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skeeter4366's review against another edition
4.0
But most of these are prequelly, which didn't scratch the itch I was hoping for. So that's why it only got 4 stars.
erikariehigano22's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of short stories that indulged us into deeper and more expound details of our beloved cast of the Lunar Chronicles. From the background yet essential characters such as Garan Linh and Michelle Benoit, to our very own crew of the Rampion with Jacin and Winter's childhood and the beginnings of Linh Cinder after her life-changing operation.
The Keeper
5/5 - Everything made sense and I resonated with Michelle. With the beginning of her involvement with the top-secret mission to rescue the assassinated Princess Selene, her genuine love for Tanner Logan the Lunar scientist and the support for her granddaughter Scarlet. I am glad this first story has more length, as what it deserves. Out of all the team behind rescuing young Cinder, Michelle Benoit's character is the most developed, and explored, which makes the plot of Scarlet (Book 2) to be highly at stake and more engaging to Scarlet's desperation to find her dear Grandmere.
Glitches
5/5 - This short story explains Garan's lack of hands-on approach and connection to young Cinder despite adopting her and bringing her to his new family in New Beijing. His detachment due to contracting the Blue Fever was intentional even if it was to the cost of Cinder being less favoured by his wife Adri and his eldest daughter Pearl. We see the origins of Iko and the start of a healthy friendship between the new cyborg and the recently assembled android.
The Queen's Army
4/5 - I felt bored when reading some parts of this story (e.g. Wolf's first few weeks in the pack). But out of all the short-stories, this might be the most tragic. Ever since, Wolf (or Z) has been defiant towards Levana's orders and her established court run through manipulation and violence. His betrayal from Jael and his pack for Scarlet is not surprising but an inevitable chance for him to get his humanity back. When reading Scarlet, I felt no sympathy with Ran even if he was being treated unfairly by being an Omega. But after reading this short-story, I changed my perspective and realised that Ze'ev might have been utterly mourning for his brother's physical death (besides their shattered bond after the rivalry and politics within their pack).
Carswell's Guide In Being Lucky
5/5 - I love every single moment while reading this. Maybe this is because there is a bit of bias on my end for having Thorne as my favourite character out of the Rampion crew. We see Thorne as not living through poverty that could have explained his history of theft and embezzlement but actually from a family of high-ranking military (his father being a Colonel) that are well-off (having a maid and able to be spoiled with the luxuries in life, as he disdained from it). This explored Thorne's life as a teenager in high school at the American Republic like your typical American coming of age film. But the difference is that Thorne has his mistakes yet have redeeming decisions. He may have befriended Kate Fallow for his own gain to copy off her Math homework and improve his grades, but he genuinely protected her from the bullies without his initial agenda throughout the ordeal. This short-story explored Thorne's character outside Cress's perspective in a positive light and proves he is not the one-dimension comedic relief character known for his antics and witty banters with Cinder.
After Sunshine Passes By
4.5/5 - One thing I wish this could have been improved was the length all because I felt so attached to Cress and the precipitation of her melancholy after realising her fate of solitude in being relocated to the isolated satellite. Everything else was endearing and with a backdrop of sadness when reading it due to Cress's innocent nature and her atttitude of wanting to please the only figure of authority, or family, in her life--Thaumaturge Sybil.
The Princess And The Guard
4/5 - Similar to Wolf's story, some parts made me feel bored when reading it. But out of all the short-stories, this had the most events to digest. Firstly was the first time the Lunar servant committing suicide was intervened by Winter. Secondly was the death of Winter's father, Evret. Thirdly was the eventual successful suicide of the same servant two years later (which explained how Thaumaturge Aimery was able to gaslight Winter into blaming her for what happened). Fourth was Winter's conscious and voluntary decision to refrain herself from using her Lunar gift. Fifth was confirming the rumours that Levana had manipulated her stepdaughter to harm herself, causing the three scars on her face to ruin her 'beauty' that threatened Levana's position in court. This coincided with Jacin having to give up his hopes of being a doctor and accepting the offer to be conscripted as a palace guard. The short-story concluded with Winter's onset of hallucinations, the symptom of her Lunar disease. The longest short-story based on width in the book's pages, this is worth the read especially if your favourite couple is the beautiful Princess and her faithful Guard.
