Ever looked up at the moon and wondered what it would be like if your favorite childhood fairy tales played out there? No? Well, someone did and thankfully, that someone was Marissa Meyer. In her young adult series, “The Lunar Chronicles,” Meyer weaves together the classic stories of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White but with a futuristic twist. Welcome to a world where Cinderella is a cyborg, Red Riding Hood is a spaceship pilot, Rapunzel is a hacker, and Snow White is a Lunar (moon-dwelling) princess.

Summary

The Lunar Chronicles series is set in a world where Earth and its colonies on the Moon (Lunar) are on the brink of a disastrous war. Our unlikely band of heroes (and heroines) have to navigate love, friendship, politics, and their own insecurities to prevent this catastrophe. Each book in the series centers around a different character and her story: “Cinder” for Cinderella, “Scarlet” for Little Red Riding Hood, “Cress” for Rapunzel, and “Winter” for Snow White.

Meyer manages to give each character a unique personality and story arc, yet they are all interconnected, working together against a common enemy – the wicked Lunar Queen Levana. Expect a world of high-tech gadgetry, dashing princes, daring rescues, sinister plots, and just a dash of romance.

Notable Quotes

1. “Even in the future, the story begins with Once Upon a Time.” – Cinder
2. “She did not know that the wolf was a wicked sort of animal, and she was not afraid of him.” – Scarlet
3. “Maybe there isn’t such a thing as fate. Maybe it’s just the opportunities we’re given, and what we do with them.” – Cress
4. “One should never save cake for later when it can be eaten now.” – Winter

My Review

If you’re a fan of science fiction and fairy tales, then these books will have you hooked from page one. But what’s truly remarkable about “The Lunar Chronicles” is how Meyer infuses each character with a kind of authenticity and relatability that transcends their fairy tale origins.

For instance, Cinder is not just a cyborg Cinderella; she is a young woman grappling with her identity and the discovery of her unusual origins. Similarly, Scarlet is more than just a spaceship pilot; she’s a woman on a desperate mission to find her missing grandmother. Each character’s journey is compelling in its own right, and their stories weave together to form an intricate tapestry of a plot.

Meyer’s writing is brisk and engaging, and she does an excellent job of building a world that’s a fusion of futuristic technology and old-world charm. And while the series isn’t without its flaws – the plot can feel a bit predictable at times, and the romantic subplots occasionally veer into cliché territory – the strengths far outweigh the weaknesses.

Rating: 4/5

Author Bio

Marissa Meyer is a New York Times-bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles series, as well as the standalone novels “Heartless” and “Instant Karma.” Known for her knack for retelling classic tales in new and innovative ways, Meyer’s books often feature strong, relatable heroines, intricate plotlines, and a dose of romance.

FAQs and Book Club Questions

1. How do the characters in “The Lunar Chronicles” differ from their fairy tale counterparts?
2. How does the series explore themes of identity, belonging, and love?
3. What do you think of the world-building in the series? Does the blend of fairy tales and sci-fi work?
4. Which character did you connect with the most and why?
5. How does the series handle the villain trope with Queen Levana?

Where to Buy

For a journey through a universe where fairy tales meet science fiction, grab your copies of “The Lunar Chronicles” series at the following link: The Lunar Chronicles on Amazon

Lunar Chronicles TV animated series

The magic of “The Lunar Chronicles” has successfully leaped off the pages and onto our screens in an animated series, thanks to a collaboration between Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group and Locksmith Animation.

Locksmith Animation, the London- and Los Angeles-based company that brought us the heartfelt “Ron’s Gone Wrong,” has teamed up with Warner Bros. for a first-look deal to create animated features for global distribution. Their first venture under this agreement? Bringing to life Marissa Meyer’s captivating series, “The Lunar Chronicles.”

The animated series follows the plotline of Meyer’s bestselling novels, infusing Grimm’s Fairy Tales with a sci-fi twist. The story focuses on four young women who spark a rebellion against the tyrannical Queen of the moon. Their journey takes them soaring through the stars as they fight to control their own destinies.

Writing the series are Kalen Egan and Travis Sentell, who previously penned episodes for Amazon’s “Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams.” The director’s chair is filled by Noëlle Raffaele, known for her work on “DC Superhero Girls,” “The Lego Ninjago Movie,” and the upcoming Marvel Studios film, “The Marvels.”

The series, like the books, is a deft mix of adventure, drama, and fairy tale whimsy, and serves as a thrilling new avenue for fans of the series to experience the world of “The Lunar Chronicles.” Despite the shift in medium, the series maintains the spirit of the original books, allowing fans old and new to join our heroes on their interstellar journey.