The Lunar Chronicles Boxed Set: Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Fairest, Winter

The Lunar Chronicles #1, 2, 3, 3.5, 4

by Marissa Meyer

The #1 New York Times-bestselling series that brought fans a complex and thrilling world of cyborgs and evil queens is now available as a beautiful boxed set.

Cinder
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction.

Scarlet
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. As Scarlet and a streetfighter named Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder.

Cress
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 prevent her army from invading Earth. Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl trapped on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company.

Fairest
In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter, Queen Levana's story is finally told!

Winter
Can Cinder, Prince Kai, Scarlet, Wolf, Cress, Thorne, Princess Winter, and the palace guard Jacin find their happily ever afters? Fans will love this amazing conclusion to the series.

Follow Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles from the beginning with Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Fairest: Levana's Story, and the epic conclusion, Winter.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Fiction, Retellings

Hardcover

Published October 4, 2016

About the author

I live in Tacoma, Washington, with my husband and beautiful twin daughters. Represented by Jill Grinberg. Learn more about me and my upcoming books at http://www.marissameyer.com.

Reviews

[Sarah]

Yes I do already own this series in paperback (some of which are signed!) and on my kindle but ooops I accidentally ordered the hardback box set anyway!

It's not my fault that the covers are so pretty and the books are so awesome though is it? Some books are just made to be looked at (and possibly drooled over but I'll try to keep that to a minimum LOL).
__________

I think the hardbacks in the box set are the same ones you get if you buy them individually but it worked out cheaper for me to buy the set than to buy them all individually. The box they come in is pretty flimsy cardboard and won't hold up to much use but the hardbacks themselves are stunning and well worth buying

[T S · Rating 5 out of 5]

PERFECTION.

[Elizabeth Dragina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's my fandom. Feel free to comment and freak out with me!! I'd be more then happy to oblige!! ^_^

[Azure Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY FAV SERIES EVER

[An - Traversing Chapters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marissa Meyer got her inspiration for this series from classic and well-known fairy tales. Cinder is a cyborg with a prosthetic foot that she can easily remove like a true Cinderella. In the next books, we are introduced to Scarlet (wearer of a red hoodie, who lives on a farm with her grandmother and meets a mysterious guy named Wolf), Cress (a young woman with extremely long hair, locked in a satellite orbiting Earth), and Winter (stepdaughter of the evil queen, and described by everyone as the most beautiful person on Luna). And of course this fairy-tale squad all get their own love interests in the books.

I loved how individual each character is. The four girls all have different personalities, and so do the boys. This makes it fun to skip from one point of view to the other, because they all have a distinct voice. Adding these characters one book at a time makes the story expand gradually. At first it’s just Cinder and Kai, but by the end of the final book we have an impressive cast, high stakes and ever-changing odds.

The final book, Winter, is over 800 pages long, yet it never gets dull. I can’t go into detail here without spoiling the previous books, but it’s such a rollercoaster. Levana proves herself to be a cunning opponent with lots of tricks up her sleeve. And the peculiar gifts of the people of Luna, with their ability to cast glamours, make for quite a few shocking twists.

Musings on humanity
At times, the Lunar Chronicles books can be rather violent, especially the last one. Luckily, there is also plenty of comic relief. This mainly comes from Thorne and Iko. Iko is an especially interesting character, because she is an android with a faulty personality chip. Somehow, this gives her a more “human” personality, with sarcasm and other traits you wouldn’t expect from an android. In the first book I felt like Meyer missed a chance to explore what it means to be human, but in the later books this does get some attention without being too on-the-nose.

These four books form the core of the Lunar Chronicles series. But if you can’t get enough, there is also Fairest, which tells the story of Levana’s youth. This is listed as part 3.5, so fits best between Cress and Winter. In Winter there are a few references to Levana’s past, but nothing that requires reading Fairest to understand. And then there’s also Stars Above (not included in this box), a collection of short stories starring the main characters in prequels, and one epilogue to Winter.

