“‘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 Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realise their destinies?”
What is the book about?
This book is made up of a collection of short stories set in the same world as the Lunar Chronicles. It has some that have been published before and others that are completely new. Most of the stories are prequels to some of the books and give some much needed insight into how some of the characters got to where they were in the main series. How did Cress find herself alone on the satellite? How did Cinder end up in the care of Michelle Benoit, Scarlet's grandmother? What happened after when she was taken by Garan and how did she end up being treated so badly by her step family? How did Carswell Thorne end up a being a criminal mastermind at such a young age? What happened to Wolf and how did he become one of the soldiers of the Queen's army? All these questions will finally be answered in this book, with a further glimpse into the universe of the Lunar Chronicles through an extra story with new characters. Also get a glimpse into the future after the events of Winter and see the characters you love get ready for a much anticipated wedding. A great collection of stories, all of which you will love.
What were your initial thoughts on the book?
I was definitely keen to read this book and my initial thoughts were that the book was going to be incredible and that I was going to enjoy reading all these stories immensely. I was so confident about Stars Above and was desperate to start reading it. I always love to get more information on the characters and for some reason it's always so much more interesting and enjoyable if it's given in a separate story or as a flashback of sorts so I knew that this short story collection was for me. I started it almost instantly after Winter, desperate to not lose contact with the characters and stories that had been my main focus these last few days. After looking at what we're the contents of the book and which stories I was going to get to read I was even more excited, especially for the final story that would let me see the characters after the events of the final novel. I didn't quite know what to expect of each of the stories, and they were definitely short, but I was not wrong about loving them all and I found it was so easy to get into the stories and find myself in the world that I wasn't quite ready to leave yet.
Who was your favourite character and why?
I honestly don't think I can pick a favourite character in this book as the book was filled with many different short stories that all highlighted a different character. I got to see all the characters that I loved and got to find out so much more about them. This book wasn't like the main books in the series where one character (usually the one whose name was in the title) was highlighted more so I was able to pick a favourite more easily. I also didn't really have enough time with the characters in this book to really get a strong idea about who I loved best. However, one that I did find that I liked more or maybe I sympathised with more was probably Cress. Her story After Sunshine Passes By about how 9 year old Cress ended up on the satellite broke my heart and it made me like her more. This is because I got to see how hopeful and innocent she was and how she still believed that she would one day be accepted on Luna. It showed me just how far she came from that little girl to the strong woman without whom the others would never have been able to defeat Levana.
What was your favourite part of the book and why?
As this book was more of a collection of stories I will choose my favourite story rather than favourite part. My favourite short story was definitely Something Old, Something New. One reason that I loved it more than all the other stories was probably because it was the only story that was an epilogue to the books and not a prequel to a particular book or character or a completely new story. I definitely needed more of the character after finishing Winter as I didn't feel like I was quite done with them and with the series. Although all the stories were good this one definitely holds a special part of my heart as it added more love to some characters I was already attached to and it also gave me more closure. I also got to see something that I was definitely hoping would happen and I didn't think I'd get to see. It was a story that made me feel so much love and I honestly felt like I was in tears all the time I was reading it.
What was your overall impression of the book?
Overall, Stars Above was a great book and I really enjoyed reading it. One reason I really liked it was because it's existence meant that I wasn't fully done with the Lunar Chronicles after Winter and meant that I got to have a few more moments with the characters and the stories that I absolutely loved. I got more closure and I got so much more information that I now know that I couldn't have lived without. I didn't want the series to end and this final book filled with stories about the characters of the main series made it so much easier for me to let go. Another reason I really loved this short story collection was that I not only got so many prequels to the main books and got to see the characters at a much younger age, but I also got to see the characters a couple years after the events of Winter. I loved the prequels because it filled in a few of the gaps and gave me the opportunity to see the actual story instead of just having been told for a second what happened. However I definitely loved the epilogue more because I got the hope that in the end all the characters would have their proper happy endings and that one couple had already gotten it. It let me keep imagining the joyful endings that I wanted for each of the characters and I loved it. This book was the perfect way to finish on the series and although I am still sad that I won't get to see the characters more I am definitely happy with how it all ended.
Would you recommend this book?
I definitely recommend this book. It is the perfect addition for lovers of the Lunar Chronicles series and has so much of the stuff that you will have enjoyed in the main books, like romance and more fairy tale retellings.
Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)
A great collection of stories filled with extra information that you will devour and love.
Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego
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