There may be spoilers if you haven't read Cress or Scarlet yet - proceed with caution!
Why Did I Pick It Up:
The previous two books, Cinder and Scarlet, were utterly brilliant, I couldn't NOT read this one ;) I recommend this series so much people have started telling me I've already told them about it.
The Good:
Where do I start? At the end of the last book I actually wanted Cinder to end up with Captain Thorne. I actually liked his pompous attitude and jerkiness. However, at the start of this book we meet Cress, a poor girl locked in a satellite all alone doing whatever her-jerky-lunar-highness bids. Cress is totally fan-girling all over Throne. Which is funny, because he is a jerk and doesn't get it, or maybe doesn't care. I'm not giving anything away, this is all like the first chapter. There are two things I really love about Meyer's books: 1. Although they are all kinda the same thing, the stories are totally different and the characters are absolutely unique and so real. 2. I can't decide if these are love stories where they go on adventures or adventure stories where people fall in love (which is a good thing, the heavy-handed YA author is never my favorite).
The Bad:
I don't want to say anything bad. I guess what I don't like is that someone who is totally trusted turns on someone else (is that vague enough for you) - but, if I were totally honest, that is what makes stories good.
The Ugly:
It ends. That is what is terrible about this. It is too short and it ends. When is Winter coming out? Not until Feburary 2015? I might die a sad fangirl death.
Who will love this book?
If you like to read, you'll like this. Okay, that isn't a good recommendation. If you've liked the first two, you'll like this. If you like YA Romance, you'll like this. If you like a fairy-tale retelling, you'll like this. Don't tell me if you don't like this - because then we can't be friends.
How much did I like it? 9.5/10 (too short)
Will I read more?
I'm counting down the days to Winter (this is not a Game of Thrones reference).
It was the perfect way to start my sick day (hey, if I have to be dying in bed, I may as well get to read something!) and I hope you enjoy it as well.
My feelings? Obviously you can't write a review from the first chapter (otherwise I'd say the detail was shallow - if fleshed out completely I'd say it was too wordy, you understand, I'm just never happy). The first lines are captivating. The ten-year-old-self is creepy (in a good way, I think). Oh, and her name, I love her name ... but no more spoilers, go read it!
That last sentence? What is it? What does it mean? Why isn't this going to be released until Feb 4, 2014. I'd like it now. Please?!? Comment below!!
Well, here is some YA News for you that will probably have you freaking out too :)
1. Did you read Ransom Riggs' "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children"? You didn't. Oh, heavens no! Go get it right now. Seriously, don't wait because the line at the library will soon be SOOO long. Why? Right, my point, they are making it into a movie. This book has the awesomeness of the X-Men and avoids all the right cliches by adding family mystery, adventure, and danger the likes that you don't expect. Who is good, who is evil. Seriously, read it now.
Even better than them making it a movie? They have Tim Burton (yes TIM BURTON) as the director of this creepy tale. I couldn't have chosen someone better if given the responsibility. Now, as long as they cast it well (please don't cast someone known to be Miss Peregrine, please!), this movie is sure to rock our socks of ... July 15 2015.
2. If that wasn't great news enough for this book - they are making a sequel (Hollow City) and there is a sneak peak at one of the creepy pictures!!
This second novel begins in 1940, right after the first book ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine’s island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends flee to London, the peculiar capital of the world. There, they encounter a dangerous madman named Caul, who also happens to be Miss Peregrine’s brother. Caul has discovered a way to rob Peculiars of their abilities and steal them for himself—and it will take all of Jacob’s efforts to save his friends from certain extinction.
Complete with dozens of newly discovered (and thoroughly creepy) vintage photographs, this new adventure will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.
3) If you've been paying attention you know that I really, really like the Lunar Chronicles. I've read (and Reviewed) Cinder and Scarlet. Cinder was actually the very first book I reviewed here on the blog. Well, Marissa Meyer is writing away and a sneak peek of Cress, the Rapunzel story we are all awaiting, will be available shortly! Check out the Facebook page to stay updated. In the mean time, read the short prequels to Cinder (The Queen's Army) and Scarlet (Glitches).
By the way, Marissa Meyer, I wouldn't mind a post-story to what happens with Scarlet. Crossing my fingers that we will see more of her in Cress!
Marissa Meyer is awesome (as if we didn't already know) and responded to my statement via Twitter
4. This isn't really new news, but if you liked Shadow and Bone, you can read the first five chapters of the upcoming Storm and Seige from Leigh Bardugo. You do have to have some kind of reader to read this one, but I hadn't seen that was out yet and am excited to dig in!
Two things. First, I haven't read a book in over a month. Second, anything Little Red Riding Hood related catches my attention. Wait, three things, third - I really, really, loved Cinder (it was my first review here on Lizz the Librarian!)
