Cress by Marissa Meyer Series: Lunar Chronicles #3
Published by Macmillan on 2014-02-04
Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins
Genres: Fairy Tales & Folklore, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 560
Format: Audiobook
Goodreads
In this third book in Marissa Meyer's bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and prevent her army from invading Earth.Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl trapped on a satellite since childhood who’s only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s being forced to work for Queen Levana, and she’s just received orders to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is splintered. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price than she’d ever expected. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai, especially the cyborg mechanic. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.
Julie’s Review:
Cress is the third Lunar Chronicles book, and now it follows three characters. The first book was only Cinder, the second was both Scarlet and Cinder, and now we have Cress in addition to Scarlet and Cinder. I like how each book builds onto each character’s continuing story, while focusing on the new character. In this case we meet Cress, a young shell trapped on a satellite crunching data for her mistress. The team that assembled at the end of Scarlet is now trying to rescue Cress and, of course, as these things go, something goes wrong and the three main characters get separated.
On we go following each character’s story separately again, like in Scarlet. I didn’t like how we got very little of Scarlet in this book. I mean, I get it, this is Cress’s book, and of course Cinder being who she is takes priority too. But the little we were given of Scarlet’s story line after her separation from the group was just sad and creepy. However, the next book’s character, Winter, was introduced. So I’m intrigued about that.
In Cress, we find out just how terribly shells are treated on Luna, and what sinister purpose they are used for. We also see how the characters are more connected than we originally thought, and I really liked that part. We find out more about the letumosis and how it has evolved, and just how dangerous it has become – to everyone.
But, what I think is the biggest part of the story in Cress, is the interaction and building relationship (maybe?) between Cress and Thorne. They end up crash landing on a desert and now have to survive until they find civilization. Ok, so how much of the book did this have to take up? Well, apparently a lot of it. I can’t even begin to explain how bored I got with them walking through the desert in this book. Thorne managed to hit his head and go blind, so Cress has to lead them even though she’s so young and completely unprepared for this kind of survival. So their interactions are silly and funny at times, and also a little eye roll worthy sometimes. (Sorry). Cress is obsessed with Thorne because she knows everything about him from reading about him on the netscreens. He keeps trying to tell her he’s really not like the guy portrayed, but they both find out as they get to know each other that maybe he’s not as bad as he thinks he is. They do get help but again once someone finds out who Cress is, she gets kidnapped. Because it is that kind of book. So blind Thorne has to go out there “looking” for her. (Had to go there, sorry not sorry.) I found that portion of the book tedious. It just isn’t my kind of thing.
I did like once Cress and Cinder’s groups found each other again, because then the good stuff started happening. They started scheming about how to take down the Queen, and oh Cinder and Kai’s interaction was quite awesome. So there were some really good moments in this book. While I was bored a little and intrigued a little, I’m definitely going to read the final book when it comes out.
I really enjoyed book one in the series, book two was good but not great and because of that I plan to wait till all books in the series are out and then read the lot one after the other but I will not be reading more of the series till then.
Jessica recently posted…Blogger interview with Literary Exploration @knowledgelost
That’s a good plan, waiting for all the books to be out. I’m with you, book one is still the best so far.
[…] Cress Review at Chapter Break – I feel you, I really did miss Scarlet in this book (it is so hard to type that without the extra “T” like it hurts my head!)but I’m SO EXCITED for Winter. I’m not sure how I feel about this Levana book thing because while it’s probably going to be really important to the story it’s like I don’t care about her, i wanna know what happens to Cress! […]
I am really sorry that this didn’t come up to your expectations, Julie. I really loved this tome because I Cress and Thorne were both funny. And I nearly had a heart attack when Cinder and Kai finally got reunited.
I understand why you got bored with this book though because it was pretty long. And I think that desert scene got a bit lengthy when it could have been cut short and the rest of the pages be allocated to tell more of Scarlet’s journey.
I’m still happy that you gave this an overall rating of 3.7. I hope that Winter will compensate for any frustrations that you’ve experienced while reading this book. 😀
Lovely review, Julie!
Charlotte @ Thoughts and Pens recently posted…Stacking the Shelves {28}
Thanks Charlotte 🙂 I just have a hard time with journey books. So much feels like filler and I get bored even more easily these days (dang hormones).
I feel you, I really did miss Scarlet in this book (it is so hard to type that without the extra “T” like it hurts my head!)but I’m SO EXCITED for Winter. I’m not sure how I feel about this Levana book thing because while it’s probably going to be really important to the story it’s like I don’t care about her, i wanna know what happens to Cress!
Scarlett’s Book Blog recently posted…RELOCATION!
Hehe I totally get you with having issues leaving off the last “T”. I often include it too and have to go back and fix it. I’m also not sure about Levana’s story. I just don’t care enough about her.
side note – you should get the comment mailer plugin, that’s how you get notified of replies. 🙂
Will do 🙂 I also really want to get the one where it tells you the most recent post of whoever has commented on your blog because it’s so handy!Also I think I finally got the email subscriptions thing working (fingers crossed)phew, that only took about, what 6 months? haha It is going to have to get done at a more sensible hour though, it’s ten to five in the morning over here!
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Ooh the other plugin you want then is called CommentLuv 🙂 and yes, your wp posts subscription thinger works 🙂
I’ve only read Cinder, loved it, and now I’m scratching my head, feeling lost, and going WTF happened?! Anyway, I must catch up now that I’ve rediscovered my love for YA
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Gush & Gripe: Annoying Reading Habits
Hehe well glad you enjoyed Cinder and hope you enjoy the rest of the series if you choose to continue.
I like the sound of this series. I just picked up Cinder for my daughter, so once she’s done with it, I’ll read it. 🙂 I understand your frustrations with certain parts of Cress. But I’m glad you’re liked it and are liking the series overall.
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**Blitz & Giveaway ~ Come Back ~ JA Huss**
Yea they’re a bit on the journey side for me. Cinder is still my favorite of the series. Hope you and your daughter enjoy it 🙂
YEP. It it wasn’t for the other POVs, I might have hated this book. Cress drove me nuts. I felt like I was reading BAD Tangled fanfic. BUT about 75% in, I don’t know if that’s when everyone regrouped or not, she stopped getting on my nerves and I actually started liking the book. This was the first book I read after I started blogging that really made me aware of my rating decreasing as I contemplated a book in it’s entirety, rather than just going with my last impression. Sorry, for my ramble, LOL. Great review, Julie! Six months to Fairest 😉
Jessica @ Rabid Reads recently posted…Review: Half a King by Joe Abercrombie
YES! It does kind of read like a fanfic hehe! I haven’t seen Tangled though, but it looked cute from the commercials. I just don’t like journey books that take 75% to get to the good part. Can I just read the good part only? LOL
Also, I think it is awesome how blogging makes you re-evaluate your rating style. I used to just go with an initial impression and move on, but now having to think the whole book through is really good for getting more out of it.
I am a little sad you didn’t love it more, but I can see what you are saying. There were definitely some slower moments. I did love the interaction between Cress and Thorne!
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
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Yea, Cress and Thorne’s interactions were fun at times 🙂