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A review by lmckensie
Cress by Marissa Meyer
5.0
"Do you think it was destiny that brought us together?"
He squinted and, after a thoughtful moment, shook his head. "No. I'm pretty sure it was Cinder.”
First five-star book of the year. For many, many reasons, but I'll try to keep them brief.
First, Cress is darling. So likable. But beyond just being the adorable, sweet optimist that she is, Cress is terribly believable. I would, without much hesitation, say this is the best version of Rapunzel I've read because of its portrayal of mental illness. Marissa Meyer examines the implications of being imprisoned and isolated in a small space for years on end, and doesn't shy away from the kind of trauma that would cause to a person. Cress doesn't like Sybil, but she also clings to her as her only attachment to the outside world and still grows concerned about her orders even long after she's been freed from her satellite. Cress's neuroses don't just go away because she's entered the real world. She's still agoraphobic and she still suffers from severe anxiety. Seeing that in a character -- and seeing her written with care and sympathy -- was a high point of this series for me.
Likewise, we got a lot more of Cinder and a little less of Scarlet in this, both of which I appreciated. Cinder's constant practicality and prickliness makes me chuckle. Overall, I feel there was more humor to this book, which I definitely enjoyed.
I also enjoy that, in assembling this team, Meyer has made it clear that they have unique -- and often complementary -- strengths and weaknesses. Cress is a tech whiz, but she's not physically strong. Cinder is handy and tough, but she has to be taught how to fight, and she doesn't take to it instantly. Their development as a team and as individuals felt organic.
I'm eager to move on to the last book, but I'll also be sad to be done with this series!
He squinted and, after a thoughtful moment, shook his head. "No. I'm pretty sure it was Cinder.”
First five-star book of the year. For many, many reasons, but I'll try to keep them brief.
First, Cress is darling. So likable. But beyond just being the adorable, sweet optimist that she is, Cress is terribly believable. I would, without much hesitation, say this is the best version of Rapunzel I've read because of its portrayal of mental illness. Marissa Meyer examines the implications of being imprisoned and isolated in a small space for years on end, and doesn't shy away from the kind of trauma that would cause to a person. Cress doesn't like Sybil, but she also clings to her as her only attachment to the outside world and still grows concerned about her orders even long after she's been freed from her satellite. Cress's neuroses don't just go away because she's entered the real world. She's still agoraphobic and she still suffers from severe anxiety. Seeing that in a character -- and seeing her written with care and sympathy -- was a high point of this series for me.
Likewise, we got a lot more of Cinder and a little less of Scarlet in this, both of which I appreciated. Cinder's constant practicality and prickliness makes me chuckle. Overall, I feel there was more humor to this book, which I definitely enjoyed.
I also enjoy that, in assembling this team, Meyer has made it clear that they have unique -- and often complementary -- strengths and weaknesses. Cress is a tech whiz, but she's not physically strong. Cinder is handy and tough, but she has to be taught how to fight, and she doesn't take to it instantly. Their development as a team and as individuals felt organic.
I'm eager to move on to the last book, but I'll also be sad to be done with this series!