Title: Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles 3.5)
Series: The Lunar Chronicles
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: January 27, 2015
Rating: ☆☆☆
Rating: ☆☆☆
In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is 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.
Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is 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.
Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.
My Review
When I first started reading Fairest by Marissa Meyer, I was a little confused as to why it was being labeled as a bridge book or a midquel. Most of Levana's story takes place before the events in Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress. Though the novel definitely connects Queen Levana to all of the main characters in The Lunar Chronicles, I just don't see how it truly operates as a bridge book because it contains a lot of new information. Even after finishing the book, it felt more like a prequel instead of a bridge book. It could very well have been expanded and been a full length novel just like the other books in the series.
After binge-reading Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress this past summer, I was excited to learn more about this scientifically thrilling world of Marissa Meyer's. I will admit that I was more looking forward to Winter, but I was also looking forward to Fairest. After finishing Fairest, I found myself a bit disappointed but not enough to make me dislike the book. I just wanted more. The plot in Fairest is set, but the world-building really isn't. I was hoping to learn more about Luna and its technological developments, but Meyer briefly mentions what readers will remember from the other books in the series. I was also hoping to get a better image of Luna in my mind, but what Meyer describes isn't quite fulfilling (but the art on the inside is!).
As you know, this is Levana's story, and it starts when she is fifteen. She finds herself in love and ready to marry this man. Unfortunately, things don't work out for Levana and her husband. You would think that this would harden Levana, but you'll discover that there's still more to Levana than just an unrequited love affair. I found that a lot of the details and connections were predictable, but it didn't make me dislike the book. It just solidified how well I know the stories.
Do I like Levana any more than I did in the previous three books? I'm not saying that I completely hated her in the other books because she's a much needed foil, but I don't think this book changed my opinion of her. At this point, Levana is meant to be an unlikeable character, but that's why I like her as a character. Because of this book, I do understand Levana's history a lot better, which is what I think Meyer was going for with this book.
After binge-reading Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress this past summer, I was excited to learn more about this scientifically thrilling world of Marissa Meyer's. I will admit that I was more looking forward to Winter, but I was also looking forward to Fairest. After finishing Fairest, I found myself a bit disappointed but not enough to make me dislike the book. I just wanted more. The plot in Fairest is set, but the world-building really isn't. I was hoping to learn more about Luna and its technological developments, but Meyer briefly mentions what readers will remember from the other books in the series. I was also hoping to get a better image of Luna in my mind, but what Meyer describes isn't quite fulfilling (but the art on the inside is!).
As you know, this is Levana's story, and it starts when she is fifteen. She finds herself in love and ready to marry this man. Unfortunately, things don't work out for Levana and her husband. You would think that this would harden Levana, but you'll discover that there's still more to Levana than just an unrequited love affair. I found that a lot of the details and connections were predictable, but it didn't make me dislike the book. It just solidified how well I know the stories.
Do I like Levana any more than I did in the previous three books? I'm not saying that I completely hated her in the other books because she's a much needed foil, but I don't think this book changed my opinion of her. At this point, Levana is meant to be an unlikeable character, but that's why I like her as a character. Because of this book, I do understand Levana's history a lot better, which is what I think Meyer was going for with this book.
I really need to read this series now, and it's funny because I love fairy tale re-tellings but I haven't even tried to pick up this series. Great review, Erin! :)
ReplyDeleteOMG. Yes you do, Blessie! I freaking love these books! The last one comes out in November, so you could always binge read them. :)
DeleteI stopped reading this series after Cinder but I have found it so fascinating to follow the reviews around Fairest. It's so interesting that the strength of this series, from a marketing perspective, is enough to justify a hardcover novella (or short novel maybe since this one is longer?) between the third and final books. And one from the villain's perspective besides! Thanks for the review, Erin!
ReplyDeleteI didn't look at any reviews for this one until I read and reviewed it for myself, and I kind of like how they are so varied. It's interesting to see who likes Fairest and who hates it.
DeleteI'm kind of glad this one was a hardcover release because I hate those e-novella things! I feel like they are such a waste of money, and that you don't really need to read them to understand the series. This one... well... I'm glad that it's out because learning about the villain was definitely something I needed.
This is good to know! I've been wondering if it was worth the read. I loved Cinder, Scarlet and Cress but am generally wary of bridge books or prequels like this.
ReplyDeleteI usually am wary of them too, but this one is definitely worth it if you're a big fan of the series.
DeleteYeah I thought the exact same thing! I kind of wished it was a full book, or maybe at least a little longer? I felt like a lot of things were rushed. AND IT COSTED ME A LOT OF MONEY. Like the amount for a normal book :P
ReplyDeleteAwesome review Erin!
I think it definitely could have been longer - 222 pages just didn't seem long enough to fully understand Levana.
DeleteOMG. I know! I was able to get this one on sale at Target, but it was still about $13.
Desperately need to catch up on this series! I've been trying to read Cress since last summer but I just haven't been in the mood for it. I'm determined to catch up by the time Winter is out and so I can read Fairest. Great Review :)
ReplyDeleteCress is my favorite in the series, but it is very, very long. I wasn't really expecting it to be as long as it was, but there is so much build up, and it makes for a very entertaining book. My advice would be to read it over a long weekend or something.
DeleteBut I am so excited for Winter. November cannot get here soon enough.
Thanks! :)