The Little Android
2/5 - I am entirely disappointed when I realised, in the middle of the reading, that this is not Iko's original story. This was until Cinder mentioned to this protagonist (Mech6.0 or Star) that she reminded Cinder of her android friend *Iko* and assuring her that she'll accept the protagonist's end of the barter. Besides Cinder's appearance, there were no familiar faces that appeared in this story. This was set in the events before Cinder (Book 1) as implied with Cinder's dialogue of Peony still living and the on-going progress of the cyborg draft enabled by Dr Dmitri Erland, which we now know has an ulterior motive for him to track Cinder. I feel as if Star is not so developed in terms of her character besides being a hopeless romantic and having a one-sided romance with a renowned member of society (less than Kai the crown-prince at the time, but it's still something). Overall, I'm not so attached with this story unfortunately. But I love Marissa's retelling of this famous fairy tale into the universe of the Lunar Chronicles with how she implemented the themes of the fairy tale to suit the events in this short-story.
The Mechanic
3/5 - This was a retelling of Kai and Cinder's first meeting in Book 1 when the former went to the latter's stall in the local market to request the android nanny Naisi to be fixed. This was told in Kai's perspective which expounded more details in this part of the first book. It only confirmed the beginning of Kai's admiration towards the mechanic. Nothing much special in this except the budding romance between Kai and Cinder that would shake the events of this series.
Something Old, Something New
5/5 - This is why I am so excited in starting this book. Initially I had thought it would be Kai and Cinder's wedding. But I am not complaining because I dearly love Wolf and Scarlet. Everything in this book just have fluff and good feelings. I am not disappointed with it. Everything is soft and sweet and a good way to wrap up the series after the events of Winter when Kai proposed to Cinder, only for be halted with Cinder wanting to think about it.
The Keeper
5/5 - Everything made sense and I resonated with Michelle. With the beginning of her involvement with the top-secret mission to rescue the assassinated Princess Selene, her genuine love for Tanner Logan the Lunar scientist and the support for her granddaughter Scarlet. I am glad this first story has more length, as what it deserves. Out of all the team behind rescuing young Cinder, Michelle Benoit's character is the most developed, and explored, which makes the plot of Scarlet (Book 2) to be highly at stake and more engaging to Scarlet's desperation to find her dear Grandmere.
Glitches
5/5 - This short story explains Garan's lack of hands-on approach and connection to young Cinder despite adopting her and bringing her to his new family in New Beijing. His detachment due to contracting the Blue Fever was intentional even if it was to the cost of Cinder being less favoured by his wife Adri and his eldest daughter Pearl. We see the origins of Iko and the start of a healthy friendship between the new cyborg and the recently assembled android.
The Queen's Army
4/5 - I felt bored when reading some parts of this story (e.g. Wolf's first few weeks in the pack). But out of all the short-stories, this might be the most tragic. Ever since, Wolf (or Z) has been defiant towards Levana's orders and her established court run through manipulation and violence. His betrayal from Jael and his pack for Scarlet is not surprising but an inevitable chance for him to get his humanity back. When reading Scarlet, I felt no sympathy with Ran even if he was being treated unfairly by being an Omega. But after reading this short-story, I changed my perspective and realised that Ze'ev might have been utterly mourning for his brother's physical death (besides their shattered bond after the rivalry and politics within their pack).
Carswell's Guide In Being Lucky
5/5 - I love every single moment while reading this. Maybe this is because there is a bit of bias on my end for having Thorne as my favourite character out of the Rampion crew. We see Thorne as not living through poverty that could have explained his history of theft and embezzlement but actually from a family of high-ranking military (his father being a Colonel) that are well-off (having a maid and able to be spoiled with the luxuries in life, as he disdained from it). This explored Thorne's life as a teenager in high school at the American Republic like your typical American coming of age film. But the difference is that Thorne has his mistakes yet have redeeming decisions. He may have befriended Kate Fallow for his own gain to copy off her Math homework and improve his grades, but he genuinely protected her from the bullies without his initial agenda throughout the ordeal. This short-story explored Thorne's character outside Cress's perspective in a positive light and proves he is not the one-dimension comedic relief character known for his antics and witty banters with Cinder.
