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Hey there, bookworms! If you are anything like me, you absolutely devoured Marissa Meyer’s The Lunar Chronicles. There is just something undeniably addictive about that perfect blend of classic fairy tale nostalgia and high-stakes futuristic sci-fi. When I first cracked open Cinder, I wasn’t just reading about a cyborg mechanic in New Beijing; I was transported. I felt the grease on my hands, the hum of the hovercrafts, and that swoon-worthy tension with Prince Kai. It is the kind of series that leaves you with a massive book hangover, staring at your ceiling and wondering, “What on earth do I read next?”
Well, folks, I have got you covered.
As we head deeper into 2026, the Young Adult sci-fi landscape is thriving, but finding that specific Cinder vibe (mechanics, royal intrigue, slow-burn romance, and sassy androids) can be a challenge. You want a protagonist who is underestimated but overpowers everyone. You want a world that feels familiar yet totally alien.
Editor’s Note: This list is curated with the “Newest Data” in mind, ensuring these recommendations are relevant, with series that are either recently completed or have active fanbases buzzing right now.
Below, I have compiled a list of books similar to Cinder that will scratch that itch. These titles feature fearless heroines, dystopian regimes, and enough plot twists to keep you up way past your bedtime. Let’s dive into the best sci-fi retellings and cyborg adventures to add to your TBR pile immediately.
1. Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
If you loved Cinder for the mechanics and the Eastern setting but secretly wished Cinder had a bit more… rage, then Iron Widow is your next obsession. This book took BookTok and the YA world by storm, and it remains a top-tier recommendation in 2026 for anyone seeking a harder, grittier sci-fi edge.
The Premise: In a futuristic world known as Huaxia, humanity is under constant threat from alien monsters. The only defense? Giant transforming robots called Chrysalises. These machines require two pilots: a boy and a girl. But the system is rigged. The boys are treated like celebrities, while the girls are “concubine-pilots” who often die from the mental strain of piloting. Enter Wu Zetian. She is not here to be a battery; she is here to be a killer. When she eagerly signs up to be a pilot, her goal is simple vengeance against the ace pilot who caused her sister’s death. But Zetian does the impossible: she kills the male pilot through their psychic link and emerges from the cockpit unscathed. She is an “Iron Widow,” a feared class of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up.
Why it fits the Cinder vibe: While Cinder is a retelling of Cinderella, Iron Widow reimagines the rise of the only female emperor in Chinese history, Wu Zetian, but with giant mechas. It hits that sweet spot of “girl vs. the oppressive government” that Marissa Meyer fans adore. Zetian is a mechanic of social structures rather than hovercars; she dismantles the patriarchy with ruthless efficiency. The world-building is lush, blending historical Chinese culture with high-tech dystopia, much like the New Beijing setting in The Lunar Chronicles. Plus, if you liked the “found family” aspect of Meyer’s books, you will be intrigued by the intense (and polyamorous) relationship dynamics here, which challenge the traditional YA love triangle trope.
Keywords: Mecha sci-fi, Chinese history retelling, feminist dystopian, strong female lead, enemies to lovers.
2. Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
For those who loved the scrappy, grease-stained aesthetic of Cinder working in her booth, Gearbreakers offers a similar gritty, mechanical atmosphere but dials up the action. This is for the readers who love the resistance angle of The Lunar Chronicles and want to see a ragtag group of rebels taking down a massive, corrupt empire.
The Premise: The shadow of Godolia’s tyrannical rule spreads across the Badlands, enforced by giant mechanized weapons known as Windups. Eris Shindanai is a Gearbreaker, a rebel soldier who specializes in taking down these terrifying machines from the inside. She doesn’t pilot them; she destroys them. But when a mission goes wrong, Eris ends up in a Godolia prison where she meets Sona Steelcrest. Sona is a cybernetically enhanced Windup pilot (sound familiar?), but she is hiding a secret. She has infiltrated the Windup program to destroy it from within. Despite being on opposite sides of the war, Eris and Sona realize they might be the only ones who can help each other bring the system down.
Why it fits the Cinder vibe: The parallels here are fantastic. You have the cybernetic enhancements that define Sona’s existence, mirroring Cinder’s struggle with her own cyborg identity. The theme of “monster vs. human” is explored deeply, asking whether metal parts make you less human or more dangerous. The dynamic between Eris and Sona is electric, moving from enemies to reluctant allies to something more. It captures that high-stakes, “us against the world” energy that made Cinder and Kai’s journey so compelling. Zoe Hana Mikuta delivers a world that feels rusty, dangerous, and incredibly lived-in. It is the perfect read if you want Pacific Rim meets Cinder with a queer romance at its heart.
Keywords: Cyberpunk YA, LGBT sci-fi, rebel alliance, giant robots, enemies to lovers, diverse characters.
3. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
Maybe what you loved most about The Lunar Chronicles was the sweeping romance and the space opera setting. If you are looking for a book that feels like Titanic in space with a mystery twist, These Broken Stars is the classic recommendation that stands the test of time.
The Premise: It is a night like any other on board the Icarus, a massive luxury spaceliner, until catastrophe strikes. The ship is yanked out of hyperspace and crash-lands on the nearest planet. The only survivors? Lilac LaRoux, the daughter of the richest man in the universe, and Tarver Merendsen, a young war hero who knows better than to get involved with girls like Lilac. Stranded on an eerie, terraformed world with no hope of rescue, they must rely on each other to survive the elements and the strange, whispering voices that haunt the planet. As they trek across the deserted terrain, they uncover a conspiracy that threatens to change the galaxy forever.
Why it fits the Cinder vibe: Lilac LaRoux starts off seeming like a spoiled princess, but much like Cinder, she proves to be incredibly resourceful and resilient when her world falls apart. The dynamic between the high-class girl and the soldier boy mirrors the class difference tension between Cinder and Kai (or even Winter and Jacin). The sci-fi elements are grounded in a mystery that slowly unravels, similar to the political intrigue of the Luna/Earth conflict. These Broken Stars is the first in the Starbound trilogy, so if you enjoy this, you have a whole series to binge. The banter is top-notch, the romance is swoon-worthy, and the survival stakes keep the pages turning.
Keywords: Space opera romance, survival sci-fi, planetary exploration, galactic conspiracy, star-crossed lovers.
4. The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid
If you were fascinated by the concept of androids, cyborgs, and what it means to have a soul (hello, Iko!), then The Diabolic explores these themes with a darker, more court-intrigue-heavy plot. It is like Red Queen meets Blade Runner.
The Premise: Nemesis is a Diabolic: a humanoid teenager created for a single purpose. She is to protect Sidonia, a galactic senator’s daughter. Nemesis is not human; she is engineered to be ruthless, powerful, and utterly loyal. She has no feelings for anyone but Sidonia. But when the Emperor summons Sidonia to the Galactic Court as a hostage, Nemesis goes in her place, disguised as the fragile human girl. Nemesis must navigate a viper’s nest of corrupt politicians and backstabbing royals while hiding her true nature. If she is discovered, she dies. But as she spends more time among humans, Nemesis begins to question her programming. Is she really just a weapon, or is she capable of more?
Why it fits the Cinder vibe: This book is perfect for fans who loved the deception and hidden identity aspects of Cinder. Just as Cinder had to hide her cyborg nature to survive in New Beijing, Nemesis must hide her Diabolic nature to survive the Chrysanthemum Court. The setting is opulent and deadly, filled with genetically modified people and space politics. The question of artificial intelligence and humanity is central here. Nemesis is a fantastic protagonist: violent and dangerous, yet confusingly vulnerable as she learns to navigate human emotions. The romance is a slow burn that creeps up on you, complicating her mission in the best way possible.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, galactic empire, court intrigue, hidden identity, bodyguard romance.
5. Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer
While this one leans more towards fantasy-dystopian than hard sci-fi, the tone and the political struggle are a perfect match for Marissa Meyer fans. Defy the Night captures the essence of a kingdom on the brink of revolution and a girl trying to save it from the shadows.
The Premise: The kingdom of Kandala is suffering. A mysterious sickness is ravaging the land, and the only cure is Moonflower elixir, which is strictly controlled by the King and his ruthless brother, the King’s Justice. Tessa Cade is an apothecary apprentice who hates the royals. By night, she and her best friend Wes sneak out to steal Moonflower petals and distribute medicine to the poor, acting as Robin Hood figures in a desperate city. But when a mission goes awry, Tessa finds herself in the palace, face-to-face with the very people she despises. What she finds is that the King and his brother are not exactly the villains the public believes them to be, and the situation is far more complicated than simple tyranny.
Why it fits the Cinder vibe: Tessa Cade is a spiritual sister to Cinder. She is a skilled worker who uses her talents to help the downtrodden while hiding from the law. The romance features a “prince in disguise” trope that will remind you of Kai and Cinder’s early interactions. The political maneuvering is sharp and engaging, dealing with a plague (similar to the Letumosis plague in Cinder) and the disparity between the rich and the poor. Brigid Kemmerer writes with a very accessible, addictive style that feels very similar to Meyer’s. If you loved the plague subplot and the “saving the kingdom” stakes of The Lunar Chronicles, this series (which recently concluded) is a must-read.
Keywords: Dystopian fantasy, Robin Hood retelling, plague subplot, enemies to lovers, royal romance.
6. Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston
This is arguably the closest direct comparison to Cinder on this list in terms of “Retelling + Space Opera.” Heart of Iron is a retelling of the Anastasia Romanov story, but set in space with sentient androids. It is fun, fast-paced, and incredibly charming.
