Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Feiwel and Friends [First Edition]
Pages
222
Description
"Queen Levana is a ruler who uses her "glamour" to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story - a story that has never been told . . . until now"--
Description
In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?
Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.
Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?
Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.
Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2015-01-27
Physical description
222 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
1250060559 / 9781250060556
Similar in this library
Lexile
860L
User reviews
LibraryThing member bell7
The prequel to the Lunar Chronicles (Cinder, Scarlet, etc.) gives Levana's back story. The woman we know as the evil queen bent on taking over Earth started out as a teenager on Luna, the younger princess to Channary, who becomes queen when their parents die. Levana wants the attention of a
I had seen the mixed reviews this book received, and put it off for a bit, but finally decided to pick it up with the final book in the series, Winter, coming out soon - I didn't want to skip it and miss a reference. I really enjoy that these books, while definitely inspired by fairy tales such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and more, stand on their own and tell a fascinating overarching story at the same time. I don't generally like unlikable characters, so I was putting Levana's story off. Actually, I liked it more than I thought it would. Levana is pretty twisted, but you do come to understand why, and I felt pity for her much like Evret did, though I'm not sure that even by sixteen I really could've been a friend, either. Still, worth reading and I look forward to the next one!
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handsome guard, Evret, who treats her kindly when few do, but there's one problem: he has a wife. And Levana, who has been unloved and manipulated all her life doesn't really know how to truly love. She can only take and twist as she tries to get what she wants.I had seen the mixed reviews this book received, and put it off for a bit, but finally decided to pick it up with the final book in the series, Winter, coming out soon - I didn't want to skip it and miss a reference. I really enjoy that these books, while definitely inspired by fairy tales such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and more, stand on their own and tell a fascinating overarching story at the same time. I don't generally like unlikable characters, so I was putting Levana's story off. Actually, I liked it more than I thought it would. Levana is pretty twisted, but you do come to understand why, and I felt pity for her much like Evret did, though I'm not sure that even by sixteen I really could've been a friend, either. Still, worth reading and I look forward to the next one!
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LibraryThing member ForeverMasterless
This should not be good. Writing a side novel that details the backstory of the evil villain of your book series is the dumbest idea. It's gimmicky, it's fraught with problems, it's bound to fail. You're supposed to sympathize with the protagonist of a novel. That's why true antiheroes of the
A) Neuter your villain and make them sympathetic and relatable for the sake of the side novel at the expense of the main series.
or
B) Have a novel about a character that nobody can sympathize with and thus don't want to read about.
Did I mention this should not be good? Oh, but it is. It may very well be the best book in the series (I haven't read Winter yet). Marissa Meyer has found that rare option C. It's a delicate balancing act where she's written a despicable, loathsome, disturbed, creepy, evil, murdering, rapist b*tch of a woman that I just couldn't stop reading about despite having zero sympathy for. My eyelids were glued open. I was fascinated. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
I suppose you could classify this as an example of "the villain problem," where your villain is more interesting and complex than your protagonists. But Cinder, Cress, and Scarlet (kinda), were already great, proactive characters in their own right, and Levana barely has a presence in the main series and never steals the show there, so is it really a "problem?" And who freaking cares, because the book is fantastic. Read it. It may technically be a side story, but if you love the main series you'd be missing out big time by passing it up.
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classical definition are so rare in fiction. There's always some affectation, some trick that allows you to justify rooting for them. Something that takes them from that classical definition and instead makes them the modern, tamer version, which would be more accurately described as a "dark hero." Dexter only kills other killers, for instance, because an audience couldn't sympathize with him otherwise and the show would never have caught on. So, circling back around, this creates a precarious situation for Fairest. Either you:A) Neuter your villain and make them sympathetic and relatable for the sake of the side novel at the expense of the main series.
or
B) Have a novel about a character that nobody can sympathize with and thus don't want to read about.
Did I mention this should not be good? Oh, but it is. It may very well be the best book in the series (I haven't read Winter yet). Marissa Meyer has found that rare option C. It's a delicate balancing act where she's written a despicable, loathsome, disturbed, creepy, evil, murdering, rapist b*tch of a woman that I just couldn't stop reading about despite having zero sympathy for. My eyelids were glued open. I was fascinated. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
I suppose you could classify this as an example of "the villain problem," where your villain is more interesting and complex than your protagonists. But Cinder, Cress, and Scarlet (kinda), were already great, proactive characters in their own right, and Levana barely has a presence in the main series and never steals the show there, so is it really a "problem?" And who freaking cares, because the book is fantastic. Read it. It may technically be a side story, but if you love the main series you'd be missing out big time by passing it up.
