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Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

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Brief synopsis (no spoilers)
Two stories, running simultaneous. Cinder was captured by Kai's soldiers, and is scheduled to be handed off to Queen Levana's forces. But there's no way that's going to happen (fairy tale, come on). Meanwhile, in Europe, a young woman named Scarlet was living with her grandmother on their farm, when her grandmother disappeared. 3 weeks later, grandma still hasn't resurfaced, and Scarlet will need help to find her- possibly from a big, bad wolf.

Category
YA Fiction, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Why I chose this book
Next in series

My personal opinion (the review)
Excellent book, but not as good as the first (sequels rarely are). I really enjoyed the Scarlet story, and how it melded beautifully with Cinder's story. And I appreciate the sci-fi feel to it. But there's MUCH more fighting in this one, and it gets pretty graphic. My wife would love the first book, but she would cringe at this one, about a dozen times. The romantic element is very tasteful and appropriate, though, so that's a big plus.

Warnings
Language: None that I recall
Violence: Much more graphic than the first book
"Adult" situations: None
Death: Yes, and of major character(s)

Movie rating equivalent
PG-13

Protagonist description
Cinder is a cyborg, but recently found out she’s special. Scarlet is strong, but still pretty dependent on her grandmother

Point of view of story
Third, but switching focuses (Cinder, Scarlet, Kai, Levana)

Book length
Medium

Story flow
Excellent, keeps moving

Grammar and spelling issues
None

Character connection (no spoilers)
I want to learn more about Levana and her background

For series:
Independent or integral (stand-alone or back story dependent)
Integral

Series review as a whole
Excellent! I expect good things, in the next book

If you only have time for one, read: (which one)

Cinder (start at the beginning)

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