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The Lunar Chronicles #0.6
The Little Android
Note: this short story is also available in "Stars Above".
The Little Android is a retelling of The Little Mermaid, set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles by New York Times-bestselling author Marissa Meyer.
When android Mech6.0 saves the life of a handsome hardware engineer, her body is destroyed and her mechanics discover a glitch in her programming. Androids aren’t meant to develop impractical reasoning or near-emotional responses…let alone fall in love.
The Little Android is a retelling of The Little Mermaid, set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles by New York Times-bestselling author Marissa Meyer.
When android Mech6.0 saves the life of a handsome hardware engineer, her body is destroyed and her mechanics discover a glitch in her programming. Androids aren’t meant to develop impractical reasoning or near-emotional responses…let alone fall in love.
35 pages, ebook
First published January 27, 2014
About the author
Marissa Meyer
61 books121k followersI live in Tacoma, Washington, with my husband and beautiful twin daughters. Represented by Jill Grinberg. Learn more about me and my upcoming books at http://www.marissameyer.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,452 reviews
April 7, 2014
I don't usually give 4 stars to series novellas or, as I like to call them, decimal pieces. But Meyer once again managed to wow me by writing a story that is so completely different from the original fairy tale, yet can stay faithful to it at the same time.
A supposedly emotionless robot falls in love with a human and risks it all to be with him. To see him smile at her.
A wonderful retelling of the The Little Mermaid. And it's not the Disney-fied version either.
This will not happen.
So get your tissues ready.
A supposedly emotionless robot falls in love with a human and risks it all to be with him. To see him smile at her.
A wonderful retelling of the The Little Mermaid. And it's not the Disney-fied version either.
This will not happen.
So get your tissues ready.
May 29, 2018
Enchanting.
Q:
Like recognizes like. (c)
Q:
The thrumming of electricity warmed her insides. (c)
Q:
The galaxy, she had come to understand, was vast and bright and endless. (c)
Q:
For reasons that didn’t fully compute, she frequently found her sensor seeking him out in the crowd of androids and technicians, and every time she spotted him, her fan did that strange little jump like it had when she’d seen the holograph. (c)
Q:
“Who knows? You hear stories about this once in a while. Androids whose artificial intelligence reaches a point of learning at which they develop almost human-like tendencies. Unpractical reasoning, near-emotional responses. There are plenty of theories for why it happens, but the important thing is, it isn’t good.”
“I’m not sure I agree.” (c)
Q:
And the galaxy expanded before her.
The holograph filled up the entire office. The sun and the planets, the stars and the nebulas, asteroids and comets and all the beauty of space contained in that tiny, unimpressive little locket. (c)
Q:
She could not stand to be lost to the darkness forever, when there was still a whole universe she’d never seen. (c)
Q:
Although her new life as a human had given her the opportunity to gaze up at the night sky as often as she wished, her eyes never tired of it. The sense of vastness and eternity, the yearning to see what else the universe had to offer, even for one as small and unimportant as she was. (c)
Q:
Like recognizes like. (c)
Q:
The thrumming of electricity warmed her insides. (c)
Q:
The galaxy, she had come to understand, was vast and bright and endless. (c)
Q:
For reasons that didn’t fully compute, she frequently found her sensor seeking him out in the crowd of androids and technicians, and every time she spotted him, her fan did that strange little jump like it had when she’d seen the holograph. (c)
Q:
“Who knows? You hear stories about this once in a while. Androids whose artificial intelligence reaches a point of learning at which they develop almost human-like tendencies. Unpractical reasoning, near-emotional responses. There are plenty of theories for why it happens, but the important thing is, it isn’t good.”
“I’m not sure I agree.” (c)
Q:
And the galaxy expanded before her.
The holograph filled up the entire office. The sun and the planets, the stars and the nebulas, asteroids and comets and all the beauty of space contained in that tiny, unimpressive little locket. (c)
Q:
She could not stand to be lost to the darkness forever, when there was still a whole universe she’d never seen. (c)
Q:
Although her new life as a human had given her the opportunity to gaze up at the night sky as often as she wished, her eyes never tired of it. The sense of vastness and eternity, the yearning to see what else the universe had to offer, even for one as small and unimportant as she was. (c)
December 20, 2015
This was just a wonderful fast story. Even with just those pages, Mayer was able to hook me the entire time.
