CressAuthor: Marissa Meyer
Published by: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.
In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.
Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.
When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.
And it just keeps getting better! I became a huge fan of The Lunar Chronicles when I read Cinder, the first book in the series, and fell a little more in love when I read Scarlet. After reading Cress, I can honestly say that it is my favorite in the series so far.
There is a lot going on in Cress, and we’re taken on one exciting ride. Cinder and her cohorts need a plan. They need to stop Queen Levana and Kai from getting married, because she’ll become an ever bigger terror and there will be no stopping her once they do. Piece of cake. Or not. Things get a whole lot more complicated when they all unwillingly get separated. In Cress, lives are in peril, secrets are exposed, and characters are more entertaining than ever. Meyer does a fantastic job weaving everything together.
With each book, we get the addition of more characters and their perspectives; Meyer pulls this off flawlessly. There’s no doubt that she creates some pretty great characters. I’m such a character-driven reader, so I crave at least one to really connect with in every book I read. Not only is there one in Cress, there are at plethora of them! They all have such distinctive voices and personalities, and I love them all! Okay, I love Thorne the most, but don’t tell him, his ego is big enough as it is. Seriously, Cress was such a perfect addition to the group, especially when paired off with Thorne. She has a naivety and awkwardness about her because she was locked away and isolated for so long, and when coupled with Throne’s exuberant personality, it makes for some mighty fine reading.
Cinder is growing as a character too. There was a point where her age was mentioned and I was a little surprised. I forgot that she’s only sixteen. I think she’s the youngest of the group, but she has the most weighing on her shoulders. And Iko is the funniest android I’ve ever met, no matter what form she’s in! She is definitely one of my more favorite characters. Gah! I do love them all, though.
I am so happy that this series continues to get stronger with each book. If Cress was this good, I am beyond eager to see what Marissa Meyer brings with Winter, the final book in the series.
I’m really looking forward to reading this series, I have heard so many good things about it, that it would be weird not to read it. I’m glad you really liked Cress as well. I hope you will enjoy Winter as well 🙂
You should read it, Sandra!
Yeah, I heard those series gets better with each book which is good because I gave Cinder only 3 stars. But I love the sound of this one.
I bet you’d like Scarlet A LOT more than Cinder.
I love this series too. SO much! But as much as I loved Cress (and I did love it), Scarlet is my favorite *ducks and runs* I really missed her and Wolf in this book, but Thorne and Iko and everyone else still made it awesome all by itself. I can’t wait for Winter! Crazy Lunar princesses, let me at ’em 😉
I think I liked Cress more because there was more focus on Thorne, who I get the biggest kick out of. When Wolf was talking to Cress about Scarlet being his alpha … omg, my heart.
I adore how Marissa keeps adding new members to the cast without making the readers confused! Cress was adorable and Thorne was just ASDFGHJKL. I definitely agree that Cinder grew a lot in this one and I was able to appreciate her character more. I’m glad you loved this one, Christy! We’ll have to wait for Winter together! XD
Meyer really does do the multiple POVs exceptionally well. -sigh- I know, Winter can’t get here fast enough.
I meant to start this series during the TBR challenge but I just ran out of time! I will start it soon though, it looks too good to pass up.
Oh yeah, you definitely can’t pass this series up. Do not resist it! 🙂
I can’t decide if I like the BOOKS Cress or Cinder better, but I know I like them better than Scarlet. Character-wise, you are SO right, all the characters are great and I can’t help but admire Cinder…and Iko is always a favorite. I like Cinder better than Cress though, even though they’re vastly different. Eeep, happy you loved it! We need something to tide us over until Winter!
It’s funny how some love Scarlet the most, some love Cinder, and some love Cress. I guess it’s safe to say there’s one for everyone.
I am so excited that this series just keeps getting better, from the characters to the plot. I adored Cress and cannot wait for Winter!!Fantastic review my friend!
I wish each book in a series weren’t released so far apart. -sigh-
YAY CHRISTY!!! I’m such a huge fan of this series as well. While Cress wasn’t my favorite heroine, that title still falls to Scarlet (I just adore her and Wolf!), I think all Marissa’s characters are brilliant. And I agree with you on Iko, she just makes me happy. I want an Iko of my very own:)
I think Scarlet might be my favorite of the 3 girls, but I love it when we get Cress and Throne together. Oh my gosh, but my heart exploded when Wolf and Cress were talking about Scarlet being his alpha.
