Elysium Fire by Alastair Reynolds

Series: Prefect Dreyfus Emergency, Book Two

Publisher: Gollancz

Format: Hardcover

Published: 25^th January 2018

Number of Pages: 416

Book: For Review* 

Genre:  Science-Fiction, Space Opera, Crime Fiction, Thriller-Suspense, Mystery, Adult

Recommended Age: 13+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing

Author's Site: Alastair Reynolds

Blurb From Goodreads:

Featuring Inspector Dreyfus - one of Alastair Reynolds most popular characters - this is a fast paced SF crime story, combining a futuristic setting with a gripping tale of technology, revolution and revenge.

One citizen died a fortnight ago. Two a week ago. Four died yesterday . . . and unless the cause can be found - and stopped - within the next four months, everyone will be dead. For the Prefects, the hunt for a silent, hidden killer is on . . .

Alastair Reynolds has returned to the world of The Prefect for this stand-alone SF mystery in which no one is safe. The technological implants which connect every citizen to each other have become murder weapons, and no one knows who or what the killer is - or who the next targets will be. But their reach is spreading, and time is not on the Prefects' side.

                                                                   Review:

“He saw it now, what had always been there, always explicit, but which he only now forced himself t acknowledge in all its truth and simplicity.  To destroy Devon Garlin – to destroy the enemy of everything he held precious - it was first necessary to destroy Wildfire.

And so he would.”

The Glitter Band is a man-made system of planets and microworlds.  Run by the people, they are a utopia of sorts, where crime is almost non-existent.

But when it occurs, they need someone who can deal with it.  That’s why the Prefects were formed – a planet of police, ready to deal with anything that threatens to harm the Glitter Band.

Until they were forced to protect it by doing something unthinkable...

Now, dissent is rising among the worlds of the Glitter Band – led by a man named Devon Garlin, worlds are declaring independence from the Prefects.

Meanwhile, Prefect Tom Dreyfus and his fellow operatives are trying to stop a series of deaths – scores of people are dying, their implants overheating for no discernible reason, with no connection between the victims.  And the rate of Wildfire deaths is ever-increasing – soon it will be in the thousands and before long all of the Glitter Band could perish...

But when links begin to appear between the two cases, the risk of the destruction of the world as Dreyfus and the others know it is rising ever higher...

I have never read anything by Alastair Reynolds, but Elysium Fire intrigued me from the moment I received it.  Even though I hadn’t read any of the books in the series, let alone the previous Prefect Dreyfus Emergency, I was soon sucked right into the story.  I need to get my hands on the other books now – I am just in love with Dreyfus and the Glitter Band!  

Also, I’m pretty awful at reading sci-fi – let alone adult hard-core sci-fi space operas.  And there were a few terms I may have had to look up, but I found it really, really easy to just immerse myself in this world, in this story.  I’m a sucker for crime thrillers, although I think crime thrillers in space may have ruined me for the more mundane earthly kind!  

It helped that I just loved all of the characters in the book!  They were all brilliantly complex and three-dimensional.  I just need to read the first Prefect Dreyfus book so I can fully understand them all!  Because I need some more backstories, guys!

I love Tom Dreyfus – he is such a badass.  Plus he’s so driven and dedicated to protecting everyone.  I also love that while he’s very level-headed, he does lose his cool occasionally (to be fair, Garlin was a dick). I really have to read book one because I want to know more about him!

Jane Aumonier was awesome – such a brilliant leader and so very, very badass too.  She was tough, but fair – and when you messed with her, watch out!  I also loved Thalia and Sparver - they were amazing prefects and I just loved how they interacted together.  And I really enjoyed the characters of Julius and Caleb – and trying to figure out what their story was.  Those two intrigued me from the very beginning... 

This story was just genius.  I just loved the multiple story lines – we had the Prefects trying to solve the implant-caused deaths, then them trying to deal with the anarchy Garlin caused, and then there was another storyline following two boys with many a secret in their family past...  I just loved seeing how it all tangled together, all the little clues that we were given to unravel the plots and discover what was happening.  It was just so exciting and utterly addictive.

And I will admit, it probably would’ve helped if I’d at least read the previous Prefect Dreyfus book, because there were quite a few references to what occurred in it – but I managed to guess most things and catch up, so it really didn’t confuse me or take away from my enjoyment of Elysium Fire.

