Cress
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: Lunar Chronicles #3
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopia, Retelling
Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Summary:
In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and prevent her army from invading Earth.
Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl trapped on a satellite since childhood who’s only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s being forced to work for Queen Levana, and she’s just received orders to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.
When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is splintered. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price than she’d ever expected. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai, especially the cyborg mechanic. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.
First Sentence: Her satellite made one full orbit around planet Earth every sixteen hours.
My Review:
Before I start my review, I have to give a huge thank you to Kierra at The Word Mineur for leading me her ARC of Cress. Thank you so much Kierra! You made my week! (Or my year. Either one.) I’m so happy I got a chance to read Cress early. I’ve been anxiously looking forward to reading Cress ever since I read Scarlet, especially when I read a preview of Cress when its gorgeous cover was revealed.
The beginning of Cress started a bit slow for me. The main reason why the beginning of Cress was a bit slow for me is because you automatically know from reading the summary of Cress that the plan to rescue Cress from her satellite doesn’t exactly succeed, so all the build-up to Cress’ rescue in the beginning of the book was tedious for me to read since I know what it’ll all eventually lead up to. I also read the preview that was offered for Cress online, which includes two chapters of the beginning of Cress before Cress’ actual escape. So basically, when I started reading the beginning of Cress, I already knew exactly what would happen until after the actual escape.
Because if there was one thing Cress knew about heroes, it was that they could not resist a damsel in distress.
And she was nothing if not in distress. (ARC 29)
A new character was introduced in Cress (I bet you guys can figure out who from just looking at the title of the book) – Cress. In the end, I don’t know how I feel about her exactly. Cress was such an adorable character at times, marveling over the blue sky and how green the trees are since she has never seen the outside world before because she was trapped in her satellite and in Lunar since her birth. However, Cress was also really gullible and innocent, having absolutely no knowledge of the outside world besides what she has seen on her telescreens. Cress is certainly unique; I love her coping method when things become too much for her: Cress pretends to be a famous actress, movie star, whatever, to gain some confidence in herself. Either way, in the end, it doesn’t matter whether I like Cress or not. I wanted Cress to be happy and not hurt throughout the book. She just grows on you.
And we can’t forget about the fabulous Captain Thorne! I didn’t really notice him or like him that much when he made his debut in the beginning of Scarlet, but in Cress, Thorne just shines. Captain Thorne is simply the star of the book. He had me chuckling throughout Cress (believe me, I tried to resist laughing, but couldn’t help but laugh anyway), making the book shine and stand out from the rest. Thorne definitely brightened up the book (and my mood) and Cress would be a totally different book without him in it.
The next part is a mild spoiler for Cress, unless you had read the sneak preview of Cress that was put up (I forgot when and where so I can’t find the link for you guys, sorry), so I’ll hide the next part. Highlight it if you want to read it.
[MILD] SPOILER: Reading that two chapter preview of Cress that was put up was basically torture. I wanted more Cress and Thorne together, eager to find out if they would become a couple. (Marissa Meyer, if you happen to be reading this, you know exactly what I want to happen! -wink wink-) You guys, the Cress and Throne moments in Cress were just so adorable! I was swooning all over them when Cress and Thorne were together – the chemistry was sizzling between them! Cress’ epic fantasies of her and Thorne together were also fun to read.
She forced herself to focus on Linh Cinder. Not on Carswell Thorne. If she only refrained from meeting his gaze again, she would manage. She would not fall apart. (ARC 44)
Remember how Cinder was a light and fun read while Scarlet was a bit darker with all those bloody fight scenes? Well, be prepared for Cress; things are much tougher and darker in Cress than in Cinder and Scarlet combined. There’s tons of more brainwashing, tons of more violence, and tons of more gore. People were losing body parts left and right (I’m sadly not exaggerating) – there was literally no safe moment for Cinder and her crew. Even though I often read really dark books because I like reading them, I couldn’t help but flinch from time to time while reading Cress. Some events in Cress were just that dark. And please Marissa Meyer, can you please stop torturing your characters, with the exception of the evil bad ones of course?
Sybil let out a screech of laughter, the most uncontained Cinder had ever heard her. “You have learned a few things since last we saw each other, haven’t you?” Sybil paced down the ramp. “Not that controlling a handful of guards is any impressive feat.” (ARC 479)
Some of the things I predicted earlier while I read Cinder and Scarlet that I thought would happen later on in the series did happen in Cress. It wasn’t surprising to me at all when those “big” reveals happened, but I still enjoyed reading Cress despite the correct predictions I made a book or two ago.
Overall, Cress is definitely a great sequel to Scarlet (although I personally do enjoy reading Scarlet more than I enjoyed reading Cress). In fact, the ending of Cress has me dying to get my hands on Winter. I need to know how Marissa Meyer will end the Lunar Chronicles series! (There better be a happily ever after for us. Just saying.)
I really loved Cress! I think this series gets better with each book and I can’t wait for Winter! I think Meyer is so good at creating group dynamics and dialog. So much love for this series. Great review Kelly :-)
Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted…Review of Red Rising by Pierce Brown
I loved Cress too, but sadly not as much as I loved Scarlet. :P
I can’t wait for Winter either! Too bad there won’t be any ARCs. ):
Marissa Meyer is definitely good at creating group dynamics – that’s one of the things I love about her books. :D
Thanks Kristen! (:
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Being Sloane Jacobs – Lauren Morrill
I can’t wait to read this one! This is my favorite series in quite some time. I am really looking forward to getting to know Cress and Thorne better. He was interesting in Scarlet, but we really didn’t get to really see him in it. In my head Cress is so innocent and perky and full of energy, so I am hoping she lives up to what I have pictured or even exceeds it. Great review!
