Glitches (The Lunar Chronicles #0.5) by Marissa Meyer
December 5, 2011
Tor.com
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Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness.
In Glitches, a short prequel story to Cinder, we see the results of that illness play out, and the emotional toll that takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch…
First sentence: “Are you ready to meet your new family?”
Man, I am completely hooked.
In Glitches, Cinder, an eleven-year-old girl with mechanic limbs, is taken to New Beijing by her new stepfather, Garan, a man who she isn’t related to, for a new life. There, Cinder meets her new stepmother, Adri, and her two stepsisters, Pearl (who is the oldest and isn’t featured heavily in the novella) and Peony (who is the youngest and welcomes Cinder with open arms). We get to see how the household adjust don’t adjust to Cinder and then, something tragic happens.
The Lunar Chronicles world is extremely fascinating, especially seeing the dynamics between the humans and androids. I think it’s interesting how an android is treated like they’re a second-class citizen (or someone who is disposable) even though they are apart of the family. To be treated like that, is that just? It certainly brings up the issue of a specific glitch that both Cinder and Iko, an android that Cinder put back together, share — whether androids/cyborgs/machines feel emotions. I like that Cinder is exceptionally skilled at fixing things, not housework. I’m just imagining what she could do for the family. Eek. So many things.
After I read this novella, I had so many questions. I wonder why Garan, Cinder’s stepfather, decided to take Cinder in. I feel like it’s more than wanting another child or even wanting a child to have a place they call home. I don’t know if the first book will address it, but I certainly hope so. Is Adri’s dislike for Cinder because the family has to spend more money that they don’t have to provide for another person/being or because she views androids/cyborgs as not human (so they shouldn’t be treated that way)? What was Garan doing to contract letumosis? What was he planning to unveil at the Tokyo Fair? Lots of questions, people! (Tell me some will be answered in Cinder).
I can’t wait to start Cinder. I know my BFF (and everyone here) will be excited that I have started the series. Go read this novella if you haven’t. It’s extremely short and worth every bit of your time. If you don’t, my android friend will arrive on your doorstep and force you to read it in its presence. You will sweat bullets.
