Book Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet

by Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #2
Published: February 5th 2013
(464 pages)

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the 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 or 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 is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

I’m not sure that I liked this as much as Cinder, the first book in this series. The writing was funny. I find this series very unique in the fact that the story is continued but from someone else’s point of view. Cinder still has chapters from her point of view in this book, but this story focuses on Scarlet.

Like with Cinder, I enjoyed coming across subtle references to the original fairy tale Red Riding Hood like this:

“His eyes were unnaturally green, like sour grapes still on the vine. Scarlet’s grip tightened on the plate and she suddenly understood Emilie’s swooning. He has these eyes…”

-Marissa Meyer, Scarlet kindle location 188

What big eyes you have…the better to see you with my dear…

Captain Thorne was so entertaining. He had confidence, swagger, and a little bit of a princess thing going on like a pretty boy Han Solo. Oh and he’s charming and witty. Here’s my favorite quote from him:

“When [Cinder] had gone, Thorne let out a low whistle. ‘I know, I know. She seems a little’- crossing his eyes, he swirled both fingers around his ears-‘but it’s really part of her charm, once you get to know her.'”

-Marissa Meyer, Scarlet kindle location 5688

I never quite liked the Wolf character. He never had great dialogue. I was never totally convinced that he could be trusted and even at the end I didn’t feel he was that trustworthy. It made it hard for me to like him.

I really enjoy the sci-fi setting of this series. It’s got Star Wars tech but is set in real places like America, France etc.

I’m excited for the next one in the series especially if there is more Captain Thorne.

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