Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2) in YA Apocalyptic and Dystopian Fiction

Jan 22, 2017 Lindsay rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2017, 4stars, ya

3.5 stars

4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 23, 2012 Renuka rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, romance, science-fiction, dystopia, adventure, action, paranormal, different-protagonist, fairytales, cliff-hangers

There is a strong possibility of spoilers. Read at risk.

The Plot: I finally finished! I'll try for no spoilers, at least for people who have read Cinder. In the second installment of the Lunar Chronicles, the main character isn't Cinder, which was disappointing at first, but it's all good because the third person POV switched to her pretty often. The plot basically centers on Cinder's struggle to come to terms with her true identity and how Scarlet and her grandmother have a part in Cinder's wh There is a strong possibility of spoilers. Read at risk.

The Plot: I finally finished! I'll try for no spoilers, at least for people who have read Cinder. In the second installment of the Lunar Chronicles, the main character isn't Cinder, which was disappointing at first, but it's all good because the third person POV switched to her pretty often. The plot basically centers on Cinder's struggle to come to terms with her true identity and how Scarlet and her grandmother have a part in Cinder's whole cyborg with no memory situation. It's all quite easy to jump back into actually after reading Cinder. It's very well connected, even if it is really obvious at times. What I thought was new, was the very interesting, completely psychotic take on the Wolf and about Levana's army. That was very twisted, even for a fairy tale retelling. I didn't say it wasn't completely welcome, and awesome though.

The Characters: Cinder we all know is a mechanical version of Cinderella who can pretty much control people with her mind. Prince Kai is an adorable version of Prince Charming. One can only hope they actually ever get a chance to talk with each other. Not the main characters though. Basically, the titular character, Scarlet, is a really feisty version of Little Red Riding Hood with a gun, and a grandmother who was in the military and knows secrets. Secrets that pertain to Cinder, hmm hmm....anyway, Wolf too is a really mysterious and strange character. I don't want to give any spoilers but honestly, his name is a spoiler. Think about that. Finally, my personal favorite was definitely Thorne. I don't know how Cinder managed to pick him up, but he made the whole book three times better with his ridiculous shenanigans.

The Romance: Cinder and Kai are a nonexistent couple right now although their caring for each other over seas was very adorable. The focus was on Scarlet and Wolf as a couple. The most upsetting fact for me about their falling in love (we all know it happens, quit complaining) was that it occurs in nearly 24 hours. How can two people fall in love in one day? Other than that, it was all very touching. Wolf afraid he'll hurt her, by being so big and bad, and poor little Scarlet completely oblivious to her very seductive advances. Seriously, she was no shy girl when it came to romance.

The Style: I love the entire concept of the series. It's just so original. I can't fathom how she came up with a dystopian society, with not-so-princesslike princesses (one who is half metal and one who totes around a gun while looking for her grandmother), and an evil moon queen. The writing is also excellent and the descriptions of the world are amazingly vivid. One could almost be tricked into seeing Lunars left and right.

Overall: If you haven't given Cinder a try, please do. Especially if you like dystopian, science-fiction , romance. It's very fun. And if you have read Cinder, Scarlet is a great follow up and continues the story at a great pace. I loved discovering all sorts of secrets and juicy stuff about Queen Levana's plan, all set against a backdrop of a world we know so well, yet so different.
...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 21, 2012 Beth rated it really liked it

Another sequel that improves on the first in the series. The central conflict in this story is more weighty than in Cinder. Because it begins in the middle of a tense situation - Cinder has to free herself from prison to escape being given over to the Lunar queen - the pace doesn't really let up.

And then there is Scarlet. Her story is a simple one: her grandmother is missing, and she wants to find her. She meets Wolf, gets his help to find her, and in the process finds out how her story is inte ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 01, 2013 Jenelle Compton rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult-childrens, science-fiction

A fun read! I like Little Red even more than Cinderella! I had no idea going in that this book was a retelling of Red Riding Hood, like the first was a retelling of Cinderella. It has set me to wondering about the next book in the series. What is Cress??? :)

All in all, I liked this book. I liked Scarlet's character almost as much as Cinder, and I thought that Wolf and Thorne were fun additions to the cast. I recommend that people read The Queen's Army before this, as you get to know Wolf a bit b ...more

Like · see review

Mar 13, 2014 Angie Taylor rated it it was amazing

These are the funnest books! I'm totally in love with this series. Marissa Meyer has taken fairy tales and completely blown them out of the water with originality. I can't wait to what's next in Cress! ...more

Like · see review

Oct 30, 2012 Ami E. Bowen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: most-engaging-stories, not-to-be-missed-series, favourite-books, favorites, 100-books-in-2013, faerytale-retellings, robots-cyborgs-mods-oh-my, fantasy-and-sci-fi

I'm really enjoying Ms. Meyer's sci-fi spins on classic faerytales. Plus, she lives in the state of Washington like myself, too! Nothing to do with her writing but I just though it cool to be from the same general area as this series' author. ^_^ ...more

Like · see review

Sep 19, 2012 Angie rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-teen, ya-dystopian

After starting this book four different times, I was finally able to get into it. I liked it better than Cinder and am looking forward to the next book.

Like · see review