Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

12 December, 2012 Featured, Reviews 14 comments

Marissa Meyer really shot me through the heart repeatedly with this one, but I don’t blame her, because I was bleeding love. Were those song references too cheesy for you? Perhaps you shouldn’t read this review. It’s going to get a very special brand of crazy (fangirl brand), very fast. You were warned.

Also, be warned that this review may contain spoilers for Cinder.

I adore this series. So very much. I was kind of concerned when I found out that the next installment of the Lunar Chronicles was going to begin from a new viewpoint, one that would take the narration so far away from the current action of Cinder’s own story.

My worries were entirely unwarranted however, because Meyer managed to pull off this change and still hold my interest for the entire story. I found that the story never dragged, even when I was being informed about small details, everything was told in such a way that the entire reading process was completely unburdened, even if there was a lull in the action.

I really liked Scarlet’s character, and even though towards the beginning I was frustrated with her jumpiness and inability to trust people, these traits weren’t perpetuated to the point where I was angry with her. All of her actions made sense within her character, and after a short while I was just as comfortable with her as I was with Cinder.

Cinder’s story was continued as frequently as I would have liked, and I also enjoyed the occasional chapters through Kai’s perspective. A lot. I really missed his interactions with Cinder, but whenever they thought about each other, it felt like a promise for something better to come later on in the series.

Beyond Scarlet, I also enjoyed the other new characters, especially “Captain Thorne” and Wolf, as well as the return of character’s from Cinder, like Iko and even the brief return of Cinder’s stepmother. Meyer succeeds in writing a host of characters who have extremely interesting dynamics when they interact, something that for me, usually makes any book with this feature one of my favorites.

It’s clear that Meyer has put a lot of forethought into this series, as everything came together so cleanly. The plot was always interesting, taking certain twists that broke my heart and caught me off guard, and turns that elaborated on Cinder’s world.

I love Meyer’s style of writing, and her prose never hindered the pace of the novel, while still keeping everything vivid.

I could rave forever, but what’s this you say? Cress will come out in 2014? *sigh*

I cannot wait to read about the continuation of Cinder and Scarlet’s journey, and when I do, I’m certain it will incite the same desire to cheesily reference song titles, like the cuh-razy fan girl I am.

 

14 Responses to “Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer”

  1. cynicalsapphire

    Gahhhh, I can’t read this, because this is currently number two in my review pile, barring new arrivals. However, another really high rating from Cuddlebuggery? SQUEEEEE! So far, it sounds like this is even stronger than Cinder, which was a really strong 4 for me. http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lldl42imRg1qclvq3.gif

  4. NatalieAguirre

    I’m so excited to read this. Lucky you were already able to. Thanks for the great review.

  5. Archer

    You have no idea how much I need a copy of this book.
    Excellent review Adrienne.

  6. parajunkee

    Oh my! I’m so jealous that you got to read this one early! LOL Great review.

  7. jarndt08

    Aw I like your “it was a promise for something better to come later in the series” *sniff* *sniff* 
    I was really nervous when I found out that this was from a different perspective too. Happy to see that we still get our fill of Cinder and Kai! Holding off on reading this one is PAINFUL, I can’t wait until I can pick it up. Great review, thanks for sharing!

  9. Rywn

    Oooh I can’t wait! Megan has been holding on to her copy of Scarlet for months (I think just so she can watch me beg) and I reaaalllyyyy want to read this already. I’ve been reading Meyer’s writing since her fanfiction days, and it’s really awesome to see her rock as an official published author.
    Man.. now my grabby hands are getting infinitely worse.

  13. jessicascandyland16

    Rywn was the book as good as it sounds i dont want to read it and then be disappointed