Scarlett by Merissa Meyer (Book review)

 

Scarlet by Merissa Meyer (Book review)

THIS IS NOT THE FAIRY TALE YOU REMEMBER. BUT THE ONE YOU WON'T FORGET.

Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. The police have closed her case. The only person Scarlet can turn to is Wolf, a street fighter she does not trust, but they are drawn to each other.

Meanwhile, in NEW Beijing, Cinder will become the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive -when she breaks out of prison to stay one step ahead of the vicious Queen Levana.

As Scarlet and Wolf expose one mystery, they encounter Cinder, and a new one unravels. Together, they must challenge the evil queen. Who will stop at nothing to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

"A relieved grin filled up Thorne's face. "We're having another moment, aren't we?"

"If  by a moment, you mean me not wantin to strangle you for the first time since we met, then I guess we are."

Well, this book was interesting! I'll start off by saying how original and different this book was! This book transfers from the first one pretty well and introduces the new characters satisfyingly. The whole fantasy princess sci-fi genre was unlike anything I ever read before. The book offered some mystery and alot of action. My opinion of this book (and the whole series) changes a little from time to time, so I'll try to speak from both my good and bad opinions. Cause I've felt conflicted about these books, and the debates on my thoughts are still there, but I'll try my best.

"I think I realized that I would rather die because I betrayed them, than live because I betrayed you."

   

 The main character, Scarlet, was pretty good. She was my favorite girl character in the entire series... I just question how she could develop feelings for a mysterious street fighter within....what? Under a week? It just raises questions about the depth of connection and the character development. She was pretty cool, though, and I really liked how Merissa wrote this Red Ridinghood twist.

    Similarly, Wolf was a cool and intriguing character to read; he's a streetfighter who's mysterious and wolf-ish. But how could someone so mysterious, serious, and guarded as he develop feelings for a girl he only met a week ago!? This kinda detracts from the characters a bit cause it felt so out of place. But they were a cool duo and worked together well, and they have a cool romance, but I'd have liked it better if it were slower and less passionate so early on.  Just sometimes, I couldn't tell if we were reading more about how they were going to solve the mystery, or their relationship.

    The Cinder part of the story was okay 一In comparison to the missions and action Wolf and Scarlet were into. But Cinder isn't alone; she's met Thorne, a cocky space pilot who's a rebel and a lady's guy. Basically, Flyn Ryder. And reading their duo was exciting. Even though Cinder wasn't my favorite, their bickery and NON ROMANTIC friendship (holy rare moment) was super enjoyable and funny. Thorne's character was a bit too flirty; He doesn't take any relationship seriously, and he flirts with every girl in sight, even if he's with another girl. And we can't forget about Cinder's love life.... or we can in this book, since they don't interact or see each other at all. Whatever she and Kai have going on is a mess in this book, and they don't really do much other than randomly think of each other.

    Merissa did write the changing perspectives really well, and changing from one group of characters to the other was fun, and I loved how she played their stories out so they could meet up and join into one group. I remember reading the scene where both characters from different sides of the world, with their different stories that I had been following, met and became enthralled in this crazy plot together. It was exciting! Some parts of this book were even a little scary. Not in a way where I was trembling or actually afraid, but it was just...darker than the last book.

    Overall, the book was full of really cool action and plot twists, interesting characters and backstories, but also a not-so-great romance, and some strange aspects about the book I just did not vibe with. Sometimes the book gave an off feeling that, as a teen Christian, I just did not feel right about. But most of the book was fine, I guess. It's pretty interesting and doesn't hurt to read. If someone decides to read this series, I don't see any real harm in it. I wouldn't put it on my recommended list, and I don't think it's a series to be stuck in too much or spend alot of time and thought on. It's definitely not my favorite. But overall, interesting read, and it was a cool new experience!

I'd recommend ages 14/15+ and rate it 4/10

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