Book Review: Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
452 Pages

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.

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Review:

Scarlet is the novel that I was most anticipating of 2013 and with good reason, Ms. Meyer's debut, Cinder is one of my all time favorite books! I had high hopes for this novel and luckily, they were surpassed. Scarlet was a wonderful follow up that was extremely difficult to put down even though I started it during what has been my busiest school week thus far!

In Scarlet, we are introduced to several new characters, including one whom the book was named. Scarlet Benoit's beloved grandmother is missing. She's brought it to the attention of the police, but there have been no leads and the professionals have given up. When a dangerous man, who calls himself Wolf, offers his help, she's reluctant, but slowly comes around to the idea. While on the other side of the world, Cinder is escaping with the help of an unlikely ally and in search of answers about her past. These two girls will come together to learn things they never thought possible.

I love these characters! Of course, seeing Cinder and Kai again made me happy, but Scarlet, Wolf and Captain Thorne were fantastic additions. Captain Thorne brought in some much needed humor, while Wolf and Scarlet gave us insight into the ways of other parts of this futuristic Earth live. They were great characters that were really enjoyable to read about. I wasn't sure that I would enjoy the point-of-view switches between books, but after reading this novel, I am glad the author did what she did. 

Ms. Meyer skillfully brings her readers back into this creatively woven journey. I loved reading about France this time. Seeing new perspectives in a story is often beneficial. In the case of Scarlet, I think it was important in tying together the setting. It really helped in filling out the world that the author brought to life in Cinder.

There were a few minor inconsistencies and a bit of predictability, but beyond that, I have no qualms with this book. Seriously, nothing bad comes to mind. In fact, any time I think about Scarlet, I just start thinking about Cress and how long we have to wait until it is released! It is impossible for me to think negatively about this book!

Scarlet is another Marissa Meyer book to go on my "best books ever" shelf! This novel did nothing but make me love the author even more! Scarlet is a fascinating, captivating read that will leave its audience (including me) dying for the third book!

WinterHaven Sleigh Tour: Letter to Santa

Ed and I are happy to be a part of the WinterHaven Sleigh Tour hosted byWinterHaven Books!

For the first three weeks in December, bloggers across the blogosphere are participating in different themed "challanges."

This week bloggers are book wishes to Santa.

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Dear Mr. Claus,

I want a whole lot this Christmas. I'm greedy, but since I've been super nice this year, I think I deserve it.

Firstly, I need new socks and undergarments - including at least two new bras. I would like a new kitten named Tangerine, who I will dub Rini and for my hedgehog, Archibald to arrive early. I want a free trip and tour of Ireland, if I saw Niall Horan, it really wouldn't hurt. I want Garrett Hedlund under my artificial purple tree, wearing nothing but a bow. I would also really like every book ever.

...

Mother says that if I want all those other things, I can only ask you for one book. So I'll ask you for Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer. 

It's got robots and moon people and genetically modified humans and some smokin' hot romance. ...Claus, my man, you know how I am about romance. So if you just wanna leave an ARC of this under my tree, I would be more than happy to continue to be a good, nice girl forever. (Except when I don't really feel like it.)

Yours Truly,
Emily Elizabeth
(Clifford says he wants more dog biscuits. Not only is he getting fat, he ate my favorite pair of shoes, so don't give him any.)

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Desperately Wanting Wednesday (5)

Desperately Wanting Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Parajunkee's View. Unlike "Waiting On Wednesday" the meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, you can talk about books that you want that have already been released, but you haven't had a chance to read.

This week's theme is:
Books I Would Wrestle My Mother For on the Floor Of Walmart

(Ew, dude. Walmart? Can I substitute Barnes & Noble, or at least Target?)

Our Released Pick:

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

The blurb as seen on Goodreads:

Release Date: February 14, 2012

Publisher: Walker Childrens

292 Pages

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance. 

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

This book sounds so freaking good. I've always been intrigued by the story of Robin Hood and I'm a big fan of retellings. Plenty of people have told me that I should've already read this because it's one of the best books they've read this year. Scarlet needs to be in my hands. Right. Now.

Our To-Be-Released Pick:

Scarlet Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: February 5, 2013

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

464 Pages

This book will feature Cinder and Little Red Riding Hood and will take place in France.

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-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 and 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 has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Right then, let's change the theme because not only would I have a fight with my mother in an unsanitary store for these books, but they have the same name. Whoa...

I want this book so badly that I'm almost brought to tears at the thought of waiting until February to get it. If you could only get one ARC per year, this would be the 2012 ARC of my life. The first book in this series, Cinder, is one of my all-time favorite books. I was amazed at how much I loved it. Now I have to wait F-O-R-E-V-E-R to read this one. Please forgive me as I snot-sob until February 5th. 

...Where are the tissues?

For what books would you wrestle your mother on a Walmart floor?

Cover Reveals

Two of my favorite authors have released the covers of their next books!

Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

Release Date: February 5, 2013

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

464 Pages

This book will feature Cinder and Little Red Riding Hood and will take place in France.
Update

"Book two, Scarlet, is based on Little Red Riding Hood. It continues Cinder’s story as she attempts to escape Queen Levana’s vengeance and learn more about her past. The story also introduces readers to Scarlet, a girl living in southern France whose grandmother has mysteriously disappeared. In order to find her, Scarlet seeks the help of Wolf, a street fighter with more than a few mysteries of his own."

SCARLET HAS A COVER. OH DEAR GOD, THAT MEANS THAT TIME IS CLOSING IN. THANK JOHN TRAVOLTA.

Seriously, Scarlet is one of the books I'm most excited about that releases next year, if not the number one. I adored the first novel and have been not-so-patiently waiting for Scarlet's release. Plus the cover of book two matches that of book one. THANK YOU, FEIWEL AND FRIENDS, FOR STAYING ON THE PATH. Sorry about the shouty caps - they are quite addicting!

And the second reveal:

Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Release Date: February 5, 2013

Publisher: Walker Children's

336 Pages

Mallory's life is falling apart. Her boyfriend was stabbed. He bled to death in her kitchen. Mallory was the one who stabbed him. But she can't remember what happened that night. She only remembers the fear . . . 

When Mallory's parents send her away to a boarding school, she thinks she can escape the gossip and the threats. But someone, or something, has followed her. There's the hand that touches her shoulder when she's drifting off to sleep. A voice whispering her name. And everyone knows what happened. So when a pupil is found dead, Mallory's name is on their lips. Her past can be forgotten but it's never gone. Can Mallory live with that?

LOVE, LOVE, LOVED Fracture by Megan and I'm dying to get my hands on book two of that series, but Hysteria looks just as awesome and if it's anything like Fracture, I'll love it!