SOPHIE LI

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.

I liked the main characters, Scarlet and Wolf, who had great chemistry and had me cheering them on until the very end. Part of what drove me to read to the very last page was because I really wanted to see what happened to this pair!

I liked the plot twist towards the second half of the book. It might just be me but… I really didn’t see it coming!! (Although in hindsight… I think I should have???)

I liked how the plot points fit together very nicely. The new plot elements that were introduced towards the second half of this book were not completely out of the blue; they had been brewing ever since the first book. It was fun to play detective work and figure things out alongside Scarlet.

When I started this book, one of my worries was that there would be less focus on Cinder and Prince Kai… but thankfully there was a big chunk of the book that built on the overarching plot that centred on Cinder! I was glad to see more of the original MCs.

The worldbuilding was phenomenal. I am continually impressed by this series!

The first half of the book, in my opinion, was pretty slow-moving, although things really kicked into gear towards the second half. As a result I spent 2 weeks reading the first half, but finished the second half in two days (or was it one?? haha.)

There was a lot of new information presented at one point (towards the second half) and which I would’ve wanted to see spread out more.

4/5 fishies!

Scarlet was a wonderful sequel to Cinder. I loved the character chemistry and the plot twists; as well as seeing the return of the original MCs and seeing the overarching plot-line advance in this second book.

Did you read The Lunar Chronicles? What are some of your favourite YA fantasy or sci-fi series?

Photo by Sasha • Stories on Unsplash