Title: Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 464
Source: ALA
Reading level: YA
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.
I put off reading Cinder for quite some time because of all the hype. I was terrified that I wasn’t going to like it and so I just kept pushing it further and further down the reading pile. Shortly before I got an ARC of Scarlet I decided that it was time for me to put my fears aside and give Cinder a chance. After reading it, I knew I wasn’t going to make the same mistake with Scarlet. If possible, Scarlet might have been even better than Cinder and that’s saying something!
Scarlet is both a companion novel and a sequel to Cinder. Cinder is still a big part of the book but a huge part of the story is not hers. Scarlet is, obviously, Scarlet’s story. However, it’s not just Scarlet’s story. It’s also more of Cinder’s, Kai’s, Queen Levana’s, and the rest of the characters from Cinder but also some new, rather interesting characters such as Wolf and Thorne. The characters are definitely a big part of what made this book work so well. Be prepared for some rambling about how awesome (or awesomely evil) they all are.
First, Scarlet. Scarlet is kick ass! She has none of the insecurities that Cinder did in the previous book. She is take charge, afraid of nothing, and just plain fierce. She is, by far, one of the best heroines I have read about in quite some time. Then there was Wolf. I don’t know about you guys but Kai may have some competition for my heart. Wolf is dark, brooding, mysterious, and above all, dangerous. I loved him! Then of course you have your characters from the previous book. Cinder is a very different girl now. She’s no longer in the dark about herself, her nature, and her powers. She may not like what she is but she knows that she can’t change it and that she has to use her powers to help save the world. She, like Scarlet, is very fierce. Then there is her new companion, Thorne. Thorne is hilarious. He is the comic relief in this book. The things he said and did had me laughing out loud many times. As for Kai, you don’t get to see very much of him but what you do see will make you love him even more. He’s such a good guy. And last but definitely not least, readers get a deeper look at Queen Levana in Scarlet. Holy crap! That girl is crazy! And evil! There is not a nice bone in her body and I want to see her get taken down!
Now, while the characters definitely were a big part of why this book was so awesome, so was the story. Scarlet is searching for her grandmother with the help of Wolf. Cinder is on the run with the help of Thorne. It doesn’t seem like the two stories would go together but they meshed perfectly. What starts as two separate stories ends as one story that will lead perfectly into the next installment in the series. Scarlet will have you on the edge of your seats until the very last page. Readers will get some answers but will also be left dying for the next book!
Overall, Scarlet is one of the strongest follow-up novels I’ve read. The characters, the story, the writing, every last thing will have readers in love!
Looking for more reviews of Scarlet by Marissa Meyer?
I bought Cinder a few months ago and haven’t gotten to it yet. Now I want to read it so bad! Awesome review!
Oh I loved this book so much too! I actually didn’t love Cinder (the book) that much compared to other bloggers. But Meyer brought it for Scarlet! I am still a huge Kai fan so I am glad others are loving Wolf and Thorne-more Kai for me 🙂
I STILL have not read Cinder. But I do plan to rectify this before May, since the author is coming to my town for an event. I love that this sequel follows a different character and story, but still includes Cinder so much. Can’t wait to enter this world. Great review! 🙂
I’ve just read Cinder and can’t wait to read Scarlet. I LOVE kick ass heroines.
oh drool! I want to read this so bad!! It is hard to believe it is better than Cinder even!
I loved the way Marissa Meyer weaved together all the different story lines. Definitely a master story teller!
I can’t wait to read this. I’m so excited for Scarlet as a character because I totally love kick ass girls in literature. I’ve read so many books lately with insecure characters that it’s about time I read one that is the opposite. Also, I like that it’s a companionish to Cinder because I wasn’t blown away by Cinder, but I’m still interested in the story.
I couldn’t agree with you more! I am also torn a bit between Kai and Wolf. And this was probably one of the BEST sequels I’ve ever read. I hate waiting until next year for Cress. It’s going to be a terribly long wait.
Scarlet(the character, not the book) sounds *awesome*. Just from your description of her, I cannot wait to read the book. Every review I’ve read of Scarlet says it’s even better than Cinder. I’m not sure how that’s possible, since Cinder was amazing, but I look forward to reading it.
I so glad that Scarlet is kick ass. I wasn’t really happy with Cinder’s indecisiveness or doubtness, but now I can’t wait to read Scarlet.
Oh man! I’m SO jealous! This book looks fantastic! Glad I won’t be disappointed!
This probably the tenth review to praise this book as being even better than Cinder. And like you said, that’s definitely saying something. And I love the way you describe Scarlet herself. She totally sounds like the kind of girl I’d love to read about; we really need more protagonists like her (or, at least, the way you’ve described her).
“The characters are definitely a big part of what made this book work so well.” — Agreed! The characters were the heart and soul of this story. I adored Scarlet and Thorne 🙂
So happy you loved SCARLET! Fabulous review 🙂
I truly love this book and this series! I didn’t think I would like such a radical retelling of my favorite fairy tale, but Scarlet was amazing! I too love Wolf 🙂
Lovely review 🙂