ARC Review: Renegades by Marissa Meyer

Title: Renegades Series: Renegades #1 Written by: Marissa Meyer Published: November 7, 2017 by Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice. The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew. Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both

**** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. ****

This was not my favorite Marissa Meyer book. I’m a fan of the author and I have always thought she has done some amazing a creative things with classic stories so I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, I think that I had too high of hopes because I just didn’t love it. It was a good book but it wasn’t as exciting and I wanted and could have been much more creative.

One thing I did like about the book, despite their lack of creativity, was the characters. I’ll talk more about the powers later but as far as basic characterizations go, this part was pretty good. Character creation has always been where Marissa shines. She is great at creating lovable and charming characters that are complex and engaging. And while these weren’t some of her best they were still really good. As far as the main characters go, there were two, Nova and Adrian. I definitely liked them both. They had interesting backstories and were similarly complex in that they weren’t totally bad or totally good. I connected with them both and their search for answers. But many of them were odious and complex and walked the line between good and evil. That is what I like in my superhero/villain stories and also what I like about books in general so I did appreciate that.

But as far as the powers and the world-building goes, they were not very creative. I say they are not very creative because these characters had definite X-Men vibes. Like SUCH X-Men vibes. Which honestly is natural when you’re talking about superheroes because seriously there is a mutant for everything. It when basically every character has a near Pete t correlation with am X-Men character it gets a little old. There were some exceptions. Adrian’s power was really cool. I liked what she did with him a lot. And Monarch who could turn into butterflies was pretty interesting. But in general, I felt like instead of playing with superhero tropes this book played them up. Which is not a bad thing but also not what I am looking for.

But I think that was how I felt about the plot as well, it was not what I was looking for. It’s not that this book is not exciting. Because, come on, it’s a book about super powered people, there are plenty of action scenes. It’s just that the action scenes were kind of few and far between. There was so much potential here, but the book really just didn’t go there. I had all these theories about complex directions that that plot could be taken in and it didn’t do any of them:m. Which, whatever, I didn’t write this story. But the climax just fell flat for me. I didn’t feel like there was much of an over-arching plot that built up as the boom developed even though it tried to do that. It just felt like it was trying to be tense and it succeeded in that but the plot on the whole felt kind of lackluster.

Maybe it just suffered from first book syndrome for me. I am interested to see where the series goes because the big reveal at the ending was amazing and I know there is definitely some shoes to drop but on the whole, this book just didn’t impress me how I hoped it would.

I give Renegades by Marissa Meyer 8 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Borrow. I would probably recommend this book to someone who is not a superhero fan. It’s probably geared more towards a casual fan and not someone who wants an in-depth and creative exploration into the story of heroes and villains.

Have you read Renegades? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: Renegades by Marissa Meyer

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Renegades Series: Renegades #1 Author: S.J. Kincaid Published: November 7, 2017 by Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: From #1 New York Times-bestselling author Marissa Meyer, comes a high-stakes world of adventure, passion, danger, and betrayal.  Secret Identities.  Extraordinary Powers.  She wants vengeance.  He wants justice.   The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone...except the villains they once overthrew. Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

Why I'm Waiting:

This book is literally checking all the boxes for me. 1.) It's a book about super powered people. 2.) It's about heroes and villains and I'm sure explores what it means to be a good guy and a bad guy. 3.) One of the main character wants revenge and the other wants justice. Which are two themes I love being explored in a book. Seriously this is such a me book.

But on top of all that it's written by Marissa Meyer who is one of my all time favorite authors. I have enjoyed every single Marissa Meyer book I have read. I loved The Lunar Chronicles and liked Heartless but I am so excited for a new series from her. More fantastic characters and thrilling plots, more cool worlds and interesting settings. More Marissa Meyer.

I was hoping to get a copy of this at ALA but they didn't have any to hand out. But that's totally fine because I have already preordered a copy. I cannot wait for it to show up on my door step so I can devour it and see how Marissa handles superheroes and super villains!