This retelling about Star, an android who is feeling, not what is expect from emotionless programmed robots. She dreams about the universe and going out to explore the outside world.
One day she is dreaming about a mechanic who works at the place when an accident happens and she runs to save him.
And then you must know the story...
“How agonizing it was,this life of silence and yearning. Yet how very worth it when his eyes found hers.”
All the feels and the untold words. All the untold love and unrequited loves.
“It’s me, it’s been me all along and I might have saved your life, but I would be nothing if it wasn’t for you."
And Meyer didn't follow the Disney kids' version so prepare your tissues.
“She was smiling as she imagined herself as one more star in the sea of millions, and her body decided it had had enough, and she felt the exact moment when her power source gave up and the hum of electricity extinguished.
But she was already vast and bright and endless.”
Well played Marissa... Well played.
Find the novella here: https://www.wattpad.com/36352935-the-...
This retelling about Star, an android who is feeling, not what is expect from emotionless programmed robots. She dreams about the universe and going out to explore the outside world.
One day she is dreaming about a mechanic who works at the place when an accident happens and she runs to save him.
And then you must know the story...
“How agonizing it was,this life of silence and yearning. Yet how very worth it when his eyes found hers.”
All the feels and the untold words. All the untold love and unrequited loves.
“It’s me, it’s been me all along and I might have saved your life, but I would be nothing if it wasn’t for you."
And Meyer didn't follow the Disney kids' version so prepare your tissues.
“She was smiling as she imagined herself as one more star in the sea of millions, and her body decided it had had enough, and she felt the exact moment when her power source gave up and the hum of electricity extinguished.
But she was already vast and bright and endless.”
Well played Marissa... Well played.
Find the novella here: https://www.wattpad.com/36352935-the-...
July 7, 2020
”No. She couldn’t stay here. She could not stand to be lost to the darkness forever, when there was still a whole universe she’d never seen”.
Ehm… qué relato tan raro. A ver, que sí está en el mundo de las Crónicas Lunares y que Cinder tiene un cameo de media página, ¿pero qué necesidad tenía esta historia de estar en Stars Above? Se supone que esto es un retelling de The Little Mermaid, pero, honestamente, si no lo hubiera leído en otra reseña no me habría dado por enterada.
Aquí conocemos a una androide que se llama Mech 6.0 que trabaja en un astillero de barcos espaciales y que, curiosamente, tiene un chip de personalidad demasiado desarrollado y cercano a los pensamientos humanos. Un día, Dataran, uno de los humanos que trabajan allí, cae en un tanque de aceite y Mech 6.0, que está medianamente obsesionada con él, salta al tanque y lo rescata. Pero ella queda prácticamente destruida y con sus circuitos muy fritos. Es ahí cuando acude a Cinder para que la arregle y nuestra mecánica favorita le da el cuerpo de una escort-droid un poco viejo. Pero eso a Mech 6.0, ahora Star, no le importa. Ni siquiera le importa haber perdido su voz con tal de poder ver a Dataran de nuevo.
Y bueno, la cosa va un poco por ahí, pero en realidad fue un relato que se me hizo tremendamente confuso. A decir verdad, yo pensaba que esta historia se iba a centrar en Iko y que, de un momento a otro, nos iban a revelar que Mech 6.0/Star era Iko, pero no, nada que ver.
Y sí, The Little Android tiene un final muy agridulce y, visto en perspectiva, es un buen relato, pero sigo sin entender por qué Marissa Meyer le dedicó tantísimas páginas a esta historia de alguien que ni siquiera conocemos en vez de dárselas a Cress o a Cinder, por ejemplo.
Ehm… qué relato tan raro. A ver, que sí está en el mundo de las Crónicas Lunares y que Cinder tiene un cameo de media página, ¿pero qué necesidad tenía esta historia de estar en Stars Above? Se supone que esto es un retelling de The Little Mermaid, pero, honestamente, si no lo hubiera leído en otra reseña no me habría dado por enterada.
