Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

The second book in the Lunar Chronicles continues the story of Cinder, who is now imprisoned waiting to be taken to Luna.  It is also the story of Scarlet, a newly introduced character, whose grandmother is missing.  Scarlet refuses to give up on her grandmother, though no one is willing to help her.  Eventually, she meets Wolf, a street fighter, who is willing to take her to where her grandmother is being held.  Along the way, the stories of the two girls draw closer and closer together as the ties between them are clarified.  The book rings with action and adventure, the echo of spaceships, and the wonder of mental Lunar abilities.  Identities are revealed, friendships are forged, and one is left breathlessly waiting for book three.

Meyer writes an amazing tale.  Her pacing is just right, lingering at moments that readers want to never end and rushing headlong into the action.  The result is a riveting read, where the author has also created a world that is believable and intriguing.  Her characterization is also strong, with now two incredible female protagonists.  Perhaps best of all is that you can rely on Meyer to not have men rescue her heroines, in fact they are much more likely to be the ones rescuing the men. 

So many series succumb to the sophomore slump, but this book is just as wild, riveting and immensely readable as the first.  Appropriate for ages 15-18.

Reviewed from copy received from Feiwel and Friends.

Prodigy by Marie Lu

As June and Day flee directly after the first book concludes, they reach Vegas.  Traveling in disguise with Day weak and wounded, they are taken in by the Patriot rebels on the day that the death of the Elector Primo.   The Patriots agree to help them but there’s one condition: they have to assassinate the new Elector Primo.  Very quickly a plan is hatched.  June is taken prisoner by the state and put directly into contact with the new Elector Primo who seems taken with her.  Day joins a group of Patriots as a runner, taking out trains with explosives and creating chaos while making sure that he is noticed as one of the Patriots now.  But things are not as they first appeared and both Day and June separately begin to question what they are doing and why.

So many teen series hit a wall on the second book, but that is not the case here.  Reading as if it is a straight extension of the story in the first novel, Legend, this book is a read that is thrilling and gripping.  The characters stay true to those you know in the first book, building their relationships and continuing to question.  Lu’s writing is clear and strong, she takes time to create believable characters, giving even secondary characters motivation and backstory.

Lu does the same with the world building.  It is a treat to have a chance to further explore the world of Legend and Lu gives us so much more to explore.  Readers will get a glimpse of the famed Colonies here and so much is answered when Day gets a glimpse of a world map for the first time.  Readers learn the truth alongside the characters, a very powerful device.

Filled with twists, turns and daring escapes, this book is a fitting continuation of Legend.  Fans will have to read this but best of all, they will not be disappointed.  Appropriate for ages 14-17.

Reviewed from ARC received from Putnam.