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not_so_royal_jesster's review against another edition
5.0
This was an amazing and highly satisfying conclusion to the lunar chronicles. I was sad that this was the end, but Marissa Meyer did not fail to enthrall me throughout the whole book. All in all an amazing read.
fleurwillemijn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
stephaniecedits's review against another edition
4.0
As Shakespeare said in his famed Romeo and Juliet, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” And much like with the bard’s hero and heroine, we start Winter wondering if any of our characters will be rewarded with respite after a harrowing few adventures. And if they’ll escape with their sanity (looking at you Winter), humanity (hey there, Wolf), and/or the remainder of their appendages (no spoilers here). Heck, really, we’re wondering if they’ll escape at all.
While this story could have ended so many ways, Meyer’s decision made parting with these characters truly a sweet sorrow. I loved traveling with them from New Beijing to France to Africa to Luna—and of course, on the beloved Rampion. (Did you know there are t-shirts championing this guy?) Much like in real life, our heroes often struggle to know who is with them, who’s just brainwashed, and who’s truly loyal to Queen Levana. Through it all, their bond grows ever stronger, and they learn to trust each other, to lead, and to sacrifice. These friends become ours too, and we get to celebrate so much growth in Winter.
I’ve gone on and on about my love for Scarlet (who is still my favorite, but just by a small margin), but Winter deserves a love all her own. As you would expect in a Cinderella retelling, Winter is “the fairest of them all” in every way. Her beauty makes everyone stop and stare and either wish they were her or wish they could be with her. No scars could mar her appearance; in fact, maybe they only enhanced it for showing her strength. But the best thing about Winter is her heart, her absolutely refusal to manipulate people with her gift because she has learned that manipulation comes with dire consequences—even if you have the best of intentions. Throughout the book, we see her struggle with the question, Will I have to become the thing I hate to overcome for the good of my people and the world? And her friendship with Scarlet is one of my favorite things about her; her calm gentleness and childlike mannerisms are the perfect balance to Scarlet’s wild sassiness and the circumstances that demanded she grow up far too soon.
We see the rest of the characters make tough decisions too, especially Cinder, who must choose how much loss is too much or if maybe there’s no such thing when it comes to dethroning Levana. Thankfully, she has a stellar group of friends to remind her that the people are behind her because they want freedom for Luna just as much, if not more, than Cinder does. And Kai—sweet, precious darling that he is—does absolutely everything in his power to be a champion for his friends (and, of course, Cinder) from behind enemy lines. Far from being the useless pawn he believes himself to be, Kai uses his innate strengths to make himself quite the powerful ally for Cinder and Crew.
Iko and Kinney were such a pleasant surprise, as was the softness Winter brought out in Jacin, who previously seemed to only be about himself. We meet Maha Kesley, who unwittingly becomes the face of the revolution, the face of the people’s inspiration. Then there are the wolf soldiers from the lava tunnels—they play quite the role in this one. The way Meyer writes, I don’t believe the story would be the same if even one of the minor characters was missing. (Like the kids who sweetly gifted Winter with a floral crown.) Her characters are fascinating, and their stories each conclude in a satisfactory way that resembles a nice nap after a fabulous meal.
Every scene moves the story along perfectly as our characters grow and shift their plans and even their mindsets. Our characters, and thus the story, remain in constant motion, which is so perfect for a revolution, don’t you think? And the seclusion of Luna, the cordoning off of the different sectors on the planet, all lent to the aloneness our characters felt. But they were determined to continue, even if, in the end, only the ten of them stood against Levana and her head thaumaturges.
Oh, and the ending, that beautiful ending! It filled my heart in a way I didn’t think possible, and I believe gave each of our heroes the goodbye they (and their series) deserved. So, to avoid spoiling anything, I’ll just say, “Parting is such sweet sorrow . . . That I shall say good night till it be morrow” (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet).
My Take
Leaders aren’t perfect. They are the flawed ones with the courage to step out and do something risky, whether it’s not using their power to manipulate others or giving up power that’s rightfully theirs for the benefit of others. They inspire loyalty, even among the most unexpected allies because they are daring, in their humility and kindness as much as their relentlessness.