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LibraryThing member jessica_reads
I liked this book from the amazing cover to the last page. I really want to read Winter, and I originally wasn't looking forward to getting this story of a character I didn't want to feel sorry for. So, I was worried that the author wanted to create this back story to help me understand why Levana
It provides the backstory to series' antagonist, Queen Levana Blackburn of Luna. It's a very intriguing story of Queen Levana and how she turned from a naive, self absorbed young girl into the tyrant our heroines are trying to depose. There is little in the way of worldbuilding or major plot development. It remains mostly confined to the Lunar Royal Palace.
This book is pretty dark in comparison to the others, and may put some off. Levana is one of the most complex villains I have read about in a long time. Her culture, family, everything shapes her. Her delusions and depravity are terrible, and she doesn't even see it as being bad. We do get to see some of Cinder and Winter in this as well, and it's really scary knowing what Queen Levanna did to them.
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is how she is.It provides the backstory to series' antagonist, Queen Levana Blackburn of Luna. It's a very intriguing story of Queen Levana and how she turned from a naive, self absorbed young girl into the tyrant our heroines are trying to depose. There is little in the way of worldbuilding or major plot development. It remains mostly confined to the Lunar Royal Palace.
This book is pretty dark in comparison to the others, and may put some off. Levana is one of the most complex villains I have read about in a long time. Her culture, family, everything shapes her. Her delusions and depravity are terrible, and she doesn't even see it as being bad. We do get to see some of Cinder and Winter in this as well, and it's really scary knowing what Queen Levanna did to them.
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LibraryThing member dragon.elf
Five Stars for story and writing, Four Stars for content
Marissa Meyer has managed to write the origin story of the villain in The Lunar Chronicles in a way that the reader can sympathize with her on a certain level, but it is still obvious that she is not a good person. Levana's childhood was very
I thought the story was very well written, and the characters were well developed for a short novella - even the ones that just appeared in Fairest .
And I really loved how all the little connecting pieces to the rest of the series fell into place and have begun to make even more sense. I can't wait for Winter!
I gave the content 4 starts because there was a lot of talk about Levana's older sister, Channary, sleeping with guards and soldiers, and also a huge part of the story revolved around Levana's odd lust for Evert, to the point where she forced him to marry her...and it was really awkward...
IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED that there is a VERY LARGE excerpt of Winter in the back of Fairest. It's not so large that it cuts into the length of the actual book too much though.
And the inside of the book has a gorgeous illustration of the Lunar palace
Marissa Meyer has managed to write the origin story of the villain in The Lunar Chronicles in a way that the reader can sympathize with her on a certain level, but it is still obvious that she is not a good person. Levana's childhood was very
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difficult, but it is show to us as an explanation, not an excuse for her behaviour.I thought the story was very well written, and the characters were well developed for a short novella - even the ones that just appeared in Fairest .
And I really loved how all the little connecting pieces to the rest of the series fell into place and have begun to make even more sense. I can't wait for Winter!
I gave the content 4 starts because there was a lot of talk about Levana's older sister, Channary, sleeping with guards and soldiers, and also a huge part of the story revolved around Levana's odd lust for Evert, to the point where she forced him to marry her...and it was really awkward...
IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED that there is a VERY LARGE excerpt of Winter in the back of Fairest. It's not so large that it cuts into the length of the actual book too much though.
And the inside of the book has a gorgeous illustration of the Lunar palace
Show Less
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
So, if I haven't mentioned this previously, I really love the Lunar Chronicles as a series - in fact, I'm devastated that Winter will be the concluding volume of this series, why can't it just continue forever? Anyway, this book provides the back story for Levana, the evil queen, who was born into
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a scheming royal family and who wants nothing more than love. However, her ideas about what love is are somewhat twisted and Levana slowly destroys much of those who might have loved her in her own quest for power. Fun reading to the wait for the final book in the series! Show Less
LibraryThing member krau0098
This book is a prelude to the Lunar Chronicles about how Levana came to be the Queen of Luna. It was a decent read, not as good as the rest of the series but okay. The 4th (and final) book in the series Winter is scheduled for a November 2015 release.
Levana is the second daughter of in line for the
This story explains a lot about Levana. She is horribly disfigured (you find out how as the story progresses) and hates mirrors; she pretty much lives underneath glamor and no one actually ever sees the real Levana. This is a character with some serious mental issues. We get to follow Levana as she develops from a needy and unloved child to a domineering villain. What is scary is how she continuously justifies her actions as being for good. That is the scariest type of villain you can have; the one the believes that they are doing good.