Oh, and have I mentioned the multiple perspectives?  No?  It was brilliant.  It let us follow so much action and mystery and plot lines in a single chapter and it really could’ve been confusing but it just wasn’t.  I loved it so very much! 

I honestly don’t know why I don’t read more sci-fi books – I enjoyed this so much.  Elysium Fire was exciting and intriguing and wonderful and I seriously have to get the rest of this series!  I definitely recommend the Prefect Dreyfus series to sci-fi lovers – and even those who don’t generally read sci-fi!  The crime thriller aspect is just amazing and I honestly can’t wait for my next adventure with Tom Dreyfus!

Star Rating:
4 Out of 5 

Read this book if you liked:

Prefect Dreyfus Emergency by Alastair Reynolds

Agent Cormac by Neal Asher

Invictus by Ryan Graudin

The Androma Saga by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Gollancz in exchange for an honest review

Invictus by Ryan Graudin

Publisher: Orion's Children Books

Format: ARC**

Published: 21^st September 2017

Number of Pages: 464

Book: For Review*

Genre:  Science-Fiction, Action-Adventure, Historical, Mystery, Romance, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Violence, Death, Alcohol References

Author's Site: Ryan Graudin

Blurb From Goodreads:

Time flies when you're plundering history.

Farway Gaius McCarthy was born outside of time. The son of a time-traveling Recorder from 2354 AD and a gladiator living in Rome in 95 AD, Far's birth defies the laws of nature. Exploring history himself is all he's ever wanted, and after failing his final time-traveling exam, Far takes a position commanding a ship with a crew of his friends as part of a black market operation to steal valuables from the past. 

But during a heist on the sinking Titanic, Far meets a mysterious girl who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Armed with knowledge that will bring Far's very existence into question, she will lead Far and his team on a race through time to discover a frightening truth: History is not as steady as it seems.

                                                                   Review:

“There wasn't much solitude among four souls, one mannequin, and a red attack panda...”

Farway McCarthy is unique.  He is a boy born out of time aboard a time travel machine, the son of one of the greatest time travellers around.  He's always wanted to follow in his mom's footsteps, explore history like she did.  

Which is why he isn't going to let a fexing sim of Marie Antoinette foil him. 

And it’s also how he ends up with the Invictus, the captain of his own TM, chasing through history for treasures with his crew.  It's aboard the Titanic that everything begins to unravel. 

Eliot is a mystery and a nuisance, an enigma and a thief.  Far doesn't trust her, but he must – it's the only way to stay alive.  

But Eliot has more secrets than just her last name and where she hid that fexing enormous yellow dress she wore aboard the Titanic.  And her secrets could mean the end of everything Far holds dear – the end of history itself...

I adore Ryan Graudin.  She is an amazing amazing author – and Invictus has proven she can write bloody anything.  I fell in love with her Wolf By Wolf series so when I saw they were giving away proofs of Invictus at YALC, of course I had to join the queue.  I made friends, I waited, I chatted and then finally I had this beauty in my greedy little hands and wanted to cheer.  I also wanted to start reading it right that very second, but anyone who's been to YALC knows there's ironically not all that much time for reading while you're there!  So I waited, took Invictus on holiday, started reading on the plane, and was over 100 pages in without even realising it. 

Oh. My. God!  I love all of Ryan's books so much that I can't choose a favourite – but Invictus is just phenomenal!  It has everything – sci-fi, history, romance, adventure, mystery, a blue box, a red panda and more!  I fell in love with everything about Invictus – it's just hashing marvellous! 

The characters – oh how I loved them all!  I fell for each and every one of the Invictus crew – although a certain fuzzy beastie stole my heart good and proper!  I want a red panda like Saffron now – I never knew I could want a red panda so much.  I may need to buy a cuddly one and call it Saffron because I'm pretty sure having a real one is all kinds of illegal.  

Onto the human cast now!  It's hard to make third person POVs sound unique to each character – especially when you're writing from as many as Ryan did over the course of Invictus.  And yet she managed – each character had their own way of narrating, their own way of thinking, and I bloody loved it.  Plus the characters were all just so three-dimensional and likeable – and all had brilliantly unique senses of humour! 

Far was brilliant – brave, clever, determined, a hero I could really get behind and root for.  He also wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination and I loved him more for it.

