Book Review: Scarlet

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2)

By: Marissa Meyer

Published By: Feiwel & Friends/Puffin Books

Publication Date: February 5th, 2013

Page Count: 452

Buy it at Amazon.com, Book Depository

Source: Purchased by reviewer

Genre: YA/Sci-Fi

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1)

Where Cinder was a Cinderella retelling, Scarlet is inspired by Little Red Riding Hood. Scarlet lives with her grandmother in rural France. That is, until her grandmother disappears. The police think her disappearance was intentional and that she is in no danger, but Scarlet knows better. She meets Wolf, the mysterious street fighter, and together they set out to find and rescue her grandmother. After a poor first impression, Scarlet finds herself warming to Wolf, but he has secrets of his own.

While trying to escape from prison, Cinder comes across charismatic pilot, Carswell Thorne. Still shocked by the revelations about her family, Cinder is looking for answers and Thorne is only too happy to get out of prison and help her find them. 

Prince Kai, hurt and confused by the events at the festival, turns his attentions to saving the Empire. If that means marrying Queen Levana, then that might be what he needs to do.

Most of the characters from Cinder return, with the addition of Scarlet and Wolf. I felt less invested in Scarlet's story than I had in Cinder's, but I still enjoyed it, particularly as the story progressed and the pace picked up. At first I found myself waiting for Cinder and Kai's chapters, but Scarlet did grow on me. Captain Thorne is a bit of a scoundrel, but I definitely developed a soft spot for him. Cinder may only have eyes for Kai, but Thorne would not be a bad consolation prize if things ended up that way!  I loved the small, but crucial role Iko played in the story. She's such a fun character who can lighten the most tense situations.

Due to what felt like a very slow start, I didn't enjoy Scarlet quite as much as Cinder, but I will definitely keep reading to see what happens next.

Summary:

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.