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A review by betwixt_the_pages
Cress by Marissa Meyer
5.0
In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.
Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had 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 of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.
- - - - -
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Quick Reasons: drama, action, romance, suspense! this book has a little bit of everything; kickass characters; spectacular character growths; intriguing introduction of new plot points/plague elements to further the sub story; emotionally charged, heart-wrenching scenes
Being the third book in a series, there's not a LOT I can say about this book without breaching the “spoilers” line and betraying any readers who haven't gotten the chance to pick this series/this book up yet. I promise I'll do my best to keep this utterly spoiler free; if I fail, you have permission to douse me with glue, cover me with silver glitter, and call me Edward Cullen. (Wait... that's a totally different book! Oh well, too late now to take it back.)
Now, I listened to this via audiobook. I decided not long ago that I wanted to at least TRY audiobooks sometimes, when I wasn't in the mood to actually read but still wanted to “read.” I started this one sort of spur of the moment...and absolutely fell in love! The narrator, Rebecca Soler (who I guess also did the rest of the Lunar Chronicles series) went to a lot of trouble to make each character unique, easy to tell apart, and personable. She put a lot of extra depth to them just with her voice, which really helped to bring this story to life for me. So if you're considering audiobooks and this read is on your list, you should definitely give it a shot—I was thoroughly entertained!
That being said, let's move on to the actual review, yes?
The characters REALLY leapt to life for me in this book. Where I was a bit disappointed overall in the characters/their motivations/their interactions in Scarlet, this addition more than made up for it. Marissa Meyer is QUEEN at writing snarky dialogue and emotionally charged scenes, and I was kept on my toes the entire read—anticipating, hoping, squealing, or flushing from exasperation. Each character brought his or her own flair to this story, spinning and weaving it into a masterful journey of suspense, action, humor and (at times) romantic intrigue.
The prose is well-done, the dialogue is entirely realistic and ALWAYS entertaining. I giggled aloud more than several times, especially during scenes involving Cress (my favorite, I think, of them all) and Thorne (these two just... gah, the feels. All the feels, all the time). They're just so freaking snarky and innocent and... I had secondhand embarrasment more than once. We also get a hint of mystery in our newest character addition—I have to admit, I can't wait to see what book four brings! The plot is action-packed, the pace hardly ever slows down; it's a gut-churning adventure, with more than a few surprising twists to keep readers on the edges of their seats!
I really, really enjoyed this read, and would definitely recommend the series to lovers of fairy tale retellings, space and cyborgs, and uniquely crafted worlds! I can't wait to see what book four brings to the table!
Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had 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 of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.
- - - - -
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Quick Reasons: drama, action, romance, suspense! this book has a little bit of everything; kickass characters; spectacular character growths; intriguing introduction of new plot points/plague elements to further the sub story; emotionally charged, heart-wrenching scenes
Being the third book in a series, there's not a LOT I can say about this book without breaching the “spoilers” line and betraying any readers who haven't gotten the chance to pick this series/this book up yet. I promise I'll do my best to keep this utterly spoiler free; if I fail, you have permission to douse me with glue, cover me with silver glitter, and call me Edward Cullen. (Wait... that's a totally different book! Oh well, too late now to take it back.)
A laugh came from the cockpit and Thorne appeared in the doorway, strapping a gun holster around his waist. "You're asking the cyborg fugitive and the wild animal to be the welcoming committee? That's adorable."
Now, I listened to this via audiobook. I decided not long ago that I wanted to at least TRY audiobooks sometimes, when I wasn't in the mood to actually read but still wanted to “read.” I started this one sort of spur of the moment...and absolutely fell in love! The narrator, Rebecca Soler (who I guess also did the rest of the Lunar Chronicles series) went to a lot of trouble to make each character unique, easy to tell apart, and personable. She put a lot of extra depth to them just with her voice, which really helped to bring this story to life for me. So if you're considering audiobooks and this read is on your list, you should definitely give it a shot—I was thoroughly entertained!
That being said, let's move on to the actual review, yes?
“But you're a prisoner," said Thorne.
"I prefer damsel in distress," she murmured.
One side of Thorne's mouth quirked up, into that perfect half smile he'd had in his graduation photo. A look that was a little bit devious, and all sorts of charming.
Cress's heart stopped, but if they noticed her melting into her chair, they didn't say anything.
The characters REALLY leapt to life for me in this book. Where I was a bit disappointed overall in the characters/their motivations/their interactions in Scarlet, this addition more than made up for it. Marissa Meyer is QUEEN at writing snarky dialogue and emotionally charged scenes, and I was kept on my toes the entire read—anticipating, hoping, squealing, or flushing from exasperation. Each character brought his or her own flair to this story, spinning and weaving it into a masterful journey of suspense, action, humor and (at times) romantic intrigue.
The prose is well-done, the dialogue is entirely realistic and ALWAYS entertaining. I giggled aloud more than several times, especially during scenes involving Cress (my favorite, I think, of them all) and Thorne (these two just... gah, the feels. All the feels, all the time). They're just so freaking snarky and innocent and... I had secondhand embarrasment more than once. We also get a hint of mystery in our newest character addition—I have to admit, I can't wait to see what book four brings! The plot is action-packed, the pace hardly ever slows down; it's a gut-churning adventure, with more than a few surprising twists to keep readers on the edges of their seats!
Her satellite made one full orbit around Planet Earth every sixteen hours. It was a prison that came with an endlessly breathtaking view— vast blue oceans and swirling clouds and sunrises that set half the world on fire.
I really, really enjoyed this read, and would definitely recommend the series to lovers of fairy tale retellings, space and cyborgs, and uniquely crafted worlds! I can't wait to see what book four brings to the table!