Marissa Meyer's "Renegades" Book Discussion

***This event occurred on November 15, 2017, from 7:00-9:00pm at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, WA.***

Buy on Amazon

• Marissa Meyer talked about how Renegades was a long but rewarding journey. She had many good days but many bad days.
• She likes to read in her free time to inspire more writing. She told the group, "There are times when I am reading a book and I feel like the writer makes it looks so easy. But, I know logically that it doesn't work like that." At least I don't feel alone when it comes to my struggles with writing. I'm sure that other writers feel comfort after her comment.
• Marissa started talking about the process of writing Renegades. She first came up with the idea that during her Lunar Chronicles Scarlet tour in February 2013. She passed a construction zone with a location sign in view, but she thought it said "Coming Soon Hero School." The idea came to be a similar structure as the Lunar Chronicles where a male superhero would fall in love with a female super villain, but they wouldn't know that they were arch enemies.
• The novel continued to fall flat on her expectations so she set the book aside a few times so she could finish the Lunar Chronicles and Heartless for the next 3 years.
• After four drafts of different plots and use of characters that fell flat and her deadline vastly approaching, she said she had a moment where she had to wallow in a little self-pity and watch Pride and Prejudice before calling her agent to explain the original idea.
• She got the permission to make a stand-alone novel instead of a trilogy like she had originally signed her contract.
• It cleared her head, which allowed her to finish her novel while making the book into a duology at the least.
• When she was asked about her influences for the novel, she said, "All superhero books, movies, and TV shows, but more specifically X-men." She also said that Sailor Moon had a big impact in making the book because she loves the idea that enemies fall in love but also have secret identities.
• We were able to ask some questions...someone asked what her go to snack was and she said wine. I say that sounds great!
• I asked her what she does when she has writer's block and needs to clear her head. She told me that she likes to "Take a walk, bath or nap and even stare out the window as she draws what the characters in my book are doing."
• She then signed our books!

Some pictures from the event

My view from my seat was pretty good.

I told her that I had a very hard time reading 3rd person POV until I read her Lunar Chronicles series

She said selfies were welcome! I was so happy!

My signed copy of Renegades. It says, "Do you have it takes?" And my answer is, "Heck yes!"

I am so happy. I have many of her books signed but this was the first time I met Marissa Meyer.

Review Wednesday: Winter by Marissa Meyer

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ CINDER. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about Cinder by clicking on the link: Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer


Title: Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4)

Author: Marissa Meyer
1st Date of Publication: November 10, 2015

ISBN: 9780312642983
# of Pages: 824

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13 (Death, Violence)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description:
Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

Point of View: 3rd person- Winter Hayle, Crescent "Cress" Moon Darnel, Scarlet Benoit, and Linh Cinder

Goodreads Rating: 4.51

My Rating: 4.85

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: This is my least favorite cover of the series, but it is as predictable (that's a good thing in this case) as all the other book covers. This one is obviously about Snow White's retelling. I like how the theme of the red is continued through this cover using an apple.
View on Title: I thought the title is very clever because Snow White is a wintery sort of name so it made the most sense to rename her character wWnter.

Pros:

• I have to say Cress is my favorite book of the series, but Winter is the best written one in the series.
• I thought making Winter into a crazy Lunar princess that everyone adores was a good way to show how imperfect she is yet is still loved. It shows how Cinder can be loved as their future ruler if she wins. Plus, she is a great addition to the not-so-perfect perfect team.
• Scarlet's character shows how strong and resilient she is as she is imprisoned as basically an animal in a cage, but manages to become a huge part in Cinder's success. Her compassion for Wolf continues to astound me too.
• Cress expands her comfort zone as she is beside Carswell Thorne and learns how to fight for what's right outside of a computer screen. She becomes less naïve and obviously learns some street smarts as she keeps her expectations of love.
• Cinder becomes even stronger in this book and almost resilient throughout the book even though there were several events that she could have quit and accept defeat.
• The male counterpart characters get even better as the story continues
• Emperor Kai's development grows immensely. You could tell that he knows where his part in putting Cinder on the Lunar throne as the rightful queen. Plus, his love for Cinder is completely adorable.
• Carswell Thorne has become my favorite male counterpart. He learns from Cress's compassion and unfailing love which makes him a better man. He continues to be very protective of Cress and encourages her to be brave and fight. Who doesn't love a man like that?
• Ze'ev Kelsey, or Wolf, development changes very little like Cress. He continues being close to a zombie until he reunites with Scarlet (we all knew they would meet again). I just feel really bad for him since he has found purpose in life which got stripped away from him.
• Jacin Clay is definitely my least favorite male counterpart. I understand that he loves Winter and that he will do anything to protect her, but his best chance was always Cinder and he seemed to constantly just go against what Cinder was doing which caused more problems.