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on Renegades along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Wires and Nerve, Vol. 1 by Marissa Meyer and Douglas Holgate

Title: Wires and Nerve, Vol 1 Series: Wires and Nerve #1 (also basically The Lunar Chronicles #6)) Written by: Marissa Meyer and Douglas Holgate (illustrations) Published: January 31, 2017 by Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: In her first graphic novel, #1 New York Times and USA Today bestseller Marissa Meyer follows Iko, the beloved android from the Lunar Chronicles, on a dangerous and romantic new adventure -- with a little help from Cinder and the Lunar team.  In her first graphic novel, bestselling author Marissa Meyer extends the world of the Lunar Chronicles with a brand-new, action-packed story about Iko, the android with a heart of (mechanized) gold. When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers' leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity. With appearances by Cinder and the rest of the Rampion crew, this is a must-have for fans of the bestselling series.

I'm a huge fan of The Lunar Chronicles and so I bought a copy of this shortly after the book came out, but I have been waiting to read it until this month because of my science fiction theme. And I'm glad I read it because it's amazing and adorable. I loved it. It took me just a few hours to read this graphic novel that is a must read for fans of The Lunar Chronicle series.

For one thing it was great to revisit the world of the series. I love the science fiction world that Marissa created and here we get to explore it even more. There are just as much space ships, cyborgs, and political intrigue as the main series and it made for an interesting read and fun world.

The best part about this book is also the best part of The Lunar Chronicles and that is the character. In this graphic novel series our main character is Iko. I could not be more excited about that. Iko finally gets the attention she deserves. She's back with a vengeance and so is her trademark humor and fangirl attitude. On top of that we get to see her be the hero and let me tell you, kickass Iko is my favorite Iko. She's such a great and complex strong female protagonist and I'm really glad to see her in the spotlight and not in the background.

But if you were worried that we wouldn't get to see he other characters in the series fear not because this very much feels like a Lunar Chronicles story and features all your favorites from the original series. Cinder is of course a big part of the book as is Winter and it was great seeing them be leaders on Luna and Earth. Scarlet and Wolf were also back and being as cute as ever. But the characters that had the biggest role are the two I was hoping to see and that is Cress and Thorne. They are my favorite characters and they reminded me just how much in this book.

This book also has the trademark Lunar Chronicles humor. It's such a fun read and the tone of the series translated so well to a graphic novel format. There was tons of action and adventure as well as light-hearted and even silly moments. But when it comes right down to it, there was a really engaging plot as well. The book built to an exciting conclusion and I honestly did not want to stop reading to find out what was going to happen next. It was just as exciting and engaging as the original series.

My only criticism is with the artwork. If you don't read a lot of comics and graphic novels you probably won't care about this because it is really accessible when it comes to the drawings. But I found them a little bit basic. I know I'm asking for a lot in my hopes for full color drawings with lots of details but that's what I wanted and that's not what I got. The art is simple and cute which is fine but I wish it was a little more complex.

I am so glad this graphic novel exists. It was great read and a fantastic addition to the Lunar Chronicles. The characters are amazing, the plot is full of action, and adventure, and it's a fast an fun read you will finish in just a few hours.

I give Wires and Nerve, Vol 1 by Marissa Meyer and Douglad Holgate 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. If you love The Lunar Chronicles series you must pick this one up. I'm not sure I would recommend this to people who like graphic novels and have not read the main series. It's a fun book but you need to be familiar with the series and the characters to really enjoy it. And enjoy it I did.

