Cress by Marissa Meyer | Book Review

Posted January 2, 2014 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 39 Comments

Cress by Marissa Meyer | Book ReviewCress by Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #3
Also in this series: Cinder, Scarlet, Fairest, Winter, Stars Above
Published by Feiwel and Friends on February 4, 2014
Genres: Dystopia, Fantasy, Retelling, Romance, Steampunk
Pages: 560
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher (Mail)
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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.

When I think of Cress, I have a very hard time containing the love I have for it. And then I think, “HOLY CRAP. SO GOOD.” I loved Cinder, and I loved Scarlet. But Cress? Oh my. It’s in a league all its own. As always, my main points are bolded. :)

1. Cress is the most creative Rapunzel retelling I have read in my entire life. Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite? What? And the book takes place in the Sahara Desert? Whoa. And Rapunzel is a hacker? YES. And THEN it’s all smashed together with Cinder’s and Scarlet’s stories? Yes please! I love that these three fairytale ladies are kicking butt, taking names, and reclaiming their world from the evil Queen Levana. Marissa Meyer is a genius.

2. I’ve said it once (actually, twice), and I’ll say it again. Thank you, Marissa, for giving us amazingly strong heroines. While Cress is more naive and awkward, as any Rapunzel should be, she is still brave and feisty and strong. I just loved her. Cinder is just as freakin’ amazing as ever, but MORE. We’re getting down to the wire. It’s wedding time, and she has to do something to stop Kai from marrying Queen Levana and ruining the world. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Cinder went crazy. She is discovering her lunar abilities even more, and really pushing herself beyond her limits. I am so proud of her. And Scarlet, wonderful Scarlet. It was so nice to see her again.

3. Don’t get me wrong. I love the ladies, but the MEN. Oh my. Thorne has swept me off my feet countless numbers of times, but he completely stole my heart in Cress. He’s full of so much snark and sarcasm. I just know his one-liners will be referenced forever. He gets knocked down a level of two in Cress, and experiences some weak moments. I loved seeing this new side of him, all vulnerable and caring. And Wolf, be still my heart. What a big teddy bear. He also struggles in this book, and I had ALL THE FEELS for him. Kai. *swoon* We are finally getting to know him better. He’s so charming and realistic. I love how concerned he is for Cinder, watching her pop up on the news as a wanted criminal and hoping she never gets found.

4. There is so much action and drama packed into Cress’s 560 pages that I could hardly handle myself. Bam, bam, bam. Something huge is either happening, or has just happened. The recovery time between jolts is so short that I felt like I was on this never-ending roller coaster of emotions and feelings. So much happens! And when something REALLY crazy happens and the group gets split up, not even knowing if everyone is alive, I tore through those pages like you wouldn’t believe. Cress is definitely the most action-packed novel of the three, and even though it’s so long I wanted more and more.

5. There are still so many mysteries we are left with. The plague. The state of the planet. What’s going to happen to everyone? Who can be trusted? I’m being really careful not to give anything away here, so forgive my vagueness.

6. Marissa’s writing is flawless. I feel like I’ve seen a lot of growth in her since Cinder, and I am so proud of her.

I have so much love for Cress, and can’t imagine Marissa Meyer topping this one. She has proven to us before, though, that she can and she will. The Lunar Chronicles series is my absolute favorite. I don’t know whether I should pine for Winter or dread it, because I never want to leave these characters and their amazing world.

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39 responses to “Cress by Marissa Meyer | Book Review

  1. I’ve written part of my review and it is just a mess of Love repeated over and over. I can’t get over my fangirling to be concise about anything. I love Marissa Meyer. I think she is beyond skilled at retellings and her books get better with each one. I can’t imagine how blown away we’ll be with Winter. So. Much. Love.
    Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted…Review of Red Rising by Pierce Brown

  2. Dru

    Ohhh the release date is fast approaching. This is very exciting.I REALLY REALLY want a showdown between Cinder and Levana where Cinder can finally showoff her abilities.

  3. The short snippet/preview of the Cress book left me dying. I cannot wait for the book to come out so I can read the rest of it. I want to read the development between Cress and Thorpe. So exciting! *Does the happy dance*
    belinda recently posted…bookcovers for art

  4. Michelle

    This review has made me even more excited to finally read Cress!!! I wish I could speed up time or win the giveaway so I can finally read the dang thing!

  5. I was excited about the book before reading this review, and now I am not sure how I am going to make it to the release date. I have been a fan of this series from the beginning, and a fan of Marissa Meyer since her Sailor Moon fanfic writing days.
    Layla recently posted…Add a Little Steam

  6. Jenny

    Cress seems so good! I can’t wait to read it, but at the same time I’m dreading the time I’ll have to wait to read Winter! So far, Wolf is probably my favourite of the boys, but I’m really excited to see more of Thorne!

  7. Cali W.

    Great review! I love this series and I can’t wait to read this! I haevn’t read much about Thorne but I hear good things. I am already in love with Kai and Wolf. <3

  8. I’m really looking forward to Cress, considering that the Lunar Chronicles is one of the few rare series that actually keep me invested in the story. :D

  9. Rabia

    I love the Lunar Chronicles! It is currently my favorite series, and I can’t wait for this to come out so I can read it! Your review is making it harder to wait >.<

  10. I recently read a Rapunzel retelling that was BLECH. I won’t even mention the name because I was so disappointed but I totally agree that Cress is the most creative I have read. I honestly was so wary to even start Cinder because cyborg Cinderella….no thank you but WOWWWW blown. away.

    I was all about Wolf before reading Cress but…oh my…Thorne. *fans self* amiright?!
    Alyssa recently posted…On the Same Page: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

  11. Katie Glasgow

    I’m so excited I just about can’t take it. Cinder and Scarlet were exceptional, so the bar is high for Cress. Glad it’s good!

  12. I am so excited to read this book. I’m interested to see how Thorne develops. I had a hard time taking him seriously in Scarlett–I loved his comic relief, but I thought he was super shallow. And I love to hear that Cinder is as strong as ever. :)

  13. Megan Vu

    So excited to read Cress! I’ll definitely be at the bookstore early tomorrow to get my hands on this book!