Diverse · Dystopian · Fantasy · Retelling · Review · Romance · Science Fiction · Young Adult

Book Review: Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)

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Everyone and their mother seems to agree that the third book in The Lunar Chronicles trilogy is the best book in the series. While I’m not so sure that I agree with that statement, I will say that Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3) by Marissa Meyer is definitely a great read.

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, 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 her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned 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 just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price. Meanwhile, Queen 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.

The Good

  • Nonstop Thrill Ride! – Let’s just go ahead and all agree that it’s really hard to be bored at any point in this series. Meyer knows how keep her readers engaged from the first page until the very end. I never felt like I was slowly trudging through this novel, but was instead clamoring to turn each page to see what would happen next. The pacing was definitely steady throughout the entire novel and you know how much I appreciate fast reads!
  • Higher Stakes – I have to admit that I prefer books that make you feel like are actual consequences for the characters. In the first two books, while there was a whole lot of tension, I didn’t necessarily feel like any of the characters were ever in any true danger. (Basically I just knew that they would all end up alright). However, I do think feel like this book upped the ante a bit during key moments of conflict. I found myself actually worrying whether or not someone wouldn’t make it through to the end. I think I actually broke out into a sweat at one point!!! Some people may not enjoy that kind of pressure while they’re reading but I certainly do. So kudos to Meyer for toeing that line!
  • Say Hello To Snarky Newcomer, Jacin! – I’ll admit that in the very beginning, he came across as a little stiff. However, as more interactions between him and the rest of the crew occurred, I was totally into it. Jacin is an asshole, pure and simple. And as you’re probably aware of by now, me likey asshole characters. Also, I recommend you read this book if for no other reason than to experience the back-and-forths between him and Cinder…. ABSOLUTE GOLD.
  • WOLF, WOLF, WOLF, WOLF – No other explanation necessary.

Once upon a time, there was a man as great as the gods…But even the great can tremble with fear..png

The Bad

  • Cress…Boring? – The newcomer to our group, Cress, was kind of a letdown for me. I feel like her character was just outshined by everyone else, even though half of the story is told from her POV. If you have read Obsidio, I would compare her to Asha, in that there’s just a lack of a personality with her. Actually, she had more of a personality towards the beginning and then slowly lost it. I think Meyer should have played up her supposed social awkwardness/naivete more than she did, in order to really make her stand out from everyone else.
  • Also, Not Enough Wolf – Because there can never be enough! 😉

Seriously, I have yet to read a book by Meyer that I didn’t enjoy. Her writing style is just so engaging and she continues to impress me with her twists on classic fairytales. I think Cress was a really great build up to the final book. There was tons of action and mysteries were already being answered, which is so much better than leaving tons of loose ends to wrap up at the end. I definitely recommend giving this series a try if you haven’t already.

Final Verdict: 4/5 Stars

Have you read Cress? If so, what did you think of it? Is it your favorite book in The Lunar Chronicles? Which character is your favorite? Have you read any of Marissa Meyer’s other books?

26 thoughts on “Book Review: Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)”

    1. Awww, thank you so much!! I agree that book one starts off a bit slow, but I think once you reach a certain point that it sucks you in. Book two and three were really fun and fast-paced so I think if you push through the first book then you’ll really enjoy it.

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  4. Oh I’m sorry Cress ended up being one of the negative aspects of this book for you, she’s actually one of my favourite characters from the series so maybe the fourth book will redeem her a little in your mind. 🙂 I did really love Wolf in this book, though was sad we didn’t get more of him and Scarlet, but I really really loved being introduced to Jacin and the small glimpses of Winter we got. I remember reading this made me so excited for the release of Winter, I just couldn’t wait.
    Great review though, and hopefully you’ll love the last book even more than all the rest. 🙂 ❤

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    1. Thanks! It’s not that I didn’t like Cress as a character, she just seemed to be dull in comparison to everyone else. I think I just like Cinder and Scarlet so much that it’s hard for her to compare, haha! Though I do agree that the snippets we get of Winter have me extremely intrigued. She seems like a really interesting character and I’m so excited to really get to know her (AND Jacin ;)) in the final book. Fingers crossed for more Wolf and Scarlet too! 🙂

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      1. My favorite is Winter because I like having the full cast, I think people’s least favorite is Scarlet, which I disagree with, I thought it was pretty great one I got into it.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I hop you enjoy the last book in the series, this is such a fantastic story that I’m sorry that earlier skepticism kept me from reading it sooner.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I did the same thing with Truthwitch because all of the mixed reviews put me off reading it and then when I finally picked it up, I loved it! I’ve started trying not to let negative reviews keep me from starting books that interest me. 🙂

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      5. I had borrowed Cinder originally but I wasn’t sure if the mechanical element would interest me, but I’m glad that I gave it another chance.

        Liked by 1 person

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