Vyki @ On The Shelf recently posted…Truth or Dare (7)
In Cress, you’ll see A LOT of Thorne and love him even more like I did. I was totally like you – I could care less about Thorne in Scarlet, but in Cress, I LOVED him.
Cress is definitely innocent, perky, and full of energy. You’ll definitely love her Vyki! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Being Sloane Jacobs – Lauren Morrill
Great review! I love this series! I didn’t read the spoiler. I can’t wait to read this book. I love Cinder and Scarlet hopefully I fall in love with the new character as well. <3
Thanks Cali! :D
I love this series too and I can understand why you didn’t read the spoiler. ;D
I know you’ll just LOVE Cress Cali. :D
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Being Sloane Jacobs – Lauren Morrill
I can’t wait to read this book! I love Cinder and Marissa Meyer really knows how to retell fairy tale..February please come fast! Anyways,great review Kelly! =)
Nina recently posted…Bookish Resolution + January TBR!
Don’t worry, February is only a month away. ;D
Thanks Nina! (:
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Being Sloane Jacobs – Lauren Morrill
I am still DYING to read this. I’m a die-hard lunartic that just couldn’t get her hands on a copy of this book. Remember our twitter conversations? LOL. I don’t think I’ve read a single bad review of this book yet. I actually also MET Marissa Meyer so OMG she’s so cool and I’m going to start fangirling! I’m so excited for the release of this book and I’m still trying to get an ARC even though there really isn’t much of a point anymore.
– Nova
Nova @ Out of Time recently posted…Nova Rants: Book To Movie Adaptations
I’m actually surprised you don’t have this one Nova. I mean, you have SPLIT SECOND! (Yes, that has to be in all Caps.) :P
I met Marissa Meyer too and I was so nervous and mumbling, but she ignored my awkwardness and made me feel at ease. ;D
There is still a point – I have a weakness for the ARCs of Scarlet and Cress; I love their ARC design!
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Being Sloane Jacobs – Lauren Morrill
Can’t wait to read this! February cannot come soon enough!
Missie recently posted…The Amazing Lunar Chronicles – Scarlet
Don’t worry Missie, February is only a month away! ;D<3
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Being Sloane Jacobs – Lauren Morrill
I haven’t read any of these books yet, but I plan to. I love that they get darker throughout. That makes me even more excited to read Cinder, so I can get to Scarlet and Cress. This sounds like such a good book!
-gasp- You haven’t read Cinder and Scarlet yet? You’ve got to change that asap! I’ve been book pushing to my real life friend. ;D
The Lunar Chronicles definitely get darker throughout the series. I have a feeling it’ll be even darker in Winter.
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: Being Sloane Jacobs – Lauren Morrill
GAH, I really need to read this series, don’t I? I think I have a copy of Cinder somewhere. It seems everyone loves this series, and that it gets progressively better with each book, so that’s exciting. Looking forward to finally getting around to reading Cinder. May 2014 be the year of Cinder for me!
Blythe Harris recently posted…Review: Avalon by Mindee Arnett
You really have to read this series! I’ve been bugging my friend to read it too – like you said, each book in the series gets better and you really can’t just not read it!
Kelly recently posted…Book Review: The DUFF – Kody Keplinger
OMG! That was an amazing review. So ready for Cress! Ahhhh! 26 days of torture left!
Monique Morris recently posted…Self promotion and I
I haven’t started this series yet but I really need to!! I love the cover of this book and the whole series. Thank you for the review!
I love this series *.* But I have to wait a little for this one because in Portugal it will be release (probably) in the last months of 2014 =(
Patrícia @ Chaise Longue recently posted…Momento da Semana Harry Potter #7
Cress! I really can’t wait to get my hands on this one soon! From your review and a few others I’ve read, Cress and Thorne’s relationship seems to give of a similar vibe as Rapunzel & Flynn/Eugene’s in Tangled (the movie). Since I loved Tangled, I hope I would love the romance aspect of Cress too! As for expecting gorey scenes in Cress, I got to admit it took a little by surprise because for some inexplicable reason, I thought it would be a slightly more fun and fluffy story than Cinder & Cress. Great review, Kelly!
Adelena @ A Page of Heaven recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday (#9)
So far I have absolutely loved this series. This was the first installment that I didn’t read an ARC for. You cannot imagine how excited I am. I absolutely ADORE re-tellings. Snow White is my favorite so I’m especially eager for Winter. I’m sure I’ll love this as well!
I absolutely adored Cress (both the book and character), and I agree that Thorne was the star. I, too, hardly noticed him in Scarlet, but after Cress, I’ve decided that he will be my fictional boyfriend and we will get married and live happily ever after. (Sorry, Cress.) Winter is too far away now!
JB recently posted…#CelebrateCress Day 3: Lunar Chronicles Dream Cast
Okay, so I’ll confess, I totally did not read any part of this post – other than the last paragraph and the rating. Why did I do that? Because I still need to read Cinder! I will forever rue the day I didn’t pick it up at the library Dx Now I have no idea when I’ll be able to go back and get it :/
It just seems so interesting – a sci-fi version of a fairy tale? Hello, count me in! That’s two of my favorite things – COMBINED. I’m not entirely a fan of Cinderella, so I’m super interested to see what Cinder is all about. And then take it from there. Glad you liked it :D and that you got to read it early! I can only imagine how exciting that must have been! I hate waiting for the next book in a series D:
Joanna V recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday
I’M SO HAPPY YOU LIKED IT! I know you liked Scarlet more but in my opinion, Cress has so much more going on and I loved it so much that I finished the book in one day. I’m kinda upset that the release date for Winter was pushed back to November 2015 but I guess I’ll have to do with the companion novel (??) Meyer will be publishing early next year which is supposed to be about Levana.
A recently posted…KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR WHAT’S COMING