Have you read Wires and Nerve, Vol. 1? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Title: Heartless Written by: Marissa Meyer Published: November 8, 2016 by Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Long before she was the terror of Wonderland—the infamous Queen of Hearts—she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.  Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen.  Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the king and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.   In her first stand-alone teen novel, the New York Times-bestselling author dazzles us with a prequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

*** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher at BEA in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. ***

I'm a huge fan of Marissa Meyer. I loved The Lunar Chronicles, and I know many of you did as well. So seriously anything she wrote I would be on board for. But I couldn't have been more excited to find out that she would be writing an Alice in Wonderland prequel from the perspective of the Queen of Hearts. I was expecting a complex villain origin story which wasn't quite what I got. But what I did get was an interesting retelling.

I think what surprised me most about this book is how it felt much more like historical fantasy than I was expecting. I went into this book thinking we were getting a world that was full of fantasy. I mean how can you make Wonderland not fantastical. And yet that's kind of what happened here. Well, that's not entirely true, there was a good amount of fantasy. But to me, this book read more like historical fiction. It read like a book that took place in the Victorian Era. It put more elements on things like society and how the characters interact with that society. It was more about the characters desire for independence in a society that dictates so much of who they should be. I really liked that aspect of the story even though it wasn't what I was expecting.

But Marissa Meyer has proved once again that she is the master of the retelling. Like all her previous books she did an amazing job taking the source material and putting her own spin on it. Here she used it to create an origin story for the Wonderland that we know and love. There were so many characters and elements from the Lewis Carroll books that she pulled from. Fans of the original books will love just how much of the original is referenced. Locations and objects from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass are not only references but established in this book. Not to mention that your favorite characters like the Mad Hatter, the Chesire Cat, the Catepillar, and even the Jabberwock are included in the story. And for many of them we see them before they got to be the way they are so we get to see their origin and evolution.

But of course this is a book all about the Queen of Hearts. I did like Cath as a main character. What Marissa has managed to do here is very interesting. In some respects she has made me forget that we are dealing with an infamous villain here because she made her so likable and engaging. Cath honestly felt like every other YA historical fiction heroine. That sounds like a bad thing but it's not really. I really like reading about young women who are torn between what society expects of them and what they want for themselves and that's what Cath was. I enjoyed her struggle to take control of her life. But that being said, yeah, I would have liked to see more villainy.

I would have also liked to see less romance. You guys know me and my romancephobia. It's well-documented. And seriously, this book was heavy with the romance. But strangely not because there was a lot of kissing scenes and overt flirting. It was just that so much of Cath's motivation was tied to the romance. And I get that, I get that you want to marry for love in a society that wants you to marry for wealth or prestige. But I just didn't feel the romance. I didn't get why she liked Jest. And that to me was the biggest shock. I usually find Marissa's books to be a shipper's paradise that can melt even my cold heart. But this one just didn't do it for me. I was not invested in their relationship.

But I did like the way the plot developed. There was a good amount of mystery and action to this book. It had some slow parts where things felt almost too complex but in the end it all came together in a really interesting and compelling way. This is one of those books where I spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure out what it all meant and why. It kept me reading because I needed to find out how it was going to end. And then when it finally did get to that climax, I was on the edge of my seat. It really built to an amazing ending. And what I loved is that it felt like a standalone. It had a clear resolution and ending.

On the whole this was really good book. I wasn't totally blown away like have with a lot of Marissa's other books but it was a really fantastic retelling with a great plot that I think fans of historical fiction will really enjoy.

I give Heartless by Marissa Meyer 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. I think this is the kind of book that fans of historical fiction or retellings should definitely pick up, especially if you are a big fan of Alice in Wonderland. But if you are looking for a fast-paced and plot-driven fantasy story you will not find that here.

Waiting on Wednesday: Lines You'll Find Me in at BEA

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

IT'S THE FIRST DAY OF BEA! If you were not aware, I am currently off in Chicago attending all the crazy, hectic, exhausting event known as Book Expo America. I f you have been following me for the past few years you know I like to do a top five books I'll be waiting for at BEA. It's just a way to highlight some books that are there and to inform anyone going what lines you can maybe find me in. So if you're there and you see me, say hi.