While this story could have ended so many ways, Meyer’s decision made parting with these characters truly a sweet sorrow. I loved traveling with them from New Beijing to France to Africa to Luna—and of course, on the beloved Rampion. (Did you know there are t-shirts championing this guy?) Much like in real life, our heroes often struggle to know who is with them, who’s just brainwashed, and who’s truly loyal to Queen Levana. Through it all, their bond grows ever stronger, and they learn to trust each other, to lead, and to sacrifice. These friends become ours too, and we get to celebrate so much growth in Winter.
I’ve gone on and on about my love for Scarlet (who is still my favorite, but just by a small margin), but Winter deserves a love all her own. As you would expect in a Cinderella retelling, Winter is “the fairest of them all” in every way. Her beauty makes everyone stop and stare and either wish they were her or wish they could be with her. No scars could mar her appearance; in fact, maybe they only enhanced it for showing her strength. But the best thing about Winter is her heart, her absolutely refusal to manipulate people with her gift because she has learned that manipulation comes with dire consequences—even if you have the best of intentions. Throughout the book, we see her struggle with the question, Will I have to become the thing I hate to overcome for the good of my people and the world? And her friendship with Scarlet is one of my favorite things about her; her calm gentleness and childlike mannerisms are the perfect balance to Scarlet’s wild sassiness and the circumstances that demanded she grow up far too soon.
We see the rest of the characters make tough decisions too, especially Cinder, who must choose how much loss is too much or if maybe there’s no such thing when it comes to dethroning Levana. Thankfully, she has a stellar group of friends to remind her that the people are behind her because they want freedom for Luna just as much, if not more, than Cinder does. And Kai—sweet, precious darling that he is—does absolutely everything in his power to be a champion for his friends (and, of course, Cinder) from behind enemy lines. Far from being the useless pawn he believes himself to be, Kai uses his innate strengths to make himself quite the powerful ally for Cinder and Crew.
Iko and Kinney were such a pleasant surprise, as was the softness Winter brought out in Jacin, who previously seemed to only be about himself. We meet Maha Kesley, who unwittingly becomes the face of the revolution, the face of the people’s inspiration. Then there are the wolf soldiers from the lava tunnels—they play quite the role in this one. The way Meyer writes, I don’t believe the story would be the same if even one of the minor characters was missing. (Like the kids who sweetly gifted Winter with a floral crown.) Her characters are fascinating, and their stories each conclude in a satisfactory way that resembles a nice nap after a fabulous meal.
Every scene moves the story along perfectly as our characters grow and shift their plans and even their mindsets. Our characters, and thus the story, remain in constant motion, which is so perfect for a revolution, don’t you think? And the seclusion of Luna, the cordoning off of the different sectors on the planet, all lent to the aloneness our characters felt. But they were determined to continue, even if, in the end, only the ten of them stood against Levana and her head thaumaturges.
Oh, and the ending, that beautiful ending! It filled my heart in a way I didn’t think possible, and I believe gave each of our heroes the goodbye they (and their series) deserved. So, to avoid spoiling anything, I’ll just say, “Parting is such sweet sorrow . . . That I shall say good night till it be morrow” (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet).
My Take
Leaders aren’t perfect. They are the flawed ones with the courage to step out and do something risky, whether it’s not using their power to manipulate others or giving up power that’s rightfully theirs for the benefit of others. They inspire loyalty, even among the most unexpected allies because they are daring, in their humility and kindness as much as their relentlessness.
wildehalfling's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
natblevins's review against another edition
this was amazing!! my feelings are having feelings. what a book. I raged, I laughed and even cried. this was a great ending to a great series and I'm so sad it's over.
caltincross's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
thefaereader's review against another edition
5.0
Well, that was it. This was the last book of the Lunar Chronicles. I do know I haven’t read Fairest of Stars above but this felt like the real ending of this amazing series. And I loved it I so much. Cress was my favourite before I read Winter. Now that I’ve finished Winter, I don’t know which one I prefer. And I’m glad that there are still have 2 more books to read about this amazing world created by Marissa Meyer.
I love how Marissa Meyer created a unique story and still managed to keep the important details of the fairy tales. It made me smile every time I came across a part of the original story of Cinder, Scarlet, Cress and Winter.
