Favourite Books - The Lunar Chronicles
It's about time I start this series I promised about. The pile keeps on getting bigger and soon I will drown!
In overall, the book Cinder is my favourite, the character Cinder is my favourite female and Wolf my favourite male (Don't ask me my all time favourite cause I don't have one). My favourite short story is Something old, Something New.
Is this for you or not? Read at your risk.
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
Anyway, today, I am reviewing The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. They are made up of six books, one a prequel and another a collection of short stories. They are Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Fairest, Winter and Stars Above (this is their publishing order).
Just to clarify, I haven't read Fairest, for reasons that I have no wish to read the sort of content it has and that I might get disturbed. The queen is creepy enough without getting inside her head. I have read a review telling its whole plot so I know its basic story.In overall, the book Cinder is my favourite, the character Cinder is my favourite female and Wolf my favourite male (Don't ask me my all time favourite cause I don't have one). My favourite short story is Something old, Something New.
Rating: ššššš (5/5)
Content: has sexual references and violence
It's main genre is dystopian, but it also has elements of science fiction, fantasy and romance. Romance is a big part of the story, increasing as you get further into the series. Violence too (this is not including the short stories). Also they are fairy retellings: Cinder - Cinderella, Scarlet - Red Riding Hood, Cress - Rapunzel and Winter - Snow White, plus a little mermaid story in Stars Above.
Why I love this series: First, and main reason, is because it's a good story, with mostly great characters and an amazing plotline. It kept surprising me, having moments where I had no idea how it was going to end. And second, the dystopian part intrigued me a lot. Cinder was the first dystopian book I ever read. After reading the rest of The Lunar Chronicles and another dystopian book in-between (which I didn't like), I liked the concept so much that I wanted to, at least, use the idea of it for one of my own series (thus the birth of the FHE series). So very satisfying for my reader and writer sides.
Other thoughts (more in-depth on the books and characters themselves with no spoilers):
Cinder - on the retelling side, it was a very clever and fresh idea. The ominous "this is not the fairy tale you remember. But it's one you won't forget" written on the back is very true. With all the twists, it's both familiar and unfamiliar. And it's constantly filled with tension. Most characters are relatable, except maybe for a few, but even then they are not flat.
Cinder is a fun, feisty yet not a super strong character. Prince Kai is very human and likable. Iko is just adorable.
Scarlet - this one focuses on the romance more than Cinder. Also has more violence. It's a little graphic but I haven't read or watch that sort of thing before.
I really like Wolf because he's not the usual type of guy - between a gentle giant and a scary tough man. Scarlet is a fire head but she improves, though her temper helps her get through all the situations she faces. (By the way, these two are my favourite couple.)
Again, a clever way of retelling Red Riding Hood.
Cress - this one has a few unexpected twists, especially the first turning point (the end of part one). I enjoyed the climax a lot. I think it's one of the best I've read so far. The Rapunzel retelling was weaved into the story well. Side note: Rampion is another name for the flower Rapunzel.
Thorne is the typical "lady's man" and "charming criminal". Cress is a native, awkward girl but given her situation it seems realistic enough.
Winter - the only annoyance with Winter was that went longer than I wished and I wanted to know the ending already! But it was a good long story, though very painful. The ending was the perfect "tying of knots" ending. This book also has notable violence.
Jacin is the typical guard type of person. But he does have a surprising side to him. Winter is interesting and weird but that has a explanation. Overall, she really is the Snow White she represents.
And Queen Levana? Well, she obsessed with her self and ruling as queen, loves control and is very powerful. She has some backstory, yes, but not really an interesting character. She's one of those characters who have lost their souls and hearts and are just an empty shell. But that's the point of her so she was well thought out.
Stars Above - Most of these short stories are prequels to the books. They give insight and more details of important events in the characters' lives that were only mentioned, as prequels go. It's a good finish to the series.
It's main genre is dystopian, but it also has elements of science fiction, fantasy and romance. Romance is a big part of the story, increasing as you get further into the series. Violence too (this is not including the short stories). Also they are fairy retellings: Cinder - Cinderella, Scarlet - Red Riding Hood, Cress - Rapunzel and Winter - Snow White, plus a little mermaid story in Stars Above.
Why I love this series: First, and main reason, is because it's a good story, with mostly great characters and an amazing plotline. It kept surprising me, having moments where I had no idea how it was going to end. And second, the dystopian part intrigued me a lot. Cinder was the first dystopian book I ever read. After reading the rest of The Lunar Chronicles and another dystopian book in-between (which I didn't like), I liked the concept so much that I wanted to, at least, use the idea of it for one of my own series (thus the birth of the FHE series). So very satisfying for my reader and writer sides.
Other thoughts (more in-depth on the books and characters themselves with no spoilers):
Cinder - on the retelling side, it was a very clever and fresh idea. The ominous "this is not the fairy tale you remember. But it's one you won't forget" written on the back is very true. With all the twists, it's both familiar and unfamiliar. And it's constantly filled with tension. Most characters are relatable, except maybe for a few, but even then they are not flat.
Cinder is a fun, feisty yet not a super strong character. Prince Kai is very human and likable. Iko is just adorable.
Scarlet - this one focuses on the romance more than Cinder. Also has more violence. It's a little graphic but I haven't read or watch that sort of thing before.
I really like Wolf because he's not the usual type of guy - between a gentle giant and a scary tough man. Scarlet is a fire head but she improves, though her temper helps her get through all the situations she faces. (By the way, these two are my favourite couple.)
Again, a clever way of retelling Red Riding Hood.
Cress - this one has a few unexpected twists, especially the first turning point (the end of part one). I enjoyed the climax a lot. I think it's one of the best I've read so far. The Rapunzel retelling was weaved into the story well. Side note: Rampion is another name for the flower Rapunzel.
Thorne is the typical "lady's man" and "charming criminal". Cress is a native, awkward girl but given her situation it seems realistic enough.
Winter - the only annoyance with Winter was that went longer than I wished and I wanted to know the ending already! But it was a good long story, though very painful. The ending was the perfect "tying of knots" ending. This book also has notable violence.
Jacin is the typical guard type of person. But he does have a surprising side to him. Winter is interesting and weird but that has a explanation. Overall, she really is the Snow White she represents.
And Queen Levana? Well, she obsessed with her self and ruling as queen, loves control and is very powerful. She has some backstory, yes, but not really an interesting character. She's one of those characters who have lost their souls and hearts and are just an empty shell. But that's the point of her so she was well thought out.
Stars Above - Most of these short stories are prequels to the books. They give insight and more details of important events in the characters' lives that were only mentioned, as prequels go. It's a good finish to the series.
Here's a blurb for Cinder for a taste if you haven't read it yet. š
A forbidden romance. A deadly plague. Earth's fate hinges on one girl...
Cinder, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She's reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister's sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai's, she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen - and a dangerous temptation. Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth's future.
This is not the fairy tale you remember. But it's one you won't forget.
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