Scarlet

I read [b:Cinder|11235712|Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1)|Marissa Meyer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388186881s/11235712.jpg|15545385] last year and quite enjoyed it, it’s taken a year to get around to the sequel and I really wish I’d read it sooner. I enjoyed Scarlet much more than Cinder with the elements that annoyed me a little in the first gone, some great new characters and a better paced plot. I couldn’t put it down!

The clue is in the title, Scarlet is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood but we still check in with what Cinder is up to escaping from her prison cell following the events of the ball at the end of the last book. Scarlet is a farm girl from France who is on a mission to find out what happened to her show more missing Grandmother, and she is aided by a mysterious young man named Wolf. This story fleshes out some more of Cinder’s background too.

I loved Scarlet! She’s gutsy and sassy and she goes for what she wants. Wolf was a bit less well developed but I just mainly enjoyed the fact that in my head he looked like Channing Tatum (thanks to the masterpiece that is Jupiter Ascending, wolven genetic enhancements mean Tatum in my brain). Cinder I also found much more impressive in this book at taking charge and getting stuff done, and I love the idea of her new go-go-gadget hand. Space Rogue (criminal) “Captain” Thorne was also a lot of fun in a crapper version of Han Solo kind of way. Prince Kai gets a few chapters too to keep us up to date on the political situation but he’s still so dull.

It is a much more action packed novel with fights, space ships, genetically engineered wolf-men, and Cinder’s new found lunar powers. The whole thing is kind of a riot and I loved it. It’s silly and bonkers but it’s a science-fiction fairy tale and I loved it. It is a year since I read Cinder but I felt like Meyer’s writing had improved too, and her world is expanding to feel much better fleshed out and believable.
I need to get my hands on Cress somehow! From the cover I’m guessing this will be Rapunzel. show less

Summary: Scarlet Benoit grew up wither her grandmother on a farm in France. Now her grandmother's gone missing, and no one seems to care… no one except Wolf. He's a hardened street fighter, but Scarlet can sense there's more to him than just his tough exterior. She's drawn to him, but she doesn't trust him, because she knows that there's something - maybe a lot of things - that he's not telling her. But she might not have any choice but to trust him, especially since he has information that might help her find her grandmother. Their journey to Paris is dangerous - and it becomes even more so when they encounter Cinder, freshly broken out of prison, and determined to find out more about her origins… something that will become show more important if she's going to stop the evil Lunar Queen Levana from conquering the world.

Review: Even though I didn't like Scarlet *quite* as much as Cinder, this series continues to be imaginative, fast-paced, and fun. I always enjoy fairy tale retelling, so I went in to this one expecting to enjoy it, especially since I've read some really darkly fascinating takes on Little Red Riding Hood before (“Little Red” by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple, and "Red Riding-Hood’s Child" by N. K. Jemisin). (Confession time: I had picked this book up AFTER I had read Cinder and knew that these books were retold fairytales. I saw the words "Scarlet" and "Wolf" and "Grandmother" all over the back cover, and had looked at the giant swath of red fabric on the front cover. And yet, it somehow totally failed to click in my brain that this was Little Red Riding Hood until someone in my book club mentioned it an hour or so later. Whoops! I totally got that Cress was Rapunzel all on my own, though.)

Anyways, this book uses those elements of the fairy tale, the wolf who is not what he appears to be and the red hoodie and the grandmother in danger, but I felt like otherwise it didn't stick particularly close to the story of the fairy tale - not in the same way that Cinder did, for sure. That's okay - I can appreciate thematic similarities as well as plot similarities - but the fact that it was striking out on its own for a fair bit of the story meant that I didn't often get the same little thrill of recognition as when Cinder's cyborg foot falls off on the steps of the palace. The story it tells, though, is an interesting one, and even though I figured out a fair bit of what was going on well ahead of the characters, I still enjoyed the ride. I liked Scarlet as a heroine, and I liked Wolf quite a bit - he's got some interesting depth to his character that makes him very sympathetic, and while their relationship seemed a little contrived at first, I was on board by the end. (Confession time again: I couldn't help but picture Wolf as Hugh Jackman in full beefed-up superhero mode (including the sideburns) even though that's not how he's described. But I have to say… it didn't hurt.) Cinder's chapters were also good fun - Thorne's an interesting new addition, and I was happy to see the return of Iko - and Meyer handled the interweaving of Scarlet's and Cinder's stories quite neatly.

Overall, while this book is neither Serious Literature nor quite as good as its predecessor, it's still interesting and fun and an easy read with some imaginative sci-fi twists on familiar fairy tales. 4 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: Even though Scarlet's storyline is (largely but not entirely) independent of Cinder's, so much of the worldbuilding and the motivation for this story comes from the first book that they should be read in order. The series as a whole should definitely appeal to people who like YA sci-fi and/or retold fairy tales. show less

I am amazed at how Meyer is taking the tropes from Cinderella and now Little Red Riding Hood and reworking them as good science fiction and YA novels. The dimensionality she is giving the characters, the complexity she is weaving into the story, the humor and pathos she is imparting are all so much more than I had expected from the original premise. Anyone who dismisses this series because it is being marketed as a YA novel is cheating themselves of a wonderful experience.

