This re-imagining of Cinderella takes place on a post World War 4 Earth which is struggling with a global plague outbreak, rising tensions with the Lunar people, and on-going racism against cyborgs. Cinder is a cyborg teenager and mechanic in New Beijing which is the capital of the Eastern Commonwealth (therefore, this version of Beijing is an odd mash-up of east Asian cultures). The story unfolds as the nation prepares for a new emperor, and Cinder's personal turmoils begin to intertwine with international politics. 
 While more sci-fi fairytale than dystopian cautionary tale, this book does provide opportunities for young readers to imagine and discuss what the world would be like without individual national identities. This first installment was highly readable and quite fun. I look forward to reading the rest of the series as new books are released each year until 2015...ouf!