writer's block

In New Beijing, humans and androids make up the population. As a deadly virus plagues it's citizens, the ruthless Lunar people are ever present in the kingdom waiting to make their move.

Cinder is an android with a mysterious past. Her stepmother resents her and is blamed for her stepsister's illness. But Cinder's life is about to change when she crosses paths with Prince Kai and she becomes apart of an intergalactic struggle and forbidden attraction.

This is a unique spin on the classic tale of Cinderella. I absolutely loved the science fiction twist having our heroine as an android and the Asian characteristics of the New Beijing reminded me of Joss Whedon's show, Firefly, where it's inhabitants aren't necessarily Asian, but they take on a lot of their cultural aspects.

The characters are well written and the relationship between Cinder and the Prince reminded me of the movie, Ever After, so I felt like I knew where things were going in that sense. But even though it was a fairly practicable story, it definitely kept me intrigued and wondering exactly what was going to happen and how.

The science fiction played a big part of course, otherwise it would be just another Cinderella story. The use of a deadly virus is different and a nemesis other than the evil stepmother helps with giving Cinder and the Prince's relationship more depth and meaning which is much appreciated when most young adult books are filled with instant love.

Even though Cinder has a lot of changes to the story we all know, the fairytale of unjust oppression and the triumph over it is still the embodiment of it and I can't wait to read the second installment.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5 stars)

Jackson Meyer is an average nineteen year old- college student, part-time job, a great girlfriend... and he can travel back through time. Though unlike what is widely perceived with time traveling, he has no effect on the timeline.

Although what has been harmless fun becomes a desperate attempt to stop his girlfriend from being fatally shot when two men burst in on them.

Jackson jumps back further than he ever has and finds out that he and his ability is not as secretive as he thought. Now he must deal with other time travelers who want to get their hands on him either for recruitment or to kill him.

I have been waiting to read this for awhile and I was so excited to start it, but I was quickly disappointed by it. The idea of time travel is what drew me to this book in the first place, but being a time traveler and not being able to have an effect on your timeline is (quantum) physically impossible. I believe it was mentioned it the story that he wasn't jumping through his own timeline which was why he couldn't change anything, but the universe he is in is exactly the same as his timeline- which is also not possible.

There were a lot of elements like that that made things confusing and made me wish that Cross kept to the simple theory of time travel and focus more on the story- his girlfriend is dead or dying and there are other "time-travelers" who want him for whatever reason. It was just confusing keeping up with the different timelines/universes.

Although I did enjoy the relationship between Jackson and his twin sister, Courtney, who had died and we only know her from flashbacks. I hope her constant mentioning in this first book is a sign that she plays a larger role in the grand scheme of the story.

Unfortunately I didn't care much for his girlfriend. We didn't get to know her before she got shot and then when Jackson jumped, we got a seventeen year old version of her with apparently a slightly different personality, so technically she's not the same girl he fell in love with. And also considering that he and his real girlfriend have only known each other for a few months, I find it extremely hard to believe that a teenager will go through this messed up craziness for a girl.

I was more confused than anything else reading this debut from Cross, but it did kept me entertained enough for me to be curious about where it's headed. It was a very bold attempt by Cross to use time travel as a foundation, but it just didn't work for me.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2.5/5 stars)