DESTROY THE DAY by Brigid Kemmerer

“Prince Corrick is out of options. Held captive by the vicious Oren Crane, he’s desperate to reunite with Tessa, but will need to ally with the rebel leader Lochlan, who until now wished him dead. An island away, Tessa Cade is heartbroken, angry and doesn’t know who to trust. Until Rian – the man she trusts the least – makes her an offer: aid in a plot to finally oust Oren Crane, then see what the future holds. Meanwhile in Kandala, Harristan is dethroned and on the run. He’s struggling to unite the rebels in his fractured kingdom, but he finds support – and maybe more – in unexpected places. As outside threats loom and the fires of revolution burn from within, time is running out to save their kingdom.”

What is the book about?

Corrick, Tessa and Harristan are all separated and each going through a terrifying journey of their own with very few allies that they can trust. After being thrown from the Dawn Chaser, Corrick was rescued by Oren Crane and his crew and is now being held captive. The only way he can get free and find his way back to Tessa is to follow Oren’s orders and do things he wished he would never have to do again. However, Corrick is not fully alone as he finds himself having to work together with Lochlan, the rebel leader who until now would have taken every opportunity to kill him, and soon he finds that maybe his anger was misplaced and he will find a friend in an unlikely place. Tessa is only an island away, grieving and furious at Rian for his lies and everything that happened. She has been living as far as she possibly could from Rian, with only a guard for company. But she needs to get back home to Kandala and Rian may be her only way out of Ostriary so she will do anything to get his help, even if it means risking herself in a plan to finally get rid of Oren Crane for good. Meanwhile Harristan is not doing much better in Kandala. He has been dethroned and anyone who finds him and turns him in has been promised unbelievable riches. He doesn’t know who to trust and it seems that every time he tried to find allies he finds himself in the same position, no better off than he previously was. However, when it counts he finds allies and may finally have a chance against those who are spreading lies against him, but in order to save what means the most to him he may need to make an impossible decision and one that will mean losing everything he had been fighting to keep. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

The ending to the previous book, Defend the Dawn, was a cliff-hanger ending that left me desperate to start Destroy the Day and find out what would happen next. I had conflicting initial thoughts as I had loved the 2 previous books in this trilogy and was quite confident that this book would be just as amazing and I would love it just as much as the others. However, as this was the last book of the trilogy and I hadn't really loved the ending of the other Brigid Kemmerer series I had read (Cursebreakers), I was terrified to start reading and find that the ending would ruin the series that I had been loving since I started reading. I could kind of feel that the ending wouldn't disappoint but I couldn't be sure. The blurb didn’t give me much more than what I already knew from the previous book, but it did peak my curiosity in some areas and made me much more interested to start reading. As I had started reading the book straight after Defend the Dawn, with no break, I found it so simple to get into the book and had read nearly half without even realising. I was addicted from the very start and was impatiently waiting for the ending to come so I could see what would happen and if I would love it. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was probably Corrick because of how he really became the guy that Tessa knew he was. While he was with Oren Crane he was forced to do things that Cruel Corrick wouldn’t have even hesitated about and in the beginning it was clear that he would have done anything to get back to Tessa, even if that mean sacrificing his humanity and the part of himself that never wanted to be Cruel Corrick. He was in a way forced into the role of King’s Justice and, even though he could have explained everything to his brother, he clearly wanted to protect Harristan from the feelings that he felt every time he made a decision that no one, let alone a 15 year old boy should have had to make. It was clear to me that he used this cruel image of himself as a mask and that in reality he was just the boy that was with Tessa in the workshop and who just wanted to help people. This was made even clearer when he chose to find a way out of the things that Oren wanted him to do and he made this decision not only for Tessa, who always saw the best in him, but also for the part of himself that never wanted to be cruel. When he made this decision, I made mine about who my favourite character was and that didn’t change throughout the rest of the book, though there were several other characters that I liked. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was a series of little moments between Tessa and Erik/Rocco. I loved their whole friendship in this final book and the way that they became so much more than just a guard and the girl he needed to protect. I loved how Tessa started to see him as more of an older brother and he saw her as an annoying little sister too. There weren’t really many friendships shown in the series and that was definitely something that I think the other books really needed, however at least in Destroy the Day I got to see a lot more of those friend/sibling dynamics (also with Lochlan and Corrick). There was something so sweet about how they were both looking out for each other, which may have been linked to the fact that they thought they were the only survivors of the party that travelled from Kandala, and the way that they still managed to lighten things up with some friendly teasing just like true siblings would do.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Destroy the Day was perfect and there was basically nothing that I would have changed. One thing I loved about the book was the plot. It honestly kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and having 3 separate points of view from characters that were each going through their own interesting and shocking plot had me so engrossed in the book. There was no one plot line or perspective that I loved more and definitely none that I was desperate to get through. It was all so amazing and I am so sad that it is finished and I won't ever read anything more about these characters. Another thing I absolutely adored was the ending. I had been absolutely terrified that the ending would not be as good as I was expecting and that it would ruin the whole series, however clearly I shouldn't have worried as it was amazing. It made me feel every emotion possible and had me fully crying. I was torn between throwing the book across the room and hugging it and honestly the plot twist had me completely shocked, which is always great (as that is the purpose of it). It was stunning and I can't wait for any other of this author's books. One final thing that I am obsessed about with the whole series is the map and the covers and the perfectly alliterative titles. I am honestly so happy when I see the books on my shelf because of how perfect they look and I will never stop pointing them out when people ask about my books (or even if they don't!). The map was also a perfect addition to the fantasy series and you wouldn't even believe the amount of time I looked at it to figure out where the characters were. Also in this book the map was even better so that was great. The only thing that I think I really missed in this book and in the whole series in general is the magic that is usually present in fantasy series. It would have made the book even better to have that but even without it I was still in love with Kandala and would have happily been transported to that world. 

Which is your favourite book in The Defy the Night series? (1, 2, or 3)

Overall every single book in the Defy the Night trilogy was absolutely amazing and this is definitely a series I will be forcing my friends to read, hoping they will love it as much as I did. Although all 3 books were absolutely stunning in every respect, I think that my favourite book in this series is probably Destroy the Day (the third and final book). This book was very similar to the previous ones and there wasn’t much that really made me consider it as my favourite, but the few things that did really stood out to me. One thing was that because all 3 of the main characters whose perspectives we are given in the book were separated in this final novel so they didn’t have each other to talk with and spent time with. This meant that they each started to form their own separate bonds and relationships which developed the side characters and main characters and the whole story much more. The relationship between Quint and Harristan wouldn’t have happened if Corrick hadn’t left, the friendship between Lochlan and Corrick (surprisingly) would never have formed if Corrick hadn’t fallen off that boat with him and the connections Tessa formed with Erik and Olive never would have been possible if she had been at Corrick’s side the whole trip in Ostriary. The other books didn’t have much off these relationships with side characters and it felt more like the whole book was being carried by these 3 main characters so that is definitely one thing that made Destroy the Day so much more special. Another thing was the fact that this book connected with me so much more and made me truly feel for the characters. I had felt a connection throughout Defy the Night and Defend the Dawn and had definitely been annoyed at the characters and had definitely smiled from time to time and maybe even laughed or felt sad, however nothing like with this final book. I full on cried and full on laughed and felt true feelings with it which definitely made me love it more. A book’s job is to make you as a reader feel something and this book did its job really well. I honestly can’t believe this story is over and if Brigid Kemmerer ever chooses to dive back into Kandala I will not hesitate to dive in with her. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 10000% recommend Destroy the Day and the whole Defy the Night series. If you love romance, adventure, fantasy and are ready to cry and scream and be shocked by plot twists then this is the perfect book for you (and it's best for over 14s).