Imogen was literally adorable – I love my cousins to pieces, but I must admit Far’s cousin was just amazing and I want her!  I loved how cheerful she was, I loved how she changed her hair colour every day, I just loved her so much!

Eliot was an intriguing character and I loved how we slowly learnt about her over the course of the book.  She was mysterious, funny, brave and badass – I loved her!

Priya was also really adorable!  The medic of the crew, she thought anything could be cured with some chai tea – and as a Brit I can relate the this notion of tea fixing everything whole heartedly!  I also loved her relationship with Far, although I do wish we’d seen more of how they got together.

Gram was really cute – a scientist at heart, he was very logical and practical and not brilliant at the human interactions at times!  I adore him and his relationship with Imogen was just everything!

Oh my god, this story!  I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, reading like a mad thing, totally unsure about what would happen next.  The twists were insane – and truly brilliant!  I loved the beginning of the story, where the crew of the Invictus go about time stealing priceless artefacts that would otherwise be lost to disaster.  That was awesome and a lot of fun to read!  But then the second half, where the stakes kick up by a million and the race is on – not to save an artefact or two but life itself?  Yeah, I loved that!  

Also I really really wanna live in Far's time – travel through history, recording and experiencing, observing and learning.  It just sounds amazing!  And while the futuristic aspect could be hard to grasp, I found it so easy to immerse myself in everything about Invictus – and loved every minute! 

Anyone who knows me is aware that I am normally a total fantasy girl.  I love dragons and magic and potions.  I don't really read sci-fi all that much – but god am I glad I read Invictus!  Invictus was hazing amazing and I loved every single second of it!  So whether you live for sci-fi, fantasy or fuzzy red pandas, read Invictus!  This book has just secured Ryan’s place on my auto-buy list for all of time and space and I really just cannot recommend it enough!

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5 

Read this book if you liked:

Wolf By Wolf by Ryan Graudin

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Doctor Who

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Orion in exchange for an honest review

** Quotes used are from a proof copy and may have been changed in the finished book

Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl

Series: Black Widow, Book One

Publisher: Parragon Books

Format: Paperback

Published: 2^nd May 2016

Number of Pages: 416

Book: For Review*

Genre:  Superhero, Action-Adventure, Science-Fiction, Thriller-Suspense, YA

Recommended Age: 11+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing and Smoking References

Author's Site: Margaret Stohl

Blurb From Goodreads:

Enter the world of the Avengers’ iconic master spy…

Natasha Romanoff is one of the world’s most lethal assassins. Trained from a young age in the arts of death and deception, Natasha was given the title of Black Widow by Ivan Somodorov, her brutal teacher at the Red Room, Moscow’s infamous academy for operatives.

Ava Orlova is just trying to fit in as an average Brooklyn teenager, but her life has been anything but average.  The daughter of a missing Russian quantum physicist, Ava was once subjected to a series of ruthless military experiments—until she was rescued by Black Widow and placed under S.H.I.E.L.D. protection. Ava has always longed to reconnect with her mysterious saviour, but Black Widow isn’t really the big sister type.

Until now.

When children all over Eastern Europe begin to go missing, and rumors of smuggled Red Room tech light up the dark net, Natasha suspects her old teacher has returned—and that Ava Orlova might be the only one who can stop him. To defeat the madman who threatens their future, Natasha and Ava must unravel their pasts. Only then will they discover the truth about the dark-eyed boy with an hourglass tattoo who haunts Ava’s dreams…

Black Widow: Forever Red features all the heart-pounding adventure readers expect from Marvel, written by #1 New York Times best-selling author Margaret Stohl. Uncover a new side of the Marvel Universe that will thrill loyal fans and newcomers alike, as Stohl reveals the untold story of Black Widow for the very first time.

                                                                   Review:

"This mission, to attack us?  He said it had a name."  Her eyes met Coulson's.  "Forever Red."

Once upon a little girl was given the name Black Widow by her teacher.  She was taught in all manner of things – but mostly in how to kill, deceive and spy.  She was experimented on in the Red Room and she became the most dangerous assassin in the world.

After escaping the clutches of her teacher Ivan Somodorov, Natasha Romanoff became a member of S.H.I.E.L.D.  Her mission?  To take down Ivan.

She found him with a little girl, who she saved after bringing the building down upon her former mentor.  She took the child to America and told her she would be OK.  And then she left her in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s care..

