"The Lunar Chronicles" is your next literary adventure

Anyone who has ever asked me for book recommendations has heard me rave on and on about a science-fiction/fantasy series called “The Lunar Chronicles”. Written by Marissa Meyer, this four-part series is a twist on classic fairy tales like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Snow White.

Unlike other attempted twists on fairy tales like the television series “Once Upon A Time”, “The Lunar Chronicles” implies the connection for the characters to their inspiration. Meyer weaves the links throughout the series. Some are more obvious than others, such as the main character and first book being named ‘Cinder’, an obvious indication of the twist on the Cinderella story. Other links are hinted in ways that are so clever, I won’t spoil the surprises by writing about them here.

Taking place in the future, the reader is introduced to a new reality. The moon, now called ‘Luna’, has been colonized and is ruled by scheming queen determined to rule Earth as well. In addition, the reader is introduced to Cinder, a cyborg living with her detestable stepmother and stepsister in New Beijing. She dreams of the day when she can run away from home and live on her own, free from their orders and snide comments.

That dream is put on hold when she stumbles upon sensitive information that could prove the Lunar queen’s plan to wage war on Earth. With this responsibility, Cinder must warn the prince of New Beijing of the queen’s plans. All does not go smoothly. In a change of events, Cinder becomes a fugitive rather than a savior. As the series progresses, so does the conflict. Overtime, the reader will find themselves in the middle of a war between Luna and Earth at which Cinder is at the center. Alongside her is a rag-tag team of characters who are twists on classic fairy tales themselves.

Clearly, this is not a story about elegant princesses and dapper princes. This is something that everyone I talk to about this series wants to know. The books are filled with so much action that they are impossible to put down. Unpredictable and intricate, “The Lunar Chronicles” is one of the best series I have ever read. I wanted more of this immersive world and Meyer delivered.

Meyer added to the world she created by releasing a collection of short stories titled “Stars Above”, a book about the villain’s backstory called “Fairest”, and two graphic novels following a beloved character’s adventures after the conclusion of the series.

This series is a must read, and I got so tired of begging for people to read it that I wrote an article in the hopes that someone else will love “The Lunar Chronicles” by Marissa Meyer as much as I do.