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Thursday, January 30, 2014

Review: Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Published: February 5, 2013
Pages: 454
Source: Bought
Rating: 5 Stars


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.

In short: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer had everything I loved about Cinder and MORE.
Initially I was worried that Scarlet wasn't going to work for me. Dual perspectives can be a tricky thing to pull off and I doubted that I was going to fully appreciate both POVs equally. I assumed I was going to much prefer the original storyline and that I wouldn't be as interested in the new characters and the new storyline. I assumed that the plot would probably seem disordered because there was too much going on between the two main characters. I was worried that Scarlet was going to end up being a bit of a letdown after the greatness that was Cinder. I WAS A FOOL FOR THINKING THESE THINGS. And may I never doubt Marissa Meyer again.

I should have known better because I already knew from Cinder that Marissa Meyer knew how to craft a compulsively readable novel that was equal parts comforting as a fairy tale retelling and exciting as a creative sci fi. In fact, I ended up liking Scarlet MORE than Cinder because Scarlet gave me everything I loved about Cinder and MORE. I loved having Cinder and Iko back in the spotlight again and I loved loved loved the new It couple, Scarlet and Wolf. They were intriguing and electric both together and as individual characters. And Thorne! Now talk about a welcome addition to the cast. Thorne actually had me thinking, "Kai who?"

So yes, I was a fool for doubting Scarlet would be as good as Cinder because as it turns out, it was BETTER. Scarlet was an absolutely addictive read, thrilling and fast paced and altogether awesome. I am officially a hardcore Marissa Meyer fangirl and good thing, too... because I'll get the chance to meet her when she stops by Toronto on February 24 for her Cress Tour!

Previously, my review of Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1).

Other Reviews:
Lunar Rainbows
Megan Likes Books
Musings of a YA Reader

Author Links:
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Blog
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Goodreads

17 comments :

  1. Meyer pulls off the dual POV thing very well, I agree! AND YES, THORNE IS SUPERIOR. I ship him with Cinder, at ridiculous levels, so I know that the ending to this series is going to break me. I just don't think they'll be endgame. Except for in my fantasies, obviously.

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  2. Yup, definitely loved this one more than Cinder. I fell for Wolf the moment he appeared on the page! I couldn't put the book down and I'm really looking forward to reading Cress which I know is going to be just as enjoyable if not more.

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  3. I have heard others say that Scarlet was even better than the first, and glad you are loving this series as it goes on as well.

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  4. I didn't love it quite as much as I loved Cinder, but Scarlet was very good! Meyer definitely does a great job crafting her tale and the two POVs just worked.

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  5. Oh I'm thrilled you enjoyed this one too ♥ You're completely right: Marissa Meyer pulls of the dual narrative style brilliantly! I was just as hooked no matter what perspective a chapter was told in!! I know what you mean though; I was also worried that this sequel wouldn't live up to it's predecessor. I'm never been more happy to be wrong hehe! I'm super pumped for you that you get to meet Miss Meyer on her Cress tour :-D (and only like 30% jealous LOL) I've been hearing that Cress is even better than Scarlet - can you imagine?!! Awesome review ^^

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  6. If you liked Thorne in Scarlet, wait till you get to Cress... that's all I'm going to say. I am glad you liked this (I can't believe you thought you wouldn't). Marissa is an amazing story teller. And I am totally jealous that you get to go see her. Living in TO does seem to have its perks. Have fun. I don't actually own Scarlet (I don't know why), but this is a series that I must own, and will reread a number of times over I think.

    Great review Aylee, and I can't wait for you to read Cress (you will, soon, right?)

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  7. I really enjoyed CINDER but SCARLET just stole my heart with how effing brilliant it was. I totally agree with you, this book was amazing <333

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  8. Honestly, I did find this a bit of a let down compared to Cinder. I really wanted more of Cinder's story so I think what bothered me most about this one is that we didn't get much about her.

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  9. It's always amazing when a series just keeps getting better and better and it's great that it happened with you here. I'm really looking forward to reading the books since I've heard nothing but positive feedback on it. So cool that you'll to meet the author. Have fun and awesome review!

    Sarika @ The Readdicts

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  10. I actually actively disliked Kai in Scarlet. I thought he was kind of lame and now I'm sort of disappointed that it's his and Cinder's story that will be the continuing thread throughout the rest of the books. I loved Scarlet and Wolf so much that I'm not sure if I'll enjoy Cress because I'll be too disappointed to see the story move on from them. Hopefully, like you said, we shouldn't doubt Marissa Meyer!

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  11. I haven't read Cinder yet! I know, I'm so behind times. haha I'm glad that you loved Scarlet though. Always a plus to love the second book more than the first, you know? I hope you love the third one, and have fun meeting the author! I hope to get to Cinder sometime soon.

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  12. Yay! So glad you loved this, Aylee! Cinder and Scarlet were two of my most favorite reads of 2013 and I cannot wait for Cress!

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  13. Yay! I'm so glad you're a fan of Wolf and Scarlet and THORNE (isn't he the best?!). I also loved Scarlet even more than Cinder, and the third book is wonderful too. I hope you enjoy it, can't wait to hear what you think of it! Lovely review :-)

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  14. I didn't like this one as much as Cinder but still loved it. Marissa did a great job of making all the characters feel important and balancing the storylines of Cinder and Scarlet equally. I can't wait for my pre-order of Cress to arrive!

    See you at the Cress tour :)

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  15. Oh, these books! Such a wonderful, wonderful series!!! So glad you loved it!

    Kate @ Ex Libris

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  16. "In fact, I ended up liking Scarlet MORE than Cinder because Scarlet gave me everything I loved about Cinder and MORE." - yes, I completely agree! Meyer really brought her A-game with SCARLET. She went above and beyond my expectations. Her writing is outstanding!

    Fantastic review! I'm so happy to see that you loved it!

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  17. And of course I ended up looking up your review of Scarlet, to see if you'd reviewed it and continued with the series! Haha. I enjoyed Scarlet more than Cinder, but only because I enjoyed the last 30% quite a lot. Scarlet and Wolf annoyed the heck out of me (it's amazing that, with all my complaints, I continued with this series, isn't it?!) and their relationship really did not sit well with me, but Thorn. Thorn is definitely good! xx

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