Now seventeen, Ava Orlova has run away from S.H.I.E.L.D.  She has learned not to trust anyone.  That she cannot rely on the red-haired woman who called her sestrenka, little sister.  All she knows is she has to be her own hero – and that she dreams of a boy called Alexei with a Black Widow tattoo, even though she has never met him.

Natasha has never been much of a big sister.  But when children begin vanishing in Eastern Europe and rumours of the Red Room start up, Natasha fears her former teacher is not as dead as she hoped and his reaches, influences and plans go far deeper than she ever could've imagined...

I'm a huge Marvel fan.  I've had many a discussion with family and friends regarding the best team, character and film in the Marvelverse (team being either the new Guardians of the Galaxy or the X-Men, character being Remy LeBeau, AKA Gambit and film being Guardians of the Galaxy – my brother loudly disagrees with that final point).  So when I was offered the chance to review a book about the awesome Black Widow, how was I meant to refuse?!  Natasha Romanoff is a badass – a gorgeous and deadly agent with a fascinating backstory I really don't know enough about.  Awful, I know, but I love what Margaret Stohl has done with the character.  I just really enjoyed this book – it was like watching a Marvel movie and reading one of the comics all at once and I just loved it.  Also after reading this there needs to be a Black Widow standalone film – I am now in love with her.

Natasha Romanoff is one of MCU's most recognisable and awesome characters.  The Natasha from Forever Red is a mishmash of MCU Black Widow and the comic version – her backstory is more like that of the film Natasha and not the comic Natasha, although she's colder and sharper than movie Natasha.  Which is awesome!  Because – hello – Natasha's backstory is fascinating in the film's and I loved seeing more of it – and of those signature Black Widow death stares.  Who doesn't watch the films (and the brief flashes we get into her past) and think let me know you!  Just me?  Really?  Huh.  Anyways, Natasha was cold and businesslike (as expected) and yet she had these moments – these flashes of confusion and affection and anger that made her so very human and brilliant and ergo loving her.  This was Natasha says I'd never seen her before – as badass and tough as ever, but also broken and hurting and afraid and so very very human indeed.  And I loved it – I want more of this Natasha, this Tasha.

Despite the book series being titled as Black Widow, it's more about Ava – who I discovered after a quick Google upon getting the book is a superhero in her own right and has recently been introduced into the Marvel comics.  She was understandably confused and lost and a little angry at the world, but she was also funny and brave and badass as hell!

Alex was so sweet - he was brave and badass and kind and smart.  He was also pretty darn cute at times, I must admit!  

I must say the romance between Ava and Alex was rather insta-love-y.  After one twist I was like yes, this makes more sense now!  And then I was like hang on...no this does not make more sense it in fact is a little weird now and then my head started hurting as I considered all the facts and then I had to go lie down and watch the Avengers.  But I digress.  They were adorable!  Like so cute – and so incredibly protective of one another, as would be expected in two teenagers tossed in the middle of a plot by a crazy man.

And OMG I loved all the little cameos!  Like Coulson – he's always a favourite of mine in the MCU and I loved seeing his quippy, funny self in Forever Red.  And Tony Stark's scenes?  Literally some of my favourite ones in the whole book!  I adore Tony and he was so perfectly Tony.  Margaret Stohl captured him so absolutely perfectly!  I must admit, I did miss the presence of one hawk-eyed archer (who is often portrayed as Natasha's BFF and also BF at times, though not the latter in the film's) – it was so sad not to have him doing a little cameo or at least being mentioned.  She trusted Tony enough to involve him – so why not Clint? 

The writing was awesome!  It started off from Natasha's POV (which I loved – being inside her head was amazing) and then switched.  We got a split POV between Natasha, Ava, Alex and then transcripts from an official S.H.I.E.L.D. interview of Natasha.  It was all third person – and did occasionally jump perspectives within a set characters' chapter – and I just loved it.  I loved getting into everyone's heads – although I must say Natasha's chapters was my favourite.  I loved her, if you haven’t gathered, and may possibly be a tiny bit obsessed now.  I regret nothing.

The plot – oh my god!  It was like reading a Marvel movie.  The plot was fast-paced and exciting, there were mysteries a plenty, there were thrills and twists – oh that last twist!  It left me in tears – the finale was explosive and then there was just this moment after, a moment of pain and sadness and why Margaret why that left me speechless and in shock.

