I love a good fairy tale retelling, and The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer doesn’t disappoint!
Cinder is the first book in The Lunar Chronicles.
Cinder
In a futuristic New Beijing, Linh Cinder is the ultimate outcast. She’s a cyborg and a mechanic, who is unwanted by her adoptive family. When Cinder’s step-sister, Peony becomes ill with the fatal Letumosis, her step-mother blames her. Cinder is then sold by her stepmother for plague research. However, Cinder proves to be immune to the disease, and Dr. Erland, the head researcher, offers to pay Cinder so that he can study her immunity.
We also meet Prince Kai, who sought Cinder’s help in repairing his android, Nainsi. Prince Kai takes a liking to Cinder, and the two develop a friendship. Prince Kai’s Father also has Letumosis, and in his stead Prince Kai is dealing with the strained relations with the nation of Luna and their evil Queen Levana.
I really enjoyed this book! I loved all the shout-outs to the fairy tale. From Cinder’s too small metal foot representing the glass slipper to Dr. Erland being her fairy godmother to the abandoned car, she finds as a stand-in for the Pumpkin carriage. It was all fun and imaginative.
Plus, Cinder is a great heroine! Strong, funny, and smart, and she doesn’t let herself get completely distracted by a boy! She considers what is best for him, and not just what she wants. And I love Prince Kai too. He’s completely relateable as someone who is unsure of himself when the sudden responsibility of running a nation is thrust upon him. But Prince Kai has a good heart and puts the needs of his people first.
I did see a lot of the plot twists coming, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of Cinder at all. As soon as I finished it, I wanted to dive into the next book, Scarlet.
Scarlett
Scarlet’s grandmother is missing. All she left behind was her identity chip, but still no one believes Scarlet that her grandmother has been kidnapped. Scarlet is determined to find her grandmother, and the only one willing to help her in her search is a street fighter named Wolf. Wolf may or may not be trustworthy, but Scarlet has no choice but to trust him to get her to Paris where she hopes to find answers.
Meanwhile, Cinder manages to escape from prison with the help of fellow prisoner, Captain Throne, and his stolen spacecraft, The Rampion. She too is looking for Scarlet’s grandmother, who Cinder hopes has answers about her past.
Scarlet is our Little Red Riding Hood, but instead of a cape, she wears a red hoodie. And Wolf has had genetic enhancements to make him well… more wolf-like. It’s a fun retelling of the fairy tale. Like with Cinder, I was able to guess a few things ahead of time, but that didn’t take away my enjoyment of the book. These are retellings of fairy tales’s so some things you know to expect. It’s the overall story arc that is new and refreshing and keeps you guessing.
Cress
Cress is the third book, and she is our Rapunzel. Cress has been trapped on a Lunar satellite for most of her life. Queen Levana’s Thaumaturge, Sybil, has been using Cress’s hacking and computer skills to keep an eye on earth, and Prince Kai.
But back in book one, Cress was able to make contact with Cinder, and now Cinder’s group has decided to rescue Cress. The rescue doesn’t go as planned and the group is separated, leaving some in precarious circumstances.
Cress is my favorite of the three books. Being home-schooled, I could relate somewhat to Cress’s sheltered life, and her need to rely on daydreams to get her through situations. It was fun to watch her grow, and see Earth through her eyes.
Cress also brought to the forefront two of my favorite characters, Captain Thorne and Iko.
Captain Thorne is vain and self-centered, but he does have a heart under that shallow exterior, and we get to see that in how he deals with Cress. He’s a funny and fun character to read. And he’s a lot more capable than I would’ve thought from my first meeting with him in Scarlet. He’s a futuristic Rhett Butler!
We even get some chapters from Iko’s perspective, which was fun. Iko is an android who so wants to be human, and her storyline is great. I love how she always says the perfectly inappropriate thing.
We also get to see Cinder grow into her powers in Cress. As using her gift becomes easier, Cinder questions herself, because she never wants to become like Levana. But it also makes Cinder more determined than ever to stop Levana.
Winter
Winter is a princess of Luna. Scarred, but beautiful. Charming, but insane. Winter refuses to use her gifts to manipulate people, and she is paying the price by living with hallucinations and losing her mind. The people of Luna love her, and Queen Levana sees Winter as a threat to her throne. Jacin is Winter’s loyal guard, best friend, and one true love. He will do anything to protect his princess.
Meanwhile, Cinder is ready to take her rightful place on the throne. Cinder and her friends are on their way to Luna to start a rebellion and overthrow Queen Levana. But plans go horribly wrong when Levana discovers the plot.
Winter is the last installment of The Lunar Chronicles.
Winter is so good! She is our Snow White, so you can probably guess a few plot points. Snow White was always one of my favorite fairy tales so I loved to see the similarities. To me, it brought an extra layer of fun, and sense of dread to the book.
This is one of my favorite series enders ever! I was happy with the conclusion, as all my favorites got the ending that I hoped that they would. It’s not often that I get to say that.
And just because, here are a few of my favorite quotes:
“It’s just, when Cress thought she was in love with me, she was actually in love with this other guy she’d made up in her head, who was all brave and self-less and stuff. I mean, he was a real catch, so who could blame her? I even liked that guy. I kind of wish I was that guy.” – Captain Thorne
“You know that keeping busy helps. It’s when I’m idle the monsters come.” – Winter
“I didn’t know if you were dead or being held hostage, or if you’d been eaten by one the queen’s soldiers. It’s been driving me mad not knowing.”
He quirked an eyebrow at her.
She scowled. “Don’t comment on that.” – Winter and Jacin
Iko: You will fix me again, won’t you?
Cinder: Of course I will. Broken isn’t the same as unfixable.
So, have you read The Lunar Chronicles? What are your thoughts? Did you have a favorite character or quote? Do you have a favorite fairy tale? Let me know in the comments!
