Thursday, January 9, 2014

Book Review: Cress By Marissa Meyer & Giveaway

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.


Best Bits: My emotions! I really liked Cinder, and Scarlet was even better. That's a formula that usually means I've set myself up for disappointment. Cress surpassed my expectations, and the plot built on the last two books while throwing in some crazy twists, and great character development. I'm sure I must have looked a bit unhinged as I read the second half of the book. There was audible gasping and looks of shock...sadly no one understood exactly what was going on (and I wasn't about to spoil my sister who read the first book earlier this winter).

Meyer has a gift for creating complex female characters. Meyer has allowed her characters to be imperfect, to experience fear, happiness, love, longing, and desperation. She doesn't let them fall into the usual damsel in distress/strong and flawless tropes. Each girl is completely different than her fellow protagonists, too. Scarlet, Cress, and Cinder have unique experiences that have shaped their character. I particularly enjoyed seeing how growing up in a satellite has impacted the expectations of Cress when it comes to human interaction and earth. Despite their different circumstances, each girl experience similar emotions. They have their "prince", their own reasons for fighting against Levana, but their voices are so well-formed and different.

Nit Picks: I wish it had been longer. Ok, I know that's silly...the book is over 500 pages long. I just can't handle the prospect of waiting 1+ years until Winter. Someone hold me while I cry.

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles 3) 
By Marissa Meyer
Published by Feiwel & Friends
560 Pages
Received via Contest Win. Thanks MacTeenBooks!


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10 comments:

Monique Morris said...

I'm so excited for this book! You have no idea!

Emma said...

I still need to read this series! It's good to know that it got a rave review from you. Thanks for your post.

Vivien said...

I absolutely LOVE this series. I cannot wait to read Cress!

Jenny said...

YAY!!! So glad you loved this one too Lizzy! I completely agree, one of my favorite aspects of this series is Melissa's ability to create complex and unique characters. The girls are all so different and have such fascinating strengths and weaknesses. I cannot wait for WINTER:) Lovely review!

Alexia561 said...

Really enjoyed Cinder, so need to catch up on this series! Glad to hear that this one lives up to the other two!

Rachel said...

Ah! I am so ready to read this! Everyone is loving it! Isn't it fun how these books keep getting better? I love that she manages to make the story bigger and bigger, yet it doesn't seem to be that complicated!

Great review!!
Rachel @ Paper Cuts

Unknown said...

I can't wait until this one comes out. I love this series!

Megan R said...

I'm actually halfway through this one and I am loving it so much! I always don't want to finish it because it will be way too long of a wait for Winter. But at the same time, I can't help speeding through it to see what will happen!

Unknown said...

Can`t wait to Cress to come out, co I can laugh and swoon over the relationship between Captain Thorne and Cress.

Lynn K. said...

I also liked Cinder but Scarlet even more so I'm so glad Cress surpassed your expectations! 560 pages and not enough?? That's a good sign! You're making me so curious about the second part of the book!! >__<

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