Cons:

• This book is a little slower than the other ones when it comes to the action, but once the action starts it pretty much does not stop.
• For some reason, I did not like Winter's character at all in this series nor Jacin, but that could be because I'm not really a fan of Snow White and never have unlike all the other characters and their stories. I'm just glad she wasn't perfect like the fairy tale.
• And where are her 7 dwarfs? I felt cheated that her little companions weren't "whistling while they work."

Critics' Reviews:

“In this final book in the Lunar Chronicles, the stepdaughter of the wicked Queen Levana joins Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress to defeat the Queen and restore Cinder―aka Selene―as the rightful ruler of Luna. Yes, it's another one of Meyer's very fractured fairy tales, in which she offers a new amalgam of Grimm's fairy tales, science fiction, violence, women's lib, and romance. Our Snow White stand-in, Winter, is beautiful in spite of facial scars, kind to all she encounters, mentally fragile, and in love with her lowly guard, Jacin . . . Meyer's series has sold well and achieved a degree of acclaim. This conclusion's cinder-block size should only drum up further interest.” ―Booklist

Marissa Meyer's Website:
http://www.marissameyer.com/

Other Recommendations:

Entwined by Heather Dixon
Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

Review Wednesday: Cress by Marissa Meyer

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ CINDER. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about Cinder by clicking on the link: Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer


Title: Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3)

Author: Marissa Meyer
1st Date of Publication: February 4, 2014

ISBN: 9780312642976
# of Pages: 550

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13 (Death, Violence)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description:

Even in the future. there are damsels in distress...

In the third installment of the Lunar chronicles, Cress, having risked everything to warn Cinder of Queen Levana's evil plan, has a slight problem. She's been imprisoned on a satellite since childhood and has only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress a great hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress involving Cinder, Captain Thorne, Scarlet, and Wolf goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes as a high price. Meanwhile, Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

Point of View: 3rd person- Crescent "Cress" Moon Darnel, Scarlet Benoit, and Linh Cinder

Goodreads Rating: 4.48

My Rating: 4.75

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: Oooh this cover is so good! I immediately knew it was about a girl who has the retelling of Rapunzel, which is one of my favorite fairy tales,
View on Title: The script continues not to disappoint. Since Cinder was about a girl who is named Cinder and Scarlet is about a girl named Scarlet, the automatic assumption is that the girl is named Cress based on the title.

Pros:

• I liked this book even more than Scarlet, which is saying a lot since I almost never rate books as high as I did with this book.
• I love how Cress is a Lunar girl who is stuck in a satellite and pretty much hacks into computers. Who doesn't like a girl who has a way with computers? Plus, she is an excellent addition to the team since Cinder is a Lunar-cyborg-princess, Scarlet and Thorne as pilots, and Wolf as a Lunar-mutant-street fighter.
• I actually like how Cress is a little naive which shows that she is young and hasn't really had any exposure to others and real life. Plus, the whole deal with not knowing her parents and wondering who they are led to exciting but somewhat depressing discoveries.
• Cinder's character grows a little more which is obviously going to happen because the entire series truly revolves around her gaining control as the rightful heir of Luna. She finally has the proper motivation and gumption to fight for what she wants.
• Well, the next character, Princess Winter, is introduced but she seems to be insane.
• The male counterpart characters get even better as the story continues
• Emperor Kai doesn't get much development as he struggles with his decision in marrying Queen Levana and questions Cinder's motives and his feelings for her.
• Carswell Thorne is neck and neck as being my favorite male character. His character is finally more invested in as he has to depend on Cress from an enemy attack that really messes him up. I love his character development as you learn more of a "real" man as he stays patient with Cress and protects her.
• Ze'ev Kelsey, or Wolf, does not get developed as much in this installment, but that mostly because a lot of his character is based on Scarlet's presence. Scarlet is absent from the group from the same enemy attack that really hampers on Thorne's abilities and is almost nonexistent to the book, which kind of upsets me.
• Jacin Clay is introduced and I've had mixed feelings about him throughout the book. He is my least favorite male counterpart.

