Reviews

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

linnealionheart's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

thatnatiam's review

3.0

A bit strong on the teenage angst, drama, and romance, but overall I really enjoyed the second book in The Lunar Chronicles. I was super impressed how the first book twisted the tale of Cinderella, and how the author was able to tie in that story with this twist on Little Red Riding Hood.

arisaenz's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

juani's review against another edition

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

callienicole's review

3.0

I'm finally getting around to continuing the Lunar Chronicles, which are sort of fairytale retellings with a futuristic setting. This book was a little weirder than the first one to me, mostly because it involved genetically modified Lunars, turning them into wolf-hybrids. It's sci-fi, so it's allowed to be a little out there, but I found this plot point rather disturbing. Nothing that you wouldn't see in an old episode of Star Trek I suppose, but this book still didn't sit as well with me.

Content Concerns: Some mild cursing throughout, some references to pornography (I hate that, especially in a book meant for teens), and lots of violence (with one character, the wolf-hybrid, killing someone rather unnecessarily in a street fight). I personally would not let my kids read this until they were in their older teens, especially with some of the ethical and moral issues raised in these books (like genetically modification of people, the "animal instincts" of the wolf-hybrids, mind-control, etc.). Although all of these are brought up in a very fictional way as part of the plot, and weren't focused on (I don't think Myers is trying to make some weird point), these plot points are still something to think through carefully, and I'd be talking about the moral implications with my kids.

Other annoyances: One thing that bugged me in this book is that Scarlet and Cinder basically have the same personality. If you gave me some lines from each of them, I wouldn't be able to tell that they were different characters. I hope Myers isn't so limited as to give all her heroines the same personality, as if we all have to be a little cynical to achieve anything (because both characters came off as predictably stubborn and smart-alecky to me). We shall see if her third main character is more of the same or not. I probably will read the rest of this series to see what happens, but I don't know, I'm not sure where she's going with this.

mikailah's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

emeszee's review

5.0

HOLY-
I read this so fast, oh my god. It's so much better than Cinder. The intensity connecting is happening, people.

Scarlet and Wolf are introduced. Scarlet's grandmother was taken from her farm (

Spoiler

to get information on the Lunar Princess Selene's whereabouts

). Then...a lot happens.

"No!...Idiot! You idiot!"

Kai, the emperor of the Eastern Commonwealth does something that enrages Cinder.
My mood: hONESTLY.

I'm starting Cress right away!!

anita04's review

adventurous challenging dark funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.75

emily_reads_'s review

5.0

Definitely better than Cinder (although I enjoyed that too!). More action and insight into the characters. I 100% love Captain Thorne and Scarlett is ace. If you're a lover of fairy stories with a twist, you'll love these books!

ravenauthor1013's review

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25