Monday, February 11, 2013

Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

From Back Cover: 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 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 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 who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

My Rating: 4 hearts 

Thoughts on the Novel: In Scarlet, Marissa Meyer brings together two separate storylines into one. First, we’re introduced to a new protagonist who is trying to find her grandmother with the help of a mysterious street fighter. A few chapters in though, we rejoin Cinder as she attempts to escape from prison in order to find out more about her past from a woman named Michelle Benoit.

While Cinder won me over in Cinder because she was so different from her fairy tale counterpart, I didn’t love Scarlet as much since she was a lot more similar to hers. Thus, like Little Red Riding Hood, Scarlet is rash and willing to trust sketchy strangers. However, I also found her to be loyal, brave, determined and opinionated.

On the other hand, I actually liked Wolf more than Kai. Like Kai, Wolf’s life is complicated; but I feel as if he’s less of a pushover. Plus, Wolf is tough and very protective of Scarlet. I did find Scarlet and Wolf’s romance fast progressing though, and wish that Meyer had given it a bit more time to develop. After all, less than a week passes between the start of the novel and the end.

With the stories of Cinder and Scarlet now overlapping, I look forward to seeing how Meyer will integrate Cress in the next book. With POVs from all sorts of characters in Scarlet, I’m curious to find out whether there will be three main narratives in Cress (i.e. Cinder’s, Scarlet’s and Cress’) and whether Meyer can continue to keep her characters’ voices distinct. 

Scarlet was released on February 5, 2013 by Feiwel and Friends. 

Comments About the Cover: I love that Scarlet’s cover matches that of Cinder. The red cloak also instantly tells you which fairy tale Meyer is retelling.

In exchange for an honest review, this book was received from the publisher (Raincoast Books) for free. 

9 comments:

  1. Awesome review, unfortunately i haven't read Cinder or Scarlet though I am hoping to read them soon. I love that the two characters overlap here! and wow, you liked Wolf more than Kai (trust me, even though i haven't read the books I know all about Kai from my sister!)

    Awesome blog, I am a new follower

    - Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

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  2. People just keep praising this series, and I haven't even started it yet! I have Cinder on my schedule for March, and I hope I'll like it as much as everyone else seems to.
    It's great the Meyer managed to bring two storylines together so neatly.
    Fantastic review!

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  3. Really looking forward to this one, Z! I was very, very skeptical with Cinder. Didn't think the whole cyborg thing would mesh with fairy tales but she proved me wrong. Now I'm really curious how she works werewolves into her narrative. Awesome review!

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  4. I didn't quite warm to Scarlet as much as I did Cinder either Z, and I agree with you on Wolf. I feel like we got to know him better than we ever did Kai, but I feel like too Kai hasn't really had his moment yet. I look forward tow he does (hopefully he will!). Glad you enjoyed this one!!!

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  5. I'm not a fan of fairytale re-tellings so I never really had any plans to start this series but so many people loved Cinder that I think I may give it a try. People seem to be liking this one too, though I don't like the sound of the fast moving romance, I prefer some build up. I don't think I'm going to start on this series though until the third book has been released and I'll read them all together then. Great review Z :)

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  6. I had mixed feelings on Cinder, but I enjoyed it overall, though I never did feel as much excitement over Scarlet as most other people. I've decided I'll give it a try now though as it seems to have had nothing but a positive response so far. I can't wait to meet this Wolf character, especially! Lovely review, Z. :)

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  7. I think I preferred Cinder (the character not the book xD) to Scarlet and again Kai to Wolf. So I was glad to find that we get to hear from their POVs too. Also, I loved Thorne! I hope he makes a appearance In the next book. Fab review!

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  8. Hmm, I actually really liked Scarlet, although, you're right, the girl does need to slow her roll with the trusting. Wolf, though, I LOVE. He's way better than Kai. I pretty much wanted to slap Kai all through this book, because he's so whiny and weak. Man up, kid!

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  9. I am also very curious how the author is going to handle juggling three different narratives for the next book (and I haven't even read Cinder yet, mind you). But I really love the concept of these retellings and I can tell Marissa Meyer has some serious talent. Sorry you didn't like Scarlet quite as much as Cinder - I think I might feel the same as you. You know, once I get around to reading this series. SOON I say!

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