After Sunshine Passes By
4.5/5 - One thing I wish this could have been improved was the length all because I felt so attached to Cress and the precipitation of her melancholy after realising her fate of solitude in being relocated to the isolated satellite. Everything else was endearing and with a backdrop of sadness when reading it due to Cress's innocent nature and her atttitude of wanting to please the only figure of authority, or family, in her life--Thaumaturge Sybil.
The Princess And The Guard
4/5 - Similar to Wolf's story, some parts made me feel bored when reading it. But out of all the short-stories, this had the most events to digest. Firstly was the first time the Lunar servant committing suicide was intervened by Winter. Secondly was the death of Winter's father, Evret. Thirdly was the eventual successful suicide of the same servant two years later (which explained how Thaumaturge Aimery was able to gaslight Winter into blaming her for what happened). Fourth was Winter's conscious and voluntary decision to refrain herself from using her Lunar gift. Fifth was confirming the rumours that Levana had manipulated her stepdaughter to harm herself, causing the three scars on her face to ruin her 'beauty' that threatened Levana's position in court. This coincided with Jacin having to give up his hopes of being a doctor and accepting the offer to be conscripted as a palace guard. The short-story concluded with Winter's onset of hallucinations, the symptom of her Lunar disease. The longest short-story based on width in the book's pages, this is worth the read especially if your favourite couple is the beautiful Princess and her faithful Guard.
The Little Android
2/5 - I am entirely disappointed when I realised, in the middle of the reading, that this is not Iko's original story. This was until Cinder mentioned to this protagonist (Mech6.0 or Star) that she reminded Cinder of her android friend *Iko* and assuring her that she'll accept the protagonist's end of the barter. Besides Cinder's appearance, there were no familiar faces that appeared in this story. This was set in the events before Cinder (Book 1) as implied with Cinder's dialogue of Peony still living and the on-going progress of the cyborg draft enabled by Dr Dmitri Erland, which we now know has an ulterior motive for him to track Cinder. I feel as if Star is not so developed in terms of her character besides being a hopeless romantic and having a one-sided romance with a renowned member of society (less than Kai the crown-prince at the time, but it's still something). Overall, I'm not so attached with this story unfortunately. But I love Marissa's retelling of this famous fairy tale into the universe of the Lunar Chronicles with how she implemented the themes of the fairy tale to suit the events in this short-story.
The Mechanic
3/5 - This was a retelling of Kai and Cinder's first meeting in Book 1 when the former went to the latter's stall in the local market to request the android nanny Naisi to be fixed. This was told in Kai's perspective which expounded more details in this part of the first book. It only confirmed the beginning of Kai's admiration towards the mechanic. Nothing much special in this except the budding romance between Kai and Cinder that would shake the events of this series.
Something Old, Something New
5/5 - This is why I am so excited in starting this book. Initially I had thought it would be Kai and Cinder's wedding. But I am not complaining because I dearly love Wolf and Scarlet. Everything in this book just have fluff and good feelings. I am not disappointed with it. Everything is soft and sweet and a good way to wrap up the series after the events of Winter when Kai proposed to Cinder, only for be halted with Cinder wanting to think about it.
fjreading's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
This was a very cute collection of stories, I found them impactful and cute. I only wish that we got a few more stories set after the end of Winter, instead of just one. Very cute though and a happy ending for a very long series!
serpensa's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
lovely_fantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wonderful wrap-up of the series, especially Wolf and Scarlet’s wedding :)
blurrypetals's review
5.0
Despite the fact that I thought this would have a lot of fat in need of trimming, it didn't. Every story was awesome. I loved every bit of this. Read it all, don't just skip to the wedding story. It all connects and comes full circle. It all matters. Except maybe The Little Android, which is the only one that doesn't effect the full arc of the story in any way but was still emotionally rewarding and lovely. This collection was everything I wanted. YEAH!