1.) Heartless by Marissa Meyer
(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: November 8, 2016 by Macmillan

Synopsis: Long before she was the terror of Wonderland — the infamous Queen of Hearts — she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king's marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship.

Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

Why I'm Waiting: This should be pretty obvious, I loved The Lunar Chronicles so I would basically read whatever Marissa Meyer wrote next. But this is a villain origin story, something I love, about the Queen of Hearts. Seriously, sign me up.

2.) Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Black
(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: October 6, 2016 by Harper Teen

Synopsis: Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.

If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest…but she may be the darkest

Why I'm Waiting: I have not read any Kendare Black despite her stuff seeming like something I would love. But this is very much up my alley. Dark fantasy with political intrigue and three slightly villainous ruler. Total me book.

3.) Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulhurst

(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: November 22, 2016 by Balthazar + Bray (HarperCollins)

Synopsis: Betrothed since childhood to the prince of Mynaria, Princess Dennaleia has always known what her future holds. Her marriage will seal the alliance between Mynaria and her homeland, protecting her people from other hostile lands. But Denna has a secret. She possesses an Affinity for fire—a dangerous gift for the future queen of a kingdom where magic is forbidden.

Now, Denna must learn the ways of her new home while trying to hide her growing magic. To make matters worse, she must learn to ride Mynaria’s formidable warhorses before her coronation—and her teacher is the person who intimidates her most, the prickly and unconventional Princess Amaranthine (called Mare), sister of her betrothed.

When a shocking assassination leaves the kingdom reeling, Mare and Denna reluctantly join forces to search for the culprit. As the two work together, each discovers there’s more to the other than she thought. Mare is surprised by Denna’s intelligence and bravery, while Denna is drawn to Mare’s independent streak. Soon their friendship is threatening to blossom into something more.

But with dangerous conflict brewing that makes the alliance more important than ever, acting on their feelings could be deadly. Forced to choose between their duty and their hearts, Mare and Denna must find a way to save their kingdoms—and each other.

Why I'm Waiting: The world, and especially my life, needs more f/f Sci-Fi/Fantasy. SO obviously when I learned about this book months ago I knew I needed to read it. I was so excited to see that it was at BEA so it's one of my must haves.

4.) Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: September 20, 2016 by Jimmy Patterson (Little Brown Books)

Synopsis: Presented by James Patterson's new children's imprint, this deliciously creepy horror novel has a storyline inspired by the Ripper murders and an unexpected, blood-chilling conclusion... 

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

The story's shocking twists and turns, augmented with real, sinister period photos, will make this dazzling debut from author Kerri Maniscalco impossible to forget.

Why I'm Waiting: I love historical fiction and honestly the darker and more mysterious the better. Not only is this book just that but it takes place during one of my favorite periods to read about and it has a strong female protagonist that subverts gender norms. I've been following this book since before it had a name change and I'm so pumped for a copy.

5.) Gemina by Aime Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
(Amazon / Goodreads)
Published: October 18, 2016 by Knopf (Random House)

Synopsis:The highly anticipated sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller that critics are calling “out-of-this-world awesome.”

Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope.

Once again told through a compelling dossier of emails, IMs, classified files, transcripts, and schematics, Gemina raises the stakes of the Illuminae Files, hurling readers into an enthralling new story that will leave them breathless.

Why I'm Waiting: I only just got confirmation this would be at BEA but I could not be more excited. I absolutely loved Illuminae. It was so creative and engrossing and I can't wait to see what happens next. I'm slightly nervous because I don't read books about aliens but come on, I have to read this one.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday? Are you at BEA with me? Will I see you in any of these line? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Audiobook Review: Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

Title: Stars Above Series: The Lunar Chronicles #? Written by: Marissa Meyer Published: February 2, 2016 by Macmillan (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: The enchantment continues....  The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories—and secrets—that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies?  With nine stories—five of which have never before been published—and an exclusive never-before-seen excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s upcoming novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles. (There's a longer synopsis with info on what each novella is about on Goodreads but I didn't include that part here)

I'm a huge fan of The Lunar Chronicles, especially the audiobooks so I squeezed this collection of novellas into my TBR as part of my retellings month. I'm not a huge fan of short stories and novellas but this added a lot of color and context to this fantastic stories. And while it hasn't been that long since I said goodbye to this series, it was still great to catch back up with it.

