The Lunar Chronicles. Have you heard of them?

If you like fairy tales that have been reworked, science fiction, romance, and a kick-ass heroine? Well, this series is it. I personally love any author who can rework a fairy tale, make it their own, and make it good enough that I never want to put down the book.

The series begins with Cinder, the story of a cyborg orphan, adopted by family in New Beijing (after the 4th World War, of course).

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. – From the Publisher

Loosely following the fairy tale, Cinderella, you are introduced to Cinder. Not completely like the original, she’s friends with her younger step-sister, and there’s not a talking mouse in the entire thing. Instead you’ve got androids that fulfil duties, hovercrafts instead of cars, and the plague that is killing thousands every day around the world. You are immediately pulled into this story, instantly caring about this brave heroine who tries to make the best thing out of a bad situation. I also loved the idea of the future that Meyer’s builds, the fact that there is peace on Earth, as they have a bigger threat to face coming from Space. I enjoyed Kai’s story as well, the Prince as he struggles with becoming Emperor too soon, and faced with wanting something he knows that he can’t have because of a duty to his people. The end of the book leaves you wanting more, and I couldn’t wait to jump into the second of the series.

Scarlett, another heroine from a different tale, but woven wonderously into the Cinderella story.

Cinder is back and trying to break out of prison–even though she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive if she does–in this second installment from Marissa Meyer.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother, or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. 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. – From the Publisher

It was a little bit more of a shock to start off with Scarlet, since the first book leaves a bit of a cliffhanger that you want solved immediately. But while it was a little bit, I don’t want to use the word disappointing – just a little bit of an adjustment, to not be right back where Cinder left off, you quickly become engrossed in Scarlet’s story. I was definitely more into the romance between Scarlet and Wolf, and definitely loved the twist. The use of mind control is more prevalent in this book than the first, and it’s a terrifying thought to think that this might happen!

It bounces between Scarlet and Cinder’s stories, which I liked. I was rather impatient for them to meet up, and I loved it when it finally happened!

Leading us the the last book that is available, Cress.

Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker; unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can. – From the Publisher

You are introduced to Cress in the second novel, and I think the fact that Meyer’s is able to seamlessly meld all these characters together while still able to maintain the main voice of the title character throughout. I liked Cress’ character, she spent a lot of time alone growing up, and it shows with her naivete. I personally love her relationship with Thorne, but I don’t want to give to much away. She definitely shows character growth throughout the book, and I love how fate brings all the characters apart and back together again. So many twists, and so much plot intrigue.

There’s also a couple short stories that are in-between the main novels to give more back story to the characters, you can read them online here.

The final conclusion of the series is Winter, and it’s coming out in November! I cannot wait, it’ll be fantastic. She’s already started working on her next YA series. She’s definitely become one of my favourite authors.

You’ll like this if you enjoyed The Hunger Games, and the Divergent Series.