I started the story to be slightly disappointed that Cinder wasn't a part of the first chapter or two, but I so quickly loved Scarlet's character that I when Cinder did have a chapter, I found myself impatiently awaiting Scarlet's return.
The character of "Wolf" (the name is totally heavy handed) was charming before we even meet him. Emile's description made me instantly want him to be the love interest of Scarlet. Laughably I was only about twenty pages into the book. However, YA books aren't known for their deep and unpredictable plot lines.
Monday, April 22
Here is the thing I love about YA fiction - there is this tease that is so much better than the real thing. You know how two characters can spend five pages building up to that perfect moment ... and then it doesn't happen? Well, that is much better than the first kiss, every time!
Tuesday, April 23
I was anxious to get off work and home to my book. That is almost a joke, except I'm totally serious. The ending was perfect! The characters, after spending so much time not doing what I wanted them to do, finally came around and made me happy. Meyer has really intrigued me with her fairytale turned dystopian YA novel style and I am so anxious for the last book in this series that I friended the series on Facebook for some more information. Turns out the next book doesn't come out until 2014 and is entitled "Cress". The brief description on GoodReads says that it will be about Cinder and Rapunzel. Um, excuse me? What about Scarlet? What about Wolf? What about the characters I'm REALLY involved with right now????
This isn't the best book trailer, and the guy's voice isn't deep enough for a voice over, but here ya go!
Character Review (minor spoilers, but not plot spoilers)::
Scarlet: This girl is no nonsense! She isn't going to let anyone push her around. She knows her name is heavy handed because of her red hair and she wears a ratty red hoodie her grandmother gave her. I wish that red hoodie had played into the story a little, but it didn't. Her grandmother is missing and she still continues on with life until a man who is unlike anything else falls into it. I felt that Scarlet went from naive to not so naive really quickly, but since I'm not quite sure about her age, maybe this was a natural progression.
Wolf: I'm fanning myself as I write about him. The man is shy, sweet, strong, and sexy. His animal instincts are pretty much the only thing that can scare Scarlet. Now, before this starts sounding like a Harlequin Romance Novel, let me just say that this book is all about the tease. In 400 and something pages there is a total of three kisses from any character pairing. But Wolf, I wouldn't mind him feeling the need to save me at any point in time. I loved how Meyer was able to balance the animal instincts with his innate tenderness. He was sweet and terrifying all at the same time.
Cinder: The girl is back and she is not going to let anyone keep her down. After escaping from prison (obviously she wasn't going to spend the whole book in a prison cell) she goes on a hero's mission with a half-pathetic accomplice in tow. I love how human she is, how she is loyal to her friends and wants to maintain her humanity, even though she knows it wasn't ever there to begin with. Although 65% of the book is dedicated to Scarlet and Wolf, Cinder's story moves along seamlessly.
Thorne: First, his name is Thorne, which makes me thing that he has to be Sleeping Beauty's Prince Charming. However, Sleeping Beauty doesn't even have a book announced, so I may be wrong. Well, Cinder stumbles across him while trying to escape prison, interrupting his perusal of inappropriate pictures. Even though he is winey and overly confident (I'm being nice here), he really does help Cinder in ways that she couldn't have done without. One review describes him as her Han Solo and I think that is pretty apt. A girl as strong as Cinder (or Princess Leia) can balance out a guy like this. Unlike Han Solo, Thorne doesn't make a move, leaving our current Cinder/Kai pairing intact.
Kai: This Prince, excuse me, Emperor, is a huge disappointment in this whole story. Doesn't he remember Cinder at all? He barely seems conflicted when ordering her recapture, is disappointed when they can't turn her over to the Lunars, then he seems to just give up on everything he once stood for. He isn't winey like Thorne, he is just pathetic and weak. Even though I loved their story in the first book, I find myself hoping that Cinder falls for Throne instead.
Thorne cracks me up in his picture ... and I imagined Scarlet's hair longer ...
So, Cinder is a modern/dystopian tale about a Cyborg girl (think Cinderella), a gifted mechanic who can almost fake being a "real girl". I'm only two chapters in - so this post will be updated soon with some more juicy tidbits :)
March 29th
The book got exciting enough that it was hard to put down last night. There is this illness that is uncontrolled, the Prince is throwing a ball ... and Cinder has already met him. I have to get back to reading.
March 30th
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a book I randomly picked up got good enough for me to stay up until 2:00 in the morning reading it. This is a book I would recommend to someone who likes a fairy tale or girly adventure story - it was intriguing, had plot twists, characters I really liked, and was honestly exciting. The only drawback was that the ending leaves you hanging and trying to figure out when the next book comes out (not for a bit, I can't find a specific date).
In the mean time, check out Merissa Meyer's blog, which is stocked full of writing tips, thoughts on the Cinder series, and books she is reading.