Most of what is featured here are prequels. We get to see how things were for each of the individual characters that we came to know and love throughout the four main books of the Lunar Chronicles. It ranges between everything from Michelle Benoit and how Selene came to be with here, to a teenage Thorne, to how Cress got to be on the satellite, Winter and Jacin's childhood in Artemesia, and Kai's perspective of meeting Cinder. Then there was the epilogue novella which let's be honest is why we all came here. It was so fun to catch back up with everyone and see how things are going. Plus in each of the stories we got to see what things were like for them before the events of the main series. What parts of their history led them to be the people we know and what experiences influenced their character. We also get to see how they got to be in the place they were.

One of the things that I don't like about short stories is that it often feels like you don't get enough time with each of the characters and it's jarring to move from story to story because things change so drastically. That wasn't the case here. Not only is there no need for me to try to connect with the characters, I already have, but because there is consistency to it all. It's the same science fiction fairy tale world that we know from the original but with additional character development.  Plus there was also a great flow to the stories. I don't know if they are told in chronological or they are just put in a way that it feels like that but each transition made sense and it flowed really well. It didn't quite feel like it's own individual book but it did feel cohesive.

Some stories were better than others. Most were incredibly heartbreaking. I'm such a fan of these characters and it's easy to forget that many of them had rough childhoods. Here you see that firsthand. But that makes the HEA all the more satisfying. I think my favorites may have been the Michelle Benoit one because we didn't get to see much of her in the series and Winter just because I think she is a fun character and doesn't come in until much later in the series. If I'm picking a least favorite, and honestly they are all so good, I would maybe say The Little Android just because it didn't connect with the main characters much and the Thorne one because, as much as I love Thorne, I think there are better stories to tell about him. Like I want what led Thorne to be in prison and how he stole the Rampion not him in high school. But honestly, each story was really good. It didn't need to establish the world so we could delve into the characterizations and that's one of the things I love about this series so it was so engaging.

And of course the audiobook was fantastic. I got hooked on the audio for this series when I listened for my reread in preparation for Winter. It is absolutely my favorite way to experience it so I had to pick the audio up for this one as well. The narrator, Rebecca Soler, does such a fantastic job of creating the world and populating it with unique and interesting characters. Her accents are always so perfect and each character really comes alive when you are listening to it. It has quickly become one of my all-time favorite audiobooks. I'm so glad that I listened to the audio.

On the whole this was a great addition to a series that I am a huge fan of. It would have been great regardless to catch back up with these characters but it was even better that each story was so good. It gave a lot of background on the characters and on the whole were just engaging stories.

I give The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! Every Lunar Chronicles collection needs this book added to it and fans of the series should absolutely read this book. It adds to the series and if you're not ready to let these characters go, you don't have to just yet.

Have you read Stars Above? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

On Rereads: Science Fiction Series Ending in November and December

On Rereads is a monthly feature on My Thoughts Lit where I talk about the books I reread during the month. It's an opportunity to share some new thoughts on a book I read before and usually to prepare for a new release. For the foreseeable future I plan to do one reread a month so I want to share my thoughts on these books the second time around.

I wanted to reread six books in October which was a little optimistic although I did reread five in November! What! I mean I didn't read as many new books but that's cool. I got to reread The Lunar Chronicles and the Starbound Trilogy by the end of the month. The fact that I had a drive to Upstate to New York to see my family for Thanksgiving definitely helped with that. I could have squeezed in a book I hadn't read but I didn't want to and these next two months that's what I want to do. But here is my thoughts on the audiobooks for....