If you love creative reimaginings of fairytales, you can’t go wrong with The Lunar Chronicles. This series started out pretty modest with Cinder, and expanded to a sweeping tale that encompasses adventure, friendship and humour in an engaging world (and moon). So that’s a solid 4.5 stars (rounded up to 5) for me!

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[B.D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing series and I will never forget about it. I will always have a special place in my heart for these books.

[Emaly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how author writes in those books. I love to read about all the characters and what they have been through on their journey. One character that I loathe is Queen Levana but Im not going to mention anything in here because of spolier alerts. Honestly Those books got me hooked from the beginning. I was sad when I finished the last book.

[Toni Iguain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely not written for adults which I knew going into it. I’d have loved this in middle school. I liked it well enough to get to the end, but I skimmed a lot to get through some characters that annoyed me. I was looking for retelling a of myths when this series was recommended to me. After reading some more serious books, it was a nice light break.

[Nicole Pramik · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rare that a book series comes along with the power to attract my attention and envelope my imagination. To date, the only series that have done so are the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull, and the Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart. In the case of most series, I tend to peruse the first book but usually won't bother exploring subsequent entries. The reasons for this are varied but the most common one is that the plot and/or characters aren't strong enough to compel me to venture on, especially to commit to a multi-book story arc. That being said, when I first read Cinder a few years ago, I was immediately hooked and knew I had stumbled upon a new series that actually commanded my interest and investment for the long haul. Hence, the Lunar Chronicles is now among my most-loved book series.

The stories comprising the Lunar Chronicles are an innovative hybrid of fairy tale retellings and science fiction space opera (though seeing as the action only occurs on either the Earth or the Moon, I use the term "space" here loosely). At first glance, this sounds like an odd, unworkable combination due to each genre's inherent differences. However, what Meyer offers is a unique spin on some familiar fairy tales that don't wax as paint-by-numbers or fill-in-the-blanks stories. Instead, she retains the basic skeleton of each tale, then grafts new skin and characters upon it, creating a series that is engaging and fresh.

There are four novels and one novella that make up the Lunar Chronicles (I am excluding the numerous short stories and the two graphic novels for the sake of simplicity): Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter with Fairest serving as a prequel novella to Cinder. As their titles imply, each book uses a classic fairy tale as its basis: Cinder is a retelling of Cinderella, Scarlet is a revamped Little Red Riding Hood, Cress is a Rapunzel re-imagining, and Winter and Fairest both borrow from Snow White.

Plot-wise, the series possesses a large scope that involves a conflict between the various unified nations of Earth and the Lunar throne, occupied by the sinister Levana. At the epicenter of the political turmoil is a seemingly unimportant cyborg mechanic named Cinder who quickly discovers that she has a far greater part to play in the story at large. Joining her in time are Scarlet Benoit, who is searching for her missing grandmother; Wolf, a rugged street fighter who is more than he seems; Cress, a satellite-bound foundling forced to serve as a hacker for the Lunar government; Carswell Thorne, a hotshot pilot with a knack for getting into trouble as well as getting out of tight jams; Princess Winter, the seemingly insane stepdaughter of Queen Levana; and Prince Kai, ruler of the Eastern Commonwealth, one of Earth's conjoined nations.

As one can probably tell, the Lunar Chronicles sports an expansive cast, yet each novel works to not only introduce its characters in their novel-by-novel micro-plots but also tie them into the series' overarching macro-plot involving Cinder and her true identity/nature. This careful management of plots, subplots, and characters is achieved through a delicate blend of action and character development that work together to maintain each book's and the series' momentum. Even if the fairy tale elements were removed, the series would still stand as a solid work of modern space opera.

