Cinder: Book One of the Lunar Chronicles -- Marissa Meyer, Hardcover

The #1 New York Times Bestselling Series

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.

Marissa Meyer on Cinder, writing, and leading men
Which of your characters is most like you?
I wish I could say that I'm clever and mechanically-minded like Cinder, but no--I can't fix anything. I'm much more like Cress, who makes a brief cameo in Cinder and then takes a more starring role in the third book. She's a romantic and a daydreamer and maybe a little on the na ve side--things that could be said about me too--although she does find courage when it's needed most. I think we'd all like to believe we'd have that same inner strength if we ever needed it.
Where do you write?
I have a home office that I've decorated with vintage fairy tale treasures that I've collected (my favorite is a Cinderella cookie jar from the forties) and NaNoWriMo posters, but sometimes writing there starts to feel too much like work. On those days I'll write in bed or take my laptop out for coffee or lunch.
If you were stranded on a desert island, which character from Cinder would you want with you?
Cinder, definitely She has an internet connection in her brain, complete with the ability to send and receive comms (which are similar to e-mails). We'd just have enough time to enjoy some fresh coconut before we were rescued.
The next book in the Lunar Chronicles is called Scarlet, and is about Little Red Riding Hood. What is appealing to you most about this character as you work on the book?
Scarlet is awesome--she's very independent, a bit temperamental, and has an outspokenness that tends to get her in trouble sometimes. She was raised by her grandmother, an ex-military pilot who now owns a small farm in southern France, who not only taught Scarlet how to fly a spaceship and shoot a gun, but also to have a healthy respect and appreciation for nature. I guess that's a lot of things that appeal to me about her, but she's been a really fun character to write (The two leading men in Scarlet, Wolf and Captain Thorne, aren't half bad either.)

Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published: 01/03/2012
Pages: 400
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.90w x 1.40d
ISBN: 9780312641894
Age Range: 12-18

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.8
Point Value: 14
Interest Level: Middle Grade Plus
Quiz #/Name: 148727 / Cinder

Award: Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award - Nominee
Award: Iowa Teen Award - Nominee
Award: Texas Lone Star Reading List - Commended
Award: Tayshas Reading - Commended
Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended
Award: Grand Canyon Reader Award - Recommended
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Colorado Blue Spruce Award - Winner
Award: Isinglass Teen Read Award - Nominee
Award: Sequoyah Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Beehive Awards - Nominee
Award: Evergreen Young Adult Book Award - Nominee
Award: Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Sunshine State Young Reader's Award - Nominee
Award: Indies Choice Book Awards - Honor Book
Award: Truman Readers Award - Third Place

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 10/15/2011 pg. 56
Publishers Weekly 11/07/2011 pg. 68
Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2011
Voice of Youth Advocates 12/01/2011 pg. 516 - Recommended - Hard To Beat
Horn Book Magazine 01/01/2012 pg. 94
Shelf Awareness 01/03/2012
School Library Journal 01/01/2012 pg. 122
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2012
Publishers Weekly Best Books 11/05/2012 pg. 40
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2012 pg. 107 - Superior,Well Above Average
BookPage 01/01/2012

About the Author

Marissa Meyer was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington, home of Almond Roca and Stadium High School, which was made famous when Heath Ledger danced down the stadium steps in 10 Things I Hate About You. Marissa didn't actually go to Stadium High School, but she did attend Pacific Lutheran University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Creative Writing. She still lives in Tacoma, now with her husband. Cinder is her YA debut.