Book Review: Winter by Marissa Meyer

Winter – Marissa Meyer

*Warning – may contain spoilers*

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Puffin books

First published: 2015

Cover: Paperback

Pages: 823

Blurb:    Winter is admired for her grace, kindness and beauty, despite the scars on her face. She’s said to be even more breath taking tan her stepmother, Queen Levana.

When Winter develops feelings for the handsome palace guard, Jacin, she fears the evil Queen will crush their romance before it has a chance to begin.

But there are stirrings against the Queen across the land. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even find the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress and Winter claim their happily-ever-afters by defeating Levana once and for all?

History of my copy: After seeing The Lunar Chronicles all over Bookstagram, I knew I needed to try the series. I don’t regret it at all and as I made my way through each book, I’ve desperately gone out and bought the next.

Sometimes I go into the final book of a series worried that, whilst good, it doesn’t bring the satisfying ending I craved. Winter was no exception here, and I couldn’t help but be kept at the edge of my seat, terrified that one of the main eight (Cinder, Kai, Scarlet, Wolf, Cress, Thorne, Winter and Jacin) wouldn’t get their happy ending. However, my fears were unwarranted as this book was a fantastically amazing end to the series. In fact, it’s one of my favourite books of all time and the series has managed to join others such as Harry Potter by Rowling and The Infernal Devices by Clare as one of my all-time favourite series! Honestly, why did no-one make me read these books before?!

Plot: Winter, the fourth and final instalment in The Lunar Chronicles, follows the gang as they infiltrate Luna with 3 goals in mind: to rescue Scarlet, to stop Levana’s marriage to Kai and to start a revolution, thus placing Cinder aka long-lost Princess Selene rightfully on the throne. As with the three previous novels, Winter is a loose retelling of a fairy-tale, this time Snow White. Whilst we get the main events from the traditional story (beautiful step-daughter, faked murder and being poisoned by an apple), once again the story takes on a whole mind of its own in the epic climax of the series.

         At first, I thought that there would be too many main characters to handle but, as the plot develops, each earns their individual place in the group and helps bring down Levana’s regime both from the inside and out.

         I’m going to keep quiet about the tiny details of the plot, leaving you to discover the story yourself, but I am going to mention possibly my favourite romance scene of all time. THAT MOMENT BETWEEN CRESS AND THORNE WAS SO GODDAMN BEAUTIFUL I WAS LEFT BREATHLESS.

         I need to know what happens after Winter though. I want a catch-up on all the characters (hopefully Stars Above will help with that). And I need to know what happened to Luna after Cinder abdicated and what happened once she became Empress of the Eastern Commonwealth. Ahh I need to know every single thing that happened in each of their lives.

Setting: For the first time in the series, the book takes place on Luna. I actually really love the concept of Luna and how Meyer has created this wonderful world on the moon. One thing I would love is both a map of the sectors on Luna and perhaps a history of its relationship with Earth. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into the designing of Luna from the transport systems through to the different sectors. Artemisia is described beautifully, mainly focussing on the palace and the seemingly never-ending Lake.

Characters: In my reviews for Cinder, Scarlet and Cress, I covered most of the main characters so I’m going to switch things up a bit and perhaps write about the ships throughout The Lunar Chronicles.

               First of all, we are introduced to Cinder and Kai. I really like Cinder and everything she stands for and, whilst I wasn’t so keen on Prince Kai at first, I am now totally in love with the pair of them as they are with each other. The duo complement each other so well and, now that an alliance is needed between Earth and Luna, what better way to do so than to unite the pair!

               Scarlet and Wolf are couple number two. I really love the character of Scarlet and think she also works with Winter really well. However, although I found Wolf intriguing at the start, I think he’s become a bit too forced. Is it bad that I kind of wish he had died protecting Scarlet or something? His life seemed a bit too tortured and difficult to be ‘real’. Maybe I seem a little harsh with this but, if I were to give any of the couples an unhappy ending, it would be Scarlet and Wolf. Besides, Scarlet is strong enough to survive on her own.

