Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

I really enjoyed Cinder, the first book in The Lunar Chronicles last year. It was dynamic and fun and all fairy-taleish with sci-fi elements. Scarlet takes that small taste of the deliciously creative and colourful world glimpsed in Cinder and amps it up to a new level. The plot moves faster, there's new characters that bring flashes of humour and there's more swoon and ambiguity. Where Cinder was predictable, Scarlet keep it's playing cards hidden that bit more.  

Despite being named Scarlet, the story breaks itself out evenly between continuing the thread of Cinder and Prince Kai's story from Cinder, and introducing us to Scarlet (her missing, probably tortured grandmother) and Wolf the street-fighting, criminal (?) guy who has connections. 

I loved Wolf. And I definitely think I wanted more of him. I found him utterly enigmatic. Equal parts ruthless and charming. I also couldn't pick his role in this: Was he the main enemy aka The Big Bad Wolf from Little red Riding Hood, or was there a twist with this swoony guy? Scarlet was such a fab addition to the cast: feisty, sure of herself, determined and driven by her love for her grandmother. 

I kind of bumped my way along in this book. While I was reading it, I was liking it. When I had to set it down, I found I wasn't aching to pick it back up, but when I did I would get into it again. I liked all the POVs and plot threads weaving around each other, but I think a more linear story would have held my attention more. There was so much going on, but my attention still wandered. How does that work? 

I loved the idea of the story itself, but despite reading being my favourite platform for a story, I think I would have loved it more if it were, say, a mini series on TV - wouldn't that be vibrant and addictive and deliciously fun? 

Guys, if you loved the first book, or even liked or were intrigued by Cinder, this should be on your reading list. The general consensus is that Scarlet is even better. This series is shaping up to be a big one in the YA world. I can't even think of what to compare it with? (that could be because I am not sci-fi YA savvy, but I tend to believe it is because this series is truly unique, haha). 

Scarlet @ goodreads
Scarlet @ Penguin Australia

Thanks to Penguin Australia for my review copy :)