There were a couple problems with this story for me. First of all it's hard to actually engage with any of these characters; they are all very selfish and shortsighted. Everyone in this book makes one poor decision after another until they build to disaster.
The second problem was that the story was so focused on Levana and her craziness. The book doesn’t give very good insight into Lunar culture and, while politics are mentioned some, they are often more in the background than forefront. So we do hear about how/why the virus was developed that ravaged Earth, but all this is overshadowed by Levana’s personal drama.
Lastly I thought the whole thing was very predictable. You can guess how this story will end up from the moment you start reading it (I guess it doesn’t help that we already know what Levana does later in her life). I would recommend reading this in the publication order because there are some spoilers in this book if you haven’t read the previous 3 books.
All the above being said, this is a short, well-written and it was interesting to read about Levana's background. However it definitely didn't help me understand her better or like her anymore as a character. This book also does introduce the character of Winter, so because of that it is a good prelude to the 4th book in this series.
Overall an okay addition to the Lunar Chronicles. It was interesting to see more about Levana’s background and learn more about the origin of the virus. However, I was hoping for a bit more insight into Lunar culture. I also had a lot of trouble engaging with these characters...they just weren’t all that likable and were hard to sympathize with. I would recommend reading this if you are a fan of the series, but don’t be too upset if you miss reading it before Winter comes out.
Levana is the second daughter of in line for the
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throne of Luna. When her parents die her crazy eldest sister takes over, her sister has no desire to actually run the country of Luna. Poor disfigured Levana is left in her sister’s shadow, helping to run Luna from the sidelines when she can. Levana forms an unhealthy attachment to one of her parents’ guards and is convinced she is in love with him. The story follows Levana as she takes more and more desperate actions for love and for country.This story explains a lot about Levana. She is horribly disfigured (you find out how as the story progresses) and hates mirrors; she pretty much lives underneath glamor and no one actually ever sees the real Levana. This is a character with some serious mental issues. We get to follow Levana as she develops from a needy and unloved child to a domineering villain. What is scary is how she continuously justifies her actions as being for good. That is the scariest type of villain you can have; the one the believes that they are doing good.
There were a couple problems with this story for me. First of all it's hard to actually engage with any of these characters; they are all very selfish and shortsighted. Everyone in this book makes one poor decision after another until they build to disaster.
The second problem was that the story was so focused on Levana and her craziness. The book doesn’t give very good insight into Lunar culture and, while politics are mentioned some, they are often more in the background than forefront. So we do hear about how/why the virus was developed that ravaged Earth, but all this is overshadowed by Levana’s personal drama.
Lastly I thought the whole thing was very predictable. You can guess how this story will end up from the moment you start reading it (I guess it doesn’t help that we already know what Levana does later in her life). I would recommend reading this in the publication order because there are some spoilers in this book if you haven’t read the previous 3 books.
All the above being said, this is a short, well-written and it was interesting to read about Levana's background. However it definitely didn't help me understand her better or like her anymore as a character. This book also does introduce the character of Winter, so because of that it is a good prelude to the 4th book in this series.
Overall an okay addition to the Lunar Chronicles. It was interesting to see more about Levana’s background and learn more about the origin of the virus. However, I was hoping for a bit more insight into Lunar culture. I also had a lot of trouble engaging with these characters...they just weren’t all that likable and were hard to sympathize with. I would recommend reading this if you are a fan of the series, but don’t be too upset if you miss reading it before Winter comes out.
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LibraryThing member jlsimon7
This book gave us some insight into how the Levana became so hard hearted. She was the victim of extreme abuse by an older sister, and despised by the husband she adored. It even gives insight into her motives. Fear not, you wont like her any better once you understand her better. She's still turns
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into the cold, cruel, calculating bad guy we've all learned to hate. Show Less
LibraryThing member thehistorychic
Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.50
First Thought when Finished: Fairest by Marissa Meyer is a story I felt needed to be told!
Overall Thoughts Did I feel bad for L after this story? Nope! Granted her back story did have me pitying
Did I like getting her history? Sure! She is an evil queen and Marissa did a great job of showing that there are layers to even the most evil of characters. Granted they may just be more layers of evil but they are layers!
Did I like the sneak peak at Winter? You BETCHA! Can't wait! Though I am going to have to do a total re-listen before the final book! That will happen closer to release time.
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated by: Rebecca Soler /Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
The series is narrated by Rebecca Soler and she does a wonderful job. The only one I did not listen to in audiobook was Cress. I missed Rebecca's narration while reading. She adds layers and emotions to the wonderful words that Marissa Meyer has written. If you have not given these a whirl on audio, you should!
Now We Wait
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.50
First Thought when Finished: Fairest by Marissa Meyer is a story I felt needed to be told!