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Cinder -  (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Scarlet  -  (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Cress -  (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible / My Review)

I was both excited and nervous for the final book in this series, Winter, to come out. I'm such a fan of this series. It is one of my all-time favorite retellings, not to mention an all-around science fiction series with amazing characters and a thrilling plot. So with the final book coming out I had to marathon the whole series to refresh my memory and also experience it all together.

Once again, I really felt like this is a series that gets better and better as it goes on. Rereading it you can see how good Marissa Meyer's plotting is. Things mentioned in the first book come back in a big way in the third and final book. I was so glad I reread it too because I forgot so many details, especially in Scarlet. Plus I got to once again fall in love with these characters and swoon at the romantic moment.

But what I really liked about this reread was the audio. Rebecca Soler, the narrator does an absolutely brilliant job bringing these characters to life. She got Cinder's snark down perfectly, plus Thorne's charm, Scarlet's toughness and French accent, and Cress' awkwardness. Plus her Iko was just so spot on. I loved it so much that when I was reading Winter, I missed the audio and downloaded it so that I could listen to it too. Her Winter (the character) narration? Brilliant!

The Starbound Trilogy by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

These Broken Stars - (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
This Shattered World - (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible / My Review)

This series, ugh, you guys. I'm so obsessed. It might be my all-time favorite YA Science Fiction novel. It's so freaking amazing. These Broken Stars was one of my favorite reads of 2014 and I was a little nervous about rereading because what I loved so much about it was the mystery and the crazy plot twist but it was just as brilliant and emotional the second time around. That is the mark of a great read if you ask me. Then with This Shattered World, I wasn't totally blown away the first time I loved it. Honestly, the second time it was even better. Reading them back to back I was able to understand more and see more connections which made it so fantastic.

I also really loved these audiobooks. I like they have different narrators for the different perspectives and I think they captured the mystery and adventure with this series. I particularly enjoyed Jonathan McClain who narrated for Tarver, who I think captured his humor and fun personality, as well as Donnabella Mortel who narrated for Lee Chase in This Shattered World because she captured her toughness and vulnerability.

Now I am ready for Their Fractured Light, the last book in the series. I'm as usual excited and nervous about how it all end but I totally trust Aime and Meg to bring the feels and the mindblowing twists. Marissa Meyers totally did in Winter. These are both great Science Fiction series. I would definitely recommend them if you haven't read them yet.

Have you read the The Lunar Chronicles or the Starbound trilogy? Did you reread in preparation for their series conclussions? Have you done any rereads lately? What books? Do you like doing rereads or not? Tell me why.  Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Winter by Marissa Meyer

Title: Winter Series: The Lunar Chronicles #4 Author: Marissa Meyer Published: November 10, 2015 by Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.  Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.  Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

**** This is the final book in a series and there may be spoilers so proceed with caution. Read the rest of The Lunar Chronicles series first and come back. Here's my review of book one, Cinder to encourage you. ****

What a fantastic ending for a fantastic series. I feel so satisfied. Well done Marissa Meyer. Last winter (February 2014) I read the first three books in this series back to back and since then the wait for Winter has been slow and painful. I of course needed to know what would happen to these characters but I didn't want it to end. But this book was everything I had hoped it would be and more.

The plotting in particular was incredible here. It took things and brought them full circle. Little elements came back in a big way. One of the things that I have loved about this series is the fairy retelling elements. Once again Meyer played with the classic stories that we know and love, giving them a post-modern twist and unique flair. I loved the way that she played with the elements of the Snow White story with Winter. Things like the poisoned apple, the glass coffin, even the dwarfs. Some elements were obvious while other were subtle, it didn't hit me until much later than they should have. But the other characters also got elements from their stories come into play in the conclusion. In general however this was a big picture kind of story though. There is so much drama and action. It is incredibly fast-paced with over 800 pages on non-stop thrills and excitement. So many times throughout the book I was on the edge of my seat incredibly concerned for our fearless heroes.

