Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Fantasy
Format: ebook
Source: Purchased
Goodreads SummaryIn this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.
Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.
When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.
"You can help me pick out a tiara when we're done saving the world."
This is one of my favorite series, and it just keeps getting better and better.
The Good
So I already read the intro story to Cinder, the character that is a play on Cinderella, and Scarlet, the character that is a play on Red Riding Hood. This one centers around the intro story to Cress, a character based on Rapunzel. When I met her, she blew me out of the water. She couldn't be any more different than the two hard-core heroines I've already met in this series. She is a damsel in distress, and she knows it. She is so naive and innocent, and she has all these fantasies about what life will be like outside of her prison. It was a lot of fun watching her come into her own, to discover her intelligence and adaptability. She also handles being let down so well.
I love the alternating POVs. Due to all the events that unfold, it was important to follow all the characters around. Unfortunately, there were circumstances that caused them to be torn apart, and thrown together, and then ripped apart. It had my heart racing to find out whether everything would work out between all these characters so they could continue the story as one unit. There are so many turns in this one, and a lot of revelations that I didn't see coming.
I think this story is headed to an amazing conclusion. Based on how everything goes in this book, I'm up for quite the adventure in the grand finale. I got a little glimpse at Winter who is to be the character basis for the next book. She is a bit loony, sweet, and unpredictable. I'm looking forward to learning more about her.
The Bad
Nothing. I felt like this book went exactly as it should have.The Romance
Each of these main characters has their own romantic interest in the story. Scarlet has Wolf, Cinder has Kai, and Cress has a crush as well. The romance is handled so well in The Lunar Chronicles. Everything is slow, the build-up that I love, and sprinkled with just enough moments to be very enjoyable. I also truly feel that each of these pairings fit together so well. There's no triangles here.Conclusion
A story unlike any other. The combination of old-school fairy tales with a dash of paranormal and sprinkled with science fiction, the roller-coaster that Cress took me on was without a doubt one that I enjoyed. Recommended to YA Paranormal/Science Fiction lovers.
Excerpts
"I have a suggestion," said Iko, replacing the news story of the Lunar operatives with an ongoing report for the upcoming wedding. "If we're going to be sneaking into New Beijing Palace while Levana is there, why don't we just assassinate her?"Kai bit the inside of his cheek, These were the same arguments he'd been repeating to himself. He was doing the right thing. He was saving lives. He was protecting his people.
Cress was buoyed by giddiness. It was happening. There were really coming to rescue her.
"Since we have a few minutes," said Scarlet, "maybe we should talk about how to handle this girl. If she's been stuck on a satellite for seven years, with no one to talk to but a Lunar thaumaturge, she might be...socially awkward.
You make me want to try this series again. I have to see how Scarlet goes though. I do love the sound of Cress.
ReplyDeleteLoved Cress! Definitely my favorite so far of the series so I was glad to read your review! I'm glad that you enjoy the pairings too - the pairs really complement each other, I love that Marissa Meyer was able to create such balanced relationships!
ReplyDeleteIt was my favorite so far as well! I can not wait for Winter. It should be so great. I love that there's not really a triangle there, and that they just are so matched. Very glad you agree :D Thanks so much for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteCress is so good. The best in the series for me so far. I also think Scarlet was even better than Cinder. It's hard for me to say whether you would like either though because you didn't enjoy Cinder. I'll just say that when/if you read them, I hope the next two are better for you :D
ReplyDeleteI love that you have no bad to list. I feel the same way! I loved this book soooo much. Why do we have to wait so long for the next book!
ReplyDeleteI know! It's such a ways away. I'm really looking forward to the next one with where this story led. That's one of the reasons I waited to read it. I just couldn't wait any more ;)
ReplyDeleteOh man! This is another series I really, really want to make the time to read. I'm glad it was a great read for you, Jaclyn! Cress sounds like the kind of heroine I love - one who grows and matures into who she was meant to be. Yep, gonna have to read this one soon. Excellent review!
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely one of my favorites. I know a lot of people that didn't get into Cinder, but the series gets better and better with each book. I'm super excited for the final one coming out next year.
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