**Warning: Spoilers May Abound**
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. (source:goodreads)
Cover-As the second book in the Lunar Chronicles Series, the cover fits in extremely well with that of the first book, Cinder. The text is fabulous, and I admit that the image relates well to the fact that Scarlet is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.
So we get the hood.
However, that's basically all we get. From far away, it looks like a red blob, and it's only once you get closer that you see the girl on the side. I would have loved if we got a bit more girl, or maybe if the hood was shaped different?
I don't know. Overall really good cover, but definitely not the favorite.
★★★☆☆
Narrative-Cinder covered the perspectives of Cinder and Prince Kai. In Scarlet, we get an added bonus of Scarlet Benoit, who tells the tale of what the heck is happening in France while Cinder and her new friend Captain Thorne try to escape the Commonwealth.
Trust me: with the added perspective, you are totally not disappointed, since each of the different narratives all feel somewhat unique to each character. It's just fabulous, don't doubt me.
★★★★★
Plot-I absolutely love it when there's two plots happening simultaneously. And I don't mean one big plot and all of those subplots that you get in novels. This is seriously two plots that happen to converge extremely well:
Scarlet Benoit wants to find her grandmother.
Cinder wants to not be caught, sent to jail, handed over to the Lunar Queen, and executed.
It's purely chance that their paths cross, for the most part. The only reason Cinder and Thorne head to France is because they're looking for: Scarlet's grandmother
Okay, so two plots legit become one not too far in, but seriously you've got to expect that. And then there's the mysterious Wolf, who has a part in this, but you're seriously not sure how a wolf-like creature like him ties in. It took me until about three-quarters of the way through until I remembered a small detail from the first book, and then I cackled like an idiot because I felt like a genius.
Basically, you're never bored. Like in Cinder, you're trying to figure out how the classic Red Riding Hood tale plays out with Scarlet. With Cinder, herself, you're along for the ride as she continues trying to figure out the truth about where the came from and trying to come to terms with the fact that she's the lost Lunar Princess that everybody's counting on to overthrow the queen. Then there's the fact that this part of the story ties in with Prince Kai-who we still get to see glimpses of-as he tries to ensure that the world doesn't go to war with the moon.
Never. Bored.
★★★★★
Characters-I already reviewed Cinder and Prince Kai in my review for Cinder, so I'm keeping them short: I still love both of them. And Iko (yes, Iko's back!). Kai is honestly more stressed than ever, the poor guy, and Cinder, well, she's stressed out, too. If you want me to be frank, Iko's stressed, as well, but only because she's trapped in the body of an entire spaceship when she's used to being a small android. She's still tons of fun, though.
New characters: Scarlet Benoit, Wolf Kesley, and Captain (*cough* Private) Thorne. Another set of characters that I love.
Scarlet's completely no-nonsense, says what she wants when she wants, and basically figures out how to get herself into trouble without any help. She's also a smart-ass sometimes, and she knows how to flirt, and she knows how to be kind-hearted, as well. I was really happy to know that her personality isn't like Cinder's, which can happen on accident when writing a new female lead in a book. Nope, she's her own person, with her own fears, and her own motives.
Wolf. I love wolf, and partially because he's just like . . . a wolf. His DNA's been mixed with that of a canine variety, at least, which means that he's not the person to mess with in a fight. At the same time, half the time he seems more like an abandoned puppy, which makes him adorable. The mix of gentle and strong makes for an interesting character, particularly since he's technically supposed to be a not-so-good guy. He knows where his loyalties lie, even though nobody else is really sure. Like I said: mystery.
Lastly, Captain Thorne. He's hilarious. Such a smart-ass, arrogant, self-obsessed, and likes to hear himself talk more often than not. He sweet-talks the ladies (works on Iko, not so much on Cinder), and there wasn't a single moment that I was sorry that he accidentally got brought along on Cinder's attempt to evade the authorities. Do you like that guy who's always making some sort of sarcastic remark, but deep down is sort of okay, and when the time calls for it he really steps up? But you still want to punch him regularly? That's Thorne.
★★★★★
Basically, a stellar sequel to Cinder, and I already bought Cress. Ya'll know what's coming up.
Final Answer: 4.5 / 5
Rae
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