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

The perfect, twisty and emotional conclusion to an amazing fantasy trilogy.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

DEFEND THE DAWN by Brigid Kemmerer

“Revolution is simmering in the kingdom of Kandala. With sickness on the rise and supplies of the precious Moonflower cure running low, King Harristan and Prince Corrick must fight to maintain control. Tessa Cade has gone from masked outlaw to palace adviser – and she’s more determined than ever to help her people. When an emissary from the neighbouring kingdom of Ostriary arrives with an intriguing offer, Tessa must embark on an uncertain journey with Prince Corrick. The voyage could be their only chance to save the kingdom – but it will hold untold danger for Tessa as she navigates perilous waters…and confronts her feelings for Corrick. No one is who they seem to be, and the consequences will be deadly.”

What is the book about?

After stopping a near revolution, Kandala is in a precarious situation. Now the supply of Moonflower is running low and King Harristan and Price Corrick don’t know how long they can keep control and keep things calm in their kingdom. With Tessa’s knowledge on the correct doses of Moonflower, they have a chance of being able to help more people, which is the thing Tessa has always wanted to do, when she was an outlaw and now that she is the king’s adviser and apothecary. However, it is impossible to keep everyone happy and giving Moonflower to the rebels to keep the kingdom safe means making the consuls angry and risking a rebellion from the inside. When an emissary arrives from the neighbouring kingdom of Ostriary, claiming that the King of Ostriary is willing to start trade negotiations, the goods that he is willing to trade make it an intriguing offer and one Kandala cannot turn down. The only way to keep the citizens of Kandala safe is to board the ship with the emissary and come back with supplies, but that means that Corrick and Tessa must embark on a new adventure and leave behind Harristan to keep control of the kingdom on his own. The voyage will be dangerous, not just physically but also emotionally as Tessa navigates both the waters and her feelings for Corrick. Everything seems too good to be true and soon it is clear that not everyone is who they say and the journey will be much more dangerous than they ever thought. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After finishing Defy the Night I was very intrigued to continue the story and find out what would happen next for Tessa and the royals. It was clear they just barely escaped a revolution, which would have ended with more deaths on both sides of the fight, and if they didn’t keep things under control, next time they wouldn’t be so lucky. My initial thoughts on Defend the Dawn were pretty clear and confident as I had finished the previous book and had been shocked at how much I loved it so I knew that this book was going to be just as good. I was also hoping for more twists and hoping that I wouldn’t see them coming like I had with Defy the Night. Once I started reading I was even surer that I would love the book as I so easily found myself back in the kingdom of Kandala, fully engrossed in a world that wasn’t even real. I finished the book in literally 2 sittings and was soon regretting my decision to read quickly as I was having to move on to the last book and would soon never hear more from the characters I had grown attached to. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

In this book, although I still really loved Corrick, I did find him a bit more annoying. He got so annoyed at Tessa for still seeing his as the boy she had first met and not accepting him as Corrick (which I did understand) and he didn’t even consider than this was just as difficult for her as for him. Because of this I think my favourite character in this book would probably have to be Tessa or even Harristan. I loved how hopeful Tessa was and how she didn’t automatically assume the worst about everyone like Corrick did. Although everyone saw this as Tessa being naïve I saw it more as her not giving up and believing that not everyone is horrible. She had been through so much suffering and still had room for hope and I loved this about her because she was definitely not as cynical as some of the other main characters I have met. Harristan was very similar to Tessa in this way as he also had a lot of hope and cared for his people so much. All he wanted to do was help them, which was made clear at the beginning of the book (another plot twist that I did see coming as well). He believed the best of his people, even when they had staged a revolution that killed many of the people in the Royal Sector in the previous book and he was ready to help lead them as a true king would do, rather than sit and hide and wait for Corrick to come back. I can’t wait to see more of him in the next book and I really hope that neither he nor Tessa lose that hope and light that they have in them, and that Corrick rediscovers his. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part was very clear to me when it came up and I didn’t even need to finish the book to know that no part that would come after was going to be superior to this part. This part was near the end of the book when my favourite and pretty much the only couple in the book finally made up. I had had enough of the drama between them to be honest and was prepared to throw the book across the room if there was one more miscommunication or lack of communication. In Defy the Night there had already been enough drama between them with how much they switched between friends to lovers to enemies to lovers and all I wanted was for things to be perfect between them as I knew they deserved and also I deserved. When finally this all happened near the end of the book the relief and happiness on my face was clear and I knew nothing would beat the emotions that I had felt reading this part. Then the ending came and all of the progress that the couple had made was made futile, but at least I had a moment of happiness and eventually it will have a purpose in the third and final book. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall I really loved Defend the Dawn and am so ready to find out the ending, though also absolutely terrified that Brigid Kemmerer will ruin it like she kind of did with the Cursebreaker series. One thing I really loved about the book was the plot. After reading the first book and seeing how action packed it was I was honestly unsure what could possible happen in this book as Defy the Night had had everything, from revolution to romance. However, when I started to read and realised there would be a whole new adventure, I was even more excited. Now that I think about it nothing much really happened on the boat, however the amount of secrets and tension made it feel like an eventful time (which it certainly was near the end of the book). It also made the book even better to have Harristan’s point of view so we could see what was happening in Kandala while the others were gone and these parts definitely added to the action and tension. Another thing I really enjoyed was the cliff-hanger ending and how much the author toyed with my emotions in these final chapters. I honestly was about to cry and throw the book across the room and then had the shock of realising that it was all just a manipulation and everything was kind of fine. The cliff-hanger had me on the edge of my seat, reaching for the final book, Destroy the Day, before I had even read the last sentence of Defend the Dawn. I am so desperate to find out the ending and have so much hope for this series. One other thing that really surprised me is that this book is written in the first person and it didn’t annoy me in the least. I honestly never thought that at this age I would find a book written in the first person that I would love from the first second I started reading, however when I started Defy the Night I wasn’t annoyed at all and didn’t find it any harder to get into the book. If I’m completely honest because of how much I have been enjoying it I thought for a moment it was written in the third person, but obviously not. Finally, my favourite thing about these books is the absolutely gorgeous covers (honestly they are so amazing) and the way that the 3 books match so perfectly with their alliterative titles. It satisfies my inner perfectionist so much and every time I look at the spines on my shelf I just want to scream at how perfect and gorgeous they are. 

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

Overall I loved both the books and found that after the amazing Defy the Night, Defend the Dawn definitely met my expectations, however I think the first book (Defy the Night) is definitely my favourite. There aren’t really many differences between the books and not much helped me make my decision, however there was one very small thing that I enjoyed more in the first book than in the second. This is the romance between Tessa and Corrick. I loved the way that both the characters were struggling so much in Defy the Night and that they were shifting between friends to lovers to enemies and then back to lovers. It was so tense and I loved it. It was clear that Tessa was struggling to see Corrick as the boy she had started to fall for and that Corrick was also struggling as he had never opened up to anyone before. Even though it did annoy me that they didn’t just get together quicker, I understood their doubts. However, in Defend the Dawn there were a lot of the same issues when I thought that it had been resolved already at the end of Defy the Night. There was also a lot of miscommunication and lack of communication which I hated. I was definitely very relieved when finally everything was resolved and I just hope that in the final book I don’t have to go through any more issues with the romance because I really just want a happy ending. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend this book and think you should absolutely read it (after Defy the Night of course). It is a great book for those over 14 who enjoy romance, fantasy, retellings and adventure. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A twisty, mind-blowing book whose ending will leave you desperate for the next book. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

DEFY THE NIGHT by Brigid Kemmerer

“In a kingdom where sickness stalks the streets and only the richest can afford a cure, King Harristan and his brother Prince Corrick are forced to rule with an iron fist. Tessa Vade is a masked outlaw marked for death, but she likes it that way. Together with the mysterious, handsome Weston, she robs from the rich to help the poor, distributing medicine to those who need it most. As it becomes clear that the only way to save her people is to assassinate the King, Tessa faces a deadly mission that will take her to the dark heart of the kingdom…and force her to work with the very people she intended to destroy.”

