The idea is simple: on the last Friday of each month, post about the best book you’ve finished over the past month while visiting other bloggers doing the same. In this way, we’ll all have the opportunity to share our thoughts with other enthusiastic readers. Please join us below.
Title: Cress
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #3
Author: Marissa Meyer
Genre: Science Fiction, Fairytale Retelling
Pages: 560
Reading Level: Teen
Content: PG-13 (violence, brutality, doom, war, mature and dark themes, adult situations, oppression)
I honestly didn’t see the girl trapped on a satellite turning into a Rapunzel retelling, but it totally works. I love how the author embeds plot points from the original fairytale into this futuristic saga in ways that actually make perfect sense. I won’t geek out about it too much because I don’t want to give away spoilers, but if you like the Rapunzel story, you’ll appreciate this installment of the Lunar Chronicles where Thorne kind of plays the role of the prince.
Before I say more about what I liked in this book, I’ll mention that there wasn’t enough Wolf and Scarlet interaction for me. I understand why they aren’t focused on too much and appreciate where the story is going. I will also admit that I’ve been on the fence a bit about whether or not I really ‘get’ Cinder as the great hero and this story really helped me to appreciate her more. I already liked her, but I just had trouble seeing her as a hero, knowing that the character struggles with that notion herself, makes her feel more real.
I also found that this installment made me appreciate Emperor Kai more. As I read the story, I was pleasantly tasked with reminding myself that these are young, teenage, characters trying to save the world. Too often, for my taste, YA stories make me wish the characters were older. I felt it was a mark of superb storytelling and character development that allowed me to accept the, few and far between, teenage angst because I realized that the story needed light tones from time to time.
Being a sucker for “the one” tales, I really enjoyed how Cinder began to hone her Lunar gifts and complement them with her cyborg advancements. I appreciated the uniqueness of her character and role she plays in bringing light to issues of stereotyping, superstition, and discrimination. I also love that Iko got more involved (can’t wait to read her graphic novel).
Recommended to teen and adult fans of fairytale retellings, cyborg or machine tales, and a good fantasy and sci-fi mash-up.
I give this book a 5.
This review has been posted to GoodReads.
If you’d like a Kindle copy of this book, try this link: Amazon.
Get a print copy with free international shipping at this link: Book Depository.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
11 replies on “The Cephalopod Coffeehouse #Review: Cress #scifi #fairytale”
I haven’t read this series yet, but I’m glad to hear you liked it. Some of my dearest pals were mixed on it, so I’ve been hesitant to pick it up. I like how you talk about the ongoing storyline of the whole series. It’s important to keep those major arcs in mind.
Thanks for sharing!
The first book didn’t solidify my love for this story. It was good, but I wasn’t sure I’d love the whole series. After reading the second one, I decided I was in for the long haul. This was a good continuation.
I do love a reworked fairy tale! This is a very clear review, Toi, I don’t know this series or characters at all but enjoyed your explanation. Thank you for the introduction 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed the review. I too love retellings but have found that some take too many liberties with trying to change the original story. I like that this series sprinkles in story points and characters from classic tales and makes something new.
I’ve read the first two books in this series and have this one on my kindle. I’m definitely looking forward to reading it.
It’s pretty good. If you already like the series, I don’t think it will disappoint.
This is one that might interest my daughter. I’ll definitely keep it in mind. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, this isn’t for everyone, but anyone into YA retellings will likely enjoy it.
She’s well into folklore, mythology and such. She can be a bit of a purist but I think she’d at least be curious about this series.
I haven’t read this series at all yet. I think I was considering getting started and then I read some reviews that put me off on GoodReads – but it’s still definitely on my to-read-list!
Three things you must consider: it’s YA, it’s a retelling genre mash-up, and it not a U.S.-centered story in the slightest. 😀