ross91
Written on Jan 10, 2016
I really loved the previous book and I feel that if Winter was 300 pages shorter it would have been as good as Cress.
Don't miss the thrilling final chapter of Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series.
Princess Winter is admired for her grace, kindness and beauty, despite the scars on her face. She's said to be even more breath-taking than her stepmother, Queen Levana...
When Winter develops feelings for the handsome palace guard, Jacin, she fears the evil Queen will crush their romance before it has a chance to begin.
But there are stirrings against the Queen across the land. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even find the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long.
Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter claim their happily ever afters by defeating Levana once and for all?
- ISBN10 1427258244
- ISBN13 9781427258243
- Publish Date 10 November 2015
- Publish Status Active
- Imprint MacMillan Audio
- Format Audiobook (CD)
- Duration 23 hours and 30 minutes
- Language English
Reviews
I really loved the previous book and I feel that if Winter was 300 pages shorter it would have been as good as Cress.
Artemis
Written on Jan 7, 2016
Full Review at
https://artemisreads.wordpress.com/2016/02/06/review-winter-by-marissa-meyer/
jesstheaudiobookworm
Written on Jan 3, 2016
Katie King
Written on Dec 28, 2015
Speaking of that, wow does this drag on. Not just in length, not just in useless characters, but in scenes that are literally over and done with in the span of a few pages. If something can be wrapped up that quickly, there's a good chance that it's not important enough to show. Or at least, don't keep all your scenes like that in. It seems like there was tons of filler added and nobody cut any of it out.
Don't forget to mention how beautiful Winter is!
Amanda
Written on Dec 27, 2015
At 800+ pages, Winter is both a lot and not enough. (I hear the next Lunar Chronicles book is a collection of short stories AND an epilogue of Winter.) With all the cast of characters, everyone needs page time and a character arc and a romantic arc. Which is pretty much why it's a lot and not enough all at once.
As much as this is supposed to be Winter's book, it's also Cinder's book. And Scarlet and Wolf's. And Cress and Thorne's. And Kai. Iko. (Who deserves her own little HEA, I think.) We even get a few glimpses from Levana's POV, but it's about what you'd expect from her. Evil, evil.
You guys, a lot is happening in this book. People get taken prisoner. People escape. We're surprised by some characters. Some are exactly as we remember them. I wanted MOAR of all the relationship development between the characters, and less of the action, but... that's a personal preference and this book would have been even bigger and longer and potentially not as good.
It makes the epilogue make sense. EPILOGUE. Wedding of the century! But I digress...
Series enders are always tough. It's tough to say goodbye to a cast of characters we've grown attached to, but it's also tough to tie up all the loose ends and plot threads in a way that's believable and in line with everything else that's happened. I may not have always liked what happened in Winter, but it made sense and it furthered the story along.
I always know I'm in a good book when I'm not constantly analyzing how all the plot pieces fit together and simply read. That's what Winter was. You experience. Also, the book is huge, so it's easier to read and ache for whichever character you most want to read.
Honestly, my most coherent thought right now is that I want to read Winter all over again so I can experience everything at a slower pace. I recommend The Lunar Chronicles to just about anyone and everyone I think might possibly like it, and Winter is a wonderful ending to what has been an awesome series. I wish I could stay with the characters forever as they go forth and do the things they were meant to do... with the people they were meant to do them with. Is that vague enough? (Also, if I read this review later, will it be specific enough to remember what happens?)
As sad as I am to see this series end, I can't wait to see what Marissa Meyer has in story for us next.
stefu1
Written on Dec 26, 2015
liz089
Written on Dec 13, 2015
STANDALONE or SERIES.
Series !! The final and last part of the Lunar Chronicles. Oh how I was looking forward to this last part !!
WHY this book.
Because I love this series. I loved the first books, and it only kept getting better and better !! So hell yeah I NEEDED this one !! And well.. I did not name my cat after this book for nothing haha.
FIRST THOUGHTS.
OMG !! It was soooo good ! When I opened my order with the book in it, it felt so heavy !! And no wonder, it was over 800 pages !! So awesome ! I did my happy dance with the book when I got it haha ^^ And it did not disappoint ! Not at all !! I really loved this book so much 3
PLOT.