Aquí conocemos a una androide que se llama Mech 6.0 que trabaja en un astillero de barcos espaciales y que, curiosamente, tiene un chip de personalidad demasiado desarrollado y cercano a los pensamientos humanos. Un día, Dataran, uno de los humanos que trabajan allí, cae en un tanque de aceite y Mech 6.0, que está medianamente obsesionada con él, salta al tanque y lo rescata. Pero ella queda prácticamente destruida y con sus circuitos muy fritos. Es ahí cuando acude a Cinder para que la arregle y nuestra mecánica favorita le da el cuerpo de una escort-droid un poco viejo. Pero eso a Mech 6.0, ahora Star, no le importa. Ni siquiera le importa haber perdido su voz con tal de poder ver a Dataran de nuevo.
Y bueno, la cosa va un poco por ahí, pero en realidad fue un relato que se me hizo tremendamente confuso. A decir verdad, yo pensaba que esta historia se iba a centrar en Iko y que, de un momento a otro, nos iban a revelar que Mech 6.0/Star era Iko, pero no, nada que ver.
Y sí, The Little Android tiene un final muy agridulce y, visto en perspectiva, es un buen relato, pero sigo sin entender por qué Marissa Meyer le dedicó tantísimas páginas a esta historia de alguien que ni siquiera conocemos en vez de dárselas a Cress o a Cinder, por ejemplo.
September 12, 2020
"She would tell him that something in his smile had changed her, back when it shouldn't have been possible for her to be changed. She would tell him that she was the one who had saved his life, because something about him made her unpredictable, and maybe dangerous, and she couldn't exist in a world without him".
BUT, BUT... That ending.
I suspect I'm the only one around here who knows barely nothing about The Little Mermaid story. I mean, I know it's about a mermaid and she must be little? that's where all my knowledge ends. So, a retelling you're saying? Man, I'm a disgrace for myself.
However, this story is so sweet and cute and heartbreaking. I'm safe with Marissa Meyer's writing. I know what she has to offer and every time she delivers. This is not as good as The Queen's Army but definitely captivating and worth reading.
Can't wait for Cress.
BUT, BUT... That ending.
I suspect I'm the only one around here who knows barely nothing about The Little Mermaid story. I mean, I know it's about a mermaid and she must be little? that's where all my knowledge ends. So, a retelling you're saying? Man, I'm a disgrace for myself.
However, this story is so sweet and cute and heartbreaking. I'm safe with Marissa Meyer's writing. I know what she has to offer and every time she delivers. This is not as good as The Queen's Army but definitely captivating and worth reading.
Can't wait for Cress.
December 20, 2014
How is it possible that even small novellas are so perfect? How do you do it Marissa? HOW? This is a Little Mermaid re-tailing. I loved it so much. It was beautifully written and incredibly sad as the the "true story" is. ♥
February 16, 2019
*4.5 stars*
This novella is collected in the book Stars Above, among other novellas set in the Lunar Chronicles universe.
However, i decided to write a separate review for it.
This novella (which is a retelling of the little mermaid) really stood out for me. Mainly because it revolves around a whole new set of characters, unlike the other novellas which are about the characters that we usually see in the story.
It was an engaging story, with a really interesting concept, and i wish it was a little longer .
It was also a refreshing change seeing new characters in the same universe we know and love.
Some bits of the story were a bit confusing though, but the longer i think about these bits, the more they make sense.
Overall, this was a great, interesting short story, and i'm really glad i read it .
*Note : This novella could be read by anyone without needing to commit to reading the whole Lunar Chronicles series.
This novella is collected in the book Stars Above, among other novellas set in the Lunar Chronicles universe.
However, i decided to write a separate review for it.
This novella (which is a retelling of the little mermaid) really stood out for me. Mainly because it revolves around a whole new set of characters, unlike the other novellas which are about the characters that we usually see in the story.
It was an engaging story, with a really interesting concept, and i wish it was a little longer .
It was also a refreshing change seeing new characters in the same universe we know and love.
Some bits of the story were a bit confusing though, but the longer i think about these bits, the more they make sense.
