Book Review: Ensnared by Rita Stradling

Title: Ensnared
Author: Rita Stradling
Publishing info: December 18th, 2017
Genre's: New Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Retelling
My rating: 3/5
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Provided by: Received a Galley through Netgalley for an honest review.
Synopsis: A Near Future Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

Alainn’s father is not a bad man. He’s a genius and an inventor. When he’s hired to create the robot Rose, Alainn knows taking the money is a mistake.

Rose acts like a human. She looks exactly like Alainn. But, something in her comes out wrong.

To save her father from a five year prison sentence, Alainn takes Rose’s place. She says goodbye to the sun and goes to live in a tower no human is allowed to enter. She becomes the prisoner of a man no human is allowed to see.

Believing that a life of servitude lies ahead, Alainn finds a very different fate awaits her in the company of the strange, scarred recluse.

“Love didn't seem like something that could be organized or contained; it should be messy and emotional, like exploding and imploding with someone at the exact same time.”  

My Thought's

★★★

*I received a ecopy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review*

I absolutely love retellings of my favorite Disney stories, and when I saw Ensnared I was ecstatic to see it was inspired by Beauty and The Beast. With the movie coming out soon I was just in a B&B mood. Plus who doesn't love the romance of Beauty and the Beast. I mean it's a story of falling in love for what's on the inside not outside. It has always been one of my favorites.

In Ensnared they take a different aspect than a lot of fairytale retellings I've come across, except Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Instead of doing the classic past/historical romance setting, Ensnared takes a futuristic feel. It doesn't seem to be to much in the future. Life seems about the same as it is now except robots play a big part in everyday life. The whole IRobot feel with the IA robots was really cool, and reminded me of the Cinder book as well, but instead of some IA's being cool, in Ensnared they are all more IRobot devilish.

My favorite aspect of Ensnare was the sweet romance between Alainn and Lorccan, two very damaged people. In the beginning it was kind of slow and then it did feel rushed at times which was a weird to get the feeling of but they really gave me Beauty and the Beast feels, and they have some steamy moments that just make you have to fan yourself. *swoon*.
Ensnared really had a lot of aspects that gave it the opportunity to be really great but I ended up having to sadly give it 3 stars. I almost did 2 but I did enjoy it enough it deserves 3. The reason for the low rating is for the plot and world building. It really fell flat. There just wasn't enough details or build up that really made me connect with the story on that greatness level. There also seemed at times it would switch to another character's point of view that I just didn't see necessary but as a filler to make the book longer.

Rita Stradling had a really spectacular idea for Ensnared and while it was cute and sweet I just wish the story could have held up to it's potential.

-Amanda Margaret

Book Review: Winter by Marissa Meyer

Title: Winter ( The Lunar Chronicles #4)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publishing info: November  10th, 2015 by Feiwel and Friends
Genre's: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Retelling, Dystopian
My rating: 5/5
Add to Goodreads: click here
Provided by: Borrowed Hardback from a friend
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Synopsis: 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? Fans will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer's national bestselling Lunar Chronicles series. 

“Yeah, but broken isn't the same as unfixable.”