Overall Thoughts Did I feel bad for L after this story? Nope! Granted her back story did have me pitying
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her just a bit. Everything she does is for one reason only: it is what she wants! She is very self-tunneled visioned (I know not a thing but it is the best way I can describe it)Did I like getting her history? Sure! She is an evil queen and Marissa did a great job of showing that there are layers to even the most evil of characters. Granted they may just be more layers of evil but they are layers!
Did I like the sneak peak at Winter? You BETCHA! Can't wait! Though I am going to have to do a total re-listen before the final book! That will happen closer to release time.
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated by: Rebecca Soler /Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
The series is narrated by Rebecca Soler and she does a wonderful job. The only one I did not listen to in audiobook was Cress. I missed Rebecca's narration while reading. She adds layers and emotions to the wonderful words that Marissa Meyer has written. If you have not given these a whirl on audio, you should!
Now We Wait
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LibraryThing member amandacb
She loves fiercely, and kills with little remorse; her iron grip over Lunar people is equal parts impressive and terrifying. The Lunar Chronicle’s Queen Levana is more than a beautiful villain—here, Marissa Meyer fills in the gaps between a lonely, shy second daughter and the most feared and
Levana grew up in the shadow of her distant mother, Queen Jannali, and her vengeful older sister, Princess Channary. After the murder of their parents, Channary takes the crown and produces an heir, Selene. By now having permanently assumed a glamour, or altered physical appearance that usually enhances one’s aesthetic beauty, after a childhood “accident” caused by Channary results in a severe disfigurement, Levana coerces a widowed palace guard to marry her, bringing his young daughter Winter to the palace. Channary’s unexpected death catapults Levana to the position of Queen Regent—but that isn’t enough for the ambitious, entitled Levana. She malevolently stages the deaths of both Selene and her palace guard husband, freeing her to rule Luna and form a marriage alliance with Earth in one fell swoop.
Meyer successfully sketches in some humanity to Levana’s actions—is she truly doing these deeds for the betterment of her people? Does the rise of one civilization require the sacrifice of another? At times, such as when Levana clings to a dented pendant given to her by her husband, her raw loneliness invokes sympathy. But that is short-lived, as then a few pages later Levana callously plots her niece’s painful demise.
Even if you despise her, it is worth reading this interim background novel to gain insight into Levana’s complex character. Meyer’s Lunar world-building is more thorough than in prior novels, and is fascinating unto itself.
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relentless woman in the universe.Levana grew up in the shadow of her distant mother, Queen Jannali, and her vengeful older sister, Princess Channary. After the murder of their parents, Channary takes the crown and produces an heir, Selene. By now having permanently assumed a glamour, or altered physical appearance that usually enhances one’s aesthetic beauty, after a childhood “accident” caused by Channary results in a severe disfigurement, Levana coerces a widowed palace guard to marry her, bringing his young daughter Winter to the palace. Channary’s unexpected death catapults Levana to the position of Queen Regent—but that isn’t enough for the ambitious, entitled Levana. She malevolently stages the deaths of both Selene and her palace guard husband, freeing her to rule Luna and form a marriage alliance with Earth in one fell swoop.
Meyer successfully sketches in some humanity to Levana’s actions—is she truly doing these deeds for the betterment of her people? Does the rise of one civilization require the sacrifice of another? At times, such as when Levana clings to a dented pendant given to her by her husband, her raw loneliness invokes sympathy. But that is short-lived, as then a few pages later Levana callously plots her niece’s painful demise.
Even if you despise her, it is worth reading this interim background novel to gain insight into Levana’s complex character. Meyer’s Lunar world-building is more thorough than in prior novels, and is fascinating unto itself.
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LibraryThing member untitled841
I enjoyed this addition to the Lunar Chronicals. Can't wait for Winter!
LibraryThing member jmoncton
I've enjoyed the other books in the Lunar Chronicles, but Fairest is a 'bridge' book that is something short to keep fans going until the final book, Winter comes out. The other books were clever and creative with a blending of classic fairy tales and smart kick-ass heroines. This book seemed more
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like an FAQ for the series. How did Princess Selene get her injuries? See Chapter x. Why did Luna develop a plague to destroy Earth? Again, read this book and get the answer. There is a backstory of Queen Levana, but it felt flat and rushed. I am still looking forward to the final book in this series, but definitely could have skipped this one. Show Less
LibraryThing member anyaejo
My heart hurts and my nose is now really stuffy.... I highly recommend reading Fairest between Cress and Winter because it reveals so many little connections. However be prepared to feel really sad.
