The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer are hugely popular, bestsellers, and never on the library’s shelves. Like other popular YA series, there are a variety of appeal factors, so finding the perfect read-alike for a specific reader can be tricky. That’s why I decided to make a flowchart style graphic, like I’ve done with If I Stay and The Hunger Games.
Lots of readers like the sci-fi elements of Cinder, but some readers are more interested in fairy tale retellings. There are those who like action-packed plots, and those who read for the characters or because of the thought-provoking ideas. Once I started digging, I found many other books I could have included. I chose these because they are either newer releases, older books that I thought might be overlooked, or the best potential matches for fans of The Lunar Chronicles. Some skew younger, because Cinder is a book that I feel safe handing to tweens, and I even included a couple of adult sci-fi books, because some readers are looking for harder sci-fi or to stretch their reading beyond YA. Most of all, I want to provide variety.
ADVENTURES IN SPACE
Dove Arising by Karen Bao
Goodreads | Amazon
Complicated relations between Earth and colonies on the Moon, a driven, capable protagonist, and a hint of romance make this sci-fi debut perfect for fans of Cinder.
Entangled by Amy Rose Capetta
Goodreads | Amazon
In this far future space adventure, Cade teams up with a gang of outlaws to find a boy who might be the key to curing humans of a debilitating illness — and to learning more about her own identity.
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
Goodreads | Amazon
Think Titanic — in space. Lilac and Tarver are the only survivors of a spaceship that crashes. This one is perfect who want a space adventure with a lot of romance!
Tin Star by Cecil Castellucci
Goodreads | Amazon
Space travel to a distant planet, a crash landing, alien encounters, and revenge: the perfect mix for those looking for a true sci-fi story.
Scan by Walter Jury and Sara Fine
Goodreads | Amazon
Readers who love action-packed, plot-driven novels should check out Scan, an aliens-on-Earth thriller.
Avalon by Mindi Arnett
Goodreads | Amazon
In this space adventure, Jeth only cares about one thing: earning enough money to buy back his parent’s spaceship from his crime boss so he and his sister can have a new life. When he’s given the task of salvaging a ship that contains a dangerous weapon, he has to decide how far his crew will go to earn their freedom. With lots of action, this book is sure to please fans of Cinder.
Earth Girl by Janet Edwards
Goodreads | Amazon
In a far future world, Jarra is abandoned on the wasteland Earth because of a disability that prevents her from surviving on another planet. When she joins an archaeology class to prove she’s just as capable as others. With interesting details, a strong heroine, and dashes of humor, this teen favorite will be a hit with fans of Cinder.
Salvage by Alexandra Duncan
Goodreads | Amazon
Ava lives on a conservative spaceship where men rule and women have no power. When she inadvertently transgresses social rules, she opts to escape to a scarred Earth rather than face her punishment: death. This is a thought-provoking science fiction novel that will appeal to readers who looking for a more literary story.
SCI FI RETELLINGS
A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheenan
Goodreads | Amazon
A futuristic retelling of Sleeping Beauty, this novel is full of surprising plot twists and romance.
For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
Goodreads | Amazon
This post-apocalyptic re-imagining of Jane Austen’s Persuasion examines class, friendship, loyalty, and love in a world that has been devastated by genetic experiments.
Stitching Snow by R. C. Lewis
Goodreads | Amazon
This futuristic retelling of Snow White is perfect for readers who enjoy gritty stories with clever characters. Like Cinder, it blends elements of the original fairy tale in a science fiction setting.
The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
Goodreads | Amazon
This isn’t the “Alice” you knew. Beddor tells the “real” tale of Wonderland in an action-pack, steampunk-y adventure.
Now and Forever by Ray Bradbury
Goodreads | Amazon
Readers looking to explore sci-fi retellings outside of YA lit should check out these novellas. “Leviathan ’99” reimagines Moby Dick…in space.
