Review: The Lunar Chronicles #2, Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Blurd from Goodreads

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.

Kindle Edition, 464 pages

Published February 5th 2013 by Feiwel & Friends

edition language: English

series: The Lunar Chronicles

genre: Sci-fi, Romance, Young Adult

My Thoughts

I’m so join the hype now! Although I enjoyed Cinder, there were things that I didn’t quite like and it was kind of predictable for me. Yes it was a Cinderella retelling so I felt familiar with it, but it was the Sailor Moon references that I think made it predictable as it was one of my favorite comics when I was a teenager.

In this Little Red Riding Hood retelling, I felt like reading a new story. Again, yes I still felt a familiar feeling throughout the story, who doesn’t, anyway? As it’s one of the most popular fairy tales, but at the same time, I also felt it has its own story, makes it a new refreshing retelling. It even still has twists for me. And the fact that it combines with Cinderella retelling nicely, made me can’t help not to fall in love with the story.

First of all, I loved that the main characters of this Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Kai, are growing so much from Cinder. Cinder isn’t naive anymore, though she still a bit confused with her true role. I can accept that, though. She just learnt her true identity and at the same time has to face the consequences of it. Kai, though also still confused of what he has to do and is overwhelm by his role, slowly realize his responsibility and willing to sacrifice himself for greater things. There are uncertainty and confused role on both of them, but I think it make them good characters as they are growing much in me and feel real. It also shows that they can be great leaders for their people.

As for new characters, they are all interesting and awesome characters. I loved how strong Scarlet can be. She doesn’t have power but her strong-will made her a badass heroine to me. And Wolf, is quite a mystery throughout the story, though it’s kind of obvious of what his role is since I already know Little Red Riding Hood story. But still, he can show me surprises.

And I won’t forget about Cadet-who-called-himself-Captain Throne. He’s so funny and his sarcastic jokes never failed to make me laugh. Now I’m really curious to see his relationship with Cress.

I have to admit that at first I was kind of doubt Cinder story will let aside so that Scarlet can have bigger story here. Scarlet is still the main character here, but Marissa Meyer didn’t let Cinder in the shadow. She has the same important role as Scarlet. I think it makes me love it. Meyer can balance both of the stories and intertwine it well.

Now I have high expectation for Cress, can’t wait to read it. Well…am going to read it soon, shoot…am heading to the book now!

Result: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Review: Flat-Out Celeste by Jessica Park

Blurb from Goodreads

For high-school senior Celeste Watkins, every day is a brutal test of bravery. And Celeste is scared. Alienated because she’s too smart, her speech too affected, her social skills too far outside the norm, she seems to have no choice but to retreat into isolation.

But college could set her free, right? If she can make it through this grueling senior year, then maybe. If she can just find that one person to throw her a lifeline, then maybe, just maybe.

Justin Milano, a college sophomore with his own set of quirks, could be that person to pull her from a world of solitude. To rescue her—that is, if she’ll let him.

Together, they may work. Together, they may save each other. And together they may also save another couple—two people Celeste knows are absolutely, positively flat-out in love.

Whether you were charmed by Celeste in Flat-Out Love or are meeting her for the first time, this book is a joyous celebration of differences, about battling private wars that rage in our heads and in our hearts, and—very much so— this is a story about first love.

ebook

Published May 24th 2014 by Flat Finn

edition language: English

series: Flat-Out Love

genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

My Thoughts

One does simply fall in love with Celeste Watkins and Justin Milano

I first met Celeste Watkins in Flat-Out Love. She isn’t the main character there, but she catches my attention. I think she’s one weird character who has problem that needs professional help. Yet I love her weirdness or eccentricities as Matt Watkins always says. Now she’s a young adult with her eccentricities still. She’s much better now, at least she doesn’t have to rely on Flat Finn anymore but she still speaks with such formality. It’s like she is an old lady, instead of a senior high school student. And yet, I still love her.

And then enter Justin Milano, a sophomore college student who also has his own eccentricities. From the first time I met him, I know that he is as weird as Celeste. He’s so funny he doesn’t even realize it. I can’t help not to love him when I read his emails to Celeste. Basically they are perfect for each other.

There are many moments and lines I love from Justin and Celeste. Some of it reminds me of Matt and Julie, but it doesn’t mean that what Justin and Celeste have are less appealing, far from it because they tell it in a different way. Hence make it their story.

I also love that Celeste is still true to her personalities in Flat-Out Love. The way she thinks and her word choices are still unusual, and she also doesn’t use the contractions most of the time. That made me believe that she is the girl I knew from Flat-Out Love. But as a character she also grows up along the story. She tries hard to live the life she has dreamed and fight for it. I can see her changes. And it made me love her more as a character.

Just like Flat-Out Love, there are so many emotions while I read this book. I think it’s funnier than Flat-Out Love as Justin is really a funny guy with his non-stop rambling

“What? My keys. Damn, thank you! Okay, now I’m ready. Remind me that I have to get milk at the store. Forget I said that. It’s not your job to remind me to get milk. I don’t know why I asked you that. My study group is at three today, so I’ve enough time. Wait, what time is it? It’s not even nine; what am I worried about?”

But it’s also romantic,

“You’re a life saver, Celeste,”
“No, you are my life saver, Justin”

adorable,

“I’m nervous. Is that weird? But you make me nervous. I mean, in an awesome way. But you make me nervous,” he said.

sad,

“I am sad because of me. I am embarrassed.”

hopeful,

“I understand that. There are battles, some greater than others. But they are worth getting through.” He held her tighter. “This is the fight, Celeste. You’re in the middle of it. I feel that.”

and I feel sorry for the characters but at the same time I know there’s hope in them, they aren’t hopeless

“I think we need to make our own hinges now.”

In the author acknowledgements, Jessica Park said that her son said she should think about writing something else. But for me, I still can’t get enough of Flat-Out characters. That’s how I love Justin, Celeste, Matt and Julie.

Result: 4.5 out of 5 stars