Reviews

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

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melindabruce's review against another edition

4.0

This was a pretty good sequel for Cinder -- after finishing it, I'm really looking forward to #3 in the series. However, introducing Scarlet into the storyline and flipping back and forth between her perspective and Cinder's didn't work that well for me. I get that it was necessary for the story, but I was always wishing we were back on the Cinder storyline.

literallyilliterate's review against another edition

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4.0

*3.75 rounded up for Wolf and my girl Cinder.

**may contain spoilers for Cinder.

“She did not know that the wolf was a wicked sort of animal, and she was not afraid of him.”

I'm really invested in this series so far. It's definitely not the greatest thing I've ever read, but it's a fun time, and that's all I could ask for.

Scarlet continues the story of Cinder as she escapes prison and is on the run as a Lunar fugitive. It also introduces a new storyline surrounding a French girl named Scarlet. Her grandmother is missing and she teams up with a street fighter named Wolf, who thinks he knows where to find her. But there is something odd about Wolf that she can't quite figure out...

My main issue with this book is that there wasn't much development to anything. The author made a considerable attempt at juggling two different storylines, but as a result there wasn't much insight into characters or plots. Scarlet and Wolf both have vague characterization, and I hope we learn more about them in the next book. Their romance is also underdeveloped instalove, but I could see them becoming a great couple. Wolf's devotion to Scarlet is already so deep and real, and I'm excited to see where their relationship goes from here.

We learned a little more about Cinder's past in this book, but not a lot. She was mostly a grumpy mess, but I can't blame her. The things she has learned and the crap she's had to deal with gives her valid reasons to be a little insufferable. I still like her a lot though!

The first time we meet Thorne, we are told three things: one, he's in prison; two, he started a riot over SOAP; and three, he convinced a guard to lend him a portscreen so he could look at...*questionable* pictures of women. These details made him interesting but not necessarily likeable. I know everyone who's read this book loves Thorne, so hopefully I will too. Eventually.

Oh my goodness Kai. The poor guy. He's been through so much and has so many tough decisions ahead of him. I hope he will overcome the challenges he's facing because I really feel for him. Having your dad die and instantly being thrown into the position of emperor during a time of political instability seems unbearable. I want to give him a hug.

As I mentioned, the plots in this book were pretty weak in my opinion. There were some suspenseful moments (by that I mean lots of violence and blood lol), but for most of the book not much was happening. I didn't find it boring, just a little underwhelming. I do think this was a good starting point for the next book, though.

age recommendation: 12+
content: LOTS of violence and blood, a few innuendos

princessrobotiv's review against another edition

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3.0

2.5

-

I liked this less than Cinder, mainly because I am not, as a rule, a fan of ABO or ABO-adjacent stories.

Still, there was enough about Scarlet that surprised me that it didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. Once again, Meyer took a well-known tale and played with it in unexpected ways while retaining the heart.

Wolf and Scarlet as a couple didn't really catch my attention, but Wolf as a character subverted enough tropes to keep me forgiving despite the very questionable status of his morality.

And, of course, we got the next stage of Cinder's saga, the near-entirety of which worked pretty well for me. I enjoyed Thorne, I liked the direction they took Iko in and how Iko reacted to her new body, and I think it's great that the next installment

Spoiler

will have Scarlet and Wolf along for the ride.

Spoiler

I don't think I buy Kai's decision to marry Levana as a politically sound strategy, or one that wouldn't also lead to immediate war with the other world powers, especially after Levana's open act of aggression. I know it's like, necessary for the plot or whatever, but it was unbelievable to me.

kirstenrose22's review against another edition

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4.0

I really really loved Cinder, so this didn't quite reach that same high bar. But it's still pretty good. I felt like there was too MUCH going on in this book (on the flip side, this means the author successfully avoided Middle Book Syndrome, where everyone just slogs along to Mordor, I mean, the glorious climax in Book 3). I liked Scarlet, I liked the way her relationship with Wolf was handled, and I liked the switching narrative voice (although that occasionally got a little confusing). I did feel that several times there was a spot where the Obvious Natural Next Question should have been asked.... and wasn't, because it would have ruined the plot of the rest of the book. And I hate that - it feels unnatural and like sloppy plotting, to me. The ending was a little confusing (again, so much going on!). But overall, this takes the series to an interesting new place, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

andreeamaryac's review against another edition

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4.0

I am invested in this story again. Read Cinder last year and didn’t feel like immediately continuing the series.
Scarlet was very good and reminded me why I loved the first book. From the new characters I really like Wolf and Thorne.❤️

comfortk29's review against another edition

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4.0

This book was a lot the plot was cool the characters amazing I really enjoyed them but yet again I feel like I wanted more from the love interest just like the first book Cinder. I wanted more Scarlet and Wolf scenes but other than it was great.

The short story of Wolf was nice edition to the book which made it even better. It was nice full circle moment. Rating this book

bola28's review against another edition

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4.0

Pretty good addition to the series, but the first was better.

The book itself was great. Objectively, as good as the first, but I am personally not a fan of Scarlet & Wolf’s romance. It’s like Twilight if Edward & Jacob were merged into one person, and Bella was actually useful/had a personality at all. If that sounds like your cup of tea, great! But it’s not mine.
I also couldn’t really connect with Scarlet & Wolf the same way I connected with Cinder & Kai.

Speaking of Cinder, her and Thorne’s relationship (platonic) is amazing. I absolutely loved every one of their scenes together, Sarcasm™️. Their chapters were what I looked forward to the most.

A good book, but it’s the worst in the main series. Still, the series as a whole is awesome and I’m excited to continue.

4 stars