The world building could have been a bit better. I wished the description of Luna and Artemisia were a bit more detailed because we don’t know much about this. We did get to know more about the history of Luna, which I though was very interesting. The description of the characters was done pretty well (and we finally get to know how Levana really looks like). Talking about the characters. There were no new ones in this book but we did get to know princess Winter and Jacin Clay a bit better. I really like Winter, she is so cute and sweet and (in a good way) craaazzzyyyy! And she has no idea what she’s capable of because of her kindness. Jacin is very protective towards Winter. It’s not only his job to keep her save, he’s constantly worried about her when he’s not with her. That’s very sweet. His motives to do some things are mostly based on keeping Winter save and I have to admit that I don’t always felt that he cared about Cinder and her friends. There wasn’t also much character development in this book while I did expected there would be. Some characters have been through a rough time and they just stayed the same.
I noticed that this is the longest YA book I’ve ever read. But because this books is full of action and adventure, I flew through this book. The plot was amazing, it kept changing throughout the story. It was more realistic than I thought it would be, the characters had a hard time, one moment they are in the advantage, the next moment all hell breaks loose. The group also didn’t stay together. They got split up again and again which was very interesting because they always ended up with someone else when they were separated. I really enjoyed it.
I also liked the romance in this book, although it was predictable who would end up with who. Some of the characters had a harder time to express their feelings while others already where together. But there wasn’t only romance in this book. The friendship between the characters is amazing. They would do anything for each other. It love this sort of relationship between characters. The characters aren’t just allies, they have a bond with each other and they can rely on one another.
The end of the book is very dramatic (and bloody) but it’s a great end for a great story. I already said I’m sad that this was the end. I do have to say that the Lunar Chronicles is one of the best series I’ve read. I gave it 5/5 stars (if I could I would give 4,5 but I didn't wanted to give it 4 stars) because it almost was perfect (the world building part costed that last 0,5 star). To any one who hasn’t read this series yet, please read these books! They are amazing!!
I love how Marissa Meyer created a unique story and still managed to keep the important details of the fairy tales. It made me smile every time I came across a part of the original story of Cinder, Scarlet, Cress and Winter.
The world building could have been a bit better. I wished the description of Luna and Artemisia were a bit more detailed because we don’t know much about this. We did get to know more about the history of Luna, which I though was very interesting. The description of the characters was done pretty well (and we finally get to know how Levana really looks like). Talking about the characters. There were no new ones in this book but we did get to know princess Winter and Jacin Clay a bit better. I really like Winter, she is so cute and sweet and (in a good way) craaazzzyyyy! And she has no idea what she’s capable of because of her kindness. Jacin is very protective towards Winter. It’s not only his job to keep her save, he’s constantly worried about her when he’s not with her. That’s very sweet. His motives to do some things are mostly based on keeping Winter save and I have to admit that I don’t always felt that he cared about Cinder and her friends. There wasn’t also much character development in this book while I did expected there would be. Some characters have been through a rough time and they just stayed the same.
I noticed that this is the longest YA book I’ve ever read. But because this books is full of action and adventure, I flew through this book. The plot was amazing, it kept changing throughout the story. It was more realistic than I thought it would be, the characters had a hard time, one moment they are in the advantage, the next moment all hell breaks loose. The group also didn’t stay together. They got split up again and again which was very interesting because they always ended up with someone else when they were separated. I really enjoyed it.
I also liked the romance in this book, although it was predictable who would end up with who. Some of the characters had a harder time to express their feelings while others already where together. But there wasn’t only romance in this book. The friendship between the characters is amazing. They would do anything for each other. It love this sort of relationship between characters. The characters aren’t just allies, they have a bond with each other and they can rely on one another.
The end of the book is very dramatic (and bloody) but it’s a great end for a great story. I already said I’m sad that this was the end. I do have to say that the Lunar Chronicles is one of the best series I’ve read. I gave it 5/5 stars (if I could I would give 4,5 but I didn't wanted to give it 4 stars) because it almost was perfect (the world building part costed that last 0,5 star). To any one who hasn’t read this series yet, please read these books! They are amazing!!
ellianamaselli's review against another edition
4.0
OK. So I just wanna sit and appreciate the ending here. I loved the way Meyer gave us, like, 9 chapters of epilogue. It was GLORIOUS.
As far as the book itself goes, I thought it was better than Cinder, but not as good as Cress or Scarlet. It just didn’t hook me the same way those did and while the romance between Winter and Jacin was adorable, it wasn’t as good as Scarlet & Wolf or Cress & Thorne.