So the plot.. We continue were Cress left us, and get the revolution going !! They split up, sometimes not willingly.. and each have their own part in making it all happen. They made some new allies, and get all around Luna to gather enough people to make the revolution happen. Of course, they get into trouble, there are some holdups and just woow.. I mean over 800 pages of awesomeness ! How can I just explain the rest of plot ? So much is happening at the same time XD I really loved how not everything went according to plan, and they had to adjust and start making different plans. I just loved how the author took her time to make everything right. To take her time finishing this story properly. The pace was just perfect, and she walked throw everything without slowing the pace down. I could not stop reading ! You just get sucked right into it and won’t let you go.
ROMANCE.
A lot of different romances going on ! First of Cinder and Kai, they finally got together but had to split up to make it all happen. It was hard on them and I felt for them.. Especially with Levana manipulating Kai.. but they get through it !!
Next up are Scarlet and Wolf, they are separated from the beginning, with Scarlet being locked up on Luna.. but she gets out and they meet up again.. only to get separated again and Wolf being to one who is taken this time… ohh that just sucked !! They deserve to be together so much and they have been through so much !! I love how she does not care about him being a wolf hybrid and just sticks with him, oohhh true love 3
Very excited about Cress and Thorne in this one !! They finally get together !! It takes some time before they admit it to each other.. especially Thorne, but a big YEAAAAHHH when they start kissing in the secret garden, so awesome !! Really felt with Cress at the beginning
And last, Winter and Jacin !! So awesome how we get to know them in this book, and how deep their love for each other is, and has been for such a long time but were unable to do something about it So cool when they start kissing in the garden, and you just want them to be together soooo much !!
So yeah, a lot of different romances and I loved all of them. It is not overwhelming the story itself, but more than enough to keep my romantic heart satisfied !
SETTING.
Getting to Luna this time !! Most of the series took place at Earth and in space, but finally we get to know more about Luna and how they function as a country. It did remind me a bit of The Hunger Games.. with different poor sectors with bad circumstances and the Capital/Artemisia with the really wealthy people who dress funny and have no idea what is going on, on the outside.
But Luna is a lot bigger, has much more regions and sub levels.. the lava tubes and stuff. The author really took her time getting to different places and it really gave you a view of the whole country. Loved that !
CHARACTERS.
Cinder/Selene. Still think of her as Cinder, not Queen Selene haha. She was really heroic and got the people to rise up !! You also saw a more emotional state of her, when thinks didn’t work out and people sacrificing themselves for her.. She was just an awesome independent woman. She really grew during the story, getting from a mechanic to a rebel/criminal, to Queen. With help of the others of course !
Iko. How I loved Iko ! Always has a thing to say and is just a really special android. You don’t see her as that, but as a real person, with a love for fashion haha. She was really brave and protected everyone, she came a long way as well !
Kai. He gave up so much to make the plan work, getting married to the evil Queen, the coronation.. he was so strong to give up himself for the greater good. Even though he was almost like a prisoner, he still defied her in his own way and helped were he could. He will be a great emperor.
Scarlet. She as well has been through so much, losing her grandmother, getting kidnapped and placed in a cage.. But she stays so strong !! She really is an alpha mate.
Wolf. Felt so sorry for him, finally meeting his mother again to lose her.. She was really brave. But Wolf resisted and came out really strong. Even after everything that happened, getting changed.. So cool how he almost killed Levana ! Hope he will be really happy with Scarlet !
Cress. Just like the others, she came a long way. Getting out of her satellite, braving the world. And her love for Thorne was so cute !! You just felt so much with her ! And how heroic she was time and time again ! Without Cress they would not have managed the uprising.
Thorne. Always the funny guy.. but to get the woman he wants he really needed to step up. I love how he wants to be better for Cress, being the guy who deserves her.. just beautiful. He always makes bad stuff seem less worse and lightens the mood.
Winter. How I loved crazy strong Winter. She is just so sweet and kind, and an amazing person. She as well goes throw so much and comes out so much stronger. Ohh how I loved the references to Snow White !! The old woman and the apple. Her in the suspension tank.. Jacin coming to the rescue. Just loved that !!!
Jacin. When we first meet him we have no idea that he is really a great guy, doing everything he can to protect Winter, even sacrificing himself and the ones he loves. He is so smart and cunning !! And his love for Winter is just so beautiful.. so deep and sexy.
Levana. The evil Queen. We get to know more about her and her background a little (really need to read Fairest) but she is still an evil bitch. I was wondering at the beginning if she was really going to die, or if she would change her way.. even in the end I was still not sure. But well, she got what she deserved !