If you can't tell by now, I loved Forever Red to pieces.  It was so much fun – a real roller coaster of excitement and awesomeness and superheroes and mysteries.  I cannot wait for Red Vengeance – I need in my life like you cannot imagine.  Stay Red, people – because after this series I ain’t ever going back! 

Star Rating:
4 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

Iron Man: The Gauntlet by Eoin Colfer

Lois Lane by Gwenda Bond

The Avengers

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Parragon in exchange for an honest review

Because You’ll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Format: Paperback

Published: 2^nd July 2015

Number of Pages: 352

Book: For Review*

Genre:  Coming-Of-Age, Contemporary, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, YA

Recommended Age: 13+

Contains: Violence, Swearing, Smoking References

Author's Info: Leah Thomas

There are truths you can only tell a stranger, and this friendship is the strangest.

Ollie and Moritz are best friends, but they can never meet, because if they ever did, one of them would certainly die.  As recluses from society, they develop a fierce bond through letters that become a lifeline.

But when Moritz reveals the key to their shared, disturbing past in a mysterious German laboratory, their friendship faces a test neither one of them expected.

This is a story of impossible friendship and hope from a brilliant new writer.

                                                                   Review:

“I think being an experiment sounds way better than being sick, you know?”

Oliver has a very unique condition; he is allergic to electricity and has lived his whole life in an isolated cabin.  If he were to venture out of the woods he lives in, he would encounter electricity, begin to seize and possibly die.

His mother and doctor decide it's a good idea for Ollie to get in touch with someone who has similar problems to him.

And that is how Ollie begins writing to Moritz, a German teenager.  Moritz is unique too – born without eyes, he uses unique techniques to view the world around him.  And the two boys develop a connection so strong it spans continents.

But there's one big problem: the two pen-pals can never meet.  Because Moritz is kept alive by an electronic pump in his heart.  And if Ollie were to get too close, he would seize.  And if Moritz were to turn the pump off, he would die.

I, like so many of us, am desperate to see more diversity in YA books.  But whilst I want to see all diversity (sexuality, ethnicity, etc), seeing more characters with disabilities is really important to me.  Why?  Well, some of you might know I'm a wheelchair user – I have been since the age of about twelve.  And therefore I am desperate for more characters in wheelchairs or with missing limbs or who have non-terminal medical conditions – anything.  But I want books where these disabilities aren't The Issue and where there are all kinds of other diversities too (when I finally finish the book I'm writing, you'll see what I'm looking for).  Due to my quest, I of course said yes please when Bloomsbury contacted me about Because You'll Never Meet Me.  I was intrigued from the blurb and was desperate to check it out.

And I was not disappointed.  The lovely Katrina at Bloomsbury told me this book spans numerous genres, but is a book with true heart above all else, a book that deals with all kinds of diversity.  And God was she right.  Because You'll Never Meet Me is a beautiful, unique book that had me hooked from the very beginning.  It might not be for everyone, but I adored it.

Ollie killed me – he was just so brilliantly bizarre.  He, like all teenagers, had his ups and downs, his strengths and his flaws.  Maybe he was a little selfish, but he was also so sweet and loving and strong too – even when he couldn't leave his room.  I got that – I've had those days; haven't we all?

Moritz was definitely more mature than Ollie, the more sombre of the two.  But I loved watching Oliver rub off on him, loved the way Moritz described the world he saw and loved seeing Moritz grow into himself.

I also loved that neither of the boys – or any of the characters – were perfect.  They all had flaws, all had their imperfections.  They all felt real.

But what truly made this book wasn't the characters individually – but the two characters together as best friends.  These two... they didn't get off to the best start (bless Ollie's overexcitement and Moritz's snarky, borderline-hostile (ok, not so borderline) response).  And the friendship just got stronger, binding all these genres and elements together flawlessly.

As those of you who've read a few of my reviews might know, I adore split POVs - they are my absolute favourite things ever.   And I adored the way Because You'll Never Meet Me was told through letters the two boys sent to one another, showing how their friendship grew, how they struggled and blossomed.  Sure, the plot wasn't an epic fantasy – wasn't some grand quest.  I guess you could call it a coming of age story, with sci-fi aspects.  You could call it a personal adventure of overcoming the darkest parts of yourself.  You could call it an unconventional love-story between two super-humans.

