Scarlet is the second book in the Lunar Chronicles series. For my review on the first book, take a look here: https://samaustinwriter.wordpress.com/2014/04/02/book-review-wednesday-cinder-5-stars/
Here’s the blurb for the second:
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.
Now I loved the first one, so imagine my surprise when I ended up loving the second one even more. This one adds a couple fresh characters: Scarlet and Wolf. I was worried that Scarlet may end up too much like Cinder, but I shouldn’t have. Scarlet was a much tougher character. She strikes me as someone who’s been through the ringer quite a few times. She knows how to stand up for herself, and she’s not afraid to do anything for the ones she loves.
Cinder became tough in the first book. She had to, but she still had an air of vulnerability about her. She was also nice to those around her. She didn’t go out of her way to cause conflict. Scarlet on the other hand is prickly with everyone she meets. In that way, I guess Cinder is the more human of the two. Funny since she’s the cyborg, and Scarlet the human.
Wolf is another awesome addition. Imagine a really really dangerous, but also insanely cute puppy. That about sums up what Wolf is like. He’s got the mysterious loner thing going on, and then he’ll catch sight of something he’s interested in like the view out the window of the vehicle he’s in, or any type of food, and you can practically see his tail wagging.
And then there’s my new favorite character: Thorne. Thorne is what makes the second book better for me than the first. He’s just so funny. I turned each page hoping for another interaction between him and Cinder.
Here’s an exchange which sums up the relationship between these two:
“A relieved grin filled up Thorne’s face. “We’re having another moment, aren’t we?”
“If by a moment, you mean me not wanting to strangle you for the first time since we met, then I guess we are.”
I love this guy. I want to read the next book, just so I can read more of him.
Everything in the second book seemed better than the first, and since I loved the first that’s pretty damn awesome. The plot seemed faster paced, there was more action, more mayhem and higher stakes. And did I mention the humor? Seriously, this book was funny.
My opinion, read Cinder if you haven’t already, then read this one. It’s awesome.
Here’s the link to read more reviews on this book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13206760-scarlet?from_search=true
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