, the evil Queen, and mourn for her losses.
• The ‘romance’ between the Prince and Cinder is one of those great ones where by the end of the book, you know these two are meant to be even if they haven’t even kissed yet.

What I found distracting:

• This story comes with an evil queen who wants to rule the world.  In order to understand that world, there is a political storyline and a plague woven through the fairy tale story that at times made me want to make a flow chart to keep the factions straight.  That being said, it lends backbone to the tale and provides a great story as the series goes on to hang the fairy tales on.

Good story, great characters, strong female role model, male protagonist dealing with struggles and trying to do the right thing.  This is a good one and worth the space on your bookshelf.