Speaking of Romance, I honestly have no idea whether I favor Scarlet&Wolf or Cress&Thorne. Scarlet&Wolf’s romance is just so PURE. (And that reunion was just *chefs kiss*.) But that scene between Thorne and Cress (you know the one) was SO GOOD it sold me on their relationship. So, in the end, I can’t decide one over the other.
My two favorite characters were Wolf and Cress, with Scarlet and Thorne (ironically) a close second behind. Cress was just so STRONG and BRAVE, not in regards to physical strength or anything, but with her emotions, and honesty and love. And those are my strengths, too. And it felt good to see someone like me represented in a book. I never see that (which is why my favorite characters are always men.)
I think I mentioned this in my review for Cress, but I love Wolf. And I love him because of the gentle way he loves Scarlet with his whole being. Not because she’s beautiful—though he does mention that she is—but because she’s HIS. And I adore the fact that his love for her had almost nothing to do with physical pleasure. But with who she was and who she became. And it made me love him.
Thorne made me laugh. That’s all.
Also Scarlet is a badass.
I really couldn’t have cared less about the Cinder/Kai relationship. It just didn’t make sense to me. I mean, they needed each other to succeed against Levana. But outside of politics, it didn’t feel like they had much reason to care for each other that way. It would have made more sense if they were just really good friends, honestly. And I get that this was a shattered fairytale story, so they would naturally be together. But that’s about the only reason it made sense to me. Sorry.
Other than that, though, all the relationships made sense to me. I DO kinda wish one of our MC’s had died. Not Cress or Thorne or Scarlet or Wolf (especially not Wolf). Just someone like Iko. Or Kai. Why don’t we just kill Kai.
*kills Kai*
There. That’s better.
Wow, now that THAT’S taken care of, I am so sad to be concluding the series. I will move onto the novellas and then read Marissa’s other brain-children.
—Elliana Maselli; March 1st, 2020; 1:40AM
reviews for other books in this series
Book 1: Cinder
Book 2: Scarlet
Book 3: Cress
Book 4: Winter
As far as the book itself goes, I thought it was better than Cinder, but not as good as Cress or Scarlet. It just didn’t hook me the same way those did and while the romance between Winter and Jacin was adorable, it wasn’t as good as Scarlet & Wolf or Cress & Thorne.
Speaking of Romance, I honestly have no idea whether I favor Scarlet&Wolf or Cress&Thorne. Scarlet&Wolf’s romance is just so PURE. (And that reunion was just *chefs kiss*.) But that scene between Thorne and Cress (you know the one) was SO GOOD it sold me on their relationship. So, in the end, I can’t decide one over the other.
My two favorite characters were Wolf and Cress, with Scarlet and Thorne (ironically) a close second behind. Cress was just so STRONG and BRAVE, not in regards to physical strength or anything, but with her emotions, and honesty and love. And those are my strengths, too. And it felt good to see someone like me represented in a book. I never see that (which is why my favorite characters are always men.)
I think I mentioned this in my review for Cress, but I love Wolf. And I love him because of the gentle way he loves Scarlet with his whole being. Not because she’s beautiful—though he does mention that she is—but because she’s HIS. And I adore the fact that his love for her had almost nothing to do with physical pleasure. But with who she was and who she became. And it made me love him.
Thorne made me laugh. That’s all.
Also Scarlet is a badass.
I really couldn’t have cared less about the Cinder/Kai relationship. It just didn’t make sense to me. I mean, they needed each other to succeed against Levana. But outside of politics, it didn’t feel like they had much reason to care for each other that way. It would have made more sense if they were just really good friends, honestly. And I get that this was a shattered fairytale story, so they would naturally be together. But that’s about the only reason it made sense to me. Sorry.
Other than that, though, all the relationships made sense to me. I DO kinda wish one of our MC’s had died. Not Cress or Thorne or Scarlet or Wolf (especially not Wolf). Just someone like Iko. Or Kai. Why don’t we just kill Kai.
*kills Kai*
There. That’s better.
Wow, now that THAT’S taken care of, I am so sad to be concluding the series. I will move onto the novellas and then read Marissa’s other brain-children.
—Elliana Maselli; March 1st, 2020; 1:40AM
reviews for other books in this series
Book 1: Cinder
Book 2: Scarlet
Book 3: Cress
Book 4: Winter