Fall Reading 2013 Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3)

I read the first of the Lunar Chronicles (Cinder) a couple of years ago and recommended the series to my nieces, because they both enjoy fantasy and scifi. I haven't gotten to the second book (Scarlet) yet, but I was offered the chance to read the first chapter of Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3). This time around the fairy tale inspiration is Rapunzel. Instead of being locked in a tower, Crescent is locked in a satellite far above Earth. She is employed by powerful people on Luna who take advantage of her programming skills. If you've read Cinder, then you have heard her briefly. She is the one who tells Cinder that the Empress is a danger to Prince Kai.

Marissa Meyer has created an intriguing world that mixes fairy tale roots into a high-tech future Earth. Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel all exist in this scifi world and all seem to have the Lunar Empress as an enemy. The plotting by the Lunar government to take over Earth, of the Earthen governments to defend themselves, and of the girls to escape their enemies all keep the story moving quickly and keep the reader's mind busy. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and seeing who wins.

I would recommend this to readers of science fiction and fantasy, and also to those who enjoy novel-length reworkings of classic fairy tales into modern or futuristic settings. The author's website has more information about the books, including the title of the fourth book - Winter.

I read an e-book (e-chapter anyway) provided by the publisher through NetGalley. It will be published February 4, 2014. Here's the book's trailer.