Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2) in Addicted to YA

Apr 20, 2014 Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction rated it it was amazing

Shelves: all-the-rage-and-worth-it, forced-proximity, found-family, laugh-out-loud, young-adult-read, favorites, squad-goals, poc-mc, nbrc-tower-teams, political-or-court-intrigue

08/05/2022: Reread on audiobook!
This year I have been going back to reread some of my favorite popular young adult series from "back in the day". I honestly thought that my feelings may have changed since my reading tastes are broader than they used to be. I am glad to say that I was just as enamored with this book this time around as I was the first time that I read it.

What I love about this series is the unique take on old fairytales. I love the clever reimaginings. And I love them even more ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Dec 18, 2016 Susan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: owned-tbr

REREAD 5/29/65
I started this series in 2016 and I never actually continued reading it because I found challenges on Goodreads and couldn't get the rest of the books to fit. I'm finally going to finish this series if it kills me to do it. I loved Cinder but I loved Scarlet so much more. I love Thorne and Wolf and of course Iko is still one of my favorites. I love when books have these cooky side characters that are pets or AI's or anything like Iko. I can't wait to continue on in this series fina ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Aug 27, 2013 Danielle rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2013, read-in-august-2013, ya-books, ya-books-read-in-2013

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 4.5 stars

This book was so so good, and I couldn't put it down much like I did with the first book, Cinder, and this one was just as addictive and drew me into the world from word one, and I couldn't stop. I just loved the first book so much and was really looking forward to reading the sequel right away or at least as soon as I could because after the end of the first one, which I wasn't ready to see end quite yet, I was so ready to find out what happened next with the characters and some of the 4.5 stars

This book was so so good, and I couldn't put it down much like I did with the first book, Cinder, and this one was just as addictive and drew me into the world from word one, and I couldn't stop. I just loved the first book so much and was really looking forward to reading the sequel right away or at least as soon as I could because after the end of the first one, which I wasn't ready to see end quite yet, I was so ready to find out what happened next with the characters and some of the plotlines still open ended and not really finishing so I really wanted to read this book.

And let me tell this one did not disappoint in the least with the plot continuing on and picking up where Kai and Cinder left on in the first book, and also adding new characters to the mix as well as new plotlines, making the world even more complex and understanding how far reaching this story went in the world, and not just in New Beijing, but all of Earth as well. I liked how Marissa Meyer introduced the new characters of Scarlet and Wolf and they were interwoven into Cinder's story, which was really well done and very clever and adding more pieces to the puzzle so that I understood more about Cinder's life and how she was kept hidden for so many years as well what happen to her because she didn't remember it and it was explained her and filling in the gaps like I said. And it fit together and made sense with the story flowing easily along, making it an enjoyable ride as the pieces of the puzzle came to together while adding with Scarlet and Wolf's storylines as well.

I really like the character of Wolf, who I knew was more than he seemed and thought I did guess partly what was up with by his name and actions alone, but didn't quite guess the other part of his nature though and was kind of shocking until I thought about it and remembered something that I read in the first book, which made it seem like a no brainer really, but I didn't get it until it was revealed. But anyway despite his deception to Scarlet, he really was a good guy, sweet, kind (especially to her), loyal, a little shy, and I could tell from the moment that he met her that he cared about her even though he didn't want or knew he couldn't, but he did anyway and it was shown threw his actions of him protecting her and trying to keep her safe the best he could even though he was put in a pickle because he was torn between his feelings of not betraying his pack and not betraying her. And I could really see the struggle for him and trying to fight his nature and almost play both sides so he could be loyal to both, though in the end he chose with his heart who he decided to be loyal to (an I think you know who he chose). But I really did like him as a character, and I never thought for one second he would turn his back on Scarlet and I was right.

