Series: The Lunar Chronicles, Book Two
Publisher: Puffin
Format: Paperback
Published: 7th February 2013
Number of Pages: 464
Book: For Review*
Genre: Dystopian, Science-Fiction, Action-Adventure, Romance, Fairy-Tale, Fantasy, Steampunk, Mystery, YA, Middle Grade, YA-MG Crossover
Recommended Age: 9+
Contains:Violence, Death, Swearing
Author's Site: Marissa Meyer
This is not the fairytale you remember.
But it’s one you won’t forget.
Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. The police have closed her case. The only person Scarlet can turn to is Wolf, a street fighter she does not trust, but they are drawn to each other.
Meanwhile, in New Beijing, Cinder will become the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive – when she breaks out of prison to stay one step ahead of vicious Queen Levana.
As Scarlet and Wolf expose one mystery, they encounter Cinder and a new one unravels. Together they must challenge the evil queen, who will stop at nothing to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner . . .
Review:
"This is war... She's declared war on us…"
Linh Cinder discovered she was Lunar, tried to save the Emperor, got caught by the Queen Levana of Luna and arrested.
So instead of being taken back to Luna and probably killed, Cinder breaks out of prison, taking American ex-cadet Carswell Thorne with her, and flees. Thus making her Enemy Number One – and the most wanted person in the Commonwealth.
Meanwhile, Scarlet Benoit's Grand-mère vanishes and the police shut the case, claiming she's a crazy old woman who just wandered off. But Scarlet knows something terrible has happened - that her grandmother has been taken by someone dangerous.
And the only person who can help her is the quiet, brooding streetfighter Wolf.
As they attempt to find Scar's grandmother, they stumble across Cinder and soon they're all wrapped up in a larger plot – to face the wicked Queen Levana and defeat her.
If they don't beat the Queen, Emperor Kai (the boy Cinder got arrested to protect) will become a prisoner – expendable. And the Commonwealth will fall before the wrath of the vicious Lunar Queen...
I loved Cinder, when I read it so many years ago. Somehow, I failed to read Scarlet as soon as it came out (I know, I'm insane – certifiable, in fact) and decided enough was enough: I had to know what happened next! When I finally picked Scarlet up, I was worried for the poor book – time and my love of Cinder had built up sky-high expectations, ones I felt certain Scarletcould never live up to. Man, I was wrong. Scarlet... it just blew me away. It somehow managed to be even better than Cinder– I didn't even think that was possible! I just... I can't put into words how much I loved it – and how much I'm kicking myself for not reading it sooner!
I adored the characters in the book – both the old ones and the new ones. They're all so brilliant, so vibrant and real and amazing. I'm a little blown away by how much I love all the characters (well, apart from Levana, Adri and the LSOP people)...
I'll start with the newest of our two heroines: Scarlet, who was a total badass – fearless and a little scary at times. She was so protective and loyal and brave and funny. All in all, another amazing heroine, just like the wonderful Cinder.
And speaking of Cinder – oh how I love her! She's amazing and so very, very funny! I love how resourceful, tough, vulnerable, clever and brilliant she is. She's so strong, but prone to the teenage moments – c'mon, all teens have them – and she's also just so good. I just love her – especially her new bickering with Thorne!
Wolf – oh, it is so clear to me that Meyer is capable of creating all kinds of book boyfriends I just fall for instantly. He was intriguing, so mysterious, so broody and quiet and dangerous. And so protective and good. I was under his spell, intrigued by him, and by the end I was totally in love! Him and Scar are perfect!
As for Carswell Thorne. Is it wrong that I love him? He is a criminal. And a bit of a hound dog. But he's also freaking hilarious. And insane. And amazing. He was just such a doofus – such amazing comic relief in this fast-paced book. He's freaking hilarious and I freaking love him to pieces!
Kai – oh, I love Kai! We didn't see as much of him – no! – and had hardly any of him and Cinder together, but even when he was just in his office, dealing with royal advisors and crazy Lunars, he was brilliant. He is such a good Emperor and I just love him.
Oh! And how I loved seeing Iko again! I love that little robot!
Wow, that was a lot of character-related-rambling! I just love them all so so much!
I loved the story in Cinder– it was engaging, addictive, fast-paced, exciting and amazing. But Scarlet just took all of that and doubled it. Thanks to the dual (sometimes triple) storyline that perfectly wove together, I was always on my toes, always utterly hooked, always excited and nervous and laughing and chewing at my fingernails (but not really, cause that's unhygienic). And Meyer's awesome writing just enhanced all of this brilliant suspense, action and humour. I loved how we got so many perspectives – Cinder, Scarlet, Thorne, Kai, even Levana. We got to know so many characters, see so many interlinked stories, and it was just amazing. Meyer is a master of words and story lines, no doubt about it!I seriously love fairy tales. I've read a lot of fairy tale retellings. But the Lunar Chronicles world has to be one of my very favourites. The 'princesses' are badasses, the carriages are high-tech space ships and the princes have to deal with homicidal alien queens – oh, and the singing-animal-sidekicks are witty little robots. I mean, that's a million of my favourite things put together into one amazing, amazing series. I'm literally one of the happiest bloggers in the universe when I pick up a Lunar Chronicles book – and trust me when I tell you I won't be daft enough not to read Cress just as soon as I've finished this review!
So yes, if you haven't gathered, I adored Scarlet. I read it in just one sitting, staying up late to gobble it all up. Meyer is truly a goddess and I utterly worship her. Her books are so amazing, so addictive and brilliant, and I could just read about this world forever and ever. Since that is probably impossible, I'm just going to read Cress. I'm utterly hooked, completely under an enchantment, and I just can't stop with the Lunarkick right now!
As far as addictions go, the Lunar Chronicles is one of the best – by far! In fact, it is indeed one you will never, ever forget, or get over – or even want to get over. I know I don't! Hence the insane rambling and how I'm already picking Cressup...
Star Rating:
5 Out of 5
5 Out of 5
Read this book if you liked:
Grisha by Leigh Bardugo
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Descendants by Melissa de la Cruz
Happy Reading
Megan
* This book was received from Penguin in exchange for an honest review