Much like traditional space opera, the focus of the Lunar Chronicles is not (as one might expect from a young adult series) on cliched love triangles or petty teenage dramas. Instead, its primary tone is one of robust adventure that moves like a literary EKG with undulating highs of action, peril, and suspense and lows of character growth moments and exposition. Similarly, the series places an emphasis on the threat of warfare between Earth and the Moon, offers up clean romance, displays risk-taking among all of the characters, and introduces some well-placed melodrama for the sake of high adventure [1]. Again, while most of the action is confined to Earth (with the exception of Winter), it's not exactly a fair fight as the Lunar government has some technological and biological advantages over the people of Earth. Hence, while perhaps not a space opera in the strictest sense of the word, it seems appropriate to call the Lunar Chronicles a space opera-lite tale.

Furthermore, its sense of depth and focus on character dynamics and action as opposed to the usual YA tropes gives it an edge that propels it into a category of stellar (pun intended) YA sci-fi. Yet another attribute in this series' favor is that it never becomes a play-by-play retelling of its respective fairy tales, meaning there is no "this-equals-that" formula at work. Granted, there are allusions to the original tales, such as a robotic foot in place of a glass slipper and apple candies instead of a poisoned apple, but these inclusions are subtle and clever rather than overt and trying too hard to be charming or call attention to their fairy tale counterparts. Overall, Meyer uses her chosen fairy tales as a jumping off point before crafting a brand new futuristic world that comes across as very believable and doesn't feel overwrought.

Cinder serves as a solid series opener, introducing readers to the titular heroine who, much like Cinderella, is the unwanted ward of her stepmother and step-sisters. However, what makes Cinder unique is that she is a cyborg, a trait that makes her undesirable in both her family and society at large. But Cinder's small world quickly enlarges when she finds herself at the crux of a dire plan to save the population of the Eastern Commonwealth from a deadly Lunar disease. To make matters worse, Queen Levana has come to propose marriage to young Emperor Kai, a political move that reeks of ulterior motives. As such, the novel balances character development - chiefly Cinder's evolution - with political intrigue and suspense. This novel does wrap up on a rather open-ended note but it effectively sets the stage for the second novel, Scarlet.

Out of the series, Scarlet is my "least" favorite (but I use that term loosely) simply because there seems to be more character down time when compared to the other entries, but it is by no means sluggish or weak. Here, we're introduced to a new set of soon-to-be main characters, Scarlet Benoit and Wolf. The two meet in a rather innocuous way but soon become comrades on the run as Scarlet is desperate to locate her missing grandmother and Wolf is forced to confront his own demons. In time, Cinder and a few other characters from the first installment are added to the mix. Normally when it comes to novels with large casts, I find myself disconnected due to all of the persons to keep track of. But Meyer creates a nicely balanced narrative that inches the characters closer to each other as their respective plot lines intersect.

The third novel, Cress, has the daunting task of trying to juggle all of the current characters' story arcs while developing one more, this one involving Cress, a Lunar hacker hoping to escape her confinement and meet heartthrob American pilot, Carswell Thorne, whom she admires from afar. Thorne proves to be more than a comic foil character, which is what I feared he might become upon his introduction in Scarlet. In this novel, we're given an intriguing "man behind the mask"-type of narrative where subtle commentary about the nature of celebrity is briefly explored. Cress, without going into specifics, is a sheltered young lady who spends her time, among other things, mooning over Thorne. But all she knows is what she has read in the news and tabloid feeds. Once she meets the man himself, she is a bit underwhelmed. But their pairing is the start of a beautiful friendship that evolves into something more. In terms of character plots, Cress is as knotty as the titular character's hair; however, it all comes together brilliantly. The suspense and action in this novel essentially takes everything I loved about Cinder and amplifies it.

In a bit of a deviation, Fairest was released prior to the series' final book. However, even though it is a novella (and a prequel) it is by no means less important. The reason I include it among the series' novels is that it serves as a baseline for the chief antagonist, Queen Levana. Until now, Levana is a good villain but harbors mysterious aspects about her that are never fully explained. Similarly, her personal motivations, aside from her overt power plays, are also kept under wraps. But all of that changes in Fairest where we see Levana's origins and learn why she behaves and believes as she does. (For example, in the series we learn that Levana hates mirrors though we're never told why; but in the novella, we learn the reason behind her revulsion.) Even though she is the villain, she becomes strongly sympathetic here (albeit not enough for readers to condone her actions, but they do make some sense in context). Hence, Fairest serves as a great look into the making of the series' villain, and I would strongly encourage readers to peruse it before diving into Cinder as it sheds light on Levana's driving passions.