And the two of them share some sweet moments together that showed they complimented each other as a couple while on this journey together. Their relationship had within a whirlwind for sure, but they didn't take long to fall for one another on the way to save Scarlet's grandmother, who was kidnapped by this gang for information she possibly held. So Wolf and Scarlet went off together in search for her with Wolf helping and protecting along the way and their feelings softening towards each other. And that first kiss was just so lovely and sweet and culmination of their built up attraction, which was done very well in my opinion. And even when the big bombshell came of Wolf's betrayal, Scarlet, even though understandable upset and angry at first, still remained loyal to him and felt she could trust him and she was right. I loved the scene where Wolf, was literally this monster that made by Lunar Queen (as she did for many other soldiers and making this genetically made army in hopes of making war with Earth) and was being controlled by his pack leader to follow his orders to kill Scarlett, Wolf didn't because he recognized her as his mate, though she helped by talking softly to him, reassuring him, and telling him that he knew her and wanted to protect her not hurt. Scarlet also touched his face gently and treated him like a person and not animal like he was in the moment, knowing that this was her wolf. It was just the cutest, profound moment as it showed how important they became to one another and how deep their feelings ran for one another. I just really loved that scene and my stuttered a little bit at the moment. I just loved them as a couple, I was glad that they weren't separated at the end like I initially thought they might be, but gladly that didn't happen.

Scarlet learned a lot a stuff about herself along the way, and secrets that she never even knew that her grandmother withheld from her, and it was very eye opening (to me as well), showing Scarlet how truly connect her grandmother was in fact to the whole Cinder aka Princess Selene plot of the story. And Scarlet's grandmother protected Cinder the best she could from the Lunar Queen in hopes that Cinder would be able to retake the throne some way and help Earth and the Moon come to peace, and that was her mission in life. She had a love affair with a Lunar man, the man who smuggled Cinder off the Moon to protect her from the Queen, and had a child with him, making her very connected to the world. And now she passed the torch to Scarlet and told her to find Cinder and help her retake the thrown. Though Scarlet was shocked to learn all these revelations about her grandmother, Scarlet resigned herself to do so and follow in her grandmother's footsteps. I have to say that Scarlet was a tough yet intelligent girl, who handled each situation she came into as best as the circumstances would allow, and I liked her and how she interacted with Wolf as well, and I believe she will be a force to be reckoned with in the next two books as she helps Cinder retake the thrown.

Cinder's story picked up where it left off in book one like I said with her breaking out of prison with the tools Dr. Erland gave her. She wound up accidently coming to the cell of another prisoner named Captain Carswell Throne, who deserted the American army and had many many felons on his wrap sheet. Knowing she couldn't avoid it she helped Thorne escape prison as well, making them both fugitives, but he decided to accompany her on her journey in hopes to learn about her past. It was quite an adventure with them with many up and downs along the way with many times nearly being caught by the military to bring Cinder back to justice. He was a very funny character that lightened up some of the serious scenes and almost the life or death pressure they were under and really helped Cinder keep her cool along the way, and even though she might not want to admit it she needed him as well just to have someone with her while she dealt with everything, and she had to deal with a lot.

Cinder was very much in turmoil with herself for a good portion of the book because she knew that she never wanted to use her Lunar gifts against anyone like the Queen did, yet did in order to provide safe passage for both her and Thorne with the skill helping them get out of sticky situations along the way, but yet she felt very guilty for using it at all even though she was only doing in self-defense so she wouldn't be captured again and sent to the Queen. But she very much struggled with this idea while trying to accept the fact that she was. a cyborg, a Lunar, and a Princess, and that was a lot to take in and would be for anyone and she was just trying to find her way. Even though she did struggle with herself, she handled each situation she faced very well and did her best to come out on top while trying to keep her integrity in tack and she did it very well. It was very hard for her, and with her seeing what had happened to her that took an emotional toll as well while she was seeking Scalet's grandmother for information, but didn't find Scarlet's grandmother, but found where she spent seven years of her life, seven years that she didn't remember and now Cinder understood why. It was just an emotional roller coaster for her throughout the book, and by the end she decided what she wanted to do with her life and what she would do about the Queen as well.