               Cress and Thorne! Are there even words to describe my love for these two? From the very start I’ve shipped them so hard and Winter certainly didn’t disappoint in that department. In fact, the scene where Thorne sort of finally declares how he feels about her is one of my favourite scenes ever. It was so breathtakingly beautiful! Wow I so need a Carswell Thorne in my life. Honestly, I’d protect these two precious babies to my death.

               Last but not least, we have Winter and Jacin. I never was a huge fan of Jacin but he earned some respect in this book, especially for protecting Cress. His devotion to Winter was sweet, but a little too over-powering at times. Winter, however, I love! She wears her scars, both physically and mentally, without batting an eyelid, and I do believe that is mainly down to Jacin’s help. One thing I really loved is her refusal to use her Lunar gift and her reasons why. Queen Levana and the thurmatages, especially Aimery, really tortured the poor girl so is it any wonder why she ended up so crazy in her own beautifully unique way? I couldn’t help but grin whenever she howled like a wolf and sang that silly song. I also admire the faith that Jacin and Scarlet had in Winter and how they never purposefully let her down. I have nothing but respect for her courage throughout the book, especially when she finally used her Gift to protect her friends.

               Now, if you’ve read any of my other reviews of The Lunar Chronicles, you will know that I have an undying love for everyone’s favourite android/spaceship/escort droid, Iko! I love how funny she is! Whilst I do miss her as The Rampion, it’s great to see how much help she is now as the beautiful escort droid. And she has an important part as she contains the information regarding the chip that can protect humans and Lunars alike from the Lunar gift! Yes Iko!

               Finally, I feel as if I should talk about the Lunar royalty of the series: Queen Levana and Queen Channary. I so desperately want to know more about these two and cannot wait to get my hands on Fairest which, as far as I’m aware, does contain the pair. I know not much is learnt about Channary, and I’m not sure if I can believe Levana after how horrid and deceitful she is, but I actually think Channary is worse than Levana so I can’t wait to read about her! As for Levana herself, underneath it all I can see a very damaged, confused and bullied character, but that doesn’t excuse her actions. After all, Cinder too had her share of bad upbringing and familial torture, but has become a good person. Yes, I pity Levana, but I also admire Meyer for making a truly terrifying villain who still has emotions underneath all that. It’s a hard job to do, but Meyer successfully created a wonderful villain who creates this vibe of pure evil and manipulability.

To read or not to read: Read. Like right now. Read the whole series and never stop reading it. Winter has it all. Powerful, pure evilness in the Lunars, a bunch of badass heroines and heroes, a super awesome revolution, moments where your heart is in your throat, and you can’t form sentences and you just don’t know how they could all possibly survive. And, of course, it has our favourite android Iko who makes us laugh even when we’re crying.

Needless to say, I’m in a complete book hangover. I rushed out and bought Stars Above (I need more okay!) and will probably be getting Fairest sometime soon too. But then I will be upset because the series truly will be over.

|Cinder|Scarlet|Cress|

Book Review: Cress by Marissa Meyer

Cress – Marissa Meyer

*Warning – may contain spoilers*

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Puffin Books

First published: 2014

Cover: Paperback

Pages: 550

Blurb:    Incarcerated in a satellite, an expert hacker and out to save the world – Cress isn’t your usual damsel in distress.

                Cress grew up as a prisoner. With only netscreens for company, she’s forced to do the bidding of the evil Queen Levana. Now that means tracking down Cinder and her handsome accomplice Emperor Kai. But little does Queen Levana know that those she seeks, and the man she loves, are plotting her downfall…

                As paths cross and the price of freedom rises, happily ever after has never seemed further away for Cress, Scarlet and Cinder.

                This is not the fairy tale you remember. But it’s one you won’t forget…

History of my copy: I picked up Cress along with The Elite a couple weeks ago. Having recently read Cinder and Scarlet, I have been desperate to finish the series. Now I just have to wait and see when I can get my hands on Winter.

