** spoiler alert ** 
 I have no problem admitting that I'm a 'cover reader' when it comes to books. 
 What's that, you say? I'm someone who often times choose books based on the cover. If it's pretty and catches my eye, I can over look odd plots or a poorly written synopsis. 
 I am SINCERELY glad I'm that type of reader when it comes to this book. I adored the cover, thought it looked interesting - from the charming font to the beautiful shoe - and ignored the summary. It seemed a little too sci fi for my taste, and I didn't find much desirable about cyborg Cinderella. 
 Oh my, how wrong I was. 
 This is an incredibly intense, romantic, wonderful book! 
 Cinder, a cyborg girl who has spent her whole life feeling unwanted, goes through a journey that is beyond just your typical Cinderella story. She faces a practically vengeful step-mother, a horrid plague taking over the planet, and all the while tries to handle a crush on the most unobtainable man alive (who happens to like her). 
 It's a lot for a girl to handle. 
 I liked how atypical this is from the average Cinderella story. We all know the tale: dirty, orphaned Cinderella slaves over her evil step-mother and sisters before eventually getting the opportunity to go to a ball. They make it nearly impossible for her, traipsing (literally) over her gown and destroying her dreams, before a fairy god-mother comes to her aid. She stunningly shows up, steals the prince's attention, earns his affection, before hastily exiting and leaving her shoe behind. Eventually she fits the mold of the shoe and ta-da! A marriage is underway. Happily ever after. 
 Not so much here. 
 First off, on this story, not all the step-sisters are evil. On the contrary, Peony is sweet and cares for her step-sister - which is a good thing since Pearl more than makes up for the evil. Such a little bitch. 
 Second, this isn't just about the ball and earning his affection. This is a story so much bigger and grandeur than that! There is chaos and political corruptness, and a maniacal queen ready to annihilate the entire planet. Loved the aspect of Queen Levana, whose maliciousness surpasses any average fairy-tale evil. 
 Third, not only did Cinder already have the prince's affection, she arrives to the ball in a less than stellar fashion (see what I did there? Oh astronomy jokes). It's ALWAYS the same - Cinderella arrives looking more beautiful than any maiden in the land. Not our Cinder - she shows up in a beat up car, drenched from head to toe, with grimy boots and gloves. If my heart had not hurt for her so much, I probably would have laughed. 
 Finally, the leaving of the shoe. Again, this is always the same - Cinderella flees before the shoe is found. Yet, there was our Cinder, nearly passed out while her poor foot was laid bare for the world to see. My heart broke for her. 
 Now that we know she's really Princess Selene (I figured it out once she reached the ball), I'm not sure what will happen. I love Kai and I am hopeful for an eventual happy ending between those two. However, the nemesis of Queen Levana will obviously prove to be more troublesome than a simple step-mother. Hopefully her 'fairy godfather' Dr. Erland can help her along the way. 
 Also, I hope they bring Iko back - that robot kind of made my heart melt.