That may have been because I seriously love those heroes so much. This book, this series, has some serious squad goals. I would love nothing more than to be flying around in the Rampion with everyone going on adventures. I spent a lot of the book wishing they could all be in one place because everyone interacts so well together there is just great banter. Cinder of course is in the center of it all with her sarcastic wit. Here she becomes much more of a leader and she definitely had me on board for her revolution. But my favorite character is still Thorne who is such a flawless loveable rogue. I also adored Cress who I can't help but root for and relate too as a contrast to the other characters who are overly-confident. But speaking of characters unlike any of the others, here we also spent more time getting to know Winter and Jacin who are both fantastic. Winter has such effervescence and is so sweet it's obvious why the people love her. Plus her crazy off-beat comments make her so endearing. Jacin is surly and tough but with a heart of gold. I have only known them for a short period of time but they are really likeable so they made a lasting impression. And of course our villain leveled up her crazy as well. I though after Fairest, I had seen the worst of Levana but nope she proved once again why she is such a fantastic villain. Marissa Meyer's characterization has always been a strength in my opinion and the development of these characters had that on full display.

But Marissa Meyer also does romance so well. I am not one for swooning, in most of my books I could do without the romance. But here despite the fact that every single character has a love interest, it works so well. I ship every last one of them and if I'm not trying to smoosh their faces together (Cress and Thorne, I'm looking at you) I am melting at their romantic moments. But who am I kidding, for most of them I want to smoosh their faces together. There is so much in the way of all these romances that even though so many of them could be thought of as insta-love they become really complex and deeper by the end of this book and series. They're just all so adorable you guys. This book has thawed my cold, romancephobic heart.

My only criticism with Winter is that it's long, like a little too long. I don't mind long. I've loved books that were over 800 pages, over 1,000 pages even but sometimes you just get bogged down when there is a lot of plot development. There is just so much going on here and with it being the last book in a series it all packs so much weight. With final books I usually prefer if they just wrap things up instead of introducing new things and that's what this book did. It took us to a new location, introduced new characters, and had a whole big new storyline. I almost wish there was another book and some things could have been stretched out a little more. I would also say that if you haven't read Fairest, read that first. It gives a lot of context to some important moments in this book. Maybe if Fairest had been full-length that would have helped too.

But on the whole, a fantastic read. It was everything that I would hoped it would be and more with a thrilling plot, amazing characters, and swoony romances. I'm sad for the series to end but when I closed the book I was left so satisfied and happy.

I give Winter by Marissa Meyer 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! Fans of The Lunar Chronicles will not be disappointed with this last installment.This series is just absolutely brilliant. It's one of the most creative retellings I have ever read and the plot development and characterizations are top notch. If you are a fan of sci-fi definitely check it out but honestly just read it regardless.

Have you read Winter? What did you think? Are you sad to see The Lunar Chronicles be over? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: Winter by Marissa Meyer

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Winter Series: The Lunar Chronicles #4 Author: Marissa Meyer Published: November 10, 2015 by Macmillan (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.  Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend–the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.  Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

Why I'm Waiting 

My last Waiting on Wednesday was also about a series conclusion coming in November. I was originally not going to do a WoW for Winter because it is in fact the most obvious of all choices. But you know what, sometimes you just have to swim with the current. Plus then I would miss the opportunity to make all the Game of Thrones references.

But also let's be real, this is one of my top three most anticipated books of 2015. I marathoned The Lunar Chronicles last February when Cress came out and I seriously loved them. Not only are they amazing space operas but they are some of the most creative fairy tale retellings I have ever come across. I was originally bummed when Winter was pushed to the fall but Fairest was fantastic and it made me more excited because we got a fun glimpse into Princess Winter who I already love. But I'm also a little scared.

