Title: Scarlet
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: Lunar Chronicles series
Rating: ★★★★

I was extremely surprised when I liked Cinder. A cyborg retelling of Cinderella didn’t sound like my thing. But when I loved it, I figured I had found a series that would be worth sticking through to the end. As a sequel, Scarlet is surprisingly unique. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it could be a stand-alone novel, but it doesn’t rely on Cinder more than it needs to. It has its own story that slowly weaves itself with that of Cinder’s.

Scarlet lives on a farm with her grandmother. They are the only two people there, so when her grandmother vanishes, Scarlet is worried. There are too many signs that her grandmother did not go willingly and Scarlet is determined to find her. That’s when Wolf enters her plan. As her only possible link to her grandmother, she must rely on him to reach her grandmother in time.

Scarlet and Wolf aren’t my favorite relationship. Yet, anyway. There’s something that just feels a little forced and not quite right. I believe in the attraction they feel for each other, but that’s about it. I’m really hoping Meyer expands on this relationship as much as possible in the upcoming novels.

We can’t forget about Cinder, though. She’s been captured and put in prison, held until the Lunar queen is ready to get rid of her. Cinder doesn’t wait around for that moment and breaks out. She has questions and she is going to find the people that have the answers.

Scarlet sets a fast pace, but it’s easy to follow along. The jumping perspectives didn’t bother me at all, even though I know some people don’t enjoy that. It works for this book. Aside from Scarlet and Wolf’s relationship, there wasn’t much that I didn’t completely love about this novel. I’m looking forward to reading what comes next.

If Scarlet sounds like your kind of book, you can purchase it here:
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I really didn’t think I was going to like this book for only one reason. It’s a cyborg Cinderella. Growing up on Disney princesses has made me a bit bitter when it comes to retelling the stories I first fell in love with as a kid. Really, the only reason I picked this book up was because I’ve had it on my kindle for a while, and I was waiting for other books to be publish. Horrible, I know.

I even started this book thinking, “I’m just not going to like it. Cinder is a mechanic and part android and it just doesn’t sound great.” So Cinder had a huge obstacle in its way. And yet about halfway through, my entire viewpoint shifted. I was no longer reading it just to make it to the end. I was reading it because it was good.

Cinder is a fantastic character. She’s strong, but also vulnerable. She doesn’t give in easily, but knows which battles to pick. She falls into instant adoration with Prince Kai, but she doesn’t delude herself into thinking it’s love. That doesn’t come for a while, and even then, I’m still not sure it’s out yet.

Prince Kai is extremely sweet and it’s easy to see how much he cares for Cinder. He lights up when he’s with her. He becomes a different person. Not the prince, not the prince disguised as a commoner, but just Kai. It was really great to see, and while there was instant attraction to Cinder, he also doesn’t delude himself into believing it’s more than it is. There’s also an interesting set-up involving their relationship for the next book.

The world building was fantastic and I never felt lost or confused when it came to the world Kai and Cinder live in. It was easy to believe and immerse myself in.

Cinder definitely had a challenge in getting me to like it. I was fully prepared to give this book a one star review and tell everyone just how horrible a cyborg Cinderella was, but instead, the book wowed me and has completely won me over. I’ll certainly be picking up the next books, anxious to read more of Cinder’s story.