FAVORITE.
After the entire story we got to know a lot about so many people.. I love all of them so much and they are all awesome in their own way. But personally I really have a weak spot for Winter ! She is just really special. After reading Cress we got a new kitten and I told my boyfriend about it. So when we were thinking about a name Winter sprang in mind.. and it kind of stuck. She is really pretty as well, and yeah, kind of crazy too haha.
LEAST FAVORITE.
Easy ! And no, not Levana.. she comes close though, but she herself has been through really though shit that made her this way.. but I did hate Aimery the most !! God how mean and annoying he was.. just pure evil !! I was so happy when he died !! He put them through so much hardship, and he was so mean to Winter. Just ugh.
THE BAD.
The only bad I can think of is that Luna reminded me a bit of The Hunger Games. How the world was divided into the sectors and stuff with Artemisia and the people being so spoiled. I really need a story to be original, and Luna/Artemisia just wasn’t. But I got to admit that with all the books that have been published lately it gets harder and harder to make something that jumps out and is different.
FAVORITE QUOTES.
“Tapping a finger against the flesh of her elbow, she deadpanned, “Jacin Clay, there is an assassin under my bed.”
.
“Yeah, but broken isn’t the same as unfixable.”
.
“Did you see any rice in there? Maybe we could fill Cinder’s head with it.”
Everyone stared at him.
“You know, to… absorb the moisture, or something. Isn’t that a thing?”
“We’re not putting rice in my head.”
.
“And they all lived happily to the end of their days.”
FINAL THOUGHTS
I had some trouble getting started with this one, not because of the story itself or it was hard getting through, but because it is the ending. I have difficulties with reading the last book, because that means that it is over.. So I thought, let’s just read a couple of chapters every evening, so I can make it last a while. Ha, that was even harder ! When you’re into it, it just doesn’t let go until you’re finished. You read right through it, and it is all so exciting and intense.. just wooow.. It really is one of the bets endings I have ever read. The author really takes her time to make it all perfect and I just LOVED it so much.. Really, if you haven’t started this series or stopped.. I would recommend getting it. Love the fairy tales coming to life in a different world, and everything comes together just amazingly !
Even though it is finished I plan on reading the shorts as well, something I normally don’t do.. But really looking forward to Stars Above ! And I will start reading Fairest soon as well.. So yeah, ha the rating ! I will give it all I have and go for * surprise* 5 Freyja’s !!! READ THIS SERIES !!!
Berls
Written on Dec 6, 2015
Heather
Written on Dec 6, 2015
I loved the rest of the books in this series - a science fiction retelling of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White. The books have been smart and inventive in reimagining the stories in a world where Earth is vulnerable to Lunar people who are able to control minds. That's why I'm ultimately disappointed in this last book in the series featuring the story of Snow White.
Winter is the step-daughter of the Lunar Queen, Levana. Levana was the sister of the former Queen. When her sister died she attempted to kill her sister's child, the rightful heir to the throne. Unbeknownst to Levana, the child was smuggled to Earth and healed by making her a cyborg. Now Linh Cinder is leading a rebellion to take back her throne from the cruel Levana.
Winter is known for her stunning beauty and her refusal to use her ability to manipulate minds. Refusing to do so is driving her insane. She hallucinates a lot and rambles incoherently. She is such a vapid heroine that she drove me crazy. Maybe the problem was that I was listening to this on audio. I sped it up to 1.5 times normal speed just so her ramblings didn't take so long. All she does the entire time is be a hinderance to everyone else in the book. She has no agency. She doesn't make many decisions at all. The whole story just washes over her. Her one decision to try to go recruit some soldiers to the rebel cause is based entirely on, "I'm pretty and nice so of course they will follow me." Read that in the breathiest voice ever and you'll get the idea of the audio.
I know that the story of Snow White and the evil Queen is based entirely on looks but I was really hoping that there was going to be more to this story than that. Levana has enslaved her people and engineered and released a plaque on Earth and killed anyone who upset her but the plan is to show people that she isn't a legitimate ruler because she is actually ugly under her glamour? Come on. I was hoping for something with more substance.
And the ending? Let's just say there is a lot of "Why don't you let go of all your goals and marry me instead?"
The rest of the books are great and maybe this one wouldn't have been so bad if I had read it instead of listening to it so I didn't have so much time to dwell on the inconsistencies.
