Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

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Publication: 2013

# of Pages: 452

Source: Book-A-Million, Purchased Copy

Favorite Quotes:

• "I don't think her being a cyborg is relevant." 
• "I think I realized I would rather die because I betrayed them, than live because I betrayed you." 
• "It would easy to abuse a person when they never recognized it as abuse." 

Goodreads Summary/Blurb: 

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out prison--even though is she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive. 

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out that there are nay 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. 

My Review/Thoughts: 

With the continuation of her fabulous fairy-tale re-telling, Marissa Meyer brilliantly introduces us to several new characters that are representatives of Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. She once again is able to capture the beautiful essence of a futuristic fairy-tale. 

What was most interesting about this was Meyer's ability to continue the fast pace plot line that was in the initial book. Unlike the first book, Cinder, Scarlet was able to provide the reader with a greater amount of plot development and action. We are actually permitted to see battle and combat among the characters and the designated villains. We actually get to see how big of an influence Cinder's background has on all the characters. In fact, she does not even really understand the power of influence she has being designated the missing Princess Selene. And with that lack of understanding Cinder is made more human. She didn't ask for that heritage or lineage, yet now it is a reality she must face and cope with. In addition to the plot development, Meyer was able to effectively weave the stories of Cinder and Scarlet into a captivating fairy-tale. I truly adored the fact that Meyer created two female heroines. It is not often that you see a female heroine in a lot of literature let alone two. And with the creation of these two heroines, Meyer paves the way for future female heroines. Once again I was given insight to the beautiful creativity of Meyer's writing and her ability to put a futuristic spin on classic fairy-tales. 

One criticism I do have of this novel is the relationship between Wolf and Scarlet. I'm not a huge fan of "insta-love" and I must admit that is the perfect description for the romantic situation aligned with these two characters. Meyer should have taken a little more time to develop their relationship and allowed them the opportunity to get to know each other especially with Wolf's background as a Lunar. No relationship in real life develops that quickly and although this is a fictional tale I do not think it gives younger reading audiences the best impression. 

Nevertheless, I found this novel just as captivating as the first with all its creativity and beauty. Once again the boundaries of fairy-tale re-telling's are being pushed to the limit. I cannot wait to step into the rest of her novels. 

Rating: 4.5/5