Title: Cress
Series: The Lunar Chronicles (Book #3)
Year: 2014
Author: Marissa Meyer
Summary: 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. (from Goodreads)
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. (from Goodreads)
Main Characters:
~ Linh Cinder
~ Emperor Kaito
~ Iko
~ Crescent Moon
~ Captain Thorne
~ Jacin Clay
~ Dr. Dmitri Erland
~ Linh Cinder
~ Emperor Kaito
~ Iko
~ Crescent Moon
~ Captain Thorne
~ Jacin Clay
~ Dr. Dmitri Erland
Review: Rapunzel is one of my favorite fairy tales (and no, I'm not biased because I myself have long, blonde hair), so I was pretty excited when I heard that Marissa Meyer's third book in The Lunar Chronicles would be based off that character. And in many ways, Cress did not disappoint. There were plenty of references back to the original fairy tale, yet the author wove a lot of the unique into the novel. Honestly, it was hard to put down.
Among the things that I liked in Cress was its complexity. It was true to the books earlier in the series (Cinder and Scarlet), yet it had a style all its own. Cinder was once again my favorite as she battled internal and external enemies to try to save Kai and, ultimately, the world from the evil clutches of the Lunar queen, Levana. From the dark regions of space to dry, desert towns in Africa, the plot weaves around splendidly, never giving you a moment's peace. Of course, more secrets come to light, and all you can think about at the end is, "When is book four going to be out?"
Cress was a sweet girl, but I found her at times to be a little on the annoying side as she daydreamed. Yes, she reminded me a lot of Disney's Rapunzel, and I'll admit, with other readers, that there were several things in the novel that made me think of Tangled. While it was fun to be reminded of one of my favorite films, I did think the author could have been a little more original. Scarlet disappeared for most of the book, as her actions took her in a different course than both Cinder and Cress. While I was a bit saddened that she didn't have a bigger role, I did enjoy the time I got to spend learning more about the other girls.
Among the things that I liked in Cress was its complexity. It was true to the books earlier in the series (Cinder and Scarlet), yet it had a style all its own. Cinder was once again my favorite as she battled internal and external enemies to try to save Kai and, ultimately, the world from the evil clutches of the Lunar queen, Levana. From the dark regions of space to dry, desert towns in Africa, the plot weaves around splendidly, never giving you a moment's peace. Of course, more secrets come to light, and all you can think about at the end is, "When is book four going to be out?"
Cress was a sweet girl, but I found her at times to be a little on the annoying side as she daydreamed. Yes, she reminded me a lot of Disney's Rapunzel, and I'll admit, with other readers, that there were several things in the novel that made me think of Tangled. While it was fun to be reminded of one of my favorite films, I did think the author could have been a little more original. Scarlet disappeared for most of the book, as her actions took her in a different course than both Cinder and Cress. While I was a bit saddened that she didn't have a bigger role, I did enjoy the time I got to spend learning more about the other girls.
Advisory: Violence is a given, knowing that Cinder and her company are pretty much outlaws and have armies from both earth and Lunar after them. It's all set in a fantasy-type setting. The plague that terrified everyone in Cinder is back, and is again taking its toll. Highlight for spoilers: One character gets part of a finger chopped off, but it's not described graphically.
I think there's more romance in Cress than in either Cinder or Scarlet. Personally, I didn't care much for the amount of time Marissa Meyer spent on Cress's romantic imaginings and thoughts, but nothing gets out of hand. I counted two kisses, no more. Highlight for spoilers: There is also a scene in which a girl is taking a bath and a blind man walks in on her. Nothing is described, but I found that highly uncomfortable to read.
I think there's more romance in Cress than in either Cinder or Scarlet. Personally, I didn't care much for the amount of time Marissa Meyer spent on Cress's romantic imaginings and thoughts, but nothing gets out of hand. I counted two kisses, no more. Highlight for spoilers: There is also a scene in which a girl is taking a bath and a blind man walks in on her. Nothing is described, but I found that highly uncomfortable to read.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Related reviews: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles)
Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles)
I've been considering reading the Lunar Chronicles for some time now, but I wasn't quite sure about it. I'm glad you did a review on it; it brought a few questions I had about the series to light(-: I hope my library has these books, because I'm looking forward to reading them!
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