Or you could call it a very human, very touching and very inspiring story, with some amazing paranormal-sci-fi-esque plot threads.  And however I describe it, I loved it all – loved how different the boys sounded, loved watching their individual but entwined stories.

And most of all I loved the way the disabilities were handled in this book – especially I love how Moritz phrases this:

"But I am not handicapped."  Again, my impulses ae too fast, Oliver.  I did not mean to refute being blind.  I meant to express my loathing of the term handicapped.  "Behindert," as it reads in German.'

Well done, Mo!  *straightens up (see, I'm in a wheelchair – but if I could stand I would) and gives Moritz a round of applause*  And I adore the way Oliver approaches both of their unique conditions – like they have some kind of superpower!  I like to think my wheelchair makes me a cyborg, so I totally get that.  I also got the loneliness – sometimes, not being what society generally considers to be ‘normal’ can be so isolating and I just loved how these boys had one another to keep themselves sane – their friendship really was so beautiful.

But the way Thomas represents disability, sexuality and all the other forms of diversity in Because You’ll Never Meet Me was perfect: despite the fantastical elements, it was never made light of, always treated with respect and despite being one of the main focus points, somehow managed not to make the disabilities The Issue – the whole reason for the book.  No, as mentioned before, the unlikely relationship between Ollie and Moritz was the driving force, as was the mystery of their origins (sorry, couldn't resist that little superhero pun).  I would've liked to see someone with a more physical disability (such as my own, for example) but I loved the way Ollie's complicated epilepsy and allergies and Moritz's blindness (well, eyeless-ness) was portrayed.

Like all books out there, Because You'll Never Meet Me probably won't be for everyone.  If you like your contemporaries without fantastical, sci-fi elements or your fantastical science-fiction without a contemporary  setting, this might not be for you.

But if, like me, you've been searching for a unique blend of realism, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, romance, and a brilliant selection of diverse characters, pick up Because You'll Never Meet Me right this second.  I absolutely cannot wait to see what Thomas writes next – because if this was her debut...  Wow.  I am ridiculously excited about her next book – I do kind of hope it's about Moritz and Ollie!  I'm just not quite ready to let these two go yet!

Star Rating:
4 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

Mutant City by Steve Cole

There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake

Angel Blood by John Singleton

Boo by Neil Smith

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Bloomsbury in exchange for an honest review

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Series: The Lunar Chronicles, Book Two

Publisher: Puffin

Format: Paperback

Published: 7^th February 2013

Number of Pages: 464

Book: For Review*

Genre: Dystopian, Science-Fiction, Action-Adventure, Romance, Fairy-Tale, Fantasy, Steampunk, Mystery, YA, Middle Grade, YA-MG Crossover

Recommended Age: 9+

Contains: Violence, Death, Swearing

Author's Site: Marissa Meyer

This is not the fairytale you remember.

But it’s one you won’t forget.

Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. The police have closed her case. The only person Scarlet can turn to is Wolf, a street fighter she does not trust, but they are drawn to each other.

Meanwhile, in New Beijing, Cinder will become the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive – when she breaks out of prison to stay one step ahead of vicious Queen Levana.

As Scarlet and Wolf expose one mystery, they encounter Cinder and a new one unravels. Together they must challenge the evil queen, who will stop at nothing to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner . . .

                                                                   Review:

"This is war...  She's declared war on us…"

Linh Cinder discovered she was Lunar, tried to save the Emperor, got caught by the Queen Levana of Luna and arrested. 

So instead of being taken back to Luna and probably killed, Cinder breaks out of prison, taking American ex-cadet Carswell Thorne with her, and flees.  Thus making her Enemy Number One – and the most wanted person in the Commonwealth.

Meanwhile, Scarlet Benoit's Grand-mère vanishes and the police shut the case, claiming she's a crazy old woman who just wandered off.  But Scarlet knows something terrible has happened - that her grandmother has been taken by someone dangerous.

And the only person who can help her is the quiet, brooding streetfighter Wolf.

As they attempt to find Scar's grandmother, they stumble across Cinder and soon they're all wrapped up in a larger plot – to face the wicked Queen Levana and defeat her.

If they don't beat the Queen, Emperor Kai (the boy Cinder got arrested to protect) will become a prisoner – expendable.  And the Commonwealth will fall before the wrath of the vicious Lunar Queen...