This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story
girlinthepages
Written on Dec 6, 2015
And then all of my hopes and dreams fell victim to something I never thought would impact the quality of this series: hype. I was sure I'd knock this book out in a week or less (which is quick with my work schedule). This book took me almost an entire month to read. It felt unnecessarily and excruciatingly long. At 800 pages, I was expecting an epic story, but I really got a lot of redundant internal worrying, repeated failed attempts to best Levana, and a sadly formulaic YA dystopian-society-rising-against-the-oppressive-aristocarcy novel (*cue the Mockingjay theme*). The (very) long and short of my problems with this book is that I was bored.
I think many of my issues with this book that I have are due to its falling into the stereotypical YA dystopian elements. Such as the "reluctant revolutionary" protagonist. I am personally tired of having YA protagonists who drag their feet about being the "chosen one." I want to read about a protagonist who take a revolution by the bullhorns and owns it. I understand that there are moral dilemmas and stress and unfathomable responsibilities that come along with leading a revolution, but I wanted to see Cinder really embrace being Selene for herself. Also (DO NOT READ THIS PART IF YOU DON'T WANT ANY SPOILERS) none of the 8 main characters died. ALL of the couples came out relatively unscathed (except for poor, poor Wolf and my favorite love interest, who was genetically modified AGAIN to be the garish, monstrous looking solider more wold-like then ever, who inexplicably can still be with Scarlet despite his brain now being like 99% animal...don't even get me started on how MY FAVORITE SHIP IS THE ONE THAT SUFFERED). It's another trend in YA war/dystopian/rebellion novels that irks me. If you're going to make your protagonist miserable and reluctant because of how horrific war is, than at least follow through with the consequences. Sure, thousands of people died invading Artemisia from the outer sectors, but I'm not buying that all eight major characters would have realistically survived. This is an issue in many popular series (Harry Potter: Harry, Ron, and Hermione all survive, Hunger Games: Katniss, Peeta, and Gale all live, etc.) and I can't wonder if it's because authors fear killing off beloved characters. However, if you are writing a book about war and revolution, I think to really create an impact you have to be realistic about survival odds. (End of spoilery section).
Aside from the long, drawn out scenes leading up to the final battle that had me struggling for interest and the issues I took with the dystopian elements, there were aspects of the story that would cause me to perk up while reading and carry on. While Cinder disappointed me in this book, I loved seeing everyone else's character growth. Scarlet is truly a warrior, and seeing her take command in situations where everyone else went to pieces was inspiring. The evolution of Cress and Thorne's relationship was really sweet, and I found myself cheering during their interactions. I love the haunting aspects of Winter's personality, and the "Snow White" elements Meyer tied into her story, such as her affinity with animals in the menageries, her fondness for apple treats (and how the classic poisoning scene went down) and I think Meyer very cleverly worked Snow White's glass coffin aspect into Winter's story. Snow White is my favorite fairy tale princess so I was glad to see the classically identifiable folklore elements were handled well, even if the dystopian elements were not.
At 800 pages, I think I can safely say that most readers were expecting a very climactic ending with a lot of closure. (No? Just me?) Once I hit the last 100 pages or so I was still holding out hope that this slow, slow read would turn around and wow me. No such luck. The final battle scene was really, really anticlimactic. It's hard to describe without spoilers, but the final, inevitable confrontation between Levana and Cinder ended really vaguely, to the point where I had to reread several times and enlist the help of the internet to be really sure of what happened. After the big, final showdown, there were many, many loose ends left (What happens with the shells? Are Kai and Cinder going to end up staying together? Are the relations between Earth and Luna reparable? Does Winter get over her Lunar sickness? How do Wolf and Scarlet carry on DESPITE HIS DEFORMITIES? I NEED ANSWERS).
Overall: Winter was first and foremost way too long. That fact aside, the Lunar Chronicles had so much to live up to that Winter just didn't meet my expectations. After how twisted and intense Fairest was, I as anticipating something epic from the last installment in this series. However, what I read was a novel that while in no means terrible, lost itself in YA dystopian tropes. While the charms of the fairy tales the series takes inspiration from is still there, it really missed the mark with the whole revolutionary aspect. This book could have been half the length and still gotten it's point across. Will I still read anything Marissa Meyer writes? Probably. Am I excited for the novella bind-up, Stars Above? Definitely. However, sometimes books that you think you're going to love just really don't live up to your expectations, and Winter was one of them for me.This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages