Review: Winter by Marissa Meyer

Series: The Lunar Chronicles Book #4

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 827

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Christmas Gift

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mark her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend--the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? Fans will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer's national bestselling Lunar Chronicles series.

Review

I only put off reading this for at least a year. It was a good conclusion, but a little long and drawn out for me. Seeing all of the characters come together was fun. And it did make me want to re-read the other books which is always a good sign.

I thought I remembered hearing people say they didn't like Winter as a character. I really enjoyed her and would've like more about her and Lunar sickness. Oh, Jacin, too. I want more development/information about him.

The big surprise for me was Iko and Scarlet. I remember being an Iko fan before, but she is definitely my favorite now. I could just read about her doing anything. Scarlet was never my favorite, but she really became interesting in this one. I especially liked her relationship and interactions with Winter.

Cinder had some America Singer moments here. She made some irrational and emotional decisions that hurt the "revolution". There's just only so many times that can be a source of conflict for me.

Overall, I'm happy with this series and would read it again.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Stand Alone
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 449
Rating: 2
How I Got It: Borrowed from the Library
Genre: Young Adult, Retelling
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

Review

This really didn't work for me. I did enjoy and appreciate the nonsense and how much Ms. Meyer was willing to embrace that. Word play is what I love about Wonderland and not all authors use it, but she did.

But I couldn't get past the characters and plot. Cath especially was so selfish. If I was supposed to care about her that failed. The romance between her and Jest often felt forced. And she was very Bella Swan-like when they were pulled apart. A bunch of the plot was super predictable. The ultimate end reminded me a bit of the Red Queen in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and I was more invested in her story.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Cress by Marissa Meyer

Series: Lunar Chronicles Book #3
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 550
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fairytale Retellings
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

 
Review

This one had a lot more allusions to it's fairytale than the first two books. Or maybe I just notice them more because I'm very familiar with this fairytale. I did really enjoy the story, but I'm not all cockoo for coco puffs over it the way the internet seems to be.

Normally, stories that have a ton of POVs bothers me, but this works. I like that just because this is Cress's story she isn't the only one. Kai and Scarlet and Cinder's stories all continue. And Ms. Meyer did a good job of pacing the different POVs so that they came at the right time.

Cress is a very nice girl. Obviously she was sheltered, but she was also strong. There's so much she had to go through and she did it without complaint.

The way people talk about Thorne I thought he would be more swoon-worthy. I do like him and think he's generally a good person beneath the arrogance and sarcasm. But I think I like Kai more than him. I hope that's not blasphemy.

I'm really into the plot in this series. There's some mystery and suspense. I never know what Queen Levana is going to do and it makes me nervous when she shows up. There were some more things revealed and I am very interested in Winter as a character.

One thing that really impressed me was Ms. Meyer's use of humor. I wouldn't say this is a funny book, but there is a good amount of humor to lighten up the mood when needed.

Oh, and I love Iko. I mean I've always liked her, but she is just so amazing. She's funny and endearing. Seriously, if she dies somehow I'm going to be pissed. Anyone else can bite it, but not her. Don't spoil Winter for me.

Thanks for reading!
Holly