Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Series: Lunar Chronicles #2
Published by Feiwel & Friends
Published on: February 5, 2013
Genres: Werewolves, Young Adult
Pages: 464
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...
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.
The first time I read Scarlet, I nearly lost my mind.
Cinder had been one of my favorite reads from the previous year, and I had waited the entire twelve months for the next installment to come out. When it showed up at my house (after being pre-ordered for months), I probably hugged it tightly to my chest and SQUEE-d. Then (after petting the lovely cover) I ran to my comfy chair, settled in, and began to read.
And the perspective I was reading. Was. Not. Cinder’s.
If I was the kind of person who threw books, I would have thrown it across the room. Then jumped up and down on it a few times. But I’m not that kind of person. I’m death on people who damage my books. So instead, I shrieked in pure frustration—probably a few times—and then I forced myself to calm down and come to terms with the situation. So this was a new story, from a new perspective . . . it could still be good right? Right?!
Sighing heavily, and not at all convinced, I began to read again.
I quickly discovered that once again “Scarlet” was both book title and MC. And that a grandmother was missing. Then a mysterious underground fighter shows up who is described as acting like “a scolded puppy” and goes by the name of “Wolf.”
Wait a minute . . . I flipped back to the cover. That looks like it could be a . . . LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD!!
Things were looking up. Then I got to chapter four and woo-frickin’-hoo there she (she being Cinder) was, and R-E-L-I-E-F.
I then decided, belatedly, to do some research.
I knew that the Lunar Chronicles was a four book series, but I learned that each book was a retelling of a different fairy tale, not a four book-long retelling of a single fairy tale, like I had originally assumed (yes, I am distinctly aware of what that makes me). The four retellings are as follows:
1. Cinder – Cinderella
2. Scarlet – Little Red Riding Hood
3. Cress – Rapunzel (My personal all-time favorite fairy tale)
4. Winter – Snow White
Firm in the knowledge that I finally knew what was going on, I returned to Scarlet.
The rest of the story was told alternately from Cinder and Scarlet’s POVs with a few chapters from Kai’s perspective tossed in as well. And let me tell you—Meyer has mastered the art of the cliff-hanger chapter (to the tune of several more shrieks). You may be the kind of reader who can nonchalantly skip back and forth between chapters in a book, I, however, am sadly not. And don’t freak out. While Meyer heartlessly ends chapters at pivotal moments, thus far, she has not ended an entire book that way.
And Scarlet was S-P-E-C-T-A-C-U-L-A-R. I loved it even more than Cinder. Scarlet and Wolf’s story is pure hearts and flowers (in that I see them in my head, not in that they don’t encounter any difficulties—they definitely do). I sighed in blissful happiness NUMEROUS times throughout the progression of their relationship. Toss in Cinder’s new sidekick (and fellow jail-break-ee) Thorne, who is equal parts swagger, flirtation, and hilarity, and what’s not to like?
Cress, the third book in the Lunar Chronicles, is TBR February 4, 2014—NEXT WEEK.
The Lunar Chronicles:
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  My Review |
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My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
I haven’t read the series I confess but I really want to. I admit that I understand the frustration when you discovered it was another character. When we love so much someone it’s difficult to change. It made me think of Red by Kate Serine, I loved her a lot and well it was difficult to change after that. But it seems like despite that you had a good time with the book and I love the ideas. I didn’t know it was a new tale for each book but it’s a nice idea. Do you think it’s possible to read out of order? I hope book 3 will be even better (yes even after spectacular lol). Thanks for the great review.
Even though it’s a new story each time, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to read them out of order b/c they build on each other. Like in this one, Scarlet told her new story while Cinder continued her story from the last book until ultimately Cinder AND Scarlet’s story come together.
I haven’t read Red by Kate Serine, but I’ll have to check it out! And thank you 🙂
I sadly did not love Scarlet. I was not a fan of the constantly switching POVs.
Oh no! I’m sorry you didn’t like it. It was really hard for me to get past the change in POV too, but I think reading the novella (The Queen’s Army) beforehand prepared me for it a little bit.
I have Cinder but haven’t started it yet. By the sound of it I need to get on that ASAP! Great review Jessica!
Thanks! And now when you get around to it, you’ll be prepared for the POV change and not want to throw books 😉
Jessica I just LMAO reading this review! I haven’t read this series yet, but I can tell you that I am exactly the sort of person who would do what you did and have a bit of a melt down when the book wasn’t what I expected, even if I did love it in the end. I’m so glad it was great, I’ve had this series on my tbr for way too long now and hope to read it soon.
I’m so glad you liked the review, and it’s always nice to find a kindred spirit in bookrage LOL. And this series is definitely one worth actually reading (rather than letting it languish in tbr-land forever). I hope you like it when you get around to it!
A quick check if it was awesome or not (stumbled upon your blog), I am listening to Cinder right now. I would love to read it instead cos it would go faster and I have questions! 😉
I hope you’re liking Cinder! This is one of my Top 5 YA Series. I prefer to read books too (but I have auditory ADD, so listening to them isn’t really a good option for me).