Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Puffin

Pages: 352pgs

The Story

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 . . .

The Review

I'm no going to lie: I did 'sort of' freak out when I heard there would be new characters introduced in SCARLET and telling (or rather continuing) the storyline of Cinder in the Lunar Chronicles sequel, but even though this sequel may not have been a very strong one at that compared to Cinder in terms of the progression of the storyline, but that still doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this book on a whole because I really, really did!

Initially I was so attached to the hip with Cinder, Kai and pretty much every other character from the previous book, and I just couldn't see any more characters coming in to replace my love for them. And yet, even to my own surprise, I actually appreciated the new characters in SCARLET - in fact I loved them - even more than the original characters. I even found Cinder and Kai's perspectives that are still in this book to be nothing but boring. I mean, I just wanted more of the 'other' character. I mean, I know, right? I'm such a little traitor here when it comes to Cinder and Kai. But quite honestly Scarlet, for one, our new main leading heroine, may have been completely different to Cinder, but she was SO awesome, completely kick-ass, and was every bit interesting throughout this one book alone. I just loved her character and personality more than Cinder because Scarlet was pretty much capable of anything. She had all these unknown possibilities. Now if only the next book was in her perspective . . . like all the time in her perspective! I can only wish because I can't get enough of her character!

But the boys! Oh my gosh those boys! Sure, I may have come to the sad conclusion of Kai being a completely douche in this sequel and a stupid idiot for his own - yet again - stupid actions, but I totally fell hard for Wolf and Thorne. For Thorne's character, I was completely, completely sold by him immediately. He is such a vibrant character to have behind this awesome backdrop and his humor is to die for! He was pretty hilarious in this book. But Wolf. Oh my god . . . WOLF! I knew Wolf was going to be this all mysterious and brooding guy, but don't get me started on him. I mean, where has he been all my life?! Him and Scarlet are just utter perfection, and honestly where has Marissa Meyer been hiding these highly-intense and chemistry-filled characters! Gosh. *fangal attack*

Overall, SCARLET was a great continuation of the Lunar Chronicles series and I'm looking forward to seeing how the next book plays out!

The Rating

4/5 stars

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: 3rd January, 2012

Publisher: Puffin

Pages: 384pgs

The Story

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of 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 interwined 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.

In this thrilling debut young adult novel, the first of a quartet, Marissa Meyer introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine and a masterfully crafted new world that's enthralling.

The Review

A big thanks to Tina from Penguin Australia for sending me a review copy of this book!

Ever since I heard about this book, I wanted to read it so bad that I would do anything to read it! Well, mostly anything. And no, it wasn't because of the major hype surrounding the book. It was because of the storyline itself and honestly what's not to love about it? It's a loose retelling of the Grimm fairytale Cinderella after all, and since it's one of my favourite stories from childhood, I knew it was going to be a blast of a novel. Compared to many other great books that I've read so far this year, I'm not sure how to compare this one to other legends and considering my love for the Daughter of Smoke and Bone . . . CINDER pretty much goes up to that sort of high level standard of a young adult book.

First off, let's discuss the characters. They were so well-crafted and so real with raw almost-human emotion that made your heart ache! When it came to Cinder's character, despite her being a 'cyborg' she was still a human girl possessing numerous human-like qualities: she was super-smart, strong-willed, realistic to a point that blowed your mind in all different directions, and she was also a bit of the romantic type. But what I loved most about her as the main female heroine was how she handled herself in the most difficult circumstances. Even to a point where everything seemed to go haywire for her, Cinder manages to push aside the doubts and keep her focus throughout the entire novel. She didn't even allow her feelings for Kai distract her own judgement, and while her feelings are known for him, she continues to work through what needs to be done. As you gather by my high praise about her, Cinder was a fantastic character!

And then there's Prince Kai. I guess you know what I'm going to say next . . . I'm pathetically in love with him. Not because he's a prince (okay maybe that's part of it) but because he's the kind of prince that understands what needs to be said and done for his people, regardless of the fact that sometimes he doesn't want to do the right thing. And he's cute - okay I'm kidding there, he's totally hottie swoon-worthy guy. It's pretty obvious to why so many girls were so head-over-heels for him and I could see what Cinder saw in him. Like I mentioned, he's not your ordinary prince because he's a man who is no fool and he deals with everything with a great amount of strength and courage. The other bonus was that Prince Kai had some personality too - thank GOD!

In every young adult book, there is always a romance that blossoms. In CINDER the romance that develops within the book isn't the instant love like one would expect from a futurstic novel. There are countless of times where interactions are shared between Cinder and Kai and they continued to learn about each other from these conversations rather than fall into the trap of love if you know what I mean. It gave them . . . more personality and more realism to their relationship. It was absolutely amazing on how well Marissa Meyer wrote these two characters and how well she made the readers feel the heart-ache, the happiness and I applaud her for every bit of emotion she put into this book. And it wasn't just the main characters, it was also the supporting ones too - the good and the bad - whom made CINDER shine in the spotlight.

Overall, CINDER was a remarkable debut novel from Marissa Meyer and I cannot believe the cliffhanger she pulled on us readers! It was so good but so horrible at the same time because now I'll have to wait even longer for the next sequel. That means I'll have to do something to take my mind off the long wait. *shakes head* I demand the sequel to be written ASAP. But when it comes down to it, readers please make sure you mark your calendars on January 3rd 2012 because this isn't the fairytale readers come to know. With a fantastic world of adventure, danger and a part-futuristic and part-sci-fi novel . . . CINDER is a fairytale you will never want to forget and you'll be left wanting more and more!

The Rating

5/5 stars