Published: November 10, 2015
Pages: 824
Source: Gifted
Rating: 4 Stars
Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.
Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.
Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?
Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.
Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?
This review is spoiler-free
In short: While I would have liked to have seen more from the titular heroine, Winter satisfied by being everything that a finale should be.
I was excited to meet the titular heroine of Winter, especially knowing how strong the characterization was for the three previous heroines (Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress) and how quickly I grew an attachment to each of them. Somewhat disappointedly however, we don't get to see as much of Winter, Queen Levana's stepdaughter, as I was hoping. Whereas the previous three books mainly featured the eponymous Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, respectively, Winter didn't seem like the primary protagonist of this finale at any point. She sort of seemed to fade into the background as others took to action.
So I would have liked to have spent more time getting to know Winter (and Jacin) than we were granted here. BUT that certainly didn't take away from the fact that this final and largest tome of The Lunar Chronicles was exciting and dramatic and satisfying (basically everything that a finale SHOULD be). It is sad to think that this series is officially over as I have grown so fond of the world and its characters. I am relieved at least that I still have the novella compilation, Stars Above, and the newly announced Lunar Chronicles graphic novels to delve into.
Previously, my reviews of Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Fairest.
Other Reviews:
Carina's Books
Lunar Rainbows
Musings of a YA Reader
Author Links:
Website
Blog
Goodreads
Gah, I still need to read this! I want to read Fairest first, but I actually own these two, so I need to get on it! I wish I was a faster reader. haha I'm glad you really enjoyed the book and series overall though. I have heard Winter isn't featured AS much, but I guess it makes sense. Must be hard to wrap everything up and still focus on all the other characters too.
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish I were a faster reader too, Lauren!! As it is, I'm quite slow and it took me a while to get through over 800 pages! But I would still def recommend it though.
DeleteWell we felt pretty much EXACTLY the same about this one. I would have liked to spend more time with Winter too but I suppose it couldn't be avoided consider all the other characters with storylines to wrap up. Despite that, I was surprised how attached I became to both her and Jacin, given the limited amount of time we got with both :) I pre-ordered Stars Above but I'm not ready to start it yet, precisely because I don't want it to be over D:
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe you're right that it couldn't be avoided. I just would have liked to have seen Winter play a bigger part in the finale I guess. I did like her a lot!
DeleteGorgeous review Aylee. <3 YAY for enjoying this book :D I'm so glad you liked it a lot :) But aw, I'm so sorry you didn't fully love it :( Sobs. But I do get what you mean about there not being much of Winter. I didn't mind, though, and loved the book so much, and loved Winter too, hih :) Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts about it. <3
ReplyDeleteAw, I swear I did love this book. I just wanted a little more about Winter! We didn't get to spend all that much time with her in the end.
DeleteI'm so disappointed that I haven't had the chance to read this one yet!! Marissa Meyer has done such a spectacular job with this series and I'm excited to see how it all ends... though I am disappointed to hear that Winter is more of a background character. Thanks for the review :)
ReplyDeleteOoh, I hope you get the chance to read this soon! I'm sure you'll enjoy it too :)
DeleteConsistent is the perfect word to describe Meyer's storytelling. I liked Winter but I was glad the novel focused more on the original characters.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I guess I just wanted the book to focus on Winter because it was named after her after all. But I guess then maybe Marissa Meyer might've had to write a fifth book just to finish up everyone's storylines..
DeleteI loved this series so much! Even though this has more than 800 pages, I feel like it could still go on and on. I also wanted to read more about Winter and Jacin but at the same time I'm thankful that the others got as much spotlight as them.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's hard to believe how this book could be even longer than it was if Marissa Meyer shoved in even more stuff about Winter and Jacin.
DeleteEeeeek, I haven't read this book yet (and I went out and bought it on the first day). I am a little disappointed to hear that Winter isn't the focal point of this novel, I was really excited to really see her (her cameo in Cress had me super curious). But, I also am totally invested in all the others and will be glad to spend more time with them.
ReplyDeleteYou've restored my eagerness to get to this one, maybe over Easter weekend, where I can sit for four days get lost.
Great review!
I think you'll love this one, Sara! Winter isn't the focus but we do get to learn a bit more about her, and we get to see a lot about the other characters that you're invested in. Easter weekend might be the perfect time!
Delete"It's not every author that can balance many POVs and maneuver varied storylines, all while without the story seeming convoluted." So true! But, I wanted to see more of Winter and Jacin, which is why I had to lowered my rating as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is one series I haven't been able to lay my hands on yet. I mean, it's been so long! You praising it has me curious, but I really don't know if I"ll like it. Anyway, lovely review, Aylee!
ReplyDeleteSarika @ The Readdicts