I don't know why I was reluctant to read this book. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. It was a really great story. Loosely fashioned around Cinderella but very originally told. There were no pity parties for the girl or a fairy godmother who solves all of her problems. It's much more complex than that. It's something totally new and different and unexpectedly intriguing. Yes there is Cinder who is a stepdaughter to a horrible stepmother and sister but she also has a sister who she loves. She has an android sidekick with a sassy personality. There is a prince. There is an evil queen. There is even an orange mode of transportation. But there is also so much more! Cinder's character is one of stubborn strength and insecurities. She is a cyborg and a mechanic. She is likable from the start and prince is equally as likable. Their story begins when he brings Cinder one of his androids to be repaired. 
 The evil queen is on the whole other end of the spectrum. She does the role justice. She is Lunar which means she is from the moon. Her beauty is unmatched as is her ruthlessness. She is the perfect counterpart to a prince who has such pure intentions for his country and people. 
 One of my favorite characters in this book is the doctor. He runs the research to find a cure for the plague that has been spreading on earth. He meets Cinder early on and they have an interesting relationship which continues to become more complicated as the book goes on and more things are revealed. It's not really a friendship but more of a connection to one another. I liked seeing it progress throughout the events of the book as I learned more about each of them. I'm hoping to see more of him in the next book. 
 I didn't want to give away too much so I only revealed things that weren't detrimental to the ending and a bit more about the characters.