Then there was poor Kai, who was also dealing with a lot in this book. He wasn't in a lot, but when he was I could feel his emotions all over the place while feeling very defeated and depressed by the whole thing that had happened in such a short time while trying to be this wise leader for his people. He was struggling as well with himself and believed he shouldn't be the leader of this people, believing he wasn't strong, but that I disagree with making hard decisions when he had to and remained focused when need be. He was still confused by the whole Cinder thing, finding out not only she was a cyborg, but a Lunar as well, and questioned their relationship that they had, thinking Cinder brainwashed him in having feelings for her (which wasn't the case), yet even though he was mad at her and felt very lied to and wanted her capture in order (and made his military search vigorously for Cinder along the way) to protect his people, a part of him didn't want Cinder to be captured and sent to the Queen for execution because he still cared about Cinder and thought it was unfair that the Queen was targeting her (he didn't know that Cinder was in fact Princess Selene who could overthrow the Queen from her throne). He was a genuine guy who wanted the best for all around, and even made a big sacrifice of himself in order to ensure his people's safety, knowing full well that it could mean his own death sentence in the process. He just wanted to do the right thing, but hopefully he won't have to sacrifice himself in the end and Cinder will come to his rescue, but only time will tell. I'll be curious to know what will happen between the two when they meet again. It should be interesting.

This story was loosely based off the fairy tale Little Red Ridding Hood, and it was a very interesting take on it that had similar elements to the fairy tale, yet had difference as well. Of coarse Scarlet was red with her red hair and cap, and she was going to see grandmother, though in this version she went to go save her, and was accompanied by Wolf, which could have been said to be the big bad wolf in the fairy tale and he was though in my estimation a kinder, wolf even despite his deception like that in the fairytale. And he doesn't eat Scarlet even though he was tempted to. So, there were elements of that story in here, but yet completely different as well and fit in the whole Lunar Chronicles series that made complete sense to the story as well. I have to say it was very well done.

And just the entire story was really well done and compliment the book Cinder so well, filling in more puzzle pieces along the way and I can't wait to read the next two installments to see how their stories fit as well. Also how the fairy tale aspect comes in the next two and how it will reflect in future stories. It should be very interesting like these stories are very interesting and so well written and very easy for a reader to get lost in them. It is a great dystopian, fairytale, adventure, danger, suspense, and sci-fi story that any reader would enjoy and get sucked into very easily along the way. These stories are just so engrossing and I can't wait to read what happens next, though it will be hard to wait another two years until the series is complete, but I am sure totally worth the wait. I just want to see what happens with the story and the characters that I am so invested in, and hopefully Cinder will bring down the Queen. Though she does have more help with Scarlet, Wolf, and Thorne helping her along the way and continuing on this journey with her, and I am sure that more characters will come along the way to help as well. And I am looking forward to seeing that happen. These books are just so good and I can't wait to read the next one that comes out next year. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 28, 2013 Berenice rated it really liked it

Cinderella has left the ball
Her metal foot lies on the floor
Besides it a prince with a broken heart
and an evil queen ready to get what she wants
On the other side of the world

A red hooded girl has her own problems of her own
Her grandmother's gone missing
For secrets they say she's been keeping
Can red riding hood trust the Wolf?
Or will she be eaten before she figures things out?

The faith of the Earth is being played here
The main pieces are assembling
Sides are being chosen,
But can all the alliances ...more

Like · see review

Nov 10, 2014 Miriam Kahn rated it really liked it

The second exciting adventure. I'm waiting for the next act! ...more

Like · see review

Oct 09, 2014 Kristie rated it liked it

Shelves: ya-lit-sci-fi-fant, ya-lit-dystopia

I liked Scarlet better than Cinder; I think that has a lot to do with me liking Scarlet the character more than the character of Cinder. Once Scarlet meets Wolf (oh yes, this is Little Red Riding Hood), things become really interesting--oh, and hot. Cinder's story also continues, when she allies with a handsome rogue Captain and fellow prisoner, Thorne (who I LOVE, by the way). I just don't find Cinder herself that fun. I will see how things go with Cress. I'd really give this book 3 1/2 stars i ...more

Like · see review