Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, book 2) by Marissa Meyer
Genre: Young Adult Science Fiction
(Dystopian)
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Scarlet (1)
Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the 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 or 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 is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.
Review:
As a reader I've always been fond of books with multiple point of views. POVs are fantastic when utilized right. Transforming the story into a more emotional, suspenseful, intense, well developed world. Not to mention the chance to have wider cast of epic characters. Or the downside. Worthless characters, too many POVs, and too much useless information. That said when I finally realized that Scarlet's story would have a changing POV with Cinder and Kai I was ecstatic! Because the last book just barely introduced Cinder and Kai, and there was no way their story ended there.
Scarlet is a compelling character and I can't wait for more interaction between her and Cinder. They're such great female leads! They aren't stereotypical females in some gimmicky book. They feel like good friends. Wolf is very interesting character. However. I would suggest reading—highly!—The Queen's Army. It gives a really important insight to Wolf and without it I probably wouldn't have connected to him so much. Or understood him at all. Especially as Scarlet and Wolf draw together and their story goes. What I love more is how all of the character's stories in the time line are perfectly timed. It enhances the suspense and enters Scarlet into the realm of great story telling.
The politics of the worlds are becoming more and more vital to the story. Watching the politics play out as they become a more real part of The Lunar Chronicles. Becoming global and expanding into space. Seeing Kai's struggle through the mire and especially having to set aside his own personal wants. Cinder is dealing with her truth and it feels horrible that after all of the things she's been through she honestly doesn't have much choice. This book is a full of character struggles. It gets pretty dark at many points. Scary things, and viscous deaths happen.
Sadly some of my worries from the last book, and the shorts, were present. To start off on a positive note the quality of the writing went up. Characters actually were described! Emotional connections were made! By bookness the writing was actually creating and not just telling. There were a few barren parts, like experiencing space for instance. Still the writing was pretty darn good! Not once did I get a POV mixed up and I felt like each character had their own voice.
Unfortunately many of my questions from the last book remain unanswered. More pressing why is it never brought up: Are other planets inhabited? Because if it suddenly pops up that there are it's going to feel so out of place. Why are there so many spaceships and races in space if it's just the earth and the moon? And when and HOW was it colonized (the moon)? If you've checked out my first review I can go on and on! And even then I held myself back. There's so much potential and it irks me when a universe isn't explored fully.
That being said Scarlet was so much fun! The sci-fi twists on these fairytales are so fun! Especially since Scarlet was very abstract with how it adhered to the fairytale. Even better were the quotes from the story of Red Riding Hood. Cool! This book definitely kicks The Lunar Chronicles up into some good story telling! It has just the right amount of humor and scary bits. Blending non-magic fairytales with science fiction.
The writing has improved, things don't feel as bare! While it's not providing me with the proper world building to become a “beautiful obsession” The Lunar Chronicles are an enchanting and captivating read. No, not just because I'm dying to actual get some answers. (That I think are so basic for world building!) Really I'm dying to see what Cress's story brings as she will be the first Lunar besides Wolf's short to show readers what being a Luna on Lunar is like. Since she's supposed to be Rapunzel I'm wondering how much will be shown outside of her “tower”. Love the changing POVs and I'm also looking forward to seeing characters from Cinder/Scarlet have there turns. It's clear this “gimmick” series is more than that and fans of both fairytales and science fiction should not miss. Oh, and if you love gender blending. Scarlet, The Lunar Chronicles, hits the spot.
Sexual Content: Hmmmm, everything is very mild. Still fun.
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.
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