Release Date: February 5th 2013
Published By: Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 452
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

Rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis: The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth…

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.

Review: Scarlet offered me so much more than I originally thought it was going to. I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out, since it’s based on the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood (In the same way Cinder was based on Cinderella), but we got more than we bargained for as Cinder makes a comeback in this novel also.

It was so good being reunited with old faces with Cinder and Prince Kai and finding out what the continuation of her story was, and then meeting new characters like Scarlet, Wolf, Grandmere and Thorne

The two girls stories are told in alternating chapters, where Scarlet and Cinder have their own thing going on until their stories converge. I really thought the way this was written was quite clever. To be truthful, I have no idea how she did it. I know I read and experienced this merging of two classic fairytale characters, but I am still in shock and awe at how seamlessly and naturally this was done. Big applause to YOU Marissa Meyer, you genius you! Oh and to then give these fairytales a classic sci-fi/dystopian edge to them on top of the amazing spin you’d put on the books. Incredible.

Scarlet and Wolf. Holy crap. Such a love/hate thing going on there. Classic example of loving the bad boy that you’re not meant to have! I frigging loved this relationship to bits. I enjoyed the progression relationship wise with ALL the characters actually, because Cinder is still pining over Prince Kai, but then there’s this weird flirty sarcastic relationship happening with Thorne. I am wondering if there’s more to the story in Cress (coming out next year) and maybe Thorne meets his match someplace else?

So I am pretty excited (like you can’t tell) about the next two books. As mentioned, Cress is coming out next year and the interwebz is telling me that this will be based on Rapunzel. Goodreads tells me that this book will feature Cinder and Rapunzel and will take place in the Sahara Desert! And then in 2015 (woah), Winter is coming out. This book will feature Cinder and Snow White and will take place on the moon. OMG

Bring it on. This is a fantastic sci-fi series that anyone with a soft spot for a fairytale will love. I highly recommend it - these first two books have been a knockout.

Quotes:

“I knew they would kill me when they found out, but…” He struggled for words, releasing a sharp breath. “I think I realized that I would rather die because I betrayed them, than live because I betrayed you.”

“But you’re the only one, Scarlet. You’ll always be the only one.”

“A relieved grin filled up Thorne’s face. “We’re having another moment, aren’t we?”
“If by a moment, you mean me not wanting to strangle you for the first time since we met, then I guess we are.”

Trailer: