Parents' Guide to

Scarlet: The Lunar Chronicles, Book 2

By Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Fiery, fantastic Cinder sequel ups the action-violence.

Book Marissa Meyer Science Fiction 2013
Scarlet: The Lunar Chronicles, Book 2 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

MamaBear0521
MamaBear0521 Parent of 15-year-old
August 4, 2021
age 14+

Lunar Chronicles series

I love this series! Very entertaining and a great twist on the typical princess story. There is one kissing scene that seems a little too "spicy" for younger ones. And the fighting between mutant special operatives toward the end of the book is a little to graphic as well. I would compare it to the Hunger Games series as far as what you are comfortable with your kiddos reading.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Hippocampus
Hippocampus Adult
April 19, 2015
age 14+

Scarlet

I think this is a grey book, but violent, and it has some descriptions that might give kids, nightmares. If your kid is emanational unstable, DO NOT LET THEM READ IT!

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Scarlet's grandmother is missing and she'll do anything to find her -- even enlist the help of a fistfighting drifter named Wolf. He claims to have abandoned the gang that took her, but not before learning what big secrets Grandma is hiding, such as her ties to the Lunar Princess Selene. Meanwhile, Princess Selene -- Cinder -- has her own problems. Escaping prison and a death sentence are just two of them. Luckily, her fellow fugitive, the vain Captain Thorne, has his own stolen and untraceable space ship, and the Earth's orbit makes the perfect place to hide. But she can't hide forever. The mind-controlling Lunar Queen is furious about Cinder's escape and threatens now-Emperor Kai (Cinder's deserted prince at the ball) with an invasion by her own soldiers. Cinder must be found in three days or there'll be hell to pay.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (49 ):

SCARLET is a rare sequel that improves upon the first. Especially with the introduction of characters Scarlet and Wolf and a whole new fairy tale to jauntily reference. Emperor Kai is stuck in the palace, harassed by the Lunar Queen, so the Cinder love story fizzles. Poor Kai ... and poor Cinder, stuck on a ship with a conceited "captain" -- though it's quite fun to watch Thorne and Cinder butt heads.

Scarlet and Wolf pick up the fairy-tale-romance angle nicely, and without a dull moment in their relationship. Author Marissa Meyer really ups the action this time, making Book 2 hard to put down, especially when Scarlet and Wolf get to Paris and all the "wolves" get restless. Readers will be very restless for the next in this four-part series.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • How does this story pay homage to Little Red Riding Hood? While a character named Wolf and Scarlet's red hoodie are somewhat obvious, what more subtle details can you name?

  • How are the two strong girl characters in this story different? What makes them both heroines? Would you consider Kai, Wolf, or Thorne heroes? Why or why not?

  • What drew you to this series? Do you prefer book series over stand-alone books? Why?

Book Details

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