Cons:

• I was really confused at first with every little part involving Scarlet in this book. I felt that there should have been more involved with her. It seemed that the chapters dedicated to her were sloppy and confusing because that's pretty much the state she was in throughout the book.
• The allusion to Princess Winter seemed weird for me because, like I said before, I think she is a little crazy and caged. But, we'll see her in the next/final book.

Critics' Reviews:

“Meyer continues to show off her storytelling prowess, keeping readers engaged in a wide cast of characters while unfolding a layered plot that involves warring governments and a fast-spreading plague. The momentum Meyer built in the first two books continues to accelerate as the stakes grow higher for Cinder and her friends. The next installment cannot come fast enough.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Once again, Meyer offers up a science fiction fantasy page-turner that salutes women's intelligence and empowerment. . . . Old and new romances, unfinished story lines, and the prognostication of wartime horrors all pave the way for Meyer's much anticipated next installment, Winter, expected in 2015.” ―Booklist

Marissa Meyer's Website:
http://www.marissameyer.com/

Other Recommendations:

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Stitching Snow by R.C. Lewis

Review Wednesday: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ CINDER. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about Cinder by clicking on the link: Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2)

Author: Marissa Meyer
1st Date of Publication: February 5, 2013

ISBN: 9780312642969
# of Pages: 452

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13 (Death, Violence)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description:
Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Setting: France and New Beijing in Futuristic Earth
Point of View: 3rd person- Scarlet Benoit and Linh Cinder

Goodreads Rating: 4.31

My Rating: 4.50

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: This cover is a little easier to figure out what fairy tale retelling this is; Little Red Riding Hood. I like how the cover still doesn't reveal a face but shows her scarlet-colored hair and her red hood running. It made me want to read the book. Why is the girl running? And, what is she running to or who is she running from?
View on Title: The script is yet again intriguing and beautiful. Since Cinder was about a girl who is named Cinder, I assumed immediately that the girl is named Scarlet based on the title.

Pros:

• I liked this book a lot more than the first, but I think that's because the Cinder had to set up a lot of information and kept you in the dark for reasons, which are eventually revealed in this book.
• Scarlet's rendition is different, but it makes the story unique. She's an ex-air force pilot/farmer's granddaughter who works for a restaurant. She desperately searches for her grandmother who has disappeared and she'll do anything to save her.
• I feel that Scarlet's character is much stronger than Cinder, but it could be that Scarlet is 18 and has more of an established identity while Cinder is 16 and figuring out who she really is.
• But not all is lost for Cinder, she begins to know more and more who she is. Unlike Scarlet's search, Cinder searches for her beginning and tries to make sense of how she became a cyborg while not remembering anything before 11 years old.
• The male counterpart characters get even better as the story continues
• Prince Kai becomes emperor in the middle of the first book. His character hasn't disappointed me yet. He is given the tough decision to marry Queen Levana because this marriage means life and death for the entire Earth.
• Carswell Thorne gets introduced at the end of Cinder when Cinder is put into jail. He is pretty cool despite being extremely flirtatious. He reminds me of the adorable guy that knows he's attractive but still can't get a girl. It makes him more lovable.
• Ze'ev Kelsey, or more commonly known as Wolf, is my favorite male character. He has a hidden secret and has to fight the power of doing what his leader tells him to do as he tries to help Scarlet in search of her Grandmére.

Cons:

• It was hard for me to nitpick this one, but I still would have appreciated the book if it was put in the first person. Again, the reason for that is the multiple main characters.
• I felt that there was not enough attention given to Emperor Kai because this series is just enough about him as it is about Cinder. I guess this could be because it is trying to focus more on the female characters rather than the male characters.
• I was a little confused about how Scarlet and Wolf get united with Cinder and Carswell Thorne. It was so sudden and disorienting between the two alternated chapters. I felt that the fight scene was the reason why the meeting became so sudden.