Foundation by Issac Asimov
Goodreads | Amazon
Asimov was a real scientist, and his sci-fi books are classics. Foundation was inspired by The Fall of the Roman Empire, and is perfect for readers who want to explore the “foundational” texts on which modern science fiction is built.
TWISTED FAIRY TALES
Dust City by Robert Paul Weston
Goodreads | Amazon
This noir-mystery borrows many characters and tropes from Little Red Riding Hood and other fairy tales. With lots of action and a tinge of the supernatural, this novel story will delight those who like their fairy tales dark, gritty, and fast-paced.
Dorothy Must Die by D. M. Paige
Goodreads | Amazon
This novel is a new spin on the classic The Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy has become a cruel dictator and must be overthrown. With lots of action, plot twists, and gruesome scenes, this novel is a lot of fun.
Splintered by A. C. Gaughen
Goodreads | Amazon
Readers who want to fall down a rabbit hole and discover another world will this re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland. Alyssa, a descendent of the Alice that inspired Lewis Carroll’s story, is drawn back into Wonderland to reverse a curse on her family.
Scarlet by A. G. Gaughen
Goodreads | Amazon
This novel is about a different Scarlet than the Little Red Riding Hood inspired character from Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles. This is a Robin Hood retelling, and while it features a historical setting and a heavy vernacular, the spunky heroine will appeal to fans of Cinder.
Nameless by Lili St. Crow
Goodreads | Amazon
Readers who love how The Lunar Chronicles brings characters from so many fairy tales into the same story will enjoy this series.The first, Nameless, is a dark paranormal retelling of Snow White and brings in characters from Cinderella and Red Riding Hood. Instead of science fiction, these are horror novels.
The Glass Casket by McCormick Templeman
Goodreads | Amazon
In rich prose, this novel explores traditional folklore tropes in a complex, layered plot. Is there really something supernatural out in the woods, preying on people, or is there a logical explanation?
DARK FUTURES
Ship Breaker by Paulo Bacigalupi
Goodreads | Amazon
In the future, fossil fuels are scarce, and kids like Nailer scavenge old ships on the Gulf Coast to survive. When he finds a stash of oil, he thinks he’s made a lucky strike and can finally live a better life, but a girl on board complicates matters. This dark, richly imagined story is compelling, and readers who appreciate complex world-building will enjoy it.
The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson
Goodreads | Amazon
Like Cinder, this novel is set in a future where the world struggles with class division and the role of technology in society. While this novel is less plot-driven and more thought-provoking, it will still appeal to many fans of Marissa Meyer because of the similarity in themes.
What books would you suggest to a fan of Cinder or The Lunar Chronicles?
wrapped up in books 
I would definitely recommend Empress of a Thousand Skies (duo logy) for fans of The Lunar Chronicles.
Thank you!!! I hope Dove Rising pulls me out of my reading slump. I’ve been stuck for months…
Arising*
I’ve been looking for some recommendations, and these are great! My only question is if I am too old to read these novels? (Goin on 32 next month!)
Most will also appeal to an adult who enjoys YA fiction like Cinder.
I’m 45 with 3 kids and I loved Cinder. The humor, the romance and adventure. The Court of Rose and Thorns another favorite. Same author does the Throne of glass.
Love the flowchart, and I’ll be checking out some of these recommendations – particularly Dove Arising and When Darkness Shows the Stars. The former I had not come across before, and it sounds really good!
I’m not sure Foundation will appeal to readers looking for something like the Lunar Chronicles, though. It tends to be a bit dry and idea-driven, not strong on characterization for the most part. I’ve read the Foundation trilogy several times, beginning in my teens. It never connected with me as much as, say, Heinlein’s books did, with their more vivid characters. Of the Foundation books, I recall the third one being the most interesting.
Great recommendations. Another series for your consideration, The Princess series by Jim C. Hines.
This is great! Going to look for a bunch of these. :-)
Great list of recommendations! I added a bunch of these to my to-read.