Overall, this was a great, interesting short story, and i'm really glad i read it .
*Note : This novella could be read by anyone without needing to commit to reading the whole Lunar Chronicles series.
April 16, 2014
Spoilers
I enjoyed this more than the main Lunar Chronicles novels. I didn't think it'd be interesting at all - I've never really liked the Little Mermaid fairy tale so I wasn't expecting to enjoy a retelling of it. The story turned out to be rather moving and bittersweet, and the characters were quite good too.
I was actually glad the MC (Mech6.0/Star) ended up dying/switching off — it seemed like she was on the verge of turning into a homicidal bunny boiler… So yea, she needed to die before she murdered anyone. It was good that she saw sense and let Miko have her happy ending with what's his face. It'd be nice if Miko and her fella made a cameo in Winter, they were pretty sweet together.
I enjoyed this more than the main Lunar Chronicles novels. I didn't think it'd be interesting at all - I've never really liked the Little Mermaid fairy tale so I wasn't expecting to enjoy a retelling of it. The story turned out to be rather moving and bittersweet, and the characters were quite good too.
I was actually glad the MC (Mech6.0/Star) ended up dying/switching off — it seemed like she was on the verge of turning into a homicidal bunny boiler… So yea, she needed to die before she murdered anyone. It was good that she saw sense and let Miko have her happy ending with what's his face. It'd be nice if Miko and her fella made a cameo in Winter, they were pretty sweet together.
February 1, 2023
4 Stars
This is about a maintenance droid who overrides her programming, allowing her to actually develop feelings for another.
Mech 6.0 strives to connect with her beloved. Ultimately, she gives up her one possible chance just to see him happy, knowing full well her dream of being something more can never be truly realized.
Bittersweet with a gut punch of feels.
This is about a maintenance droid who overrides her programming, allowing her to actually develop feelings for another.
Mech 6.0 strives to connect with her beloved. Ultimately, she gives up her one possible chance just to see him happy, knowing full well her dream of being something more can never be truly realized.
Bittersweet with a gut punch of feels.
January 28, 2014
I'm in tears right now! A perfect re-telling of the little mermaid! It was so sad yet it was also equally beautiful. I will never forget Star and her beautiful "heart"! At least she can be one with the stars and the universe. Marissa did a great job once again and I can't wait for Cress!
February 10, 2016
0.5.) Glitches ★★★
You can read this for free on Wattpad.
This short just seemed so sad. Hopefully the full books will touch more on this story or at least Miko, but as a stand-alone novella it was just a little too depressing for me. Definitely the saddest The Little Mermaid retelling I've ever read. Very, very heartbreaking.
I did love (grown up) Cinder's cameo. I also loved the new information that there is a cyborg draft going on that is skewed towards female cyborgs (like Cinder). I'm sure that will make for an interesting turn of events in Cinder, and was purposely placed in this novella to prepare the reader.
You can read this for free on Wattpad.
This short just seemed so sad. Hopefully the full books will touch more on this story or at least Miko, but as a stand-alone novella it was just a little too depressing for me. Definitely the saddest The Little Mermaid retelling I've ever read. Very, very heartbreaking.
I did love (grown up) Cinder's cameo. I also loved the new information that there is a cyborg draft going on that is skewed towards female cyborgs (like Cinder). I'm sure that will make for an interesting turn of events in Cinder, and was purposely placed in this novella to prepare the reader.
July 21, 2016
★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆[5/10]
Thoroughly disappointed. I was beginning to wonder if Marissa Meyer was ever going to tell us about Iko'slove life. She let me down. "Androids can fall in love and have a happy ending"- That is just a wishful thinking.
How and where do Miko and Star and Dataran fit in this story?
Thoroughly disappointed. I was beginning to wonder if Marissa Meyer was ever going to tell us about Iko's
How and where do Miko and Star and Dataran fit in this story?
October 20, 2017
A poignant re-telling of the Little Mermaid tale, Marissa Meyer style. She truly is in her element as she hones her craft and this beautiful little gem is the result of her considerable talents.
January 26, 2018
A very sweet and poignant retelling of The Little Mermaid. I was a teeny, tiny bit disappointed this wasn't about Iko, but it was a lovely read none the less!