What is the book about?

The kingdom of Kandala a mysterious sickness plagues everyone and with no idea how the disease spreads or where it came from, everyone is panicked. The only known cure for this sickness are Moonflower petals that only grow in 2 of the sectors of the kingdom and they are hard to come by for the poor as they are incredibly expensive so only those with the means can survive the sickness. As a result, smugglers and outlaws now try to steal the petals, either for themselves or to help others and King Harristan and Price Corrick are forced to rule with an iron fist to try to keep their country from destroying itself. Tessa and Wes are 2 of the outlaws, risking their lives to steal Moonflower petals from the rich who have too much and distributing them among the poor who would otherwise already have succumbed to the disease. When Tessa realises that her attempts to save people have been pointless and the only real way to change things is to assassinate the King, she heads off on a mission that will likely be her last. But soon she realises that everything is not as simple as it initially seemed and that now she may have to work with the very people she set out to destroy or she will never be able to save the people of Kandala.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I had really enjoyed another of Brigid Kemmerer’s trilogies (Cursebreakers) and when I found out that she was writing another one I knew I had to have it. I didn’t know what to expect exactly as I had completely forgotten everything about the other books of hers, however I knew that I had really enjoyed them so one thing that I was quite confident about before going into this series was that I was going to love it. Once I had purchased all the books of the series (as I hate not having the complete series and having to wait before jumping in to the next book) it didn’t take long for me to start staring at the series, longing to read the gorgeous books. If I’m completely honest I didn’t even read the blurb before buying these books and just put my faith in the author, however before I started reading it I did give it a glance and it made me even more confident in my initial thoughts as it looked like just the kind of story I would love. When I started reading, I initially did have a few chapters where I had no idea what was going on and wasn’t quite in the world yet (which happens with every fantasy book to be honest). However soon I was completely engrossed in the book and coming up with wacky theories and just longing to see how it would end. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Wes, though I also loved Tessa and think she is definitely a great, strong and determined female main character. Wes was just so sweet and the fact that all he wanted to do was help people literally broke my heart. The poor guy spent the last few years being hated by everyone because of the things he had done and the only reason he did them was because he didn’t want someone he loved to have to suffer through making those decisions and doing those things. He never wanted to do them, though, and everyone thought that that was just who he was when in reality he was just a boy who was trying to keep others from being hurt. The scene in the Hold literally broke me and all I wanted to do was give him a hug and tell him that it wasn’t his fault and that no matter what he did I would still be there for him. He uses this cruel version of himself as a mask and deep down he is just Wes and all I want is for him to take off the mask and be the sweet guy I know he is. The way he would make Tessa smile, and he would joke around, and he would bring her food in the beginning of the book made me smile and I just want to see more of this side of him. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was probably the scene near the end of the book (pretty much right before everything started to go downhill for the characters – not that it was going amazing well before that) when Tessa and Wes are in their little workshop and finally have a moment to just be their cute little selves. The slow burn friends to lovers to enemies to lovers of this book literally had me on the edge of my seat and I needed a scene where they did something more than just stare at each other and this scene definitely gave me that. When they were interrupted I almost threw the book across the room and honestly am surprised I didn’t. It was such a cutesy scene and I really want more of these so please don’t let the author complicate their relationship any further, these guys have already suffered enough.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall I really loved Defy the Night and I am so ready to read the next book and have this be one of my favourite series. One thing that I loved about the book was the amount of tropes and clichés and stereotypical Young Adult and Fantasy things there were in this book. To a lot of people I’m sure this would have been annoying but to me it was so comforting to read a story that had so many things that I have seen in so many other books. I mean it literally has a teenage girl who has no powers and is a nobody having to try to save the world and a morally grey male she is falling for and hundreds of other elements that are so common for this kind of genre, however that’s why I loved it, because it was like all the other books that I loved. Another thing that I really enjoyed was the Robin Hood element and the fact that it is kind of a retelling but is nothing like the original story and just has similar vibes. It was a lot like that with her other books that I read and I loved it. I haven’t read any books with a Robin Hood retelling before so it definitely gave the book some originality. One other thing that I loved was the sort of plot twist there was. I cannot say anything or else I will spoil it but it definitely gave the book something that most other books don’t have as it wasn’t fully predictable. However, and I am not joking, I was actually able to figure out the truth after the second chapter. Initially it was just a joke and I was just like ‘oh I bet that…’ but when it came true I was honestly shocked at my wizarding skills and I think I have just read far too many YA Fantasy novels but I do not care because it is hands down the best genre. One last slight thing I feel the need to mention is how stunning the covers of this book series are. I am pretty sure I said this about all the covers of the Cursebreaker series but oh my goodness does Brigid Kemmerer know how to pick a gorgeous cover that will have readers squealing. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would absolutely recommend Defy the Night and think it is an amazing fantasy, romance novel. It is perfect for people over 14 who enjoy this genre and I am pretty confident this series is going to be a fast favourite of mine and many others. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An original, action-packed fantasy novel that you will not be able to put down.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

STARS ABOVE by Marissa Meyer

 

“‘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

WINTER by Marissa Meyer

“‘Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?’ Princess Winter is admired for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breath-taking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana. Winter despises her stepmother and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for he childhood friend, the handsome palice guard Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak Levana believes her to be, and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even find the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.”

What is the book about?

Princess Winter has no royal blood and can never be queen but her stepmother still believes she is a threat because of how much the people love her. They all admire her for her beauty, kindness and grace despite the scars that Levana inflicted on her to try to hide that the young princess was growing even more beautiful than her. Winter is also believed to be weak and crazy because she is unwilling to use her Lunar powers like everyone else on Luna. She doesn't want to manipulate anyone and people see this as weakness instead of strength. Everyone, including her closest friend Jacin (a royal guard who she wishes would be more than just her friend, even though her stepmother would never allow it), believes she needs protecting and she is helpless and useless, but she is so much stronger than they think. When she finds herself in the presence of the cyborg Cinder and her allies, Winter realises she might even be strong enough to help with the revolution and be able to help finally win the war against Levana. The final battle is coming and, if they win, Cinder, Winter and their friends will finally be free of Levana and will get their happy endings. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I was very excited to read this final book in the Lunar Chronicles series, though I was also sad to finally see it end. I didn't quite know what to expect of this final (very chunky) book but I was quite confident that I would enjoy it and would find it to be just as good as all the previous books in the series. Before I started reading the Lunar Chronicles series I wasn't quite sure what to expect and I didn't realise what an adventure it would be. When I saw that Rach of the books had a title that reflected a new female main character that would be introduced I was initially worried that the books wouldn't really flow into each other and that it would be individual stories, just like most of the fairy tale retellings I've read have been like. However, by the time I got to the end of Cress I was no longer worried and was so happy to find that this series had been so much more interesting and enjoyable than I ever thought it would be. I knew Winter would be great and I was surprised at how quickly I started to love the book, especially as I had found it more difficult to start each book and get back into the flow of things. This last book was amazing and I am so sad to see it all end. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character in this book was definitely Winter, though I loved many other characters in the book and whole series. Winter was a bit of an odd girl and was definitely going mad from not using her Lunar powers for years. However, when she wasn't hallucinating, there were many moments where it was clear why this girl was loved by the whole of Luna. She was kind and sweet and also incredibly brave and smart. The fact that she chose not to use her powers was one of the clear pieces of evidence for this, as she chose to sacrifice her own mind, her own life, so that she would never hurt or manipulate anyone again. The story of why she stopped using her power was so heartbreaking, but it was clear that she was happy with her decision and she would never manipulate anyone for her own gain, even if she lost her mind in her process. Secondly, when she was faced with a chance to overthrow her stepmother and put a better queen on the throne, she was ready and she didn't back down. She might have been crazy to some and her decisions may have seemed absurd, but she knew what she was doing. The hope she had for her people and the belief she possessed that everyone could be good, even the monsters Levana created made me love her even more. She was brave and crazy, but her strange quirks just made me love her more. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

