The Lunar Chronicles – A Review
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Scarlet
A Synopsis
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. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
When I picked up this book, I was hesitant about Meyer’s ability to incorporate a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood into an overarching plot that started with Cinderella. However, she managed to do just that.
While Scarlet took longer to read, I actually enjoyed this novel more than the first. The plot felt less expected. And Meyer’s ability to move back and forth between events as they unfolded for Cinder and for Scarlet allowed for just the right amount of suspense.
And I think that Scarlet is that girl we all wish we were. Brave and strong. Able to take care of herself. A woman who knows who she is and what it is that she wants. Seeing her story unfold is like watching your favorite sports team. You can’t help but root for her.
Cress
A Synopsis
In the third installment of the Lunar Chronicles, Cress, having risked everything to warn Cinder of Queen Levana’s evil plan, has a slight problem. She’s been imprisoned on a satellite since childhood and has only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress a great hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.
When a daring rescue of Cress involving Cinder, Captain Thorne, Scarlet, and Wolf goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes as a high price. Meanwhile, Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
Meyer’s retelling of Rapunzel felt fresh in this novel. If Rapunzel’s story was so ingrained in our culture, I’m not sure I would have recognized it for what it was. The plot points in this book stirred up lots of emotion and worry about the characters, whom I have come to love. Add to that, a story filled with action and you have a novel that will grip you from start to finish.