I'm so attached to these characters and invested in their success. I desperately need to know what happens to them in the final book in the series. While Princess Selene reclaim her throne on Luna? Will Cinder and Kai get their HEA? Will Winter and Jacin reach OTP status like the rest of these couples? What shenanigans will Thorne get up to? I cannot wait to read this book!

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting for Winter with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: Fairest by Marissa Meyer

Title: Fairest Series: The Lunar Chronicles #0.5 Author: Marissa Meyer Published: January 27, 2015 by Macmillan (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told. Mirror, mirror on the wall,  Who is the fairest of them all?  Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now. Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series

As far as prequels go, this was a pretty good one. In general I am not really a fan of short stories but I love novellas as part of a larger series. It adds more depth and dimension to the series. That is exactly what Fairest did, it gave us a different view, that of the main antagonist, and taught us a lot more insider information about Luna and it's people.

Except woman, not man!

Probably the best thing about this series was the opportunity to learn more about Levana. She has always been such an intriguing antagonist maintaining this sinisterness without us really knowing much about her. Not anymore. This book takes us inside Levana's head and inside her past. And what a dark past it is. This woman has seriously been through a lot. But she's also done a lot. There were moments during the book when I felt for her and the adversity she was dealt at the hands of others. But then there were other moments where I felt how truly crazy and diabolical she is and acts. I always love a good villain story, whether it is an origin story or and even makes them more sympathetic. But what Marissa Meyer did so well here is do both. She effortlessly walked the line of good and evil making you both empathize with Levana and still hate find her devious and unlikable. Oh Levana you are a devious enigma and I both love and hate you.

But it wasn't just a prequel for Levana. We got a small taste of the origins of some other beloved Lunars from The Lunar Chronicles. We got to learn about how Levana's right hand woman, Sybil Mira got to be in that position and learn about baby Cress and how she got to be in her satellite. We got to see about Winter being born and meet her father Evert Hayle and see firsthand his relationship with Levana. We also got to see her with the completely lovable Jacin. And of course we meet Princess Selene. Every time a reference or moment with one of these characters occurred I flailed so hard. We also got to meet a few great new characters. Like Channary, Levana's sister, who was not at all what I expected. Each character, new and old, was so interesting and fully-formed.

And once again Marissa Meyer has provided us with a captivating world. To me, Fairest had much more of a Fantasy vibe without the Earthen technology but it was still really complex. The time spent on Luna was amazing and it was fun to explore more of their royal society, we got so little of it in Cress and even less of it in the two previous books. It very much gave off the "political intrigue" vibes that I enjoy about Fantasy and Dystopia. There was a lot of plotting and scheming that occurred, and it was great to see that from Levana's perspective. Plus there was the general world-building for the series. Some questions and plot lines from the three previous books were also revealed and we got to learn about what led to things being the way they are in the series. For me it didn't have quite the exciting world that the main books in The Lunar Chronicles have had but it was intriguing and added a new and deeper dimension to the world of the series.

 Fairest was a fantastic taste of The Lunar Chronicles. Fans of the series should definitely check it out to get more of an inside view of the series history and it's antagonist. It's not necessarily essential to the main story but it does give everything more depth. Even though this is a prequel I wouldn't suggest readers start here. And that's not just because that's what I did. I see this as a great addition to the series but not a jumping off point. Start with Cinder and read this after finishing Cress.

It was great to have more, but I'm still not entirely satisfied. Now I need Winter ASAP! I need to see how this all shakes out. The first few chapters Winter definitely proved that!

I give Fairest by Marissa Meyer a 9 out of 10

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! This is a must have addition to any The Lunar Chronicles collection. Not only are the words gorgeous but the book design is breathtaking. If you are a fan of this series go out and get yourself a copy of this book. If you aren't a fan, get yourself a copy of Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress while you're buying this one and thank me later!

Have you read Fairest? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!