If you have been checking in with this blog over the last few months, then you will have seen I reread The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. If you don’t know what that is, the Lunar Chronicles is a YA sci-fi fairytale retelling series spread across four books, blending elements of the traditional narrative structures into an incredible low fantasy world full of detail, drama, and daring action sequences.

Cinder is where it all begins and the world building is truly spectacular. Cinder is the best mechanic in New Beijing which means she is sought after by many, including the young Prince Kaito when an android in his service stops working. But any chance of romance between them is quickly snuffed out as the plague ravaging their world kills the Emperor, Kai’s father, and infects Cinder’s sister, Peony. Cinder balances the fairytale and sci-fi elements well as the world building fleshes out the overarching conflicts and relationships between characters. It is action-packed, exciting, and will keep you on the edge of your seat. I rate Cinder a 4.5/5.

Scarlet takes a sideways step to Europe where Scarlet Benoit is looking for her missing grandmother. She disappeared from their farm two weeks ago, leaving Scarlet to fulfil deliveries and run the farm on her own. Around the time of her disappearance, a mysterious man started showing up, and during a delivery Scarlet meets this man who goes by the name Wolf. Soon, Scarlet is thrown into a mystery she may not be able to solve. Meanwhile, Cinder and her new companion, Captain Thorne, have become the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitives after their breakout from prison. Scarlet does a great job at developing the story world and providing more information on the overarching themes and plans while giving the reader a break from Cinder and the admittedly slow storyline coming from her. Scarlet and Wolf have great chemistry, the plot has its tense points and the the ending is heartbreaking. I rate Scarlet a 4.5/5.

Cress introduces a few new characters to the mix, namely the unbeatable hacker Cress who has lived on a satellite orbiting Earth since she was a child. Cinder, Captain Thorne, Scarlet and Wolf aren’t sure what to do next, but getting Cress seems to be the best option. In an attempt to rescue her, however, the group ends up separated and lives are at stake. All the while, Queen Levana is pushing Emperor Kai into corners, making him choose between horrible decisions. It is a novel with a lot of moving parts, a lot of character interactions and development, and the action is intense. There is a good balance between character perspectives, which is starting to get high in terms of numbers, while also giving enough time to Cress for her own character building. I rate Cress 4.5/5.

Winter is a high-stakes, action-packed, emotional rollercoaster of a finale. Not only do we have the final piece of the puzzle – Princess Winter – entering the fray alongside Jacin, a character of grey morals and mysterious loyalties, but we are going to the moon. The heist at the beginning of Winter and the journey to Luna where the novel’s final pieces align makes this book immersive, entertaining, and increibly addicting. Reading the final 100 pages is a nonstop ride and your fingers won’t be able to turn each page fast enough. The character development and relationships culminate in a brilliant mix of perspectives, motivations, and experiences. I rate Winter a 4.5/5.

As you have likely noticed, this series earned itself a 4.5/5 rating across the board. It really is a phenomenal series that everyone should read, from YA fantasy to sci-fi enthusiasts, fairytale fanatics and romance readers. It doesn’t lean to far into YA that an adult fantasy reader can’t enjoy it, and similarly the sci-fi elements don’t overpower the series, making the Lunar Chronicles a series everyone can pick up! I highly recommend reading this series if you haven’t already, and even then if you haven’tt reread it in a while I strongly consider doing so. Marissa Meyer has written some amazing characters here, the story world full of detail, and you will love it so much.