Reviewed by Amanda on
Levana may not be likeable, but she certainly is readable.
In fact, I had trouble putting Fairest down. A chance to learn how the villain of The Lunar Chronicles series came to be? Sign me up. It's possible I have a soft spot for villain back stories -- the best villains are relateable and human-ish, after all -- but truly, Marissa Meyer just writes a good book.
Though Fairest is a prequel to the series, it's likely best read as it was released: the book in between Cress and Winter. What we've learned in the first three books gives Levana's story greater context.
Would it still be good on its own? Probably. Is it even better within the context of the series? Heck yes. If you've loved this series, you need to read Fairest. It's really that simple.
And so subtle you barely notice it -- yet so profound you can't help absorbing it -- is the worldbuilding. We haven't been introduced to life on Luna, until now. It's brilliantly worked into the narrative, giving us glimpses of earth from the moon. I kinda want more now.
I loved, loved the brief look we got at Winter and the beginning of her story. It makes me that much more excited to get her story.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 12 December, 2015: Finished reading
- 12 December, 2015: Reviewed