Scarlet – Marissa Meyer

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Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian,
Romance, Science Fiction
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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 for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Scarlet Benoit

Based on Little Red Riding Hood, Scarlet is anything but meek and mild! Fiery and determined, Scarlet is trying to find her missing grandmother and she will stop at nothing to safely return her home.

Having been raised by her grandmother Scarlet knows that Michelle Benoit didn’t just up and leave, no matter what the police think.
It doesn’t matter that she left her ID chip behind, she just wouldn’t leave the farm!
Two weeks without any leads and Scarlet is ready to take in into her own hands.

It takes Scarlet by surprise when her father turns up, the man that had abandoned her years earlier. Raving about being held prisoner and tortured to find out what her grandmother knows. He can only remember a tattoo on the torturers arm, one that Scarlet has seen before… Could the strange street fighter she just met, known only as wolf, be able to help her?

Wolf

Scarlet meets Wolf in the midst of her grandmothers disappearance, a mysterious street fighter with an even more mysterious past. How can someone seem to know nothing about the world, never having eaten tomatoes or carrots before? Wolf is not forthcoming in his past, but he intends on helping Scarlet to locate her grandmother. Perhaps Scarlet can learn more about him as their adventure unravels?
Scarlet must face the question, what is Wolf was involved?…

Cinder

*Spoiler for Cinder book, if you haven’t read it see my review here

Cinder is on the run, after being outed as a cyborg and a lunar on live television, Queen Levana wants her and will stop at nothing to find Cinder. Using Cinders escape to try and force Emperor Kai to be her husband, Queen Levana means war! With fellow prisoner Captain Thorne to assist, Cinder needs to get to the bottom of the rumours regarding Princess Selene’s survival, is she still alive? The true heir to the Lunar throne, she would have a claim against her aunt Levana. Cinder believes that Michelle Benoit may have some answers and sets out to find them. Using her newly discovered Lunar skills, can she remain in hiding?

Behind the Scenes

Android to the Linh family and Cinders best friend, Iko is Marissa Meyers favourite character to write.

Final Thoughts

I read this in a weekend! The slow build of the relationship between Scarlet and Wolf is such a fun ride. Finding out more of Wolf’s past juxtaposed against Scarlet’s openness works so well, and keeps you entertained.
Where Cinder loosely followed the Cinderella story (more subtle nods towards the fairy tale), Scarlet takes Little Red Riding Hood and flips it entirely on its head!
I cannot recommend this series any higher, and can’t wait to start the next book.

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