Cinder
The Lunar Chronicles
Cinder, a cyborg mechanic in New Beijing, crosses paths with Prince Kai as a plague spreads and a hostile Lunar queen circles Earth. A Cinderella retelling whose romance runs across the series.
About This Book
Cinder is a science fiction romance novel by Marissa Meyer, first published in 2013 by Perfection Learning. It is part of the The Lunar Chronicles series and runs 390 pages. Readers can expect forbidden romance, secret identity, slow burn; sweet heat.
At a glance
- Genre
- Science Fiction
- Trope
- Forbidden Romance
- Heat
- Sweet
- Published
- 2011
- Length
- 390 pages
Where to read or listen
Get Cinder by Marissa Meyer
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Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- In a future New Beijing, a gifted cyborg mechanic finds herself caught between a deadly plague, a sinister Lunar queen, and a forbidden connection with a prince.
- Young Adult science fiction fans
- readers who enjoy slow-burn romance
- suspenseful
- Features Forbidden Romance
This may not be ideal if…
- readers seeking explicit sexual content
- Long-term slow burn may frustrate some readers
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Young Adult
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Asymmetrical; Prince Kai holds political power while Cinder is a marginalized cyborg mechanic.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
High tension.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
May not suit
Recommended audience: Young Adult
Content Guidance
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
As a lethal plague ravages the population of New Beijing, Cinder struggles with her identity as a cyborg. When her path intersects with Prince Kai's, she finds herself thrust into the center of a geopolitical struggle involving the ruthless Queen Levana of Luna. With the fate of Earth hanging in the balance, Cinder must navigate societal prejudice, political intrigue, and a burgeoning, forbidden romance.
Central Conflict
Cinder must navigate the political tension of a lunar invasion and a deadly plague while managing her own marginalized identity and forbidden feelings for the prince.
Setting
New Beijing, Earth, futuristic society with lunar elements
Strengths
- Unique fusion of fairy tale tropes with science fiction
- Strong world-building potential
- Engaging high-stakes central conflict
Consider before reading
- Long-term slow burn may frustrate some readers
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- High confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
Marissa Meyer
What Readers Say
No reviews yet
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Perfection Learning
- Published
- 2011
- Length
- 390 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781613836569
- ISBN-10
- 1613836562
Cinder: quick answers
- Who wrote Cinder?
- Cinder was written by Marissa Meyer.
- When was Cinder published?
- Cinder was first published in 2013 by Perfection Learning.
- What genre is Cinder?
- Cinder is a science fiction romance novel, with forbidden romance, secret identity, slow burn.
- How many pages is Cinder?
- Cinder is 390 pages long.
- Is Cinder part of a series?
- Yes — it is part of the The Lunar Chronicles series.
- How spicy is Cinder?
- EIKNA rates Cinder as sweet heat.
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get Cinder by Marissa Meyer
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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