by Marissa Meyer
Series: Lunar Chronicles #3
Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard. In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only 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 goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.
Whenever I review a book from the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer I immediately want to go all fangirl. Cress introduces “Rapunzel”, and is perhaps the strongest book in the series to date. Mini review: Intense and emotional with twists and turns that will hold you spellbound.
Cress begins in space, where we meet Cress and get a glimpse of the solitary life she has led in the satellite she calls home. Meanwhile Cinder, Scarlet, Wolf and Captain Throne are making plans to thwart Queen Levana and her grizzly army. A dangerous rescue plans ends in disaster separating our favorite posse and the tale that unfolds was fantastic.
All of our favorite characters are present and we are introduced too new ones. Cress is brilliant, naïve and incredibly brave. One cannot help but adore her. Meyer continues to flesh out her characters; even the secondary characters are well developed allowing the reader to connect. I felt their pain, elation, and fears. Each character has their own strengths and weaknesses. Together they create this team of crusaders that feels genuine. They work incredibly well together and I loved their interactions. We have a little romance, some delightful banter and moments that made me laugh aloud. Meyer’s introduces two new characters. Winter is Luna and gads if I don’t want to more.
One would think with all of the new characters introduced that we would lose a sense of the plot, but Meyer’s outdoes herself time and time again. Cress was flawlessly executed, from the changing points of view to the multiple threads. Things take a more serious tone, and the plot tightens in Cress as Meyer amps up the danger. There are some developments that are darker leaving me to worry about beloved characters. There was an emotional moment that made me cry. From the retellings to the intense plot she left me breathless and begging for more.
Fans of the series will be deeply satisfied with Cress. If you haven’t yet tried the Lunar Chronicles, now is the time! Catch up so you can be on pins and needles like the rest of us waiting for, Winter, the fourth book. From what we have experienced so far we are in for one heck of a ride.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Ciara
I love Cress so I’m glad you enjoyed it! I think what I love most about the Lunar Chronicles series is that we get to see this motley crew form from the very beginning. We meet Cinder and Iko first then in the second book Scarlet, Thorne and Wolfe are introduced and now in the third book we have Cress so along the way we really get to see how the group is formed and how each person has become a member. Like you said in your review, I really do feel like Cress is the strongest book so far. I can’t wait for the release of Winter!
kimbacaffeinate
I am so glad you are loving the crew too Ciara, and agree this was the strongest!
Sandy
Love the new look to your blog! 🙂 Also so glad that you enjoyed Cress. I loved it too! The Lunar Chronicles just keep getting better and better. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Sandy glad you like my new digs. I agree each book gets better and I cannot wait for Winter!!
Cyn
Yay!! So glad you loved it! I’m always impressed by how Marissa can keep the story flowing so well despite the introduction of so many new (awesome) characters!
I loved Cress and Thorne! They’re pretty hilarious and awesome together (: Lovely review!
kimbacaffeinate
I agree Cyn, she has total control of this plot and characters! Thorne rocks!
Lark
Yay! I’m glad you loved this, Kimba! Good review, and you’ve said many of the things I’ve been thinking as I read it. (I’m not done yet; had to put Cress aside for some books I needed to read on schedule, but I can’t wait to get back to it!)
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy, I cannot wait for the next book 🙂
Glass
I’m glad that you loved this book too – I plan to finish this series during next month (along with few others). I hope I’ll fangirl like crazy. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Oh enjoy I cannot wait to hear your reactions 🙂
Dani
This is another one of those series I really want to read! 🙂 Thanks for the wonderful review!
kimbacaffeinate
It’s fantastic!!
Tressa
She seriously does such a great job of keeping her characters, even the side ones, all consistent and allowing us to connect with them, AND keep all of her different story-lines going as well. It amazes me that I have all these characters down and what is going on and never once was I confused. The story just continues to draw me in and gets better and better. Can’t wait for Winter!!!
kimbacaffeinate
I agree, I was apprehensive entering into book two, but she really has weaved these tales together brilliantly. The characters are amazing and I have a feeling Winter is going to be epic.
Lauren
YAY! *hi fives this review* I’m so happy to hear you loved this! I agree, I think it is the strongest installment to date. I loved Cress and Thorne, and the way she juggled all the characters I’ve come to love. Wonderful review!
kimbacaffeinate
Thorne rocks and yes I agree she does well with all of the characters.
Silvia
I’ve always wanted to read this series and now here you are with this great review and a full 5 cups nonetheless! You most certainly know how to push a reader’s buttons, Kimberly… *sigh*
kimbacaffeinate
What I love most is that each book gets better and the characters are wonderful. Sorry about all the button pushing *slides you a chocolate truffle*
Silvia
No need to be, it means you did a good job 😉 *grabs the chocolate truffle anyway*
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, enjoy!
Christy
Agreed – Meyer did a great job with all the characters. I’m looking forward to Winter … thought I’d never say that . 😉
kimbacaffeinate
hahaha..I know it almost sounds cray-cray!
Lupdilup
First let me say I’m happy to see everything is well here! Second, this a lovely review! And third, we love being in pins a needles…LOL We are masochists for sure 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo me too, glad you are on pins and needles with me Loupe!
Tabitha (pabkins)
I agree I love the banter as well. With each book I just love the world she has created more and more. Just one more to go. I can tell already Winter is going to be a favorite of mine.
kimbacaffeinate
I am exciting for it Tabitha. These books just keep getting better..I am hoping Winter is darker!