The whole of Winter was so good and I loved reading every second of it, however I definitely have a favourite part and it's definitely the very end after the final confrontation in the book. I don't want to say much about it as I don't want to spoil anything but the main reason I loved it was because of how I felt reading it. It was perfect and beautiful and I found that everything fell into place so well and everything that I wanted came true. It could have gone so wrong but it didn't. It honestly made me feel so happy and just the feeling I got when reading it was enough to make me love it. There were loads of other moments in the book where I felt the same joy, like when characters were reunited after ages apart, however this was one of the biggest. I loved it and I honestly am so glad it didn't end as disastrously as it could have done becaus I don't think I could have taken it. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and loved finally reaching the end of this amazing series, though I am sad to finally see it go. One thing that I really loved about the book was how every character that I had met and every one of the main characters that I had grown to love came together in this final book. It felt so surreal to see how all of these characters found their way back to each other in the end, for the final battle, despite the many times they found themselves being separated and tortured in different ways. It was perfect that in the end they all came back together to make their final stand against Levana. It would all end in that moment, one way or another, but at least they were all together. Another thing that I really liked was the romance and how each of the couples that I had started to ship finally become canon. Even though I didn't get many romantic scenes throughout these 4 books, this final book had the final perfect scenes that actually mattered and that was more than enough to make me happy, though I wish I could see more of the characters. Although Winter was an amazing book and the ending was (mostly) perfect, there was one slight thing that made it a little less intense and perfect. In the end, I found it to be a little bit underwhelming and I didn't enjoy how the final battle, the one that had been built up throughout the book ended. I also found that it was a little unrealistic that after fighting for their lives for months and constantly finding themselves in life or death situations, no one actually died, at least none of the important characters. Although I'm not complaining that I didn't have the heartbreaking experience of losing another fictional friend, it definitely made the reading experience a bit unrealistic and disappointing. I find that the best books are those that break my heart and there could have definitely been more of that in this book. 

Which is your favourite book in the Lunar Chronicles series? (1, 2, 3 or 4)

Overall, I really loved reading the whole Lunar Chronicles series and I found that I enjoyed every one of the 4 books, however I think that my favourite book is probably Cress. One reason I enjoyed Cress more than the other books was that it was the first book where it felt like the real story and the real war had begun. It was clear that they weren't just planning anymore and they had started to execute their plan and begin to try to bring down Queen Levana. Although Winter clearly also had all these elements and was the main book with the plan starting to take place, I definitely found that I enjoyed Cress more than Winter. I found that Winter was a lot harder to read as it was a lot thicker and obviously took much longer to read because of this. Not only that but I found that I was slightly disappointed by the ending of the final novel and it could have been a more interesting final confrontation. However, overall Winter was great, but I just found that Cress stood out more to me and it was definitely my favourite. Honestly I'm just sad to see the series end and am so surprised at how much I enjoyed it, especially as I wasn't quite sure about it before I started.

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend reading Winter and the whole Lunar Chronicles series in general. These are the perfect books for lovers of romance, dystopian fiction and fairy tale retellings with a twist. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

The stunning and action-packed final novel of a romance and dystopian fiction series.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

FAIREST by Marissa Meyer

“‘Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?’ Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.”

What is the book about?

This short novella gives readers a glimpse into Levana's life before and as she gradually became the tyrant queen that we have grown to hate throughout the first 3 books of the Lunar Chronicles series. Levana was the youngest child, her older sister Channary was the one destined to be Queen of Luna. However, since she was old enough to understand what being queen meant she knew that she could and would be a much better queen than her sister, who couldn't care less about politics or their people. Not only that but she has always been confident that her sister didn't deserve the power and respect that would come with her new title as she is as cruel as she is beautiful. Ever since Levana could walk her sister tortured her and used her for her own enjoyment to the point that Levana has to use glamour constantly to cover the scars that her sister left on her after one traumatising day. Levana has her own story and it doesn't appear like she has always been as cruel and violent as we all thought. She may be the villain of Cinder's story, but she is the victim in her own story. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Initially I was a little annoyed that I had to read a novella before getting to the fourth and final novel in the Lunar Chronicles series, Winter. I was very keen to continue reading and find out how the story that just kept getting better would finally end, and I was so desperate that I considered leaving Fairest until after I read the final book in the main series. However, after reading the blurb of the book and finding out what the novella was actually about I was intrigued to read it. I didn't know what to expect but I knew I would enjoy it and I was very interested to find out the truth about Levana and what led her to become the cruel leader that will stop at nothing to get everything she wants. Soon my initial thoughts changed and I was no longer annoyed and much more excited to read it. Once I started reading I found it a little hard to get used to the novella as there were none of the characters that I had grown used to, however I soon got used to and found that I was enjoying it as much as the actual novels in the series. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I don't think I could choose a favourite character in this novella without it being partly a lie. It feels so wrong to say that I liked Levana after all she did and it is also clearly a lie. Even though I feel so bad for her and I know she would be a much better person if she hadn't been treated so badly since she was a child she is still a monster. Most of what she did she thought she was justified in doing and she made some very questionable decisions but every time she claimed she was doing it for the good of her kingdom. I know deep down she felt like she was good but slowly she turned into a monster and I cannot honestly say that I liked her. Even the other 'good' characters weren't exactly good and treated Levana so badly when all she was was just a child who had never felt love. Evret who strung her along for 10 years without telling her that he would never love her, when it was clear she believed that they could be happy together. Winter who would never address her directly, even when all she did was try to give her a mother. Her sister who tortured her and called her ugly since she was little and made her live in her shadow. Her parents who clearly didn't do any good parenting. Everyone in this book thought themselves to be good and thought they were fighting against the villain but it was clear that the villain was herself just a victim. No one deserves the title as my favourite character. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I honestly cannot pick a favourite part because this whole novella was just torture and threatened to tear me apart at any moment. In every single part of the book there was something so so sad that I could not keep out of my mind. The main theme throughout the whole book was that Levana just wanted to be happy and at every moment it was clear that she thought she was getting her happiness. When she married the love of her life without knowing he would never love her back, when her sister died and she realised she would finally get the chance to be queen, even if it was just for 12 years, when she killed her niece believing it was for the best and she would get to keep her role as leader of Luna, the thing that meant so much to her. She never even realised that she never actually had any of that. She spent years believing she had everything she could ever want and need and she didn't realise till the end that it was all a lie. I felt so bad for her and how she had been tortured and manipulated by everyone and had never had the protection and loved that she so craved. Every part was so tragic and I can't in good conscience choose a favourite part of such a sad book.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this short story and I soon found myself believing that maybe Levana was just misunderstood. One reason I really enjoyed the novella was because I got a glimpse into the past and some much needed information on the supposed villain of the Lunar Chronicles series. I always love when books have flashbacks and for some reason they are always my favourite parts. I love being able to see the characters that I have grown to really know as their younger selves and to see what made them who they are. However, I love novellas set in the past even more because it's a whole book dedicated to exactly what I said above. This book was exactly that but it was also so much more because it was a short story on the life of Queen Levana, the villain for all intents and purposes. This leads me on to another reason why I loved this book: it made me feel sorry for Levana. After everything she has done and everything that she is hoping to achieve I never thought anything, not even a whole story about her past, could change my mind on what a cruel and unfeeling woman she is. Although I still stand by these beliefs, I also know that she is also just a victim herself and one that has been mistreated by those who should have cared for her since she was young. Learning what her sister did to her broke my heart and how she continued to use the scars that she had against her and call her ugly when she is really just injured and broken was enough to leave me in tears. Although I won't condone her reactions and everything she did after that, she was just trying to protect herself and her people. She honestly thought that she was the best person to be Queen and if she let her young niece rule then she was sentencing her people to a terrible future. She did what she thought was right and, no matter how messed up it was, she sacrificed so much for Luna, including the one person she loved more than anything. The poor girl had never known love before and did everything she could to try to get someone to love her and when she realised that would never happen she gave everything up and threw herself into her role as queen and turned herself into a monster for what she thought was the good of her people. It was a great novella that left me feeling so much for this cruel Lunar Queen and I now don't know what to think. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend that anyone who has enjoyed reading the Lunar Chronicles series or is interested in starting it should read this short story. It offers some great new information and is full of all the stuff that you would love in the main novels of the series. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A short story full of romance and heartbreak that will leave you thinking that maybe there is never a villain, only victims that react differently to their suffering. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

