Scarlet
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: Lunar Chronicles #2
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Dystopian
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Summary:
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. 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 to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.
First Sentence: Scarlet was descending toward the alley behind the Rieux Tavern when her portscreen chimed from the passenger seat, followed by an automated voice: “Comm received for Mademoiselle Scarlet Benoit from the Toulouse Law Enforcement Department of Missing Persons.”
My Review:
Before I start this review, I have to let you guys know that Scarlet is the second book I’ve given a full 5 stars to, ever, Anna and the French Kiss being the first one. Like Anna and the French Kiss, Scarlet has a flaw, but the overall book is just so good that I could care less. If you had asked me right after I read Cinder the first time if I thought that I’ll like, or love, the sequel to Cinder, my answer would definitely be a resounding no. However, after re-reading Cinder and enjoying it a lot more, I gave Scarlet a chance, and boy, I’m so glad I did as you can see from my rating.
This time, instead of only focusing on Cinder, Scarlet focuses on both Cinder and Scarlet (Scarlet is based on little Red Riding Hood if you can’t tell by the cover). If you read my review of Cinder, you’ll know that Marissa Meyer incorporated Sailor Moon into her Lunar Chronicles series. Scarlet reminds me of Raye, aka Sailor Mars, from Sailor Moon. They are both headstrong, stubborn, and mouthy, but you can’t help but love them for who they are anyway. There were moments where I was cheering for Scarlet and other moments where I just wanted to tug all my hair out because of her, but again, that’s just a part of her personality.
“When you greeted me with a gun on your doorstep,” he said, “it’s nice to know you meant it.” (216)
And Iko. She left such a good and lasting impression on me in Cinder and I didn’t expect her to ever make an appearance in Scarlet, but she did! Yay! You wouldn’t ever guess what role Iko plays in Scarlet in a million years, but man, what Iko did in the end was pure genius. Yes, you’re so smart Iko.
I obtained my copy of Scarlet from a book signing in NYC where Marissa Meyer attended, and one thing she mentioned was how she shuffled the chapters of Scaret around so each character wouldn’t outshine the other in those particular chapters. After reading Scarlet I thought she did this perfectly – while I was reading a chapter focused on Cinder, I wasn’t hoping for a chapter focused on Scarlet to appear in the next chapter; I was just enjoying what character I was reading about at that particular moment. It takes hard work to pull that off, and believe me, Marissa Meyer sure managed to pull it off. I’m sure others would agree.
“No,” he murmured, shoulders sinking. “No, I don’t think they’ve killed her. Not yet.” (264)
There were also so many plot twists in Scarlet that I didn’t see coming, and boy, that is so rare for me. I can spot a plot twist coming from a mile away and easily predict it (which was why I didn’t really enjoy Cinder the first time I read it). Marissa Meyer threw at least two crazy plot twists at me, leaving me feeling empty and hollow, thinking but that wasn’t supposed to happen! How is she going to solve this?!, eagerly reading on to find out what Marissa had up her sleeves. Let’s just say I’m pretty happy on how Scarlet ended.
And just a side note, page 203 is the page where I recognized Marissa Meyer’s true geniusness. Seriously. That page!
Scarlet’s brow was creased as she inched toward him. “Do that again.”
He took a half a step back, eyes glinting with sudden nerves. “Do what?”
“Smile.” (203)
Overall, if you haven’t read Cinder yet, then what are you waiting for? Go grab your own copy now! Trust me, it’s totally worth your money. If you haven’t read Scarlet yet, but have read Cinder before, I recommend you read The Queen’s Army first before starting Scarlet. You’ll see why you should read that first once you finish Scarlet. And now, off to wishing Cress would come out in bookstores asap…
Wow! Awesome review, Kelly! I just love it when sequels surprise you!
I’ve heard of Cinder before but haven’t picked it up. I always get distracted by other shiny covers! Ha. Nice to know that this book gives every character the spotlight. Nothing better than a well-rounded ensemble of characters!
Gellie @ A Discombobulated Balladry
P.S. I totes love AATFK too. Etienne St. Clair is one of my top book boyfriends. *dies of hotness*
Thank you Gellie! :D
I do too!
