WITH the recent release of Marissa Meyers latest YA fairytale retelling, this time of Rumpelstiltskin, now is the time to go back to the beginning of Meyers classic stories with a twist.

The Lunar Chronicles, beginning with Cinder, stand out from many other popular Young Adult fantasy novels with engaging and fresh ideas that go above and beyond the tales we know from childhood. To adapt, modernise, or bring forward new elements to old fairy tales has been extremely popular in recent years but what has always stood out about Meyers use of this concept is the creativity with which it is done. This shows a clear aversion to simply telling the same story with minimal changes and instead embraces the essence of these characters and their morals in a setting that would have been otherwise unimaginable for them.

The Lunar Chronicles may not have been the first or last adaptations of fairy tales Ive seen, but they are the only ones to take on the science fiction genre along the way.

Set in New Beijing, cyborgs exist only to serve humans and Cinder is no different. As a greatly talented mechanic she hates her life as a servant and the cruelty of her supposed family, finding only escape in her work and, of course, in an unlikely growing bond with royalty.

Prince Kai, recognising her skill, asks for help in repairing his android and from there a believable and classic forbidden romance develops. The story cannot all be about them though and just as things start to look up for Cinder, chaos descends upon their world.

A new deadly plague hits her stepsister and she is blamed. While Prince Kai struggles with this steadily growing sickness, the relations with the Lunar people from the moon and negotiations with their ruthless leader, Cinder is reminded constantly of the struggles of her living situation.

Among a collapsing country and unbelievable cruelty every time she is at home, the pursuit of love, or even simple moments of joy come to seem impossible. All the issues that unfold only make the moments of hope more heartwarming

The only issues I found was that one of the larger plot twists could have been a little predictable. Aside from these moments Cinder only makes the rest of this series, and of course Meyers latest book, all the more attractive to read. With all the magic, fantasy and science fiction elements of the setting and world in which these characters live, it remained relatable.

Even though the main character was not human, her struggles were easy to understand. Faced with battles of identity and resilience, Cinder is a strong and carefully written character whos trials are entirely recognisable to young people today. Her responses to the challenges she faces carry valuable lessons for potential readers in an innovative and endlessly interesting dystopian setting.

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Retelling of Cinderella as a cyborg has plenty to recommend it - The National