CRESS by Marissa Meyer

“‘Even in the future, there are damsels in distress.. ’ Cress, having risked everything to warn Cinder about Queen Levana's evil plan, has a slight problem.  She's been imprisoned on a satellite since childhood and has 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 involving Cinder, Captain Thorne, Scarlet and Wolf goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher 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.”

What is the book about?

Cress has lived on a satellite since childhood, alone with no one except her netscreens and her own imagination for company. She risked everything to let Cinder know about Queen Levana's plans and now has a huge problem. She has been ordered to track down the ship that Cinder and her allies are aboard for the queen. Although the tracking down was the easiest part, now the problem is that she doesn't want to give her mistress the information to give to Levana. So now she is risking her life further to keep Cinder and her friends safe from the people who want to kill them. However, when she is finally able to make contact with the Rampion, Cinder and her friends agree to rescue her and for once Cress thinks she is safe. But the rescue doesn't exactly go according to plan and the group gets separated. Now Queen Levana thinks she has won and won't let anything stop her marriage to Emperor Kai, but she didn't factor in the cyborg and her allies who will stop at nothing to protect Earth and Luna from her tyranny. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After finishing Scarlet I was really excited to continue reading and start the third book of this series that has definitely exceeded my expectations so far. In a way I feel like the end of Scarlet was the start of the true series, the true plot and battle against Levana. I was really excited to finally see Cinder face her and to embrace her true Lunar self. I started reading Cress almost instantly after Scarlet as I was really keen to continue the story and to find out what would happen next. I was quite confident that I would enjoy reading the book and that it would be just as good as the previous 2 books in this series. I honestly, now having read this book and the 2 previous ones, don't even know how I could have waited so long with the books just gathering dust on my shelf. Once I read the blurb I was even more intrigued as I was wondering how the group would get separated and how they would ever find themselves back together. Soon I started reading and I think this was the first book of the series where I was able to really get into it from the start, without having to read a few chapters before I really started enjoying it. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was probably once again Thorne or possibly even Cress. I really liked Thorne for the same reasons as I liked him in the previous book: his humour, charisma and just how entertaining and confident he seemed to be. Even though it might have been annoying to the other characters that he didn't really appear to take things seriously and was always just trying to keep things light and fun, I really liked that about him. However I liked him even more in this book as it was clear that he wasn't just all the stuff that I said above and that he wasn't always confident and sure of himself. He had doubts and was clearly just keeping up an act so that the other characters wouldn't panic even more. He was trying so hard to lighten the mood not only for his own benefit so that his thoughts about how he didn't actually know anything didn't catch up to him but also for his friends who worried far too much. Cress was a really interesting character and I really liked her mainly because of her imagination. She was constantly trying to trick herself into thinking she was somewhere else, doing something else, so that she wouldn't let all her worries take over, kind of like her own coping mechanism like Thorne's joking personality. I also liked how she reminded me of myself because I often find myself lost in my own little world, building up worlds in my head. I really liked both these characters and I definitely liked them together, even though not much happened (though there is a whole book left so I have hope).

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I honestly can't pick just one favourite part in this book as it's really just the whole book together that I enjoyed and not just one specific part. The whole vibe was just so great and I found that I loved everything about it. There wasn't one specific part of the book that stood out to me and it wouldn't be fair of me to single out just one part. Also there wasn't really many happy parts in the book as the characters were separated and constantly worrying about having to find themselves back together. I did really enjoy the time that Cinder spent in that village in Africa though, as I loved how the people living there helped her even though they knew the risks. However, the way that ended wasn't the most lovely thing so I can't really say that it was my favourite part. Honestly the whole book was just great and I can't wait to read the next one and enjoy it just as much. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Cress was a really great book and I really enjoyed reading every part of it. One thing that I really enjoyed was the link to the original Rapunzel throughout the whole novel. Some parts didn't quite seem obvious to me at first as I was initially comparing it to the Disney version, however soon the blindness started to make sense when I thought of the original version of the fairy tale. The long hair that was then cut, the fact that Cress was locked in a satellite all alone, the name Thorne and even the name Cress (another leafy vegetable like Rapunzel, which I think means lettuce is some language). It was such genius on the authors part and I am honestly in love with her approach to the fairy tale retellings throughout this whole series. Another thing that I really enjoyed was that we finally got to see parts of Luna (though the circumstances weren't exactly the best) and we also got to be introduced to the 4th girl who would be part of the final book of the series. This is the first time I knew who the book title was referring to in advance (though I suppose I have known since the first book) and it made me even more excited to read the next and final book in this series. I am so excited to finish the series and to see what happens at the end and I can't wait to read Winter.

Which book did you like better, the first, the second or the third?

All 3 of the books were absolutely amazing and I really enjoyed reading them, however I would probably say that so far Cress is my favourite book. One of the main reasons is that this book is partly based on the fairy tale of Rapunzel, which is my absolute favourite story and so obviously I have a huge soft spot for this book. Every link to the story made me so excited and made me love the book even more. Initially I wasn't quite sure what to expect or which was the fairy tale that would show up in the book as the title didn't showcase it like with the previous books but I was pleasantly surprised and gradually grew to really love it. Another thing I loved about the book that made it stand out more than the previous books was the fact that the main plan, the plan to finally face Levana and save everyone, was starting. It made me so excited as I was going to get to see Cinder embracing her future and her true identity and also see every character work together to save the world. Cress had  everything I had loved about the previous books (the short chapters and the fairy tale elements) but it also just had more that I enjoyed. So far the books have just been getting better so I just can't wait to see what Winter is like. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I recommend reading Cress but obviously after reading Cinder and Scarlet, the previous 2 books in the series. It is a great book for those who enjoy some romance, dystopian fiction and fairy tale retellings, with a shrinking of save the world vibes. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

Another perfect novel with a whirlwind of an adventure and great romance to make you squeal. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

SCARLET by Marissa Meyer

“‘Even in the future, beware of the big, bad wolf...’ Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the best-selling Lunar Chronicles. She is trying to break out of prison – even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive. Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.”

What is the book about?