Cress is hands down my favourite book in the series so far. So much happens, but at the same time, things start to be tied together. I was a bit slow at reading it at first, due to a couple bad days, but then yesterday I read the last half of the book because I couldn’t put it down! That rarely happens to me, as I enjoy having numerous books on the go at once.

Plot: Cress starts with Cinder, Thorne, Scarlet, Wolf and Iko rescuing Cress, the girl with the D-comm chip. However, things don’t go directly to plan, and the group gets split up. At this point, the book gets frustrating as you want to know what happened to everyone, but you follow only one of the group’s stories and then suddenly, when something is about to happen to them, you flash to someone else! It’s so frustrating because the story is so gripping and you just need to know! And, whilst all this is going on, you’re yelling at Kai to not marry Levana.

         Cress and Thorne end up remaining in the satellite as it plummets to Earth, before being stuck in the Sahara Desert, made even worse by the fact that Thorne is blinded. They eventually make their way to Dr. Erland (and wait until you discover his secret!), but it certainly wasn’t an easy path, and the terror you feel for Cress is immense.

         Scarlet ends up as a hostage of Sybil Mira and taken to Luna, where she is tortured by Levana and becomes a pet of Princess Winter, which introduces the title character of the last book in the series.

         Wolf, Iko and Cinder remain on the Rampion and end up heading to Dr. Erland too, where the eventually meet back up with Cress and Thorne. When they are all united, apart from Scarlet, and Iko is given a new body (no more spaceship Iko!), they break into the palace and kidnap Emperor Kai.

         The plot of this book is so fast paced and interesting, it just keeps drawing you in.

Setting: Cress has numerous settings from the vast emptiness of the desert, to the confined prison of Cress’ satellite. From the magnificence of the New Beijing palace prepared for a royal wedding, to Scarlet’s cage back on Luna. I can’t wait to discover more about Luna in the final book.

Characters: Meyer’s characters are absolutely brilliant. They are flawed, they are misfits, and yet you still love every single thing about them.

                Cress is adorably sweet and innocent, and her reaction to everything Earthen makes my heart ache for her a little more each and every time. And, although at first I couldn’t see Thorne and Cress together, now it’s probably my main ship from these books. Thorne himself changes a little in this book, as he is now blind, but Meyer portrayed that so well. It was nice to see a main character end up with a disability as impacting as blindness.

                I still love Iko so much! The problem is, I find her hard to imagine as this beautiful escort droid when I’m so used to the Iko from Cinder. However, her character is just as funny as ever, and there are so many moments when I had to put the book down just to laugh at Iko for five minutes, especially when she was the spaceship.

                I was never hugely fond of Dr. Erland, but in Cress you learn a lot about him, and your heart will shatter into a million pieces when he finally reveals his secret to the person it matters too. (I’m avoiding spoiling it because it’s just so good!)

To read or not to read: Read. Read. Read. I loved this book sososososo much! It makes you feel frustrated, elated, heartbroken, angry and so much more. You will cry, you will laugh, you will squeal in pure delight. It makes you feel everything. I really don’t think words can show how amazing this book is. Go read it right now!

World Book Day 2016

So, the most important day of the year in the book world is here! Happy World Book Day to fellow bibliophiles world wide, although I believe it's only celebrated today in the UK.

Now that I'm in sixth form, dressing up as my favourite book character is no longer an option, which is a real shame. I remember those primary school costumes that my mum spent hours on, my favourites being this beautiful mermaid tail we made with individual scales (although it was a pain to sit down in) and one year we had to wear a book-themed hat, for which we made this Charlotte's Web inspired top hat, with straw and soft animals.

There are also more recent memories, such as only a few years ago when I went as a shadowhunter, which was a lot of fun. I also went as a Hogwarts student numerous times.

World Book Day was first celebrated in 1995, and has become an annual celebration ever since, loved by bookworms both young and old. It's mostly celebrated in Primary Schools to encourage young children to read more, especially nowadays when games consoles and TV are becoming more and more popular. I highly support this motive, ass I feel that reading is an important part of development to both encourage imagination, and to help people become more accepting and open-minded of the world, and to help them in making decisions. For me, I find it much easier to make difficult and stressful decisions, if I can relate it to a book character and remember how they reasoned through it.

