BOOK REVIEW: SCARLET by Marissa Meyer

SCARLET (Book II of The Lunar Chronicles)
by Marissa Meyer
Feiwel & Friends
464 pages
Ages 12 -17 years

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the 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 or 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 is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.  

MY REVIEW:

Loved this book!  Not only is Marissa Meyer a master storyteller, adept at using words to create vivid images and elicit strong emotions for her readers, but Scarlet is just a fantastic yarn! A futuristic sci/fi loose retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, Scarlet is the perfect sequel to Meyer's stunning debut Cinder, about a cyborg Cinderella living in New Beijing. Cinder catches the attention of both the Eastern Commonwealth's young prince, Kai, and the evil Lunar queen Lavana. Cinder is a wiley and resourceful heroine, and her counterpart in the sequel is equally compelling. Wolf, Scarlet's love interest, a burly wrestler type worthy of his name, is perhaps the best YA heart throb to hit the scene in recent years. Move over Edward, Jacob, Gale and Peeta!!!

This book held my attention from page one to the very last sentence. The action scenes were tense and electrifying, the romance sweet and sizzling. I hated for it to end. Thankfully, there are supposed to be two more books in the series: Cress and Winter, due out in 2014 and 2015 respectively. It will be a long wait, but worth it, I'm sure.

CONTENT RATING:

Profanity:  None

Violence:  Moderate

Sexuality:  Mild (kissing)