Winter, the largest book of the series, works to close everything out with much aplomb as all of the major characters are swept up into the macro-conflict ensnaring the Earth and the Moon and individual micro-conflicts. Much like in Cress, the characters are initially scattered, each with their own subplots, yet everything comes together to form a cohesive story. Here, we are introduced to the final new character pairing of Princess Winter and her bodyguard, Jacin. Winter steals the show with her humility, compassion, and cleverness. Rather than serve as the cliched beautiful princess who melts everyone's hearts, Winter has personal scars (both literally and figuratively) and she is presumed to be mentally unstable. She fits in perfectly with the series' other heroines, all of whom are not cookie cutter characters but are unique, smart, and flawed individuals. To call Winter satisfying would be an understatement as it serves as the crown with which to top a well-crafted, entertaining, engaging series.

Overall, the Lunar Chronicles is a fantastic epic sci-fi series that is redolent of classic space opera, only in this case it's sprinkled with fairy tale inspirations. It presents complex characters; serpentine plots; riveting action; and clean, swoon-worthy romance that at times can remind me of Golden Age science fiction. As the books themselves increase in page count, each character is given his or her due and is allowed to shine, both as individuals and as members of a group of unlikely heroes in a tale that happens once upon a future but concludes with a rousing happy ever after.

Content:
Language - Sporadic PG-level profanities are uttered throughout the series, but such instances are few and far between.

Violence - Most of the violence occurs in scenes of hand-to-hand combat where characters fight either with weapons or under the influence of Lunar mind control. Nothing ever turns graphic or gory as most scenes of carnage (such as when a genetically engineered army attacks several cities on Earth) are never described in detail. Lunars can telepathically manipulate others and most instances of this involve forcing a person to commit a violent act against their will. There is talk of characters being murdered (usually off-page). A Moon-based virus called letumosis attacks suddenly and kills quickly. Scenes where victims discover they are infected and are transported to quarantine, as well as scenes in the quarantine centers, are frightening on a psychological level but are non-graphic. There is also an undercurrent of tension between characters and many characters find themselves in perilous situations at times. Characters breath murderous threats, physically threaten others, and there is implied (non-sexual) violence against children, but nothing ever becomes graphic or uncomfortable to read.

Sexual Content - None in terms of sex scenes or sexual content. Some girls talk of flirting with Prince Kai, who is seen as a heartthrob but he doesn’t display a playboy persona. Cinder’s robot companion comments about a palace robot possibly having seen the prince naked but nothing further is speculated. Characters couple up and kiss but nothing ever goes further. Fairest contains the most suggestive content of the series but it's sporadic and presently vaguely. Monogamy isn't practiced among Lunars and it's common knowledge for people to have lovers, so this gets mentioned in some characters' conversations. However, nothing explicit is ever discussed or shown in terms of these loose relationships.

[Rhiannon Faustmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So super toll geschrieben, man findet sich selbst gut darin wieder und einem Science-Fiction Liebhaber schlägt das Herz höher.

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Individual reviews were left on each book's main page.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Al inicio de este año comencé con una lectura de aventuras juvenil, un retelling que tenía muchas ganas de leer: Crónicas Lunares. Una historia formada de cuatro libracos, donde las princesas no esperan que su príncipe azul las rescate y toda esa faramalla, naaaa. Aquí las chicas son decididas, se enamoran y todo eso, peeeroooo cambian el rumbo de su vida e incluso del planeta por salvar a la especie humana!! ¿Cómo lo hacen? ahhh pues con sus habilidades ya que son mecánicas, programadoras, pilotos y no cualquiera, sino las mejores, yeeessss.
La historia de cada una de ellas es contada en cada tomo, donde el primer libro está basado en Cinder, una cyborg mecánica, la mejor de Pekin que vive con su madrastra y hermanastras ¿te recuerda alguna historia? En el segundo libro aparece Scarlet, una super piloto de naves espaciales que le gusta usar capucha roja, ¿conocida?, el tercer libro es para Cress una chica con una cabelllera larguísima, programadora única en su tipo y que está encerrada en un satélite. Finalmente Winter una princesa con una madrastra que la odia por ser hermosa y amada por su pueblo. Como ves, son historias con personajes femeninos fuertes e independientes.
¿que si me gustaron? Sii pues es una nueva forma de ver los cuentos clásicos de princesas.
Esta lectura es recomendable para jóvenes a partir de secundaria y para los que nos gustan las historias románticas y de aventuras espaciales.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"broken is not the same thing as unfixable."

"And they all lived happily to the end of their days."
Marissa Meyer, Winter


***Audiobooks: Read by Rebecca Soler

1. Cinder app 10 hrs
2. Scarlet app 11.25 hrs
3. Cress app 15.75 hrs
4. Fairest app 6.5 hrs
5. Winter app 23 hrs

[granny yanny · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this series. which is really cool bc i actually expected not to like it. (the first book is a cinderella adaptation except she’s a robot) i thought that would be kinda cringe except it wasn’t. a lot of times, a book series will suck but i’ll still read it bc i have a crush on a character. that is not the case here. (i mean i did have crushes on some characters but that wasn’t the main reason i was reading) the plot is genuinely amazing. i loved how the story played out and the ending was amazing. i enjoyed reading this series a lot and finished it rather quickly. the only semi boring one was the second book. (scar and wolf r probably my least fav characters btw but they’re still good) in the second book there’s two storylines. i admit that sometimes i would skim through scarlettes povs in order to get to cinders. but both storylines are really important to the plot. i loved all the characters. also it takes a lot for me to actually laugh out loud during a book even if smth is funny bc i’ll just note that it’s funny in my head. i laughed a few times during the book and that is why thorne is my fav character. my favorite book in the series is actually the novella (fairest) it’s from the main villains pov and while the main villain is still absolutely evil and despicable, it was still extremely interest to read and i actually felt kinda bad for her a few times. plus having a good villain makes books 100x better so you can’t really hate on them for being oppressive terrifying cruel monsters who may or may not have tried to burn her 3 year old niece alive for her power hungry agenda. anyways pls read this series. you won’t regret it.

[Rei Sison · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Cinder, 5/5 Scarlet, 5/5 Cress, 5/5 Winter

A Cyborg Cinderella who can manipulate minds,
A Shotgun-wielding badass Red Riding Hood,
A Hacker Rapunzel who can lock down whole cities and change satellite trajectories
A Kind Rebel Snow White
Supported by: Emperor Kaito - Captain Thorne - Alpha Wolf - Android Iko - Sir Jacin Clay
MEET THE RAMPION CREW THAT TOOK DOWN A TYRANT MOON CIVILIZATION.

It has been a while, since I read this series.. I've read a lot since, and still think this is one of the best must reads. It's not quite the twisted-fairytale notion, if that's what you're looking for.. but it's still amazing to see references from the original characters.

As for the Universe: Terminator / Alita / Starwars comes to mind.
In addition: Fairest (Levana's Story), Stars Above (9 side stories) - and I might as well add Wires & Nerves Vol 1. and 2.

Fairest has a case of being the best villain story book yet... because it's a complete package about how a villain can be formed...
Something Old, Something New Chapter in Stars Above is the true ending of the series, and a must read for all fans. The Queen's Army chapter stood out too.

The Wires and Nerves comics deals with the aftermath of Winter. Iko was transformed into a ninja-assassin android sent to subdue rogue wolves in need.