![Profile Image for [S] Bibliophage.](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1517936499i/11854153._UX200_CR0,52,200,200_.jpg)
April 10, 2018
Even Star is an Android, she made a huge sacrifice for the person she loves. Even if it makes her alone or miserable, she thought it would be better to see that the one she loves would be happy. I'm very contented with this short novella and it just shows that there could be chances for Androids, like the case of Star and Miko, to feel just like an ordinary human being.
February 5, 2014
Take whatever is left of my heart, Marissa.
HERE
*shoves it at her*
Miko and Dataran are why Cinder and Kai need a happy ending. Why I NEED to see them happy. I want to hear Kai tell Cinder the same thing. I want one of my all time favorite ships to finally get the HEA they so badly deserve.
HERE
*shoves it at her*
Miko and Dataran are why Cinder and Kai need a happy ending. Why I NEED to see them happy. I want to hear Kai tell Cinder the same thing. I want one of my all time favorite ships to finally get the HEA they so badly deserve.
January 29, 2014
Full disclosure: I am a professional storyteller, and ever since I can remember (probably since the Japanese animated version of my childhood) I have always hated the Little Mermaid with a burning passion.
Until now.
That's really all I need to say.
Until now.
That's really all I need to say.
August 11, 2016
I didn't get what was happening along this story.
And it was so dull.
And it was so dull.
January 3, 2016
My heart...
August 12, 2015
aw :( this made me sad
October 19, 2015
Can be read right here:
http://www.wattpad.com/36352935-the-l...
Unbelievable how much story and character Meyer can put in such a short story. Bittersweet ending, but I like how Star sort-of got her happy ending anyway :)
http://www.wattpad.com/36352935-the-l...
Unbelievable how much story and character Meyer can put in such a short story. Bittersweet ending, but I like how Star sort-of got her happy ending anyway :)
March 20, 2016
I love it so much. This was heartbreaking and amazing all in one.
I THOUGHT IT WAS IKO! Well anyway, I am excited to see another android and where she will fit into the story. I loved that Cinder was in this and had like the only snarky comment XD
Can't wait for Fairest and Winter (:
I THOUGHT IT WAS IKO! Well anyway, I am excited to see another android and where she will fit into the story. I loved that Cinder was in this and had like the only snarky comment XD
Can't wait for Fairest and Winter (:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2015
demasiado cute
February 6, 2016
Lepa i tragična ljubavna priča. Malo dijaloga ali dosta emocija. I plus je što su sve novi likovi sa gostovanjem jednog od originalnih.
July 18, 2018
did i just cry on a novella about ANDROIDS??? what the fuck Marissa Meyer
Full review coming up in Stars Above
Full review coming up in Stars Above
March 1, 2017
This is a teeny tiny little novella that forms part of the Lunar Cornicles series. Like with all books in this series the author takes a fairy tale (this time The little mermaid) and transforms it into something unique.
Its not necessary to read this to understand the main characters better but it was a nice little palate cleanser between books.
Its not necessary to read this to understand the main characters better but it was a nice little palate cleanser between books.
July 9, 2015
De nuevo nos encontramos con una historia y unos personajes que llegan al corazón. Este libro vuelve a sorprenderme y ha sido más profundo de lo que esperaba.
Marissa es única creando personajes. Te los presenta de un modo sencillo y no sé cómo lo hace pero sólo necesito dos palabras para encariñarme con ellos.
Si esta mujer quisiera me rompería el corazón en mil pedazos. Esperemos que sea buena en Winter, pretty please.
Marissa es única creando personajes. Te los presenta de un modo sencillo y no sé cómo lo hace pero sólo necesito dos palabras para encariñarme con ellos.
Si esta mujer quisiera me rompería el corazón en mil pedazos. Esperemos que sea buena en Winter, pretty please.
March 6, 2017
Beautiful, wistful and heartbreaking. A retelling of "The Little Mermaid" seamlessly blended in the sci-fi world of Cyborgs and Androids. Marissa Meyer's writing style is simply exquisite and she only needed less than fifty pages to create a sad yet appealing tale.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,452 reviews