Winter (The Lunar Chronicles book #4) by Marissa Meyer

Title: Winter

                                                               Author: Marissa Meyer

                                                                   Published: November 10th 2015 by, Feiwel and Friends

                                                                   Series: The Lunar Chronicles

                                                                   Genre: Fiction, YA

                                                                   Stars: 5/5 

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?                                                       

Cinder (Cinderella): A cyborg mechanic, with a robotic hand and foot who falls in love with a prince called Kai.

Scarlet (Red Riding Hood): A spaceship pilot with a red hoodie who falls for a wild street fighter named Wolf.

Cress (Rapunzel): A brilliant hacker who meets the captain of her dreams named Captain Thorne (ha, I see what Marissa did there, clever woman).

Winter (Snow White): A beloved, scarred princess who is in love with her guard called Jacin, all the while dealing with her evil stepmother.

It is this group of eight mismatch fairy tale characters that ally together and form a team to save the kingdom from the evil Queen Levana who has shattered their dreams of a happily ever after before.

I have been waiting for this book for a very, very long time and let me tell you, it did not fail to provide the goods. The Lunar Chronicles series is one of my best book series ever and I just love how everything came together. Oh, there were numerous times where it seemed like the lovable characters were defeated but at the end, they truly did achieve their futuristic happily ever after. Click here to read book 1, 2 and 3.

Although, Winter is 824 pages long, you will finish this in no time. You will relish in all the romances, the plot twists and action. It was such a worthwhile wait! I just adore a series where there is mission and each book adds an additional character to the cause.

There are many things to applaud Marissa on and one of those things is that the book did not get confusing at all. There are nine main characters in this book (including Levana) and each of them, at some point in the book, have their own chapter, but Marissa made sure the book still kept to its clear plot line and that each character still had their own distinctive personalities. It did not blur together which I really, really liked.

Did you know that the story Cinderella was actually originated in China, The European version of Red Riding Hood was first published by a French writer and Rapunzel is a type of lettuce and so is Cress. It just shows that Marissa’s researches on the fairy tales were very good and it helped her write the prefect story line for all four books.  

The story opens with Princess Winter (Snow White), stepdaughter of Luna’s Queen Levana and the last edition to the gang. Known for her unfailing compassion and unparalleled beauty, Winter continues to lose her grip on reality as Lunar sickness pervades. Meanwhile, Cinder and the gang are ready for a revolution. Each of the characters have gone through some sort of struggle all by the hands of Levana and they are ready to get vengeance.  

The classic poison apple makes an appearance as well as the seven dwarfs (albeit not in a version you would think off). The ‘mirror, mirror on the wall’ does not however, make an appearance but with mirror being forbidden on Luna, it’s something we can write off.

Fans of the series will love every tension-filled second, as each character races toward their own happily ever after. Although each character goes their own way at the end, I really, really hope they stay in contact and meet more often than the supposed annual ball. I will truly miss this series and all the characters *sigh*. 

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles book #3) by Marissa Meyer

 Title: Cress

                                                                         Author: Marissa Meyer

                                                                     Published: February 4th 2014 by Feiwel & Friends

                                                                         Series: The Lunar Chronicles book #3

                                                                         Genre: YA books

                                                                         Stars: 4/5 stars

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned 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 just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

***THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS***

I loved every minute of Cress and I love how it just ties in with the first two books. Click here to read my review for Cinder and click here to read my review on Scarlet.

You would think that adding another main fairy tale character would, in a way, push the story line to go off track. But nope, the author does it justice by giving the right amount of time to each character.

The new character that we are introduced to is Cress. She reminds me so much of Rapunzel from the Disney film Tangled. In fact her relationship with Captain Thorne reminds me of the relationship between Rapunzel and Eugene! I think she such an adorable character and I loved it how the author made her very different from Cinder (who’s practical) and Scarlet (who’s strong). Such big fairy tale characters with very different personalities from each other.

Of course, we must not forget about Iko. She’s one of the most hilarious characters in the book....well her and Captain Thorne. Actually within this book we get to see a softer side to the Captain which made it all the more sweet reading about him and Cress.

I absolutely loved the relationships between each couple. They’re all just so different and unique from each other. Of course, my best relationship is the one between Cinder and Kai. Arghhh I just love the tension and desire between each other. Scarlet and Wolf’s relationship is one of hot, unthinkable passion and the relationship between Cress and Captain Thorne’s is one of friendship that would no doubt slowly  turn into something else. They’re taking the slow route (and there’s nothing wrong with that). I wonder what he’s going to think when his eyesight comes back.

The reason why I love this whole series is because the author portrays each fairy tale character (who is normally a damsel in distress) very strong. I love all these kick ass princesses/fairytales!

The main plot of this story is to stop the wedding between Queen Levana and King Kai and of course it’s like mission impossible. Each character has their own task to do and if anything disrupts that then the whole mission crumbles. It’s like an action movie and I LOVED it when all the characters came together to try and pull this through.

I also LOVED the last part when Kai found out who Cinder really was!!!! 

However, as with the other two books, there is a death in this one too. Even though I saw it coming, I really didn’t want it to happen. Nevertheless a little bit of tragedy does a book better......well most of the time.

All in all, this book was and the whole series so far have been awesome! I cannot wait to read about Winter (Snow White). Her character in this book has got me to liking her already! I wonder how she’s going to react when he finds out that Cinder is alive. 

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles book #2) by Marissa Meyer

  Title: Scarlet 

                                                                     Author: Marissa Meyer

                                                                     Pages: 454

                                                                     Published: February 5th 2013, by Penguin Group 

                                                                     Series: The Lunar Chronicles book #2

                                                                     Genre: Fantasy, YA

                                                                     Stars: 4/5

The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...