The Premise: Ana is a scoundrel and an outlaw. She was found as a child drifting through space with a sentient android named D09. She has been raised by a crew of space pirates, but now D09 is glitching. To save the only family she has left, Ana needs to steal coordinates to a lost ship that might hold the technology to fix him. Unfortunately, she is not the only one looking. An Ironblood boy (space royalty) beats her to the prize, and chaos ensues. Ana and the Ironblood end up on the run together, chased by a kingdom that wants them dead. As they travel, Ana begins to uncover secrets about her own past that link her to the slaughtered royal family.
Why it fits the Cinder vibe: It is Anastasia in space! Just as Cinder reimagined Cinderella, this reimagines the lost princess of Russia. Ana is feisty, capable, and deeply loyal to her android companion, mirroring Cinder and Iko’s bond perfectly. The setting involves space travel, rogue crews, and a repressive galactic monarchy. The “lost princess” trope is handled beautifully here, and the sci-fi elements are soft and accessible, focusing more on adventure and character dynamics than hard physics. It has that same Young Adult adventurous spirit that makes The Lunar Chronicles so readable. If you want a book that feels like a warm hug wrapped in a space suit, this is it.
Keywords: Anastasia retelling, space pirates, android companion, royal mystery, YA space opera.
7. Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
For the reader who loved the piloting scenes in Cinder (and Scarlet and Cress…) and wants a story focused heavily on flight, distinct AI personalities, and underdog triumphs, Skyward is a masterpiece. Brandon Sanderson is a fantasy giant, but his foray into YA sci-fi is absolute gold.
The Premise: Spensa’s world has been under attack for decades. Aliens known as the Krell constantly bombard her planet, and the only thing standing between humanity and extinction is the Defiant Defense Force. Spensa dreams of being a pilot, but her father was a famous pilot who was branded a coward and a traitor. Because of his legacy, Spensa is an outcast. She is not allowed to fly. But Spensa is stubborn. When she discovers the wreckage of an ancient, advanced ship in a cave, she realizes she might have a chance. The catch? The ship has an Artificial Intelligence named M-Bot, and he is… eccentric. He likes mushrooms, has an obsession with fungi, and is not entirely sure he wants to be a weapon of war.
Why it fits the Cinder vibe: Spensa is a fantastic protagonist: prickly, aggressive, and deeply insecure, but undeniably brave. Her relationship with M-Bot is pure gold and will remind you instantly of the banter between Cinder and Iko. M-Bot is sassy, weird, and lovable. The world-building is top-tier, featuring a mystery about the history of the human race on this planet that unfolds brilliantly. While the romance is much lighter in this series compared to Cinder, the themes of reclaiming your identity and fighting against a system that has labeled you “wrong” are very present. It is high-octane aerial combat with a lot of heart.
Keywords: Sci-fi fighter pilots, sentient spaceship, underdog story, alien invasion, humorous AI.
8. Legend by Marie Lu
If we are talking about staples of the dystopian genre that sit comfortably alongside The Lunar Chronicles, we cannot skip Legend. While it is an older title, it remains a powerhouse recommendation in 2025 for new readers discovering the genre. It offers the dual-perspective narrative that Meyer perfected in her later books.
The Premise: The United States is gone, replaced by the Republic, a nation perpetually at war. June is a prodigy being groomed for the highest military circles. She is the Republic’s darling. Day is the country’s most wanted criminal, a boy from the slums who sabotages the war effort to help his family. They have no reason to meet until June’s brother is murdered, and Day becomes the prime suspect. June goes undercover in the slums to hunt him down, but as she gets closer to Day, she uncovers a web of lies that the Republic has spun to keep its citizens in check. The truth about the plague (yes, another plague!), the war, and her brother’s death will force them to work together.
Why it fits the Cinder vibe: Legend features a split narrative between a boy from the streets and a girl from the elite, flipping the Cinder dynamic slightly but keeping the class tension. The “cat and mouse” game between June and Day is thrilling. Like Cinder, this book deals heavily with a government hiding the truth about a biological threat to control the population. The action is cinematic, and the romance is iconic in the YA dystopian canon. If you liked the political tension of the Earth vs. Luna conflict, the Republic’s internal politics will hook you right in. It is fast, emotional, and features characters you will root for until the very end.
Keywords: Dystopian classic, dual perspective, military prodigy, forbidden romance, government conspiracy.
Conclusion
There you have it! Whether you are looking for a direct retelling like Heart of Iron or a gritty, mecha-filled resistance story like Iron Widow, the world of YA sci-fi has plenty to offer fans of Marissa Meyer.
The Lunar Chronicles set a high bar for blending fairy tales with futuristic tech, but these authors have taken those batons and run with them in incredible new directions. My advice? Start with Iron Widow if you want something fierce and modern, or Defy the Night if you are missing that specific royal-rebellion romance.