Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Book Info
Released: February 5 2013
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #2
Narrator: Rebecca Soler
Recommended Read!
“I don’t know why I’m so impressed by this when YA was my first love before I got into Romance and Urban Fantasy but one thing is for sure: The Lunar Chronicles has certainly rekindled my love of the genre.”
~ Under the Covers
First off, I want to start this by saying that I am absolutely thrilled about finding a new series to be excited about. I came across this series because I was looking for a Steampunk read that didn’t just stick to the basic rules of the genre. I tend to be a little more picky with Steampunk and I find I enjoy the ones that have a little bit of paranormal mixed in. Marissa Meyer’s books have been on my TBR for a very long time but I wasn’t sure if I was going to be in the mood for a YA novel until I started it.
What really makes the concept of this series stand out to me is the fact that Meyer takes something familiar, a popular fairy tale, and she infuses it with her own imagination and background so that it becomes an entirety different, and unique thing. In the case with SCARLET, Meyer takes the story of Little Red Riding Hood and sets it in France where Scarlet’s grandmother has been kidnapped. A stranger by the name of Wolf then comes into her life, harboring secrets and becomes an unlikely ally as she goes in search of her missing loved one.
Meanwhile, Cinder has her own set of problems that she must deal with. If you haven’t read the first book in the series, Cinder is a cyborg who has a secret identity that she wishes to remain hidden. As she tries to find her own answers, the journey takes her to far away places filled with danger and allure. Along the way she crosses paths with a particularly charming man named Carswell Thorne.
Let me just say that I ADORE all the heroes in this series. I love Wolf. I love Thorne. I love Prince Kai. I JUST LOVE THEM ALL. Each one is so different yet there is such a lethal combination in all of them. If I had to choose, I found Wolf to be the most interesting with his secrets but there’s no question that if Throne had more page time, I would be all over that baby. But then again, how could anyone ever push Kai to the side like that? He’s fantastic as well.
As for the heroines, I enjoyed all of them as a whole. Scarlet’s character is very much fueled by her anger and confusion. She’s completely oblivious to the world out there and she likes to see the best in people, especially her grandmother so while that is a great thing to have, it is also her greatest flaw. There were multiple times in the book where Scarlet is just screaming her complaints, demanding answers instead of stepping back and trying to think of a logical way to get what she wants. Having a tantrum doesn’t do anything but annoy readers. I did, however, appreciate that she was at least different in personality to Cinder.
But my favorite character of the whole book might actually be Iko. She’s just fucking adorable. I just loved the scene where Thorne calls her pretty and the entire ship heats up because she is blushing. I can’t deal, she’s just so damn cute!!!
Needless to say, I’m hooked. I love the world, I adore the characters and I especially love the way that Meyer’s writes. It’s edgy while also being innovative and it doesn’t hurt that she can be charming as well. I don’t know why I’m so impressed by this when YA was my first love before I got into Romance and Urban Fantasy but one thing is for sure: The Lunar Chronicles has certainly rekindled my love of the genre.
READING ORDER & BUY LINKS
About Marissa Meyer
I live in Tacoma, Washington, with my fiancé and our two cats. In addition to my slight obsession with books and writing, I'm big on road-tripping, wine-tasting, and hunting for antiques. I'm represented by Jill Grinberg.
CINDER, my debut novel, is a futuristic re-envisioning of Cinderella in which Cinder is a cyborg mechanic.
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When it comes to books I’m pretty adventurous. I read everything from Paranormal Romance to Urban Fantasy, New Adult, BDSM, LGBT fiction, Cozy Mysteries and even YA. If it’s got the littlest trace of romance in it, then I’ll probably read it. That being said, my all-time favorite authors are J.R. Ward and Karen Marie Moning.
When I’m not submerged in a good book, you can find me musing about makeup and planners or dreaming about Kpop boys and beaches. Until then, check out my reviews and let’s talk books!
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Yup! This one is impressing the heck out of me, too. And Iko Rules!
I think I’ve become obsessed with this series. I’m more than halfway through Cress and it might be my favourite yet!
Iko is such a darling!
I’m going to have to try this …thanks
YOU MUST, Elizabeth 😀
I struggled with Scarlet’s character some for just the reasons you outlined, but you are right, Marissa Meyer does a good job of making all her heroes and heroines unique from each other. I just did a binge read to get ready for Winter and I can’t wait to dive into that one!
I think it’s interesting that her greatest strength is also her weakness. It really makes for an interesting character. Also, since I’m in the middle of Cress, I also find that with Thorne…although he’s a character we’ve seen before, she’s revealing many other things about his character too. So not everyone is as cookie cutter as they may be portrayed as in the beginning! Really enjoying!
Adding this series to my wishlist…thanks Annie for the great review
You really need to read this Timitra!!!
Great review, I might actually try this series.