Cinder is stuck in prison after being put there by Kai, who she was only trying to protect, and will be handed over to the Lunar Queen Levana as a bargaining tool. If she doesn't escape she will face trial on Luna which means only one thing – her execution. However, if she doesn't succeed in escaping she will be the Commonwealth's (and likely Earth's) most wanted and she is unlikely to be able to stay hidden for long. Halfway across the world, in a small village in France, Scarlet Benoit is facing her own nightmare. After years living peacefully with her grandmother on her farm, her grandmother is missing and no one seems to care, they all just think she ran because she was a little eccentric (or crazy as they like to say). But Scarlet knows that she would never do that and that something bigger and much worse happened, especially when her father shows up after years of no contact looking for something. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information on her grandmother's whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him. He says he will help her find her grandmother, and, despite having known him for less than a day, she goes with him to find her and gradually they start to feel a connection. As they begin to unravel the mystery on why her grandmother was taken in the first place, their adventure overlaps with Cinder's and they find themselves having to work together to keep Queen Levana from taking over the Commonwealth and then Earth.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I'm not kidding when I say that I started reading this book immediately after I finished Cinder. I had the book ready to go and after the cliffhanger ending that left me wanting more I was certainly glad for it. Since I had already read the first book in this series and had really enjoyed reading it, my initial thoughts Scarlet were very optimistic. I was quite sure that this book was going to be just as enjoyable as the previous one and that I would find it just as interesting. I was really intrigued to find out what happened next and was desperate to figure out how things would go, as everything was really up in there. The blurb intrigued me even more as I was going to meet completely new characters and it wasn't just going to be all about Cinder. I was also excited to see how Little Red Riding Hood was going to come into the story. Once I started to read I was initially disappointed like with Cinder and found it a little hard to get into the book and let the real world fade, however the doubts lasted less than with the previous book. Soon I was enjoying the book and found that once again I finished it in 2 days, reaching for the next book seconds after. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

There were a few characters that I liked in this book but I would probably say that my favourite character was Thorne. Even though he was probably ridiculously annoying to the other characters who didn't appreciate his jokes and his carefree attitude towards everything, I loved it. He added some much needed comedy and entertainment to the book as all the other characters were much too focused on not dying and trying to find a way to stop Queen Levana. It was probably the reason why I also really loved Iko whose enthusiastic personality didn't falter even when they were in the middle of a war. And when you put both of these characters together not only did that mean a headache for Cinder and whoever else was on the ship but it also made for great comedic relief. I can't wait to keep reading about them. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was probably the scene where Scarlet and Wolf were together in that train carriage. Ever since the two characters had met, there had been a clear attraction between them and it was also clear that neither wanted to act on it. It was such an obvious connection because if it had been anyone other than Wolf I don't think Scarlet would have just followed him blindly to Paris, or have trusted him enough to have him help her all the times they found themselves in trouble. However, neither of them was dumb enough to act on it when they had only known each other for a day, no matter how badly I wanted them to. Fortunately, whatever they felt for each other clearly took over their brains in that train carriage and for a few moments they were just Wolf and Scarlet, two teenagers without a care in the world and nothing to think about other than the other person. I really loved this scene and was glad for the moments of happiness these characters got because it was obvious that after a few more hours their whole lives were going to be completely different and much less manageable. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Scarlet was a stunning book and I really enjoyed reading it. I enjoyed it for a lot of the same things as Cinder, clearly showing the author's talent for satisfying her readers. One thing I loved was the short chapters which definitely made me like the book more. I love short chapters and they always make me feel like I am flying through a book and I'm sure anyone else would feel that way. The fact that you can say you are on chapter 15 in less than half an hour feels like such a prize. It made me feel like the book was so easy to read and I'm sure it was part of the reason why I finished the whole book so quickly. Another thing I really enjoyed was how this book flowed so easily from the previous one. It was so clear that Marissa Meyer knew what she was doing and had intended even when she first started writing for this to be a 4 book series. I loved how I was easily transported back into the dystopian world and how everything fit together so well, with things that I had initially dismissed in Cinder becoming much more significant than I could have ever though in this book. One last thing was how once again the fairy tale story (this time Little Red Riding Hood) was so subtly incorporated into the story. I loved to see the similarities between the stories and I can't wait to see what fairy tale pops up next. 

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

Although I enjoyed both Cinder and Scarlet and found that both were amazing, I would say that my favourite out of the two of them was definitely Scarlet. There are a couple reasons for this... Firstly, I really enjoyed having more points of view involved in the story and loved how this book was almost following 2 different storylines that were linked together in more ways than one. I found this much more engaging because it was much easier to read as I was always on edge hoping to get back to the next perspective so I could find out what happened next. Secondly, I found that the reveals throughout this book were much less predictable and I found myself being really surprised at some points of the story, really shocked to find out how certain things linked together. It was definitely more engaging and less predictable than the previous book and I found myself loving every second of it. Now I can't wait to read the next book of the series and keep going in this surprisingly amazing plot. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend Scarlet (though obviously read Cinder – the first book in the Lunar Chronicles series – first) and think it is a great book for romance, dystopian and fairy tale lovers. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A thrilling adventure set in the future with the perfect sprinkling of romance and the looming threat of war.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

CINDER by Marissa Meyer

“‘Even in the future, the story begins with Once Upon A Time...’ Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless Lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl... Sixteen-year-old Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. Because there is something unusual about Cinder, something that others would kill for.”

What is the book about?

This story is set in the future, after World War 4 where now everyone is dependent on androids and hovers. In New Beijing, the streets are always crowded with androids, humans and cyborgs (which are humans with metallic parts that have been placed in them after serious accidents occur to give them a second chance at life). Not only that but a deadly disease, a plague, also roams the streets of the whole of Earth, threatening the lives of the whole population with no cure in sight. Sixteen-year-old Cinder was adopted at age 11 by her stepfather, whose death she is blamed for by her stepmother. She is a cyborg, a second class citizen and treated as a slave by her stepmother and now also blamed for her stepsister's illness. Her life was already a disaster, but when the handsome, loved Prince Kai suddenly comes into her life, she finds herself in the middle of an intergalactic struggle for peace and a struggle through her emotions. She must now uncover the secrets about her past, the past she cannot remember, in order to protect the future of her planet. But she never asked for any of this and will have to choose between her freedom and loyalty to her country. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I bought the Lunar Chronicles series years ago (seriously!) and have had it sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. I kept meaning to read it, interested to see why so many people had enjoyed them. I had read a few books by Marissa Meyer before and had really enjoyed them so my initial thoughts were that this book would be great and I would really enjoy it. I love fairy tale retellings and have loved them since I was little and was really interested to see what this one would be like. I knew it was going to be a really wild retelling and I was really intrigued to see how the author would approach the iconic Cinderella in China in the future, but I had hope for it, especially after seeing how popular the books were. After reading the blurb I was even more interested as I wanted to see how the threat of war from an entirely different race of people living on the moon would become part of the story. Soon I started to read the book and initially I was a little disappointed as I found it difficult to really get into the story and become absorbed in the new dystopian world of New Beijing. However, after a few chapters, it really started to pick up and I began to really enjoy the story and find myself a part of the book. It took a little bit of time for me to get into it but soon I was soaring through and I finished the book in 2 days, realising that I shouldn't have waited so long to start the book.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was probably Iko, which may be a bit odd to some as she wasn't a main character really and was just an android, but I loved her. Her energy and personality was so sweet and energetic that it was almost impossible not to love her. The way she acted like an actual human and had the personality of a teenage girl simply because she had a ‘damaged’ personality chip. I loved how excited she got about the prince and how she was there for Cinder to keep her company and to kind of give her a glimpse into the life of a teenage girl and kept her from just being absorbed into her role as a mechanic and a slave for her stepmother. She was so easy to like and it made me smile how happy she always was and how much she liked all the things that I like all girls love. It was also clear that Cinder cared for her as I do and that she loved having her friendship. Even though I'm sure it must be annoying at times to have such a chatterbox to assist you, especially when you are busy with work, but I loved Iko and hope to see her soon in the next books. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