Although I always have numerous books on the go, I usually have a main one that is my priority to finish. Currently, Cress by Marissa Meyer is my main read, and I love it so much! The Lunar Chronicles just get better and better. I hope that I shall finish it soon, with a book review being posted within the next week.

So what books are you currently reading? And, if you're celebrating world book day, what are you up to?

A Day in the Life of a Medical Student

Well, sort of.

As any of you who regularly reads my blog may know, I am an aspiring doctor. As I am now in Year 13, this year I had the exciting (yet daunting, I won't lie) task of choosing which medical schools to apply. I narrowed it down to Cambridge, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Plymouth. I've had interviews at all (apart from Edinburgh, which doesn't interview anyway), and with an unsurprising rejection from Cambridge, I am glad I have a back up now that I have an offer from Plymouth, which I received in December. And I only have to get AAA!! (Let me clarify, AAA is the lowest a medical school will ever offer.)

Today, I was lucky enough to be able to partake in a medicine offer-holder day at Plymouth, along with 19 others who will hopefully become my course-mates next year. Unlike the majority of the group, I only live a little distance away from Plymouth, and actually go to school in the city, so there was no long car or train journeys for me. Although, I think going to Edinburgh will make up for that. With this blog post, I want to explain the sorts of things medical students, especially those that go to Plymouth, get up to, something I hope will both be interesting to anyone, and perhaps a helpful insight to anyone hoping to pursue a career in medicine.

In the first part of the morning, we got to have a look at Clinical Skills, a vital part of training that ranges from communication and teamwork, to actual procedures. Plymouth's Peninsula medical school has fantastic facilities for this, including a range of dummy patients and even a simulated ward, where you work with actors who pretend to be a wide range of different patients you may encounter. Fortunately for me, I was quite familiar with the facilities as I did my Year 10 work experience with the medical school.

Aside from a tour of the facilities, we got to perform a couple practical tasks. First of all, we got to intubate dummy patients, which is when you push a pipe down their trachea so that they can breathe. It's surprisingly difficult, and I think we all instantly appreciated why we don't try this on real people first, as most of us managed to inflate the stomach rather than the lungs, and no-one did it particular fast, so I'm sure our whole room of patients would have died if they were real. But don't worry, I'm sure that in 5 years time we'll be able to do it with our eyes closed! (Not literally, that could be a little dangerous...)

Another exciting thing we did, was learn how to perform intramuscular injections. Perhaps not as exciting to write about, but learning how to keep things uncontaminated, and how to correctly draw up a solution and inject it into (once again a dummy) patient was fun, and surprisingly complicated!

The day also consisted of a tour of the university and Student Union, a free lunch, and an overview of the course and how Plymouth, as a modern uni, is different to those that try the traditional approach to medicine.

In the afternoon, we got to watch an hour of a PBL session. PBL, problem based learning, is when students work in small groups to focus on a case, where they apply previous knowledge, and go away to research new topics, to understand the situations, how things can be done differently, and perhaps even form a diagnosis or solution. It's a very modern way of learning, and different to the traditional lecture-based method. At first, I wasn't too keen on the idea, but now it has been broken down a little, and now I've had a chance to watch a session, it seems like a really interactive way to learn.

After I had finished at the university, I popped into the city centre to do a spot of book shopping. I ended up buying The Elite by Kiera Cass, and Cress by Marissa Meyer (the previous books of both series have been reviewed, so go check them out from the Review page!). I also had a discussion with a man who worked in Waterstones about Red Queen and it's sequel. He, like me, wasn't that sold with Red Queen, although found the ending good. He has, however, convinced me to consider continuing with the series. (Red Queen has also been reviewed).

If anyone has any questions about Plymouth uni, medicine/medical school, applying to uni, etc, please feel free to comment! Also, if any of you reading this are medical students, I'd love to hear about where you study and what you think of it.