Your next book is here
1. What parallels can you draw between Cinder and the Cinderella fairy tale? What is the the glass slipper, the pumpkin carriage, the ball? Is there a fairy godmother in Cinder, and if so, who is it?
The glass slipper in cinder would be her cyborg foot. The pumpkin carriage is the old car that she ends up rebuilding. The ball in cinder differs from the ball in Cinderella because he's not looking for a wife. He's trying to find a cure and save his people from War. So he's sacrificing himself to an evil enchantress.And the fairy godmother and cinder, I think, is the doctor Erland. I feel like he was giving really strong hints throughout the book that there was more to cinder than meets the eye.
6. Doctor Erland compares the arrival of Lunars and the spread of letmosis to rats carrying the bubonic plague to Europe and the Spanish conquistadors bringing smallpox to the Native Americans. Do you think these are accurate comparisons? Why or why not?
I believe that the comparison between the bubonic plague and the smallpox being spread like the lunars disease that they brought to earth is extremely accurate. They have this disease that they didn't know about. They don't know where it came from. And because they don't have the missing pieces, they're not able to fully form a cure. Because they are lacking components. So the question is, if the doctor told the Prince, would it help find a cure fastener. Or would it make the hate towards the lunar's worse?
#high fantasy #fantasyadventurebooks #cinder #fairytaleretelling #lemon8bookclub
Reading 'Cinder' really opened my eyes to how classic fairy tales can be brilliantly reimagined to fit entirely new genres, especially science fiction. What fascinated me most was how Marissa Meyer transformed traditional elements—like Cinderella’s glass slipper—into something futuristic and symbolic, like Cinder’s cyborg foot. It’s a clever nod to the original story while exploring deeper themes of identity and acceptance in a society wary of cyborgs. The comparison of the pumpkin carriage to an old car that Cinder rebuilds resonated with me, reflecting how ordinary things can become extraordinary with a little ingenuity and hope. The ball in this story isn’t just a social event; it’s a mission to save a people threatened by war and disease, which adds a layer of urgency and self-sacrifice missing in typical fairy tales. Doctor Erland's role as a fairy godmother figure was another highlight. Unlike the magical godmother in Cinderella, his character involves science, mystery, and the unfolding of Cinder’s true identity. It made me think about the different ways mentors and supporters can appear in our lives—not always as magical beings, but as people who believe in our potential and help reveal the truth within us. I also found the historical comparisons intriguing—linking the spread of Letumosis to the bubonic plague and smallpox. This not only grounds the story in real-world pandemics but also adds layers to the conflict between humans and Lunars, making the narrative more poignant in the context of disease, fear, and prejudice. Overall, 'Cinder' is not just a fairy tale retelling but also a reflection on resilience, sacrifice, and hope in a world that blends magic with science. For anyone who loves fantasy with a high-tech twist and thoughtful commentary on social issues, this book is a must-read.