This was a really hard question to answer, not just because I had enjoyed the whole book but also because I finished the book 2 sittings, in 2 days and every part just blurred together and I could honestly only remember the story as a whole and not any specific parts. However, after some thought, I would probably say that my favourite part was when Cinder made up her mind on how she would use the money she had gotten. She had never had money to use as she pleased as everything she owned was her stepmother's as her stepmother owned her, however finally she had money and made the most significant decision of her life. She chose to work on the car, work on her escape from a life at her stepmother's beck and call, work on her freedom. I knew she'd never actually leave as that would make one depressing and pointless book if all the main character did was runway, but I loved to see that defiance and that after years being treated as nothing by her stepmother and stepsister (Pearl) and hundreds of others who thought her a disgusting no one because she was a cyborg. She finally chose to stand up for herself and I knew that it wouldn't be the last time. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I thought Cinder was a really great book and I enjoyed reading it. Initially I wasn't quite sure what to expect of a Cinderella type story set in China with the main girl being a cyborg, however I was pleasantly surprised and found that I really enjoyed it. I really liked how it wasn't exactly a fairy tale retelling and it was more like there were just elements of the Cinderella that I grew up with and that the actual story, the actual plot was a lot deeper than the simple fairytale that anyone could tell. The car that was a faint orangy colour (like a pumpkin), the name Cinder, the fact that she had an evil stepmother and stepsister, the foot lost on the steps, and (though this may just be my own little thought, which I will continue to believe even if told otherwise) Peony as her fairy godmother who gave her a dress. I loved the incorporation of these elements into what will clearly become a much bigger story. Another thing I really liked about the book was how easy it was to read. The short chapters, every single one of them, was like a breath of fresh air and made me love the book even more. If you are a reader you will know what I mean when I say that it felt like a reward to have a book with all short chapters and that it was much easier to read this way. One thing that did kind of annoy me was how predictable this book was and how I saw the big reveal from miles away, and it had nothing to do with the fact that I knew Cinderella's story inside out (though I predicted that she would lose the foot because of that). I would have liked to have been a bit more surprised as I love plot twists and big reveals, though I suppose it might have been a surprise to some. Either way I am excited to continue the series and so interested to see how the author will incorporate other fairy tales into the series and to see how the deeper story develops. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would recommend reading the book, it is a really interesting and enjoyable book, especially for over 14 year olds who enjoy romance, dystopian fiction and fairy tale retellings (especially non traditional ones).

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An interesting science fiction twist on a traditional fairy tale.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

OF SECRETS AND SLIPPERS by Chanda Hahn

“‘A haunting song. A deadly dance. An explosive finale.’ Allemar may be dead, but his cause festers in the dark. Strange beasts stalk the night as haunting music corrupts the fog. When morning comes, nothing but dust remains. Rumours are quick to spread, with many speculating that Allemar had a son…and the evil sorcerer’s heir wants blood. When an attack hits close to home, I become embroiled in a plan with the Magical Menagerie to infiltrate the palace of Sion and flush out the apprentice. Instead, I find twelve princesses, terrified and ensnared in a spell of music and death. Caught in a charade for my life, I don’t know whom to trust, for even my greatest love may be my greatest enemy. For I am Honor, one of the adoptive daughters of Lady Eville, and I’m an antimage – cursed with a gift that can kill. Forever forced to travel the ley lines to keep my friends safe, I must find the source of the rumors before the sinister song reaches its final note… And death takes his final bow.”

What is the book about?

After the events in Of Mist and Murder, Maeve succeeded where her sisters hadn’t – she killed Allemar. However, despite him being dead, his cause continued and there are rumours that Allemar had a son, who is now claiming blood and dark magic and following in the footsteps of his evil father. Not only that but strange creatures originating from the kingdom of Sion are appearing all over the 7 kingdoms, wreaking havoc and causing deaths. After Honor, one of the adoptive daughters of Lady Eville, gets involved in one of the attacks as it occurs close to the place she calls home, she seeks to find the source of this trouble and stop the young apprentice before all hell breaks loose. With help from the Magical Menagerie, Honor plans to infiltrate the palace of Sion and, even though there are many protections in place to keep the daughters of Eville from entering, the job seems easier than ever because Honor isn’t like her sisters. She is an antimage, cursed with a gift that doesn’t mean she can use magic but means she takes it and can kill without meaning to, which is why she was always kept away from her other sisters. So now Honor must find out if the rumours are correct and stop whatever or whoever is responsible for this destruction before everyone dies, but she won’t be able to do it alone…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

My first thoughts on Of Secrets and Slippers were conflicted as I struggled with my excitement and fears. After finishing Of Gold and Greed and learning more about the mysterious 7th sister, Honor, who was always away from the tower and never with her sisters, I was intrigued and desperate to read this book, which is why I bought it. When I first got the book series Of Secrets and Slippers had not yet come out, so I waited to see if I would like the books and, as I did, I bought the final book. When I got my hands on it and I read the blurb I was even more excited about reading it and discovering more about Honor, who I had grown to like in the previous book. However, before I started reading, I also had some worrying thoughts that always plague me when I think of starting the final book in a series I have enjoyed. I was scared that the book wouldn’t be as good as I thought it was and that it would ruin the whole series by having a bad ending. These doubts were even more severe than usual since Of Gold and Greed hadn’t been the best of the books, however I tried to put them aside in order to start reading the book. Soon I forgot all my initial doubts as I started to read and began to really love the book, just like I had hoped. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Honor, though I also greatly appreciated Rumple and his entertaining comments once again. In Of Gold and Greed I couldn’t be sure about what Honor was really like because I didn’t get her point of view, only her sister’s. However, I now know that everything I thought was correct. I loved Honor’s bravery, strength and determination. She was independent and, though her training with Lorn, she knew how to survive on her own in the wild. I also loved how she was so strong and powerful and, despite the fact that she wasn’t a sorceress like her sisters, she was never seen as the weak link, only the outcast, the one always on her own because of her power. This beings me onto my favourite thing about Honor: even though she knew she was destined for a life of loneliness and that she would also have to keep her distance, fearing killing those she loved, she never complained about it and never let those thoughts bring her down. She was so strong and I know she is definitely one of my favourite of the daughters of Eville. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was near the end when the help that Honor needed came. Since the beginning, Honor had always felt like the outcast of the family because of her power, which kept her far from her other sisters, travelling along the ley lines so she could take the magic from them and not from the people around her. However, despite feeling this way, her sisters still loved her like they loved all the others and at this part of the book Honor finally understood that. All her sisters came to her aid and every single one of them accepted her for what she really was (an antimage) and didn’t hate her like she had feared. Not only that but at the end of the book, when Honor needed help fixing what was broken they were all prepared to let Honor do the thing that she had always been told she couldn’t do, the thing she had always feared. This all happened because they loved and trusted her and knew that she would never hurt them on purpose and I loved that at this part Honor was finally able to see that because I knew it was important to her, even though she tried to push it down. I also loved this part of the book and the bit even further at the end because all of the sisters were back together, like they had been at the beginning of the whole series, and I loved that. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I loved reading Of Secrets and Slippers and it was definitely one of my favourite of the books in the Daughters of Eville series. One thing that I really liked about the book was the fact that all 7 of the daughters of Lady Eville were present in the book. Not only that but so were all of their love interests and any family that they had started to create. I liked seeing all of them together and liked the way that all of their powers were needed in order to really solve the problem, even though it was Honor’s adventure. Every sister had had help from one of the others and then that other girl had gone on to have her adventure and receive help from another sister and so on. As a result, I had been concerned that Honor would be on her own, which I wouldn’t have been surprised about because she was the one always on the outside looking in at the relationship that her other sisters had with each other. However, instead Honor got help from every one of her sisters and she was the thing that brought them together. Another thing that I loved about the book was the amount of plot twists and secrets that seemed to be revealed at every turn, though the biggest were only ever hinted at until the end. I honestly can’t believe I didn’t see the reveal at the end of the book coming but I had been so distracted by my own theories about the son of Allemar that I didn’t see what was right in front of me. The initial book had not had as many twists so I was glad that this book did because it made it so much more interesting. One other thing I loved about the book (which you are probably tired of hearing about as I have mentioned in all of the previous book reviews) is how easy to read it was. I am not kidding when I say that I bought and finished the book in one day and literally finished in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down (yet another reason supporting the amazing plot) and found it so fast-paced that it honestly felt like the events of the book were flying by. The fast pace also helped me feel more involved in the book and made me forget I was reading for a bit and that these characters and events weren’t actually real. Even though I enjoyed the book immensely, there were a few things that weren’t exactly perfect. One of those was the ending. Although I think it fit very well with Honor’s situation and personality, I would have loved to see all of the daughters of Lady Eville take control of every single one of the 7 kingdoms and think it would have made the book even better. However, the ending was satisfactory and I liked that everyone got their happy ending, which is rare for such crazy, deadly adventures. Another thing I would have liked for this book, as well as every other one in the series, was some different points of view including. I would have loved to see into the minds of some of the side characters and love interests, and also would have preferred a third person perspective because I find that gives the book a deeper meaning and view. But, despite all these flaws, Of Beast and Beauty, Of Glass and Glamour, Of Sea and Song, Of Thorn and Thread, Of Mist and Murder, Of Gold and Greed and Of Secrets and Slippers were all amazing and I am sad to see the series end. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I 100% recommend reading this book and think it is the perfect read for those over 14 who love fantasy, romance, adventure and fairy tale novels. Obviously it is important to read the 6 books previous to this one and I definitely recommend doing so as it is worth it. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