I almost NEVER buy books full price because as a university student it's just not in the budget. BUT AFTER THAT AWFUL CLIFFHANGER IN BOOK ONE I COULDN'T LEAVE THIS BOOK ON THE SHELF! I mean, I did get a good sale on the book BUT I STILL BOUGHT IT FROM A FANCY SMANCY BOOK STORE!

So, dear Marissa Meyer, you have crafted an excellent story that forced a university student to find the money in her budget to continue this series. ONLY FOR YOU TO LEAVE IT ON ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER AND I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD DO THIS TO ME. Since this time, it's not in the budget to get the next book. So, poor little me is going to be waiting and waiting until I can find this book on sale somewhere.

UGH.

This book is absolutely delightful, despite my epic rant. I show more think Marissa Meyer has crafted a wonderfully epic story that is packed full of wild, fairy tales! Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, the Wolf and a Han Solo-esque man have made me fall in love with this book more than I did for the first novel! It's a rare feat in my reading world, so someone give Marissa ALL of the awards! Okay?!

This book continues on with Cinder's story but we also have another character, Scarlett (Red Riding Hood) to follow along with two. Their stories intertwine near the end and make for one epic finale (not a finale for the whole series, just this book - calm down epic readers! We've got two more books to go!).

I really enjoyed Scarlett and Wolf, especially the twist on the typical Big, Bad Wolf story. I thought they were quite cute and reminded me of a Leia meets Han Solo vibe (I love Star Wars too, I think Marissa and I would make great Star Wars buddies). Also throwing in our Captain Thorne who gives SERIOUS Han Solo vibes... Yep, this woman has crafted a story made for me! Why in the world did I wait so long to pick up this book?!

If I had one negative in this book, it was that Cinder and Prince Kai don't get to interact. I was really hoping for a reunion but I don't think we'll be seeing one until the next book. I really liked their interactions in the first novel and their relationship, but such is life... Cliffhangers galore.

I didn't exactly see this ending coming, but I did have a good guess. I still really enjoyed it despite there being a few predictable parts of this book. I honestly haven't loved YA this much in a while. I got tired of the tropes and predictable lines, but Marissa has sparked my love for YA and fairy tales all over again. We need authors like her who make these amazing stories that any age can love. Just because it's in the YA aisle doesn't mean it's only for Young Adults (I mean... I'm a Young Adult still, but I tend to move towards the adult aisles more).

This book is all around great! Pre-teens, teenagers and adults alike will love this book! There are some rougher scenes so I'd put this in the PG folder, but I think this would make a great book for parent and child bonding time. Because, why not?

Overall, I loved this book! I seriously needed to continue this series and I'm a little frustrated and flustered that I'm going to have to wait until I find Cress and Winter.

Five out of five stars! Heck, give it six or seven! I love this book! I hate when authors make me love books this much, I'm an impatient person and I don't want to wait! show less

I liked Cinder. I didn't like Scarlet nearly as much. There are too many questions, too many instances where the background doesn't make sense. The questions and logical inconsistencies became distracting early in the book and were never resolved.

Lots of little things bother me about this book. A major antagonist and political force comes from the moon and several scenes in the book occur in orbit, but gravity never seems to be an issue. Everyone and everything is always firmly fixed to the floor. Rather than being weakened by a life in the moon's very low gravity the lunar soldiers are freakishly strong. Small-time French vegetable farmers have space-ships, but somehow popping into earth orbit is enough to escape the military of a show more nation controlling 1/5th of the planet. Why does the general store in a tiny french town stock space-ship parts? How is it that space ships are cheap enough to be owned by French vegetable farmers, but aren't available in quantity to defend against enemies on the moon or search for the earth's most wanted criminal? Why does the French mag-lev train of the future seem to take longer and to have fewer safety features than the current high-speed train? If every human on the planet has a computer chip implanted in their arm, why is there such vehement hatred of cyborgs?

There are so many questions about the moon and the lunars! Why aren't more of them escaping to earth to set up their own cults and petty kingdoms using their mental powers? How does the moon manage to pose a credible military threat to the earth? It seems unlikely given the difference in size and resources, even if lunars have psychic powers.

The Scarlet-Wolf romance is doesn't make much sense to me. He is a big, genetically modified commando with soulful eyes who somehow wins Scarlet over despite 1) being a bit of a mutant, 2) being a Soldier for an evil empire, 3) being part of the group that kidnaps, tortures, and murders her beloved grandmother (and less beloved father), 4) repeatedly misleading her about the preceding items, and 5) being a bit creepy and feely about her hair. I know, its the big soulful eyes and his good heart, but this goes from 0 to true love in under 72 hours. I don't get it.

The secret lunar weapon is werewolves? Yes, there is the moon-werewolf connection, but it doesn't seem a practical military instrument. Also, how are tiny numbers of these werewolves inflicting devastating casualties on a technically advanced society when an elite pack is taken out by a pair of teen girls? I'm not knocking teen girls, they can be really tough, but if your commandos can't take one out in a head on fight then you have some problems.