The whole series is beyond 5 stars for me

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been a winner with my tween daughter, teen son, 30-something brother, and both my parents. It's that good that there is literally something for everyone. In this SciFi retelling of the classic fairytales, Cinder is a mechanic cyborg, Cress (based on Rapunzel) is a computer nerd trapped in a satellite, Scarlet in her red hoodie is not to be trifled with, and so on. Meyer's male cast of characters are equally re-imagined and well done. In fact the characters are so compelling, you'll feel like you just gained a new set of story friends. As for the plot, just because it's a re-telling, don't think you'll know what is going to happen--the story is completely unique. This is a series that you will stop everything to speed through and then miss it terribly when it's over. (As a tip, if you order the box set, FAIREST is usually placed after WINTER, but it should actually be read before Winter. And don't skip STARS ABOVE if you're not into short story compilations. There is an epilogue at the end that you won't want to miss.)

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take the fairy tales Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White and twist the heroines entertainingly into cyberpunk bad-asses, send them to a dystopian future in which plague-ravaged Earth has been subjugated by genetically and technologically advanced humans who live on the moon, throw in a handful of entertainingly and occasionally-deserving love interests, and a dash of colorful of supporting characters, and you have the Lunar Chronicles. Though the pacing occasionally flags, some of the romantic subplots feel a bit forced, and the word "shiny" is overused throughout, the winning, well-rendered characters and the considerable charm and cleverness with which Marissa Meyer pulls off the central storytelling conceit make this series a gripping and highly entertaining read.

[Jenelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally only second to Harry Potter to me...or maybe tied. And anyone who knows me knows that's really saying something.

I love everything about the Lunar Chronicles series. It's unpredictable, despite being centered on fairy tales we know and love. The characters are real, diverse, and unique- which makes the relationships real, diverse, and unique. The struggles and development they go through is relatable, and I love it. With every book the characters grow and develop and intermix; I love Marissa Meyer's pattern of introducing more beloved characters with each book and how they all fit into the group. The plot is so well-developed, the writing is wonderfully vibrant and exciting, and I can't say anything bad about it. It's seriously underrated and isn't talked about nearly enough.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ode to the books that got me into reading:

Oh, Lunar Chronicles, how you swept me away,
Into a world of wonder, where dreams held sway.
With each turn of the page, you ignited my soul,
And brought me a passion I never could control.

Cinder, the cyborg with a destiny unknown.
Scarlet, the fiery girl with a crimson hood.
Cress, the imprisoned girl with a mind so bright.
Winter, the princess with madness encased.

Oh, Lunar Chronicles, you were more than a tale,
You were a gateway to worlds that would never fail,
To captivate my heart, ignite my imagination,
And foster a love for books without hesitation.

So, here's to you, Lunar Chronicles, my beloved guide,
For opening the doors to worlds far and wide.
You shaped my love for reading, forever to endure,
And for that, I am grateful, forevermore.

[Julia Bucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had seen Cinder pop up in my book recommendations for years before I finally listened to the audiobook. I was immediately hooked and subsequently listened to all the other books except for Fairest. The books are very well written, seamlessly woven into the overall plotline. The clever and unique scifi spin on each fairytale was a joy to read. I was blown away by the world-building and genre-bending. This is a fun and light read with deeper themes about friendship, loyalty, being yourself, standing up for what is right, and ultimately, being a hero. Great book for the younger teen crowd (or those of us who just like young adult fiction because it's fun). I highly recommend the audiobook narrated by Rebecca Soler. She is fantastic!

[Alli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Adult fiction. I'm not much for fantasy, but these are easy and fun; great for summer reading or just escape and get lost in a story. Fairy tales rewritten in a futuristic dystopian society, with strong female protagonists. At first I found it a bit odd, but then I began to really enjoy it. Meyer has a clever way of weaving the stories together. Each book plays into the others, so I suggest reading them in this order: Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Fairest, Winter.

*I think there were a few "dammits" and "hells", but probably less than 5 in all five books.
Fairest is a little racier for a young teenage girl, I'd say - the queen ends up in a bed with a few people and isn't afraid to state that. But she doesn't go into details, just states it happened.

[User · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the entire series.