My Thought's

★★★★★

Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles comes to an end with Winter, and this one wasn't lacking the awesomeness! It picks up right after Cress. Cinder and the crew are about to take the war to the planet Lunar so they can save their friend Scarlet and over throw Queen Levana once and for all. They get help from an unlikey source too, Our new main character, Winter whom is also Queen Levana's step-daughter and the Princess of Lunar. Like the other three Main Character's, Winter also represents a Disney Princess, Winter is inspired by Snow White. Marissa really knows to take some of our favorite childhood fairytales and weave them into her own unique story of badass female heroines and epic romances!
I absolutely loved Winter's character! She was batshit cray cray but that was because she never used her powers, believing it wrong to manipulate others. Deep down she had was of the most bleeding hearts out of all the character's. I adored her for that. Like all the other princess's as well she got a prince! His name is Jacin, and he is her guard and protector. We met him either in the end of book 2 or in book 3 I can't remember exactly. I was really unsure of him and it actually took me a bit of this book to warm up to him but by the end like Winter I was in love! Their relationship is all kinds of adorable, and his loyalty and love for her was just epic for my shipper heart!
I am really sad to see this series go! I will miss Cinder, Iko, Kai, Scarlet, Wolf, Thorne, Cress, Winter, and Jacin so very Delete repeated word much! Sometimes when your reading you meet these amazing character's that just stick with you forever. They become apart of you. Influencing you in a way that makes you the person you are. I love character's like that, and Marissa Meyer did just that with this gang of misfits. The Lunar Chronicles was one scfi fairytale adventure I will never forget. I highly recommend this to all fans of young adult, fantasy, retellinngs, and romance!

-Amanda Margaret

Book Review: Scarlet by Mariss Meyer

Title: Scarlet ( The Lunar Chronicles #2)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publishing info: February  5th, 2013 by Feiwel and Friends
Genre's: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Retelling, Dystopian
My rating: 5/5
Add to Goodreads: click here
Provided by: Bought paperback copy from Barnes & Noble
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Synopsis: 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. 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. 

“I think I realized that I would rather die because I betrayed them, than live because I betrayed you.”  

My Thought's

★★★★★

Marissa Meyer's once again wows me with a classic fairytale inspired story that I simply just could not put down! Scarlet takes place in the same universe as book 1 of The Lunar Chronicle, Cinder, but it is almost in and of it's self it's own story. We are introduced to all new main character's, and Cinder is more of a background character. She is still very important to the story. All these character's are tied into the same destiny. I am loving all these character's and twists! I seriously have had a hard time putting these books down.

Scarlet starts off right around the time Cinder leaves off, and like I mentioned we are introduced to an all new main character in a way. Her name is Scarlet, which is obviously where the title comes from. Cinder was inspired by the classic fairytale Cinderella, and Scarlet is inspired by classic fairytale Little Red Riding Hood.

Scarlet's grandmother has gone missing and the only one willing to help her is a mysterious guy who goes by Wolf, and something about him just doesn't sit right with Scarlet. Meanwhile Cinder still plays apart in this story as she has now escaped from prison with the help of a new ally, Captain Thorne, btw he is AWESOMELY FUNNY! I adored Thorne beyond words. He was probably my favorite new character to be honest. We also still get glimpses of Prince Kai of the Eastern Commonwealth as well since he plays a big part in the conflict between earth and Lunar. Kai's, Scarlet's,  Wolf's, Cinder's, and Captain Thorne's stories will all tie together by the end. Marissa Meyer's really knows how to weave a story worth reading with unforgettable characters!

Like in Cinder there is a bit of romance in this one too. I didn't enjoy it as much as Cinder and Kai, I totally ship them! But, it was still captivating and I can't wait to see the next ship Meyer's comes up with next! I hear each book will have it's own couple! For a shipper junkie like me that makes for great news!

Marissa Meyer's classic fairytale inspired tales are ones that will have you hooked from page one, feverishly turning the pages for more! Highly recommend!

-Amanda Margaret

Book Review: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder ( The Lunar Chronicles #1)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publishing info: January 3rd, 2012 by Feiwel and Friends
Genre's: Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Retelling, Dystopian
My rating: 5/5
Add to Goodreads: click here
Provided by: Bought paperback copy from Barnes & Noble
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Synopsis: 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.

“Even in the Future the Story Begins with Once Upon a Time.”  

My Thought's

★★★★★

The Lunar Chronicles series has been recommended to me for over a year now actually. I have even owned them for about 6 months now too I just never really got around to them. It wasn't until I read Marissa Meyer's Heartless and fell in love with her writing and characters, that I decided it was time to finally read The Lunar Chronicles. I am really glad I did. Now I just keep asking myself why I waited so long to be lost in this magnificent world of Cinderella meet Star Wars! Cinder actually reminded me of young Anakin, before he becomes a Jedi and slowly starts to change. Marissa Meyer's may have gotten her influence a bit from Cinderella and Star Wars but Cinder is it's own unique story that will quickly have you lost in it!

