Review - Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

by Marissa Meyer
publisher: Feiwel & Friends
date of publication: February 5, 2013
format: ARC
source: from the publisher for review
pages: 464

From Goodreads:

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-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 and 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 has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Picking up right where Cinder leaves off, Scarlet takes an already fantastic story and runs with it, all the while introducing more characters and creating even more nuances for what is already an intriguing and fully engaging story.  This isn't the Little Red Riding Hood you may remember from your childhood.  Instead, you get to experience a futuristic, suspenseful adventure that will render you speechless.

Not only do we get to continue with Cinder (who we already know is an awesome character), we also meet a new character, Scarlet, who has her own challenges and her own objective.  In some ways, Scarlet has a lot in common with Cinder.  She was brought up by someone other than her parents and has a fiery demeanor that keeps those around her on their toes.  Unlike Cinder, however, Scarlet is much more stubborn, leaving her with little patience and a great deal of trouble.  Add a mysterious stranger in the form of Wolf and an egotistical, self-styled space captain and you have the makings for a rousing adventure with many twists and turns.

Plot-wise, Scarlet is every bit as riveting and surprising as Cinder.  The addition of new settings and storyline shifts keeps the story from becoming stale.  Instead, Scarlet picks up the pace and carries you away with its ever-increasing intensity.  If you thought Cinder introduced everything there was to know about the world of the Lunar Chronicles, think again.  You haven't seen anything yet.

With Scarlet, The Lunar Chronicles just got even better.  If Cinder and Scarlet are this good, I can only imagine how Cress and Winter will turn out.  Whether or not you have already read and enjoyed Cinder, trust me when I say that Scarlet is well worth the read.  If you haven't read Cinder, do so.  You need to read Scarlet as soon as humanly possible.  Know that Scarlet is no wolf in grandma's clothing.  This series is well worth your time and attention. 

Buy Scarlet at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This advance review copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher for review purposes. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.