Yes.
I don't know how to put this series into words.
You know when you see a sunset, but it's like over a lake with mountains and just takes your breath away, and you can't describe it to any one else, so you try to take a picture but the picture is crap, so you just sit there in your lonesome humming a song, and then when you're laying in your bed the only thing you can think about is that view?
Times that feeling by ten. Thousand.
The plot is amazing, the men are hot, (Thorne. CAPTAIN CARSWELL THORNE)
Good luck to my future partner; you have some serious standards to live up to.
Please
Please read this book. It has almost a full 5 rating, (other that those idiots who rate it below 4, they don't have a good imagination or sense of whimsy.)

[Mady Haws · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book series of all time. It is so well written, in a way that is easy to understand and still mature and appropriate. It is the perfect combination of genres, from romance to sci fi to adventure. I was never bored and fell in love with all of the characters.
The book follows four main girls who are the name sakes for the four books and all their stories are based off of classic fairytale. Like Cinder is Cinderella. They go on lots of adventures and have to overthrow and evil regime on the moon along the way. I would recommend this book to any one of any age because I truly think it has something for everyone.
Fulfills requirement - author presentation

[Jacqueline Aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoy The Lunar Chronicles Series by Marissa Meyer. The way Meyer's connects many beloved fairy tales into one dystopian world filled with adventure, hope, and love through the eyes of different characters is truly imaginative. Every page kept me hooked all the way to the last book of the series. I look forward to reading the published side stories of the characters as well. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fairy tales, YA books, dystopian societies, and intriguing character viewpoints.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect this to be completely honest. I thought it was going to be some sophisticated, posh edition of Cinderella. I was not expecting this. But wow. Oh my lord. I rated it five stars because that’s what it deserves. I read the entire series in the middle of exams and I could see my history looking at me reproachfully, but I just didn’t care. I could not put these books down. Cinder is such an amazing character and I was so happy that she and Kai got their happy ever after. Some parts of it are kind of dark, not going to lie but I recommend this to anyone who has the ability to read.

[Ruth Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading Cinder because it was a selection for my book club. I was very surprised to enjoy it very much. It's not a book I would have picked up for any reason at all, were it not for my book club. I decided to finish the entire series, then bought to boxed set for my granddaughter (15 YO, lover of space, devotee of the moon, kinda fed up with all the "othering" going on in the world today).

It's not high brow literature, but it's darned good reading and full of lovely thoughts about the human condition.

[CCreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlet takes the Lunar Chronicles series in an exciting new direction, blending sci-fi with classic fairy tale elements. I loved Scarlet's resilience and her dynamic with Wolf-there's a gritty, action-packed energy that contrasts well with Cinder's story. The world-building continues to be excellent, and Meyer's writing keeps me invested in the characters' journeys. My only critique is that the pacing felt a bit uneven in places, but overall, this sequel expanded the series in ways that left me eager to see what happens next.

[Finch [semi hiatus] · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is excellent! I wasn’t sure if I’d like it, but it turned out to be a really entertaining and exciting series. The romance stays clean (no spice) so it’s appropriate for YA readers who want a clean romance/sci-fi series.

They’d only thing I wish the author would have done was put more emphasis on Jacin and Winters dynamic. They were my favorite characters and I loved their relationship and chemistry but the other three couples almost overshadowed them in a way. Otherwise I really liked this series!

[Cortney · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first heard of these books and what they were about, at first glance i thought they would not be interesting at all. I finally gave them a chance and I LOVE IT. I love the character development and the relationships/friendships built throughout all four books. I like how each book mainly is about a new character but they also focus a lot on previous characters and the previous books. They are loosely similar to the Disney princesses but they are not the same at all.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire series was so freaking amazing. I loved it from the second Kai showed up at the market at Cinder's stall, all the way to the very end. (Not gonna spoil it - so hard, but I won't!)
I very, very highly reccomend this series. I would say that the youngest one should read it would be 13, there are a few kissing scenes, but the most of the series is action. It's absolutely fantastic! I bought the series now, so I can actually own it! This is 100% a series to reread.