The whole concept of Cinderella being a cyborg was really cool. As a scifi geek who has a inner Disney princess love, it really made me all giddy. Her version of Prince Charming aka Prince Kai was just dreamy too! My love for shipping really had me cheering for these to from the start. The romance wasn't over the top and in no way the focus either which is what I love the most about it. I like my romance to be more of a side action, but still defiantly a lot of chemistry and Cinder and Kai didn't lack that!

Iko was probably my favorite character. What happens really breaks my heart. They way Humans always seem to think they are better than others really gets under my skin. We walk around like we are the kings of the world and all the while we destroy it. I would have totally been a cyborg supporter in this world! So many times when Cinder's stepmother was being cruel I just wanted to go inside this book and slap the shit out of her. Give her a real good talking to about compassion and true humanity. Cinder deserved so much better than what she got, specially when you find out who she is! I absolutely loved that twist!

Marissa Meyer's stories are some adventures! She really knows how to take some of our favorite childhood fairytales and twist them into something spectacular for our olderselfs! I can not wait to continue on with The Lunar Chronicles. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves young adult scifi and retellings!

Amanda Margaret

Book Review: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Title: Heartless

Author: Marissa Meyer
Publishing info: November 8th, 2016
Genre's: Young Adult, Retelling, Fantasy, Romance
My Rating: 5/5
Add to Goodreads: click here
Provided by: Received in November's Owlcrate box
Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Audible
Synopsis: Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

“Now mine eyes see the heart that once we did search for, and I fear this heart shall be mended, nevermore.”

My Thought's

★★★★★

I received Heartless in the November Owlcate box, which is a monthly book box subscription. When I saw the beautiful cover and that is was a Alice in Wonderland retelling but of the Queen of Hearts, I just knew I had to read it. I quickly devoured the book every moment I could sneak and it only took me three days. It is books as this that make me love reading. You fall so hard into the story you feel completely lost to it. It takes up most of your thought's even when you aren't reading.

I think what I loved the most was how Marissa Meyer's makes you love and really feel for one of the greatest villains from our child hood fairytales. Villians are so much better when you can see the backstory on why they have become so evil. What are the hardships that strip them of their goodness. This book did not fail with the Queen of Hearts. She has always been one of my favorite villains ever since I first fell down the rabbit hole with the original Alice and Wonderland story. There was always something memorizing about her. I was so excited to see the story Marissa created, and I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed seeing Cath aka the Queen of Hearts transform from this kindhearted and innocent girl who just wanted to be happy, into the vengeful brokenhearted queen we all know with the famous quote "Off with your head!"

Marissa Meyer's other character's were equally amazing. I quite adored the Jest. He stole my heart from the beginning with his flirtations and jokes. He quickly was added to my book boyfriends list! I also really enjoyed the Hatta & Raven, aswell as all the other characters. It was so fun to see the caterpillar, rabbit, card guards, and such craziness in the original Wonderland still there in this story just in Marissa's own way. The setting is truly Wondrous. Marissa Meyers really does do a magnificent job on this retelling of the Queen of Hearts from Wonderland and she really makes you feel for her. I loved every bit of it! The ending did gut me, not gonna lie but I expected it not to be a happy ending since she does go evil and all. Part of me came up with my own happy ending and I tell myself all is alright :)

Overall I absolutely adored this book from page 1 and now I look even more forward to reading Marissa Meyer's Cinder series which I sadly have not yet. If it is anything wonderful like this then I am sure I will love it! I highly recommend Heartless to all fans of fairytale retellings and fans of the wonderful Wonderland!

-Amanda Margaret