Scan barcode
A review by momwithareadingproblem
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
5.0
So I didn't think it was possible, but I LOVED Scarlet even more than I did Cinder. This book picks up right where we last saw Cinder and the author does something that usually turns me off to series. She introduced not one, but three new main characters and POVs while keeping Cinder and Kai as well :D I LOVED IT!!!!
Scarlet Benoit is a fun character. At eighteen she is taking care of her grandmother's farm while trying to find her since she has been missing for two weeks as of the start of this book. She's a feisty character, speaks her mind and doesn't care what others think of her. She's sympathetic to the "crazy cyborg girl" they keep showing on the netlink and to all Lunars. Why? Because I believe she choses to see the best in people. Hence her attraction to Wolf.
Oh Wolf! You stole my heart you sneaky little....wolf!!! Wolf is a mysterious street fighter who takes up for Scarlet when some people begin insulting her. He's intense, a little shy, backward, and obviously didn't have what we might call a "normal" upbringing. That's all I can tell you about him without spoilers. However I will say that I <3 him even more than Emperor Kai, if that's even possible!
The other new character is American pilot Carswell Thorne. Thorne is in prison with Cinder and happens upon her while she is escaping. Together they make it to his hidden ship and fly off. I like Thorne. And I really don't know why! He's arrogant, conceited, and full of himself but I like him! I could see Cinder settling down with him, but don't worry fangirls the author makes it quite clear that Cinder has eyes for only Kai and this relationship with Thorne is JUST friendship.
What made this story phenomenal for me was how the author took the story of Red Riding Hood and integrated it seamlessly with the world she'd created in Cinder.
The very loose retelling of Red Riding Hood fit well with the story of Scarlet and Wolf. And then how their problems intersected those of Kai and Cinder was just...awesome! I'll admit that I had it figured it out, so I wasn't too surprised by the couple of plot twist the author threw the readers, but even knowing they were coming I was still surprised, shocked, and awed!!!
Overall, if you haven't read the Lunar Chronicles yet, go do so now!!! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book, and I'll admit that I will be more than a little sad when the last book comes out at the end of this year. If you enjoy fairy tale retellings, young adult literature, and science fiction (because yes it is definitely that!) than I highly recommend you read this series. It doesn't disappoint!