My daughter likes the series, so I will slog through the rest, but its not one of my favorites. show less

Glorious and gorgeous. I have to admit, I was leery. We met a complicated and complex network of characters and a whole new world in Cinder, and I was incredibly skeptical (even with 'The Queens Army') that the author was going to focus on a brand new double team set of protagonists. Especially after such a slam dunk with Cinder and Kai. I will now promptly eat every single on of my doubts and words.

This book was amazing. Scarlet is definitely her own person from the first second she steps on to the page. She has her own way of doing things, feelings things, taking charge, and making decisions, that is entirely her own. She set apart, and cut from a completely different cloth nothing like Cinder. And how she ends up running into 'The show more Big Bad Wolf' (as shown originally from 'The Queen's Army') was beautiful and amazing. Their relationship is complicated, and it only complicates more for each of them as it goes.

And then, just when you think it can't get any better, suddenly we get chapters from even more characters. Kai dealing with the fall out of the ball and Cinder in the midst of her escape, while being saddled with her own brand new character, Thorne, who is brash and very blunt. He makes such an intriguing person to bounce off Cinder, who is no longer simply a very put upon mechanic with a terrible home life. I have to give the author massive props. Book one set up an amazing romance, and in book two, those two character do not get to interact with each other. They don't even effect each other by proxy until one announcement at the end.

This such a brave, ballsy thing, I could not help but want to start jumping up and down about it. Because book one is all about Cinder figuring out who she was. And Book Two is that very confusing land where she's trying to figure out what she found our two-to-five days ago, and what the hell to do with it. Whether she wants to. Whether she has to. And I love that this is not shoved aside for any other character, even her 'Prince Charming.' It's an amazing brave and great step, and it makes me so much more excited to see where we will go.

What will happen to Scarlet & The Wolf, to Kai & The Queen, to Cinder & Thorne. (Also! To one other person in all those that I can't quite mention without it being a spoiler. But look for the return of a familiar "face" in Cinder's chapters, who is bound to bring a few smiles several different times.) I honestly will be holding out with such love for all the next books, and can not wait to meet Rapunzel and Snow White now.

Consider me blown away, sock knocked off, and at your feet waiting for more, Ms. Meyer. Bravi, indeed. show less

This is me putting my responsible adult hat on! It’s rare, so I’m obviously serious.

I’ve decided not to rate Scarlet, because I have a huge objection to part of it’s contents in relation to it’s recommended reading age. This book is rated from ages 11 or 12 and up (depending on when you look), which gives me a major cause for concern. Maybe it’s because when I was a psychologist I was privy to some pretty horrendous abuse cases that contained dialogue similar to “It’s ok, I am helping them be a better person” or “they’re a good person, they just sometimes lose control” or “they feel bad afterward”, but the Scarlet and Wolf ‘romance’ in this book sent chills down my spine. And not in the ‘oh, that’s so show more sweet and sexy!’ kind of way. It was in the, ‘you said this was appropriate for an 11 year old!?’ kind of way ..

Here’s why..

spoiler:

Here’s Scarlet, portrayed as a strong and resilient young woman.

Here’s Wolf, a liar, torturer and killer. We feel sad for him because of the forlorn looks he gets in his eyes. He’s not happy about what he does, but he can’t help himself.

She watches him try to kill two people. He lies to her repeatedly. Two minutes later – They fall in lust. Then he tries to kill her. But, she still trusts him because of the forlorn looks and he feels bad for trying to rip out her throat.

He says “but if you give me the chance.. All I want to do is protect you. To be near you. For as long as I am able” because apparently his love for her might be stronger than his urge to mutilate her.. Maybe?

She says “I sort of like that” as she beams and gets gushy whilst holding hands over antipasto.

End spoiler.

How is that sentiment ok for 11 year olds to absorb?

I’m sorry, but my conscious says it’s not, it’s not really even ok for some adults obviously.

It is Fantasy, absolutely, but anybody who’s taken a 1st year psychology lecture can tell you that abstract reasoning and thinking doesn’t kick in fully until 15 to 20 years of age. Kids do not think like adults, but they do absorb and retain information better. Fantasy and reality are not always separate entities at that age. If you are going to write in that sort of story line, give it consequences at least! You’ve basically just said “you tried to kill me, but I love, you, so hopefully it doesn’t happen again” is a romantic scenario, to a person that can’t necessarily discern that in reality, it would be horrific.

Up the age bracket to at least 15 and I’ll think about reconsidering things.

Look, I’ve seen too much maybe, but what I have seen is people end up scarred psychologically/physically for life, or gods forbid dead, because we don’t take this sort of thing seriously enough. It’s far from bloody romantic when you see the reality.

If you have concerns about your child’s ability to make solid, conscious and discerning decisions when dealing with romantic relationships (or what they read!), please find them something else to read. There are plenty of awesome YA novels out there that deal with these types of situations with the proper respect, consequences and foresight now, that the excuse ‘it’s just a fantasy book’ is no longer plausible. show less