I loved Cinder, when I read it so many years ago.  Somehow, I failed to read Scarlet as soon as it came out (I know, I'm insane – certifiable, in fact) and decided enough was enough: I had to know what happened next!  When I finally picked Scarlet up, I was worried for the poor book – time and my love of Cinder had built up sky-high expectations, ones I felt certain Scarlet could never live up to.  Man, I was wrong.  Scarlet... it just blew me away.  It somehow managed to be even better than Cinder – I didn't even think that was possible!  I just... I can't put into words how much I loved it – and how much I'm kicking myself for not reading it sooner!

I adored the characters in the book – both the old ones and the new ones.  They're all so brilliant, so vibrant and real and amazing.  I'm a little blown away by how much I love all the characters (well, apart from Levana, Adri and the LSOP people)...

I'll start with the newest of our two heroines: Scarlet, who was a total badass – fearless and a little scary at times.  She was so protective and loyal and brave and funny.  All in all, another amazing heroine, just like the wonderful Cinder.

And speaking of Cinder – oh how I love her!  She's amazing and so very, very funny!  I love how resourceful, tough, vulnerable, clever and brilliant she is.  She's so strong, but prone to the teenage moments – c'mon, all teens have them – and she's also just so good.  I just love her – especially her new bickering with Thorne!

Wolf – oh, it is so clear to me that Meyer is capable of creating all kinds of book boyfriends I just fall for instantly.  He was intriguing, so mysterious, so broody and quiet and dangerous.  And so protective and good.  I was under his spell, intrigued by him, and by the end I was totally in love!  Him and Scar are perfect!

As for Carswell Thorne.  Is it wrong that I love him?  He is a criminal.  And a bit of a hound dog.  But he's also freaking hilarious.  And insane.  And amazing.  He was just such a doofus – such amazing comic relief in this fast-paced book.  He's freaking hilarious and I freaking love him to pieces!

Kai – oh, I love Kai!  We didn't see as much of him – no! – and had hardly any of him and Cinder together, but even when he was just in his office, dealing with royal advisors and crazy Lunars, he was brilliant.  He is such a good Emperor and I just love him.

Oh!  And how I loved seeing Iko again!  I love that little robot!  

Wow, that was a lot of character-related-rambling!  I just love them all so so much!

I loved the story in Cinder – it was engaging, addictive, fast-paced, exciting and amazing.  But Scarlet just took all of that and doubled it.  Thanks to the dual (sometimes triple) storyline that perfectly wove together, I was always on my toes, always utterly hooked, always excited and nervous and laughing and chewing at my fingernails (but not really, cause that's unhygienic).  And Meyer's awesome writing just enhanced all of this brilliant suspense, action and humour.  I loved how we got so many perspectives – Cinder, Scarlet, Thorne, Kai, even Levana.  We got to know so many characters, see so many interlinked stories, and it was just amazing.  Meyer is a master of words and story lines, no doubt about it!

I seriously love fairy tales.  I've read a lot of fairy tale retellings.  But the Lunar Chronicles world has to be one of my very favourites.  The 'princesses' are badasses, the carriages are high-tech space ships and the princes have to deal with homicidal alien queens – oh, and the singing-animal-sidekicks are witty little robots.  I mean, that's a million of my favourite things put together into one amazing, amazing series.  I'm literally one of the happiest bloggers in the universe when I pick up a Lunar Chronicles book – and trust me when I tell you I won't be daft enough not to read Cress just as soon as I've finished this review!

So yes, if you haven't gathered, I adored Scarlet.  I read it in just one sitting, staying up late to gobble it all up.  Meyer is truly a goddess and I utterly worship her.  Her books are so amazing, so addictive and brilliant, and I could just read about this world forever and ever.  Since that is probably impossible, I'm just going to read Cress.  I'm utterly hooked, completely under an enchantment, and I just can't stop with the Lunar kick right now!  

As far as addictions go, the Lunar Chronicles is one of the best – by far!  In fact, it is indeed one you will never, ever forget, or get over – or even want to get over.  I know I don't!  Hence the insane rambling and how I'm already picking Cress up...  

Star Rating:
5 Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

Grisha by Leigh Bardugo

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Descendants by Melissa de la Cruz

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Penguin in exchange for an honest review