Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Book two of Meyer's Lunar Chronicles is just that. Book two. It takes off from where book one leaves off, and leaves you hanging, hankering for book three. Be that as it may, this is a very good book. As book one, Cinder, is very loosely  based on Cinderella, Scarlet is very loosely based on Red Riding Hood. Opening in a small village in France we are introduced to Scarlet, a young red head wearing a red hoodie, delivering vegetables to an inn where she meets Wolf. Scarlet is fiercely independent, and upset about her missing grand mere. Frustrated that the police will do nothing about it, she convinces Wolf to assist in finding her. Scarlet knows nothing about her grand mere's past which is connected to Cinder. Cinder is now imprisoned after her fateful appearance at his majesty Kai's ball. Cinder is gradually becoming aware of her powers and escapes her imprisonment, dragging a narcissistic fellow prisoner, Thorne, along. As Scarlet and Cinder learn about their history, the story brings them closer and closer to each other. The end, will of course, leave you hanging. I'm just wondering, how will the next book, Cress, connect Cinder and Scarlet to another fairy tale character, Rapunzel? I'll have to wait until 2014 to find out.
Reed Reads Score: 4

The Curiosities by Tessa Gratton, Maggie Stiefvater, and Brenna Yovanoff

From Lancelot to wizards, authors Stiefvater, Yovanoff, and Gratton produce The Curiosities, a book of unedited short stories.  Filled with tragedy, magic, and death this emotion driven book walks the characters off the page and into the minds of readers.  With unexpected life and personality these fast paced stories are personal in the way a reader would not expect.  Because they steer away from plot, the authors create chilling, compelling, and slightly sadistic characters.  The Curiosities was originally a hobby for these three YA novelists to test and toy with different plots, characters, settings, etc.  By doing this, each story is original and strange.  

The most interesting part of this collection is the footnotes and messages throughout the stories from the authors showing everything from writing techniques to pictures of dragons.  This brings a more personal affect, so when you read the next story its like visiting an old friend.  

The product became this amazing little kingdom of mystical creatures and problemed people.  By the end of it you will be going back fifty pages and looking for that story you loved or that stream of poetic lines you just couldn’t get out of your head.  While it isn’t a fast read, it is highly recommended,
and you will enjoy every bit of the way.  

Reed Reads Score:  4.5

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

Remy Starr knows exactly what she wants.  She has her mind set on Stanford in the fall and is ready for her next summer fling with whom ever follows her strict rules of boy material.  But when Dexter, a musician, crash-lands into her life she is finding that not all the rules apply, he just isn’t adding up.  So why can’t she bring herself to break up with him?  She knows better than anyone that this shouldn’t last.  In Dessen’s unconventional romance she once again brings a character driven novel to life.  Her smart, quick, and witty writing will have you turning pages till dawn.

Reed Reads Score:  5