Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles #3.5) by Marissa Meyer REVIEW

Book Details:

Pages: 220

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Released: January 27th 2015

I will not a put a synopsis for this specific novel because it is a novella that takes place after the third book in a series, but I will put a synopsis for the first book in the series, Cinder.

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Cinder is considered a technological mistake by most of society and a burden by her stepmother. Being cyborg does have its benefits, though: Cinder's brain interference has given her an uncanny ability to fix things (robots, hovers, her own malfunctioning parts), making her the best mechanic in New Beijing. This reputation brings Prince Kai himself to her weekly market booth, needing her to repair a broken android before the annual ball. He jokingly calls it "a matter of national security," but Cinder suspects it's more serious than he's letting on.Although eager to impress the prince, Cinder's intentions are derailed when her younger stepsister, and only human friend, is infected with the fatal plague that's been devastating Earth for a decade. Blaming Cinder for her daughter's illness, Cinder's stepmother volunteers her body for plague research, an "honor" that no one has survived.But it doesn't take long for the scientists to discover something unusual about their new guinea pig. Something others would kill for.

Review:

This was a prequel to the Lunar Chronicles which I have already read, and tells the story of the villain Queen Levana. WOW is all I can say!! I finished this book in three sittings! Levana's backstory is very depressing, sad, and tragic, and at times I felt like I sympathized with her. But I also don't think the decisions she made were acceptable. She became so selfish and had so much lust. I really shouldn't like nor sympathize with Levana, but this book kind of made me! This definitely, made me understand who she is and why she ended up that way. That is very hard to do especially if you have read about the villain before in previous novels and she is despicable.

The pacing was great and I was never bored. It is a short and fast read. To see how Levana's mind thinks and works in more depth and detail was interesting. Beside Levana always wanting power she wanted affection and LOVE! Unbelievable. I don't really read novellas or short stories but this was amazing. I really enjoyed it. I also liked that we got a whole backstory for Cinder and Winter as well and how it played into to her story!

The ending of this book was not surprising because I knew that it might come but when it did I was shocked that the author actually went through with it. I applaud the author for taking that risk and knowing not everyone would like it, but I loved it.

I think that Levana never changed from good to bad or reverse, but instead she always had a darkness inside of her that she just embraced and had severe consequences for, from the beginning. Even if it was a result of hatred, jealousy, love, or temptation.

Marissa Meyer did another fantastic job, especially at making me feel so undecided on how I felt about Levana and if what she was doing was right or wrong. YOU HAVE TO READ IT!! Telling everyone I can about it. I might not be willing to loan my copy because I WILL READ IT AGAIN! What I have learned from this book is that no matter if you have a great life, or a more challenging one, everyone has temptation and darkness inside of them. Some chose to embrace it and some chose to control it and do better. In the end temptation can lead to the end of all things you wanted and loved.

5 stars