Holy shit alskjlas. Queen Levana really is a crazy bitch. I don't usually read novellas like this but The Lunar Chronicles is one of my favorite series ever, and I've been so desperate waiting for Winter that I just needed to read something new from this series. And the fact that this book is 250 pages really makes it feel like a full length novel. I loved finally getting to see Levana's background and how she became the way she is. It literally all makes sense now. We are introduced to her sister, Channary (who is also a complete bitch may I point out), and we are also introduced to Evret, a love interest who plays a huge part in this story.

This book is 100% a character study of Levana and revealing parts of her past that make us understand why she is so evil. I love the fact that I read Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress before reading this because it made it more enjoyable when I recognized characters from those books in this one and I was internally fangirling. I guess you could read this book first, before reading the other 3, but I don't think it would be as fun. I am also glad I read this book before reading Winter because it just builds up my excitement for Winter and to see where this is all going. I enjoyed seeing how Levana became queen, because I was always curious about that, and I liked seeing how she made huge decisions that would play a huge part later in the series. Like creating the virus that weakened the Earth. I also enjoyed reading a book entirely from a Lunar's perspective because it gives you more of an idea of how they think of Earth and what it's like to be Lunar.

All in all I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was easily able to finish it in one day. Not only is it short and easy to read but the story is so gripping and intense that I found it difficult to put down anyway. This book reminds me why I praise Marissa Meyer and this series so much. her writing is just so good. I will read anything she writes. The one thing I thought during the entire length of the story was: Poor Evret. He deserves so much better. But I loved seeing Levana go through so much with him and Solstice and all the drama! It was intense. (By the way, I appreciate that each character has an extremely unique name, and the spelling of the name even more so.) Levana is evil, and at the end of the day I do feel bad for her. I can't wait to see what goes down in Winter, the finale of this incredible series.