My rating: 5 of 5 stars
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.
I have never denied my love for this space saga retelling of the famous four fairytales, and this one wants me to scream from rooftops how much I love Meyer’s beautiful writing. She has woven these fairytales so seamlessly in one dystopic world, merging genres of fantasy, science fiction, and romance. Girl power is basically the theme of the series, and our favorite revolutionaries, are once again trying to thwart Levana’s plans for world domination. Cinder has gained help from Cress, Levana’s talented hacker, and our Rapunzel, to help with stopping Kai’s and Levana’s wedding. Cress is the main heroine of the story, but since there is a lot taking place, we get perspective from each of our darling princesses. So, at the start of the story, Cinder, Thorne, Wolf, Scarlet, Iko and the doctor are gathered in the Rampion, when they are contacted by Cress. Cress, has been trapped in her satellite, her metaphorical tower, for 6 years, while aiding Levana step by step take over the world. But the bloodshed in Scarlet has emboldened her, making her eager to leave her cage and help the right people. She is also a little in love with Thorne, despite never having met him.
When they decide to rescue her from her satellite, they are interrupted by Thaumaturge Sybil, the Mother Gothel in this story and the group gets separated. Thorne and Cress are plunked in the middle of the desert, after she gets a haircut (dont’ ask, just read the book!), Scarlet is kidnapped, and Cinder and Co get a new ally in the form of Jacin Clay, who, to be honest is morally ambigious. But he says he is loyal to his Princess, and Cinder takes this to mean her, Princess Selene. Together, they hatch a plan to save Kai from the wedding and overthrow Levana on Luna itself. Meanwhile, Cress and Thorne are having a hard time in the desert; Cress, especially because she is new to Earth, only ever having caught glimpses from her satellite. She is still filled with childlike wonder over the planet, and Thorne is perhaps a little attracted to her because of that. He, however, also thinks that he is the first guy she has ever met, so is not quick to return her feelings. It’s a long arduous journey, and when they finally all reunite and the mission begins, it’s all naitbitingly tense. Towards the climax, I was on such a reading high, that when the book ended I was like – No! Why isn’t Winter out yet?
Speaking of Winter, she is an interesting character and Jacin and her seem devoted to each other. As for Scarlet, please save my poor baby!!! Cinder had a lot of soul searching to do in this story, starting with the extent of her powers and the morality of it. Seeing what she can do, and Wolf’s feeling about it, it all is very complicated. They both are the best brotp ever, though, and I even loved the little ‘Alpha’ moment Cress and Wolf shared. He is a fearsome creature, but he is also the gentlest cinnamon roll. Overall, great action, good storyline and some spectacular writing. And sorry for gushing!! 😀
YA on my Mind 