The cover of CINDER, the inaugural entry in The Lunar Chronicles, is on shelves now and signals a bold reimagining of a familiar fairy tale, pushing the heroine into a future where technology and peril collide.
Think of Cinderella as a futuristic heroine: part human, part machine, living through a world scarred by a devastating plague. Cinder is a skilled mechanic who makes her home in New Beijing, where she endures an oppressive stepmother and two stepsisters. While tending her stall in the bustling market, she catches the eye of a handsome prince who seeks her expertise to repair his android. From that moment the plot widens into a galaxy-spanning struggle, featuring a Lunar queen with a dangerous plan to marry the prince and seize Earth, all while a missing princess lingers as a looming mystery.
In this opening arc the series expands, with Scarlet offering a fresh twist on Little Red Riding Hood, followed by Cress inspired by Rapunzel, and finally a Winter-inspired entry drawing on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Although each book introduces new characters and trials, Cinder remains a central figure, continually fighting to endure as the story unfolds.
A casual online chat touched on Cinder, cyborgs, and pop culture, including light talk about a popular TV show and how it echoes the book’s themes.
Cinder is presented as a cyborg, a blend of human and machine. The discussion invites readers to imagine what life would be like if someone could be a cyborg for a day and what such a life might reveal about identity, dependence, and freedom.
People wondered how the prince’s appearance was envisioned, and the conversation pointed to a look inspired by a well-known actor from a popular show, linking the character to familiar screen images.
If a soundtrack were to accompany CINDER, the imagined lineup would include bands known for their expansive, moody energy, such as Muse, The Killers, Coldplay, and Death Cab for Cutie, underscoring the book’s emotional and futuristic atmosphere.
One question in particular explored which character in CINDER resonates most with the author. Peony, Cinder’s sister, mirrors the author’s younger self—young, hopeful, and full of crushes. Across the series, the creator finds a stronger connection with Cress, a Rapunzel figure with a vivid imagination and a constant stream of daydreams.
Looking ahead, The Lunar Chronicles continues to unfold with Cinder remaining the central hero, and Prince Kai still playing a crucial role. Beginning with the second book, the narrative split introduces dual plotlines: one follows Cinder as she navigates danger from the evil queen, while another introduces new heroines with their own stories, challenges, and love interests. As the books progress, the threads weave together, forming alliances against their common enemy, Queen Levana. The second book was planned to arrive the following year, with the intent of delivering a highly anticipated continuation that would justify the wait.
In closing, CINDER is available now, inviting readers to dive into a modern fairy tale where courage, chemistry, and courage again mingle against a backdrop of space-age intrigue.