Jessica
So how lame (and by “lame” I mean “awesome”) would it be if I said, “Winter is coming”? *snickers*
I too loved Cress, and I CANNOT wait to see how Meyers wraps this wonderful series up. I’ll be pins and needle-ing with you 😉
kimbacaffeinate
hahaha…you are funny Jessica.
Whitney
Fantastic review! Cress has been sitting on my bedside table for a while, I need to read it now.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Whitney, at least your wait for Winter won’t be as long..LOL
kindlemom1
I so need to start this series soon!
kimbacaffeinate
*blinks* What? I didn’t realize you weren’t reading these Ali..yes please do!
kindlemom1
I know! I have them I just need to actually open them and read them.
I suck sometimes.
kimbacaffeinate
*wipes brow* well at least you have them, and I can so relate..I have a few series sitting on my bookshelf wanting my attention!
Ann M. Noser
Books in space aren’t usually my thing, but FAIRY TALES IN SPACE?…this I’ve gotta see! I’m looking forward to checking out this series. Sounds fantastic and fantastical.
kimbacaffeinate
Ann, this series is really well developed and incredibly original for re-tellings. I hope you try them 🙂
Christa
It constantly amazes me how talented Meyer is. Her novels just keep getting better and better.
kimbacaffeinate
I completely agree Christa and I am loving the ride!
Braine Talk Supe
I want to be on pins and needles too! I’ve read Cinder, totally loved it. Tried Scarlet but when it came out I can’t stand YA. Not I’m a bit balanced, LOL, will definitely make time to catch up.
kimbacaffeinate
I cannot do a steady diet of YA, but love some of the genres, you need to see this one through though..it just gets better!
Sophia
Oh no worries Kimba, I’m certainly not in the waiting room! I’m at least 2 book years away! 😉
No, I haven’t read the series… :p
kimbacaffeinate
hahaha Sophia, I am there with a few books/series/trilogies I want to start..:)
blodeuedd
I need to read book 2!
kimbacaffeinate
*blinks* Yes, yes you do Linda 🙂
Karen
I was a little disappointed in the romance but I do like how the story and characters are finally coming together. I can’t wait for Winter. I think it’s going to be amazing.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
kimbacaffeinate
Awe, I loved Thorne.
Jenea
I loved the first two books so much, and I have this one on audio. Can’t wait to listen to it, especially that we get new characters and get to see the old ones too. 🙂 Awesome review.
kimbacaffeinate
Squee..enjoy. Did you listen to the others on audio?
Jenea
I read Cinder and listened to Scarlet. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Ah, awesome 🙂
Red Iza
I tried to avoid this series at first because everyone was raving about it ! But I’ve just seen book #1 is free so… I bought it. You got me, thanks for the review !
kimbacaffeinate
Wow, Free? Yeah baby! I am glad you grabbed it and hope you love it as much as I did Red!
Chene Sterckx
Yay! I am so happy to see you enjoyed this book. This series has been close to the top of my TBR pile for a while 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Chene..I cannot wait to see what you think of the storyline and these amazing characters:)
Rashika
Ahhh I am so glad to hear you liked this. I am going to read this one with a friend eventually… 😛
Well during the Summer hopefully!
All I ask for is more Kai during this installment. I was just a teensy weensy disappointed by Scarlet so I am hoping that Cress will make up for it. 🙂
Great review, Kimba!! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I love that you are doing a buddy read and I hope you do a buddy review of it when you are done!
finley jayne
I’ve read the first two books in the series, but I need to get to this one yet-glad you liked it!
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo enjoy Finley..I look forward to your thoughts on it!
Sharon - Obsession with Books
The characters in this series all sound wonderful, I was initially hesitant to continue after reading Cinder and learning each book introduces a new MC but your review makes me want to grab the books now. I’m pleased to see you enjoyed this.
A great review Kimba.
kimbacaffeinate
This storyline has been impressive! I was very nervous going into book two but Meyer really has control of the plot. Of course it helps that each character is fleshed out and add to the tale!
Melliane
I love that when we have some wonderful retellings like that. And even more when all the books are that great, it intrigues me so much! I have Cinder but I still need to read it. LOL I bought it because of allt he reviews everywhere, it’s impressive! I just hope I’ll enjoy it as much as everyone else.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh you must read it Melliane!
Anika
I have yet to read this series because every time I read the Cinder synopsis I sort of question how that story can ever make sense. But you make them sound like such great novels. I have to just get over that and get reading!
kimbacaffeinate
This series has been action packed and delightful Anika, I hope you decide to read them 🙂
Laura Plus Books
I’ve read the first two but still haven’t gotten to this. I completely forgot that it wasn’t a trilogy. I’ve been putting it off because I thought I could read it whenever. I must read it before Winter comes out! I can’t wait to feel all the feels. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy all the feels Laura!
Bieke
I loved Cress so much! It’s the best in the series so far and I can’t wait for winter!
kimbacaffeinate
I agree Bieke, they keep getting better 🙂
Bieke
I don’t want it to end, haha. 😛
kimbacaffeinate
🙂
Aimee
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Kim! I loved the new additions to the cast and how it’s easy to be in whoever’s perspective and still not be confused. Thorne was my favorite, and I though Cinder developed really well here. Awesome review!
kimbacaffeinate
I totally adore Thorne Aimee!