I really enjoyed this one, like you said, I also liked the character growth in this one. We are going to be reading/listening tweens when the next one come out 🙂
Well said, I couldn’t have said better myself.
I know, and I can’t wait!! 😀
So curious about Winter! But emerged. Thorne and Cress are adorable! Of course there’s Wolf. Love him. You are so dead on, Meyer just keeps making it hard to pick and choose which is my favourite among her books. I’m a total sucker for Wolf though. 😉
Glad you loved it, Christy!
I just love them all. But my love for Wolf grew when he and Cress were talking about Scarlet being his alpha … le sigh.
Good thing you loved this or else. I totally adore Thorne as well and I cannot wait for the last book!
lol – good to know my kneecaps are safe … for now.
Great Review Christy! I love when an author can weave everything together beautifully. This sounds like such a great series! I am a character driven reader as well, so I get really excited when I hear about stories that have great characters!!!
It really is, Lindy! It’s very, very good!
I’m so sad that I haven’t started this series! Everyone seems to agree that it just keeps getting better. Cress isn’t my typical pick, but I really think I could love it.
Thanks for the great review!
I guess I really should give this series a try now, I bought the first book a couple years back but haven’t gotten to it yet. Definitely going to have to read it this month. Great review for cress!
–Kimberly @ Turning the Pages
Ack another I’ve had on the tbr pile but just haven’t gotten to (well book 1 lol). That’s awesome they’re getting better and better. Love when that happens.
Ugh…Cinder has been on my read list for forever. I think I am going to put all three books on my read list for May and that way I can get all caught up. The world building and the characters sound great. Thanks for reminding me that I HAVE to read these books. 🙂
YES I am glad you loved Cress! How awesome was it? I agree that it just keeps on getting better, it was also my favourite (next to Scarlet). It’s gonna be a long wait for Winter!
I have loved this series so much. I have the audio of this, but haven’t been able to listen to it. Can’t wait though! Glad you loved it. 🙂
Agree with all of these so much. I love Marissa Meyer and I absolutely adore her Lunar Chronicles series BUT DAMN DAMN DAMN Cress was in a whole new level of not only awesomness but epicness, too O_O It was everything I wanted and more <3 I thought my heart had no more room for any more characters, but Cress pretty much squeezed the others out of the way (I mean I still love you Cinder and Scarlet BUT CRESS IS JUST SO CUTE OKAY KYAAA). Also, Thorne. THORNE THORNE THORNEEEE.
Lovely review, Christy. I'm so happy this is your favorite installment as well <3
I’m a character driven reader too, so glad to know the characters are ones I would get attached to, once I start reading the series. (I haven’t actually read Cinder yet, but I do own it.) Keep hearing it gets better though, and Alise (Readers in Wonderland) wasn’t too impressed by it, but enjoyed Scarlet, so it kind of gives me hope that even if I don’t like Cinder, I’ll probably get into it anyway (but I’m hoping I’ll love it), because it does sound like it keeps progressing. Glad you loved it! 🙂
I finally got a copy this past week and I can’t wait to read it!! SO many people have said that Cress was their favorite book so far and it’s making it hard to put off reading it in favor of review books. I’m glad you enjoyed it even more than the previous two!
I have not read this series yet but I have Cinder on audio and eBook and I think this will be my next audiobook while I’m waiting for my audible credits to roll in for Murder of Crows 😀 I can’t wait to get started!
ack, must read Cinder. I adore the sound of this world.
Initially I thought the series will just feature Cinder but with each book, a new couple is introduced. I’m very curious to see how the dynamics is between these couples. I tried reading Scarlet way back but it’s when I hit my YA wall, can’t get into it. But I love the series, I’m just a difficult reader LOL
Yay! I’m so glad to hear you loved Cress too! You’re so right, the characters in this series are phenomenal (Thorne is definitely a favorite, but Wolf is still my guy :D), and I can’t believe how well she juggles them all. I can’t wait to see what Marissa has in store for us in Winter. Lovely review!
I’m glad this one was that good! I confess I haven’t tried the series yet but I bought book one last month, I really need to get into it!
They get better and better, so hope you read them soon.