Book Review: Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

"The combination of sci-fi, fantasy and fairy tale retelling that made Cinder such a great read is no less fantastic in Scarlet. "

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: February 2013
Pages: 464
Series: #2
Format: ARC
Acquisition: received for review from the publisher

Synopsis:

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.

(from Goodreads)

Overall Feelings:
Intense and overwhelming LOVE!

My Thoughts:
OMG this was a good book!

The combination of sci-fi, fantasy and fairy tale retelling that made Cinder such a great read is no less fantastic in Scarlet.

After leaving Cinder in a less then desirable situation at the end of book 1, I was really curious as to where she would find herself next. And I really wanted to know what was up with those Lunars!

I love the relationships in this book - and not just the romantic kind. All the characters in this world are so varied and different and the connections are just as different and complex.

With the introduction of a new set a characters and the fabulous way Meyer meshed them together with my old favorites, Scarlet was a fantastic read for me.

I could go on and on with reasons why I loved this book but I don't want to give too much away.

If you read Cinder, Scarlet is a must read. And if you haven't started this series I highly recommend you do! Don't let the premise crazy you off. Marissa has weaved a magical world full of cyborgs, androids and fairy tales that does not disappoint!

Will I continue the series?: YES!

Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

The Lunar Chronicles:
#0.5 Glitches
#1 Cinder
#1.5 The Queen's Army
#2 Scarlet
#3 Cress (2014)
#4 Winter (2015)

Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

***2012 Debut Author***
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: January 2012
Publisher: Macmillan / Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 387
Series: 1st in a 4 book series
Acquisition: NetGalley

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. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Take the story of Cinderella, add in some androids and cyborgs, a plague and oh, evil moon people trying to take over the world. Doesn't sound like it would work? Wrong! Cinder is all of these things and more and it's fantastic!

Somewhat dystopian, somewhat hard science fiction, Cinder tells the story of Cinder, a cyborg (part human part machine) living in New Beijing. Her life is not entirely her own as she is under the control and ownership of her stepmother who in true Cinderella fashion, pretty much hates her.

I really loved this retelling. It's unlike anything I've read in a long time and reminds me of the science fiction stories my father use to feed me as a kid. Cinder's world is amazing. The cyborgs and androids (fully robotic machines) were enough to keep me engaged but this story has so much more to it. There is tension and well done, not over the top romance. There's a scary as hell plague and a mysterious legacy that may hold the key to everything. And a lot more I'm not going to talk about because you should really just read it for yourself :)

Final verdict:
I pretty much loved this story from beginning to end. The first of 4 books that I'm pretty sure I will be devouring as soon as they hit the shelves! Marissa Meyer's debut is a fantastic science fiction / fairy tale retelling / dystopian explosion of awesomeness! I highly recommend this book to fans of these YA genres.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Lunar Chronicles:
#.5 Glitches - online prequel you can read HERE
#1 Cinder
#2 Scarlet (2013)
#3 Cress (2014)
#4 Winter (2015)

Linkage Love:
Author's blog
Goodreads
IndieBound

Book Review: Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: April 1, 2011
Pages: 320
Series: sort of :)
Acquisition: received copy for review

Summary:

In this fast-paced story full of adventure and romance, Cinderella is more than just a servant girl waiting for her prince—she's a tough, fearless girl who is capable of taking charge of a dangerous situation. Seeking to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother, Cinderella perfects her ninja skills and magic talents in secret, waiting for the day when she can break free and live happily ever after. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next—but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you've ever read! (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
I have always loved Cinderella as a character. Forced into servitude by her tyrannical stepmother, she is little more then a slave to the wishes and whims of her evil stepsisters. Now, take that classic tale and turn said stepmother into a powerful evil magician, turn Cinderella into a kick ass ninja and replace the glass slipper and ball with more excitement (think actual true love and a magic completion). Win!

I very much enjoyed this book. Cinderella is a strong and determined girl. Never failing and never wavering. She doesn't need a man to hold her up but love will make her powerful.

So many elements added to the original tale and I loved every one of them!  Oh - and no love triangles :) I'm thinking I should start adding this to more reviews - NLTI (no love triangles included ;)

There as always been a magical element to the story of Cinderella but Maureen McGowan has taken it to a whole new level and I think I just might like her version of things even better!

A great mashup with the added bonus of being a choose your own adventure tale. Depending on choices you make along the way. At 3 points in the story, you have to choose what you think our heroin should do. You then skip ahead to that section and read on. This, was pretty cool. I felt like I had some control over the plot AND I can't imagine the organizing skills it takes as a writer to pull this off. The only issue for me though was the fact that the ending is the same for every choice you make. So, while the action plays out differently, in the end there is no choice. But, I was ok with that.

I'm a fan of this mashup and if Maureen has any more Twisted Tales up her sleeves, I'll be sure to read them.

Overall Rating:

4 / 5 Stars

Books in the Twisted Tales Series:
1. Cinderella Ninja Warrior
2. Sleeping Beauty Vampire Slayer
 **they do not need to be read in order as each is it's own tale**

Linkage Love:
Silver Dolphin
Author's Website
Goodreads