STARS!!! I can't believe I held off starting this series for so long. I loved this futuristic retelling of Cinderella. I think making Cinder a cyborg and mechanic was really unique. The storytelling was fantastic. A lot of attention was given to create a compelling and complex plot. Plus, the worldbuilding was breathtaking. I was just swept away to New Beijing. 
 With regards to the characters, I found them all to be equally likeable, MCs and minors alike. I enjoyed Cinder's personality. She was vulnerable yet feisty. I liked seeing how she interacted with the other characters and her relationships with them. Kai was definitely swoonworthy and I liked how the romance is going to be a slow build one. Thank goodness, there is no love geometry. Queen Levana is probably one of the most formidable villains I have come across and I can't wait to find out how she will be stopped. 
 My only disappointment was with the ending. I kind of guessed the reveal a mile off but I'm not removing a star for that as I enjoyed the book overall. I'm looking forward to reading book two and I'm dying to find out what is in store next for the characters.