The perfect conclusion to a romantic and adventurous series about 7 magical sisters and 7 magical (and corrupt) kingdoms. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

OF GOLD AND GREED by Chanda Hahn

“‘A hoard of gold. A cursed bladesman. A talking pain in the axe.’ High in goblin-infested mountains lies the ruins of Ter Dell, the lost stronghold of the dwarves. Evil lurks beneath layers of ice and broken stone, buried in a vault of gold, hungering for the day that man's greed would see it unearthed. That day has come. For I am Rheanon, one of the adoptive daughters of Lady Eville – and I'm trapped in a web of deceit with the King's deadly blades-enchanted beings that guard the king and hunt those with magic. Beset by enemies, I must use my gift of alchemy to forge a sentient blade with ancient knowledge and a sharp edge. I needed a powerful weapon. I got a giant pain in the axe.”

What is the book about?

Lady Eville has sensed trouble in her childhood home, the kingdom of Kiln, since now every time she tries to spy through her magic mirror, she sees nothing but fog. To help solve the problem, she sends one of her adoptive daughters, Rheanon, far into north. As Rhea grows closer to the mountains and the ruins of Ter Dell, the destroyed home of the dwarves, she also senses a darkness surrounding the kingdom, coming from deep within the mountains. However it seems that this is more than just dark magic and that it is a curse that will plague any greedy being. On her journey to find the source, Rhea finds herself in the palace, growing closer to the king’s blades, his deadly and unnatural guards. As she runs from her enemies and tries to help Kiln, Rhea uses her gift of alchemy to forge a magical, sentient blade with ancient knowledge, a sharp blade and the ability to never stop talking. So Rhea sets off with her giant pain in the axe to a place she isn’t sure we will come out from…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Initially, I was confident that I would enjoy this book and nothing shook my confidence, even as I read the blurb and then started reading the book. Once I finished the previous book, Of Mist and Murder, I was curious to learn more about Rhea, however there was no cliff-hanger ending that left me desperate to read Of Gold and Greed. So, after a day of not reading, I finally decided it was time to pick up the book and start to read it. When I started to read, I soon got back into the world of the 7 kingdoms and 7 daughters of Lady Eville, who somehow kept ending up married to the next king of one of the kingdoms. I was glad to see that this book was back to the ones where the adventure was one which their mother had ordered, and I soon grew to enjoy Rhea’s perspective. It didn’t take long for me to see that my initial thoughts were correct and my confidence was not misplaced. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character would probably have to be either Honor or Rumple. Even though Honor’s involvement was limited and she didn’t spend long on the page, I immediately loved her and I can’t wait to read her story next. She was so brave and strong and I admired the fact that even though she didn’t have magic like her sisters and wasn’t a sorceress and at time she probably felt like the outcast of the family, she kept strong and excelled at other things, such as fighting and risking her life to save her sisters. She was ridiculously smart, brave and was ready for anything. The other character I liked was Rumple because of how funny and entertaining he was. Despite him not having arms, legs or an actual body, he always had something to comment on and it was always something ridiculous. I loved the nickname he gave Kash and I always found it hilarious when he spoke because I had no idea how it was possible and it was so entertaining. The funny side character is always appreciated, especially through tough times, and I was definitely grateful for the laughs. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I don’t really think that I have an actual favourite part; however one part that I did enjoy was near the end when Rhea defeats the source of the trouble in Kiln, however not in the way she expected. Compared to the other books, where the destruction of the main villain was a happy victory moment, in Of Gold and Greed this part of the book was actually quite sad because it turned out that the villain they were looking for was not as evil as they thought. Not only that, but the characters had believed they had all lost someone close to them and they were still grieving. However the most important bit is the fact that the villain was not fully evil, and turned good at the end, risking their life in order to save another. I loved this because of how representative it is of people: humans aren’t fully good or evil, it is just the situation we are in and how we feel that determines what we are like, so if you just help the person you thought was the villain you may find that they weren’t as bad as you thought. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Of Gold and Greed was a great book and, although I didn’t enjoy it as much as the other books in the series, I still liked it. One thing that I liked about the book was how fast-paced the book was and how I found it easy to enjoy and read. Although the plot and the characters may not have been as well developed as with other books, I still enjoyed it and found it was just as fast-paced and still read it in very little time, finding myself in a similar situation as with the other books because I wanted answers so didn’t want to put the book down. Another thing that I liked about the book was the fact that I got to learn more about Rhea and also her sister Honor, the daughter of Eville I had yet to hear from. In fact I probably learnt more secrets about Honor than I did about Rhea, which is probably another reason that I didn’t like the book as much as previous ones. I was hoping for another huge reveal about the identity of Rhea’s parents and about what Rhea’s powers meant, however I got nothing, which meant there was one less secret and twist in the plot. However, learning about Honor and the truth about why she was kept away from her sisters did give me a little more to enjoy about the book. Of Gold and Greed was a good book and after the introduction of the final daughter of Eville I can’t wait to read the final book of the Daughter of Eville series, Of Secrets and Slippers, (though I am still sad to see the series end).

Would you recommend this book?  

Of Gold and Greed was a great read and I do recommend reading it, but after all of the previous books in the series. It is perfect for those over 14 who enjoy reading fantasy, romance, and adventure books and love fairy tale retellings. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

Another romantic fairy tale adventure filled with secrets and darkness that only a daughter of Eville can destroy.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego