Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-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 and 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 has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.
As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.
_________________________________________________________________
Now, I absolutely LOVED Cinder, so as soon as I knew that ARCs for Scarlet were out in the wild, I entered every giveaway and contest I could find. It’s such a slim chance that one wins any giveaway online, so I was absolutely astounded when I got an email from Merrie DeStefano telling me I’d won an ARC of Scarlet on her blog! (You have no idea, the excited fangirl reply I sent her.) I am so, so happy to have gotten a chance to read Scarlet so early.
Often while reading, I check my page number and try to calculate what percentage of the way through I’ve gotten – all in anticipation of finishing the book. As I was reading Scarlet, I noticed something different happening. I was still checking my page number and calculating a percentage, but it was in fear that I was approaching the end too quickly! For, you see, by page 86 I was so deep in that I knew I never wanted it to end. Such is the magic that Marissa Meyer weaves with every successive word.
I have to admit that in the beginning I was wary, because all I wanted was more Cinder, but there was going to be this Scarlet chick taking up a lot of space in this book. Seriously, I was worrying for nothing. Scarlet is a charming character; a girl who is self-sufficient, caring, and willing to work for what she wants and what she feels is right. I wasn’t too interested in her missing grandmother at first, but once things got rolling with Wolf and we learned more about the entire situation, I was hooked so hard. Wolf is mysterious, but so gentle and seemingly forthright that it made him hard to resist.
The book switches back and forth between Scarlet and Cinder (and sometimes hands us a snippet of Emperor Kai, too), and the flow felt natural and enjoyable. Cinder is as handy and independent as ever, but I’ll try to keep this spoiler free when I say: OMG SHE IS THE COOLEST CYBORG EVER. Though Iko does make an appearance later in the book, in the beginning we (and Cinder) have to contend with Captain Thorne. He’s a handsome, yet annoying, yet helpful and enduring secondary character. I truly wonder where his place will be in the overall arc of The Lunar Chronicles.
The threats in Scarlet are much more serious than those found in Cinder, which really amped the overall tension. Not only is Cinder a fugitive, but there are may other factors affecting her escape and her search for answers. While Scarlet thinks she is safe with Wolf, she knows that her grandmother is in danger and that she’s putting herself in danger by attempting a rescue. Queen Levana is just lashing out at everyone and introduces some scary, unexpected weapons. And all of this is happening at the SAME TIME, you guys.
This is what I kept thinking as I read Scarlet:
- “So much is happening in this book!”
- “What is UP with this Wolf guy?”
- “This book is so awesome, I don’t want it to ever be over!”
- “Cinder is so freaking COOL!”
I rated Scarlet 5 stars because it exceeded my expectations, and because Marissa Meyer has achieved something with her writing that I haven’t ever read, aside from her books. When I read The Lunar Chronicles, I feel like I’m watching an anime. How does she DO THAT? I don’t know. All I know is that I love-love-love it and I want more, more, more.
_________
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another Novel Read (has moved!) 
What an awesome review! I totally get what you mean about wanting more Cinder, but it sounds like I don’t need to worry. I cannot wait to read this! :-)
Yay, I’m glad you liked the review! Yeah, you still get lots of Cinder in this book, plus lots more new, interesting characters too. :)
OMG im soo excited to read thiss do you know anywhere else i can get an arc of scarlet???
Man, it looks like you *just* missed the giveaway she was doing on Goodreads! You should follow Marissa Meyer on twitter, because she’s been posting all kinds of giveaways for the ARCs. That’s how I ended up winning one!
ohh i did that but i was soo mad because the winners where the last three who entered and i was like the 10th to last person to enter :( and sadly i dont have a twitter but ill get one
Pingback: End of the Year Book Survey – 2012 | Another Novel Read
Thanks for the ARC review! A friend lent me Cinder and I loved it, so now I know to look forward to Scarlet. I can’t wait to see where Marissa Meyer will take this series; it has so much potential.
Yay, I hope you love it! Scarlet really exceeded my expectations. And yes, like you, I’m excited to see where she takes this series! I’m dying for Cress and Scarlet isn’t even out yet!