Critics' Reviews:

“The sci-fi elements are stronger than the fairy-tale allusions this time out, but the story remains just as absorbing. . . . Readers will be thrilled to discover that this steampunky fairy-tale/sci-fi mashup promises two more installments.” ―BCCB
“Returning fans of Meyer's Cinder will gladly sink their teeth into this ambitious, wholly satisfying sequel.” ―Publishers Weekly

“The author has stepped up the intrigue and plot from the first novel, and readers will be eagerly awaiting the next.” ―School Library Journal

Marissa Meyer's Website:
http://www.marissameyer.com/

Other Recommendations:

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger
Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay

Review Wednesday: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1)

Author: Marissa Meyer
1st Date of Publication: January 3, 2012

ISBN: 9780312641894
# of Pages: 390

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Age Rating: 13 (Death, Bullying)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description:
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Setting: New Beijing in Futuristic Earth
Point of View: 3rd person- Linh Cinder

Goodreads Rating: 4.14

My Rating: 4.35

 

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: Well, I have a thing for shoes but this heel is very classy-looking (and I have a pair just like it myself). The part that really peeked my interest was the metal bones, which made me think she was a cyborg.
View on Title: The script is pretty interesting and intricate. When I think of the word cinder, I think of dirt and dust such as the cinder from a fireplace. I figured it was about a Cinderella character.

Pros:

• First off, I think the cover and title together work perfectly to show what the main character is by name and what's she is made of.
• I think the characters are very well encapsulated in this fantasy rendition when comparing it to the original fairytale. Plus, cyborgs are cool and Cinder is a mechanic, a cyborg mechanic. Instead of talking to animals like the original tale, Cinder talks to androids and machines which makes the story more unique. Plus, she's funny. She's like a guy's dream girl, or at least I would think. She is the "man" to go to, which is funny because Prince Kai originally thinks Cinder is a male.
• For Cinder's family, I have specific feelings for each one and allows the characterization of Cinder to flourish. It stays true to the fairytale in family relationships for the most part....
• I love how Cinder's younger sister, Peony, likes Cinder to show that Cinder is not completely hated, which makes her a little more likeable. Plus, Peony gave Cinder the motivation to fend for herself.
• Cinder's stepmother, Adri, and older stepsister, Pearl, despise Cinder as the original tale goes. But, wow they are really cruel.
• Prince Kai is pretty awesome from the characterization. He does not seem too judgmental and he is willing to sacrifice his life for his country. That's the kind of leader that I wish the United States had.
• I think it's interesting how it's set in China in what they call New Beijing in the Eastern Commonwealth, which adds diversity to the literature world.
• There is a lot left hanging and hinted at when it continues to talk about Princess Selene and it constantly makes you want to read to the next book. (Good thing every book for the series has been published).

Cons:

• I so wish this was in first person. I was a little upset that it wasn't, but after I read more of the series a year ago I understood the reasoning behind the third person.
• I don't think Queen Levana is a con, but she is a villain and a really good one. She is hot and tries to hide her imperfections through a power that Lunars have that is called glammer. She reminds me of Regina George from Mean Girls for some reason.
• I wish there was more characterization of Prince Kaito because he seems to be a really decent and smart guy, but there is not much to base on.

Critics' Reviews:
“First in the Lunar Chronicles series, this futuristic twist on Cinderella retains just enough of the original that readers will enjoy spotting the subtle similarities. But debut author Meyer's brilliance is in sending the story into an entirely new, utterly thrilling dimension.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Fairy tales are becoming all the rage, with the TV shows Once Upon a Time and Grimm spinning them through a modern filter. The 26-year-old Meyer's debut novel Cinder, though, combines a classic folk tale with hints of The Terminator and Star Wars in the first book of The Lunar Chronicles young-adult series due out Jan. 3.” ―USAToday.com
“This series opener and debut offers a high coolness factor by rewriting Cinderella as a kickass mechanic in a plague-ridden future.” ―Kirkus Reviews

Marissa Meyer's Website:
http://www.marissameyer.com/

Other Recommendations:

Splintered by A.G. Howard
Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

Author Spotlight: Marissa Meyer

Birthday: February 19, 1984 (32)
From: Tacoma, Washington
Currently Living: Tacoma, Washington
Family: Jesse Taylor (Husband), twin daughter (adopted), and 3 Cats
Education: BA in Creative Writing and Children's Literature from Pacific Lutheran University

Books:
Cinder (Buy it on Amazon)
Scarlet (Buy it on Amazon)
Cress (Buy it on Amazon)
Winter (Buy it on Amazon)
Heartless (Buy on Amazon)
Renegades (Buy on Amazon)

Other Interests:
Cats
Firefly
Dressing up
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Where to Find Her Social Media:
Personal Website- http://www.marissameyer.com/