Definitely pick Cinder up, if you haven’t already Gellie. It’s a combination of Sailor Moon, Cinderella, and androids. ;D
P.S. Too bad he’s already mine. :P
But wait, we can share. -grabs a sharp knife and prepares to cut Etienne St. Clair into pieces-
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila Sales
Great review!! I am hoping to read Scarlet sometime in March and I didn’t really have expectations about this book until I read your reveiw, because most of the time the sequels to a book I really loved just ends up dissopointing me. So, now I am really excited to read this one!!!
Glad you loved this one :).
Thanks Kimberly! :D
Don’t worry Kimberly, Scarlet is a sequel that will definitely not disappoint.
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila Sales
Thanks for your thoughts! I like this unique series and am glad to hear that Scarlet lives up to the first book. I’m anxious to see how Iko fits in and how Cinder and Scarlet cross paths. Excited to read this soon!
The way Iko fits in into the book will surprise you Erika. ;D
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila Sales
The review is amazing, it really makes me want to read the book as soon as possible! The way you describe the characters is incredible and it’s a skill I want to have, too! I’m really curious about the story and the plot twists! I’ll search for the books you recommended, maybe there are some copies available for my zone (Romania – Europe), most probably something online…
I’ll definitely stick around your blog and read some more reviews now that I have some free time on my hands :)
You’re doing a great job! Thanks!
Thanks Alex! (:
Wow, I’ve never met anyone from Romania before. o:
And it’s a shame that they don’t have Scarlet there. ):
Thanks for the compliment. ;D<3
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila Sales
Glad to know you enjoyed Scarlet! I loved this book too although I’m still waiting for my finished copy to arrive. ;_; I enjoyed how different Scarlet and Cinder are and it was interesting being in both their heads. Wolf was such a cutie pie too. :>
It’s also interesting to see how both Scarlet and Cinder can be friends even though they have very different personalities.
I know! I want a Wolf of my own. :D<3
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila Sales
Yayyy, reading your review made me so excited again! I love love love this book. It’s also very interesting that Marissa Meyer made sure that these characters wouldn’t outshine each other in the alternating chapters, because that was EXACTLY how I felt. (I got caught up in Cinder’s chapter, and then I was eager to read more about Scarlet at the same time.) That was one of the main things I liked about this book. You also reminded me that I need to read The Queen’s Army. Though I think that, based on the title, if I had read that before Scarlet, I wouldn’t have been as surprised as I was at all of the plot twists. (The wolves! It took me such a long time to realize what was happening haha. And also, the betrayal. Oh my god, SO GOOD.) Okay, I’ll stop before I start rambling about this book again. :)
Yeah, if you had read The Queen’s Army beforehand, you won’t be as surprised, but you’ll still be surprised like I was, especially on page 203.
And feel free to ramble on Judith. ;D
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila Sales
I just received this in the mail the other day for my birthday and I cannot wait to read this! I have heard nothing but great things about this series! I have not heard of The Queen’s Army, but I am going to try and get my hands on that also. Thank you so much for sharing your review! I cannot wait to start this series! LUCKY YOU MEETING MARISSA!
Ohh. That should be your best birthday ever Ashley! ;D
Don’t worry, The Queen’s Army is free. It should still be available somewhere online, try googling for it.
And yep, I feel very lucky! <3
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila Sales
Great review. I’m so excited to read this book that I can hardly wait.
Thank you! (:
And you’ll definitely love Scarlet!
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila Sales
I have been itching to get my hands on Scarlet! I have heard SO many awesome things about it and I will admit I still kinda sorta worry about if the sequel will impress me or not. But after every amazing review I’ve read, I’m so excited to get reading!
Don’t worry Alexis – Scarlet won’t disappoint you!
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila Sales
an amazing review. what i liked most that Meyer kept the base of red riding hood visible and kept Cinder connected in this too….. that was my only hesitation before i got it that Cinder and Kai wouldn’t be in there but thank god i didn’t speak true and we got the follow up of Cinder we were expecting.
do check out my review of the book too here
Le’ Grande Codex
Aparajita recently posted…Masque of the Red Death #2 Dance of the Red Death
I definitely liked how Marissa Meyer included Cinder and Scarlet into the same book without taking attention from each one of them.
Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [30]
I so agree with your review! Stayed up til’ midnight just so I can finish reading Scarlet and it was so worth it! I just felt sad about the decision of Kai about you know what. ;) I do hope we could have a lot of Kai & Cinder interaction in Cress. I love them both! And I can really feel their chemistry together. Eeeeeep! And I was actually surprised about the truth of Wolf’s identity. That was quite a shocker. I don’t think I can last for a year waiting for Cress. I need to read it now! >.<
Alyssa recently posted…Stacking the Shelves (8)
Yeah, why Kai, why?! -glares at the book-
I figured out Wolf’s story because I had already read The Queen’s Army. I just had to put all those clues together. ;D
You’re not alone Alyssa, I need Cress NOW!
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Wasteland – Susan Kim & Laurence Klavan
I am about midway through Scarlet right now and I love it. It is so obvious that Kai still has feelings for Cinder but is afraid that she may have tricked him with her Lunar powers! I just wish that they could be reunited ! Oh well I suppose I have to read more to find out! :)
Wait until you get to the end of Scarlet Morgan! The book will leave you completely stunned.
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: This Song Will Save Your Life – Leila Sales
Great review! I just read this book and loved it! I couldn’t put it down. I love Wolf and Scarlet a lot. I am excited to read Cress and see what happens next. <3
I know Cali! I need Cress, like, NOW.
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: How Setting Causes A Reading Slump
I definitely agree with the part about not having chapters that give a lot of focus to particular characters while one’s enjoying the part about another character in the book. Scarlet is definitely one of my favourite reads of all time! :D
You’re not the only one who agrees. ;D
Agreed! I feel like going on a Scarlet re-read as of now.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [52]
One of my favorites of the year!! so so good, Marissa is truly gifted, I love fairytales retellings but most of them are just “meh”, not this series though! can I ask you what you think of Kai? for me he’s the weakest link, I just can’t forgive what he did to Cinder! O_O
Yes yes yes! :D<3
Marissa Meyer is truly gifted. Fairytale retellings usually disappoint me, but not hers like you said. ;D
Ugh, Kai. Do you remember what he last said to Cinder in Cinder? I want Cinder to slap him for it. Just, ugh.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [53]
OMG THANK GODDNESS YOU AGREE WITH ME ON THE KAI SUBJECT KELLY (YAY I’M NOT ALONE), I wish he didn’t have those POVS in Scarlet, because that book is so perfect and that idiot ruins it a bit! It makes me so mad that Cinder will probably forgive him and they will get together, HE DOESN’T DESERVE HER. I wish with all my heart and soul that a new love interest for Cinder shows up in Cress, you know, someone who would NEVER look at her with disgust or would even dream of giving her away to a monster like Levana. I don’t remember what he said exactly (tell me!), but I can never forget how she fell down those stairs and how she was miserable and he just walked away disgusted. She went through hell to save him and he just walked away. My God, I hate him, can you tell?? xD
Yeah I can really tell you hate him Jen!
And Kai will probably end up with Cinder even though he treats her so badly. I mean, Darren treats Serena so terribly (although it’s justified because she is clueless) and Serena is still lovestruck.
And umm, I’m too lazy to grab my copy of Cinder downstairs and look up what he said. :P
I just know that it was degrading.
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer – Katie Alender
I loved Scarlet and Cinder, too. The publication date for Cress still seems like a long way away… :-(
Joy Weese Moll (@joyweesemoll) recently posted…Book Review: Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
I know! February 2014 needs to come here faster. ):
Kelly recently posted…Spooktacular Giveaway Hop
I have to agree with you about everything you wrote in this review, except I liked Cinder a lot when I first read it! Honestly, when I found out the second book in The Lunar Chronicles was going to be about a different character, Scarlet, in a completely different setting, France, I was worried about what was going to happen with Cinder. Like you said, I love how Ms. Meyer had a great balance between Cinder and Scarlet’s stories. She made it in a way that the readers are curious to know what happens to both characters; they’re not just waiting to finish one POV to get back to the more interesting one. I couldn’t be disappointed when one POV ended because I would be able to read what was going on with the other characters!
I also have to agree with the plot twists. I always like trying to predict what happens in books before I read it, and Wolf! When he first appeared I was already trying to guess who he is and if he was going to be on Scarlet’s side or betray her in the end, and throughout the book I was flip flopping between those two and basically had no idea whose side he’s going to end up on or who he really is. I love how unpredictable Scarlet was and I can’t wait to read Cress.
Anyways, I really enjoyed this review and look forward to reading more! :)