Review: Scarlet

Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 452
Series: Lunar Chronicles
Source: Bought
[add on Goodreads]

Summary: Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

My Favorite Lines:

“I knew they would kill me when they found out, but…” He struggled for words, releasing a sharp breath. “I think I realized that I would rather die because I betrayed them, than live because I betrayed you.” 

“We met less than a week ago and in that time I've done nothing but lie and cheat and betray you. I know. But if you give me a chance...all I want is to protect you. To be near you. For as long as I'm able.” 

Why I Loved It:  After reading Cinder *which I did pretty recently because I was putting it off for fear of hating it due to the whole cyborg-cinderella idea* and loving it, I knew that I would have to buy Scarlet.  Which is probably why it was on pre-order.  My sister, once again, claimed it first.  Because I am a wonderful sister who lets her read the books first even though she reads so much slower than me, I allowed this.  But I almost killed her after she took THREE WHOLE DAYS!  I mean that's just awful when you have already waited so long.  I only gave in because she technically read Cinder way before I did.  So now that I have gotten way off topic...

Scarlet was like the coolest twist off of Red Riding Hood ever.  The whole idea behind it with the sci-fi steampunk kinda of feel to it made me all kinds of ooey gooey good inside.  The book is a sequel to Cinder, but I would say it's also a bit companion-ish.  Most of the story is told from Scarlet's perspective with flashes showing what Cinder is up to throughout the book with all coming together in the end.  That's the biggest spoiler you shall receive from me.

As a character, Scarlet was like this awesome take-charge, have no fear kinda girl.  I mean she kicked butt.  Run into a den full of "wolves"?  Sure no problem, if it means helping Grand-mere.  I loved that about her.  She was so protective and loving.  And the tension between Scarlet and Wolf.  Yes.  That is all.  Just... yes.

Scarlet is free of many of the insecurities that Cinder faced, and in this book Cinder has moved past quite a few of those to become a much fiercer side of herself.  I absolutely adored the characters in this book, but Scarlet really made the book awesome.

Ms. Meyer is incredible with the way she works her magic with these fairy tales as old as time.  I love her style, her plots, and her characters.  I'm so excited to see how the story pulls together in the next story.  It should be epic.

Who Should Read It:  Fans of Cinder, amazingly redone fairy tales, and fans of steam punk type stories.

       

Review: Cinder

Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 387
Series: Lunar Chronicles #1
Source: ALA 2012

Summary: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

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. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

 My Favorite Lines:

“I'm sure I'll feel much more grateful when I find a guy who thinks complex wiring in a girl is a turn-on.” 

“Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.” 

Why I Loved It:  Out of books from 2012, this is one of the most unexpected love-at-first-read experiences I've had.  The whole cyborg thing had me off a little, if only because it's not something I have gotten into with a book, even with my love of Star Trek.  However my sister read my copy and loved it.  That along with raving reviews from people I trust on Goodreads and the blogging community lead me to pick up the book, open it, and give it a chance.  And afterwards, I wanted to hit myself in the head with it for waiting for so stinkin' long to read it.  It was incredible.  INCREDIBLE!  Now all I want is more, more, MORE!  *Ok I will cool it on the all-caps now*

I will keep this short and sweet for you.  This is a futuristic spin on the Cinderella tale.  The whole cyborg thing tends to turn people off when I first bring it up, but seriously the cyborg part just adds to the story that is already incredible.  It's not weird or strange or a bit distracting from the rest of the setting.  It just works.  So if cyborg makes you go "ehhh", trust me.  Get over it and read the book.

This is one of the most creative spins on Cinderella that I have ever read.  In fact, the whole story line is filled with this incredible creative energy.  There is so much mystery in Cinder's past, even though I kinda figured out where we were going a bit early, that the story seems to take on a life of it's own, enveloping you, and carrying you along for the ride.  Ms. Meyer's character development is phenomenal, and I especially loved what she did with the moon.  And Cinder is such a lovable character: honest, loyal, and funny.  I laughed a lot during the book.

The summary sounds completely sci-fi.  It's really a mix of sci-fi, hint of historical, lots of dystopian, and a fantasy that drives the book.

For those who have read Cinder, remember tomorrow Scarlett comes out, the second in the Lunar Chronicles.  I'm so PSYCHED!  I shall provide the trailer below.