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.

***THIS REVIEW WILL CONTAIN NO SPOILERS***

Okay just hold on! Why on earth did I not read this series when it first came out?! I LOVED the first book of the Lunar Chronicles series and I’m IN LOVE with the second book; Scarlet! If you want to see my review for the first book Cinder click here.

Right, not that’s off my chest let’s get on with the review.

I really admired Scarlet, the main protagonist. She was a really gusty character for a small person and her hand held gun that she keeps at the back of her trousers was just another addition to her personality that served to strike her veryyy different from any other Red Riding Hood. She was just as hot headed as Cinder is.

On to Cinder, well I adored her just as much as I did in the first book. She’s going through a lot, processing a lot and not to mention trying to avoid being detected by a whole lot of people. Yet she copes reasonably well. She rocks!

Now on to the guys. The main guy here is called Wolf (haha so surprising) and at first he appears as a shy, awkward guy who can consume a ridiculous amount of food. However, as I delved more in the story, there’s more to this guy then what appears to the eye. He is tough and strong, there’s no question about it and of course that mostly has to do with his secret. But whenever he’s around Scarlet, he transforms into a shy little school boy. It’s quite sweet in fact and just shows the effect that Scarlet has on him.

I absolutely loved Captain Thorn’s personality!!! He reminded me sooo much of Flynn in Tangled (and guess what the third book is about....). He is absolutely hilarious, charming and was a lovely addition to the ever increasing cast (not that I’m complaining). I also loved the relationship between him and Cinder. Ahh, I just love the entire characters okay!!!

I loved the plot of this book. It fitted so well with the first book and you can see the unanswered questions left in the first book, being answered in this book. A lot of planning went into this entire series. I enjoyed reading about the role that Scarlet’s grandmother played in Cinder’s operation and learning about other juicy secrets that Scarlet’s grandmother had which automatically has an effect on Scarlet. Oh and Kai's small additions in the book was always good. 

I must say, reading the two perspectives of both Scarlet and Cinder and willing the part where both meet together to come faster was torture. It needed to come quicker but I did prefer it the way it was structured and written since it made it all the more enjoyable to read.

This book is just brilliant! 

Notable quotes/passages:

“Did you know that she was cyborg?” asked a woman in an unhidden tone of disgust.
Kai stared at her, appearing confused, then let his gaze dance over the crowd. He shuffled his feet
closer to the podium, a wrinkle forming on the bridge of his nose.
Cinder bit the inside of her cheek and braced herself for adamant disgust. Who would ever invite a
cyborg to the ball?
But instead, Kai said simply, “I don’t see that her being cyborg is relevant. Next question?”

Cinder’s metal fingers jolted.” 

“He gaped at the controls. "Why is my ship talking back to me?” 

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles book #1) by Marissa Meyer

                                               

 Title: Cinder

                                                                   Author: Marissa Meyer

                                                                   Pages: 387 

                                                                   Published: January 3rd 2013, by Penguin Group 

                                                                   Series: The Lunar Chronicles book #2

                                                                   Genre: YA

                                                                   Stars: 4/5 stars

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. 

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

                                             ***This review will contain no spoilers***

At first I was actually apprehensive when knowing about this book, it didn’t sound like my cup of tea. But I can assure you, Cinder was totally amazing and I am really glad I’ve read it J I’m now reading the second book, Scarlet.

So Cinder is basically based on the original fairy tale Cinderella, but obviously with twists and turns. It’s set in the future in New Beijing where androids and cyborg exists, Cinder being a cyborg. They are seen as the lowest of the rank starting from the humans.

I absolutely adored Cinder. I thought she was really brave and genuine. After her accident when she was little, she got turned into a cyborg in order to keep her alive but she hates it.  Mostly because she’s looked down on from the humans. She wants to be treated like a normally girl, but liked and go to the ball, but she doesn’t have that and instead just carries on her life as practically being a servant to her adopted family, mainly her adoptive mother and older adoptive sister. Despite everything that has happened to her, she has a strong backbone and I admire that of her.

I also liked Iko, who is an android, Cinder’s family so-called servant and most importantly Cinder’s friend. The reason why I liked her is because despite being a robot, she had a personality chip unlike any other android which made her act like a teenage girl, something that Cinder needed, being without any friends. She made the book lively.

Of course, we cannot exclude Prince, or King Kai. Such an adorable, down to earth guy and both he and 

Cinder suited perfectly.

I thought the whole plot was awesome, so different from the original story. I of course like the villain not being Cinder’s adoptive mother, but an actual queen from the moon planet (yes the moon is now a planet). The inhabitants living there are called Lunars and the majority of them have magic. They can control what people see, feel and do and they are kind of evil. They are very manipulative and cunning and now the Queen Levana (the villain and who control her own people to obey her, since they abhor her) once to control earth and its people. She sets out to get married to Kai.

Of course, Cinder gets in the way and many shocking juicy secrets reveal itself.

Now reading the second book, I can see how well Marissa planned this whole series, since there are things that she had mentioned in Cinder that made sense in the second book. And I’m pretty sure the things in the second book will make sense in the next two books to come. Ahhh, I love it when books are linked to one another.

I also love the fact that Marissa is using very big fairy tale characters together as an alliance. I think she’s doing it pretty well. The second book is about Red Riding Hood, the third book is about Rapunzal and the fourth book is about Snow White. 

All in all, an awesome book.

Notable quotes/passages:

“Even in the Future the Story Begins with Once Upon a Time.” 

“I know this is stupid, but part of me felt like if I could come see you today, if I could convince you to go with me tonight, then maybe I could still change things. It's dumb, I know. It's not like Levana cares if I, you know, might have actual feelings for someone.”