Scarlet: Review

Synopsis:

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-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. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

***

(This review may contain spoilers. Be careful if you haven't read Scarlet or even Cinder)

Cinder returns! And this book gets even more awesome than the first book! The Lunar Chronicles has officially become one of my favorite series now. The book is written in multiple point of view. With Scarlet and Cinder (of course), Prince Emperor Kai, Wolf, and more characters as well. If you've already fallen in love with Cinder in the first book, you will definitely love her more in this book despite that I think she hasn't changed much.

The excitement level reaches to an all-new high in Scarlet. It starts with Scarlet encountering mysterious and handsome Wolf. Which is... not what I expected in the first place. I mean, in the original Red Riding Hood tale, the girl didn't meet the big bad wolf until her grandmother was eaten. But then, this is not the fairy tale you remember, either. So it works just fine. Great, really. And you will be stunned how much the book resembles to the original Red Riding Hood yet how different they are.

And then there's Cinder, our main female protagonist. Well, I can't say Cinder is transformed. In fact there's hardly any difference between the Cinder in Cinder and the Cinder in Scarlet (okay, except the whole identity and race thing). But I can't help but love her even more in this book. Guess it's the glamor. Maybe because she refuses to use the glamor even though it will help her escape. It makes her more... human. And since that she's always tough and nice to others, what's not to love?

In the first three parts of the book, Scarlet and Cinder's paths are separated. So you can definitely have some time with Scarlet and Wolf alone. And you're gonna love their relationship. Yep, Scarlet is not your typical girl either. First, she's not naive like the girl in the original tale . Okay, maybe she is, considering she doesn't even know what secret her grandma has been hiding. But not as naive as you think. And she can take care of herself surprisingly well. Yeah, I know the original Red Riding Hood can also sort of take care of herself, but she's independent and strong. Not what I expected. And Wolf... well, Wolf has his secrets. Big secrets. And if you truly want to get a hint, read The Queen's Army (The Lunar Chronicles #1.5). He's surprisingly sweet, also not what I expected. Okay, he's tough as nails, but sweetness is just not fit for a street fighter with his own dark secrets.

There's one very infuriating part, though. But not because of the author's skills. What angers me is... Kai. Yep, the handsome, sweet, human Emperor Kai. It's the plot that Kai doesn't know about Cinder being Princess Selene and that she hadn't used her glamor to Kai at all. But still, his not-knowing kind of bugs me. Ugh, I just can't stop my palm from twitching. And he makes the worst decision since mankind is created. Engaging with Queen Levana? Seriously? This really drives me crazy. So yeah, even though Kai is so damn infuriating in Scarlet, I can't help but appreciate how Marissa Meyer carry out such cliffhangers so successfully.

The book ends really well, and it kind of surprises me though. Because what you find in the end of Scarlet is like... it's supposed to be in the end of the THIRD book and not the SECOND book. But then, Cinder and Scarlet finally cross paths, and I'm anxious to see what will happen next. Will they be in the same journey in Cress? 'Cuz I really want more Scarlet and Wolf! One big cliffhanger at the end of Scarlet, yes. But then, it's a really full ending.

So if you still hasn't read the Lunar Chronicles yet, you should read Cinder right away. The craziness will struck you silent.

Rating: 9/10

The Book Trailer: