Monday 25 February 2013

Scarlet - Marissa Meyer


Pages: 452
Publisher: Puffin
Release Date: 7th February 2013
Edition: UK paperback, review copy

Other Titles in this Series: Cinder

This is not the fairy tale 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 Queen vicious Lavana.

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

Cinder was one of the best books I read last year and while Scarlet didn’t have the same sparkle as its predecessor for me, I still loved it.

It’s been over a year since I read Marissa Meyer’s debut so I was a little sketchy on the finer details of Cinder and the world that the series is set in. I have to admit that that would usually seriously hinder my enjoyment of a novel, but it didn’t seem to matter at all with Scarlet. There were mysteries and intriguing questions immediately thrown in to the mix surrounding Scarlet’s grandmother and Wolf and there was so much more action, adventure and near-experiences in Scarlet.

Even though I knew that Cinder would feature in Scarlet, I had no idea that she would have such a big part of the novel. I’m so glad she did though! I would have a liked a little more of Kai to match however. I wanted them two to be reunited SO BADLY and I just kept hoping and hoping for them to somehow be in the same place again, but alas, not this time. Don’t give up on her Kai! I was glad that Cinder was accompanied by the arrogant and brilliantly funny Thorne. He was a refreshing burst of comic relief and he complicated Cinder beautifully.

Scarlet is fiery, brave and has a temper to match her name – I loved her. She’s such a strong and determined character who will stop at nothing to protect her grandmother and she was also really brave. Unusually for a YA novel heroine, it was Scarlet that made the first move and I was so, so pleased that Marissa Meyer did that. Excellent. Speaking of Wolf, what a revelation! I didn’t see that coming at all and it really threw a different dynamic in to their relationship and the story.

I cannot wait for Cress to be released. A brilliant, brilliant series.

Thank you to Puffin for providing me with a review copy.

Sophie 

6 comments:

  1. I finished this book recently - I completely agree with you about Kai. I missed him in this book! Even though Wolf was great, it took him so long to open up. And Thorne definitely helped on the humor side of things. Great review!

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  2. I haven't read your review, because I haven't read Cinder yet but like to comment on all of my favourite blogs. I'm sure your review is amazing anyway!
    Cinder looks so good and is waiting on my shelf to be read. I know so many people who have enjoyed both Cinder and Scarlet so I'm really missing out. I hope you enjoyed it, Sophie! :)

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  3. After reading this review, I think it's time that Scarlet featured in my bookish life. Cinder was so, so good - one of my favourites. Glad you enjoyed it (and now I'm totally intrigued about the revelation on Wolf!)

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  4. totally agree with even, even the Kai thing! I wished we saw more of him too damnit… I cannot wait to read the next one, need it now. I was glad to see that theres another two mentioned at the end of my copy though, means we have a lot more to come from this series yet! :D

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  5. I've only just finished Cinder and it appears I'm going to have to buy a copy of Scarlet now :) Fab review :D

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  6. I've really struggled to get into this book, which makes me sad because I really loved Cinder. I just don't do well with books in the same series with a different narrator :(

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