Audio Review of Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Title: Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles, #2)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Narrator:  Rebecca Soler
Published by: Macmillan Audio
Length: 11hr., 20min.
Source: Library
Format: Audio
Rating: 4 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive. 

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother and 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 has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own. 

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

First Cinderella, now Little Red Riding Hood.  Marissa Meyers captivates us with her unique twist in the retellings of our favorite classics.

Of course after finishing Cinder I wanted more of Cinder and Kai's story.  How dare this new person intrude!  But soon Scarlet's story took over and I couldn't decide which story I wanted more of.  I'm glad they switched back and forth because it gave me time to appreciate each of the story lines and eventually how they intersect.  I thought this may be confusing to listen to in the audio version, but it was done really well.  Rebecca Soler was a pleasant reader and I didn't have an issue keeping the stories straight.  

Along with Scarlet, the new characters were a fun addition.  They were entertaining, especially Wolf, and at times humorous.  Don't get me wrong, I loved reconnecting with the characters from Cinder, but it's always fun to meet new people.  Scarlet is definitely my sort of girl.  She's determined, head-strong, and a bit wild.  I connected with her more than I did Cinder and that made her story more interesting for me.

One thing that Marissa Meyer does well is cliffhangers.  As soon as we get into the action and the conflict...BAM...we would change chapters.  This drove me insane (in a good way) and kept the pace of the book fast.  However, one thing I felt was lacking was the world building.  We have this new setting which is unlike any I've seen.  At times I felt lost trying to understand some of the background, and while bits and pieces were revealed there is still more mystery...not only with the chapters, but how the world around them came to be and how it works.  Cinder and Scarlet are so original and have this amazing setting and I just wish I knew more about the world they live in.

All in all, I think I may have enjoyed Scarlet more than Cinder.  *Gasp* I know, crazy right?  How did you feel Scarlet compared to Cinder?  Are there any "sophomore" novels that you have enjoyed more than the first in the series?