LibraryThing member nbmars
This is the fourth book of "The Lunar Chronicles," although it is more of a “prequel” to the three already published and a fourth planned book to come.
Each of the previous books joins a separate fairytale retelling into a connected whole, which takes place in a dystopian future in which the
The first book, Cinder, focuses on a teenaged girl who is meant to evoke Cinderella.
The second book, Scarlet, is a reworking of “Little Red Riding Hood.” The third book in the series, Cress, introduces Cress (short for Crescent Moon), who is our Rapunzel.
In all of the books, the villain is Queen Levana, who rules the Lunar colony and who is seeking to take over the Earth as well. This book, a take-off of “Snow White,” begins on the moon when Levana is 15, and provides an explanation for how and why she became so cruel and vengeful.
Discussion: It’s a bit difficult to feel the same warmth toward this main character as one could in the previous books, with their likable and spunky heroines. The circumstances of Levana’s life have made her warped and twisted. Moreover, there is no fairy tale romance to lighten the plot. What happens to Levana is just a progression from horrible to more horrible, and nothing can assuage her psychic pain except the destruction of anyone and everyone who might be able to experience the love and happiness denied to her.
Evaluation: The story is mainly focused on Levana and her growing pathology. Not much else really takes place, nor is there much exposition about what is happening in the wider world, either on Luna or on Earth. I would say this book is more of one of those “.5” books in series that one could safely skip and still follow and enjoy the rest. On the other hand, if you can’t get enough of "The Lunar Chronicles," this one is short, and paves the way for the next book which is about Winter, a girl you will meet in Fairest.
Note: The books in "The Lunar Chronicles" are not really standalones.
Each of the previous books joins a separate fairytale retelling into a connected whole, which takes place in a dystopian future in which the
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people of Earth are struggling to maintain independence from the mind-controlling, genetically-enhanced people of Luna (i.e., the moon). The first book, Cinder, focuses on a teenaged girl who is meant to evoke Cinderella.
The second book, Scarlet, is a reworking of “Little Red Riding Hood.” The third book in the series, Cress, introduces Cress (short for Crescent Moon), who is our Rapunzel.
In all of the books, the villain is Queen Levana, who rules the Lunar colony and who is seeking to take over the Earth as well. This book, a take-off of “Snow White,” begins on the moon when Levana is 15, and provides an explanation for how and why she became so cruel and vengeful.
Discussion: It’s a bit difficult to feel the same warmth toward this main character as one could in the previous books, with their likable and spunky heroines. The circumstances of Levana’s life have made her warped and twisted. Moreover, there is no fairy tale romance to lighten the plot. What happens to Levana is just a progression from horrible to more horrible, and nothing can assuage her psychic pain except the destruction of anyone and everyone who might be able to experience the love and happiness denied to her.
Evaluation: The story is mainly focused on Levana and her growing pathology. Not much else really takes place, nor is there much exposition about what is happening in the wider world, either on Luna or on Earth. I would say this book is more of one of those “.5” books in series that one could safely skip and still follow and enjoy the rest. On the other hand, if you can’t get enough of "The Lunar Chronicles," this one is short, and paves the way for the next book which is about Winter, a girl you will meet in Fairest.
Note: The books in "The Lunar Chronicles" are not really standalones.
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LibraryThing member agarcia85257
Fairest by Marissa Meyer (Lunar Chronicles #3.5) is a small novel that is actually a prequel to the series. Fairest tells the story of Queen Levana, the all powerful ruler of Luna and the heartless villain of The Lunar Chronicles, her childhood and rise to power. How Levana came to be the terror
"...She was lying on a burning pyre, hot coals beneath her back. White sparks floated in her vision but the mercy of unconsciousness wouldn't come. Her throat was hoarse from screaming. The smell of her own burning flesh invaded her nostrils. Smoke stung her eyes. Blisters burbled across her skin, and entire swaths of flesh peeled away, revealing raw tissue underneath.
The pain was relentless, the agony never ending. She pleaded for death, but it never came.
She reached out with her good hand, trying to drag her body from the fire, but the bed of coals crushed and collapsed under her weight, burying her, dragging her deeper into the embers and the smoke.
Through the haze she caught a glimpse of kind eyes. A warm smile. A finger curled toward her. Come here, baby sister..."
Luna, Earth's moon, is in mourning. An assassin has attacked the palace and murdered the King and Queen and now the crown goes to the eldest daughter Channary. The younger princess, Levana, works her glamour to change her disfigurement, from a childhood accident that she has never healed from. It is the funeral day and Channary is to rise to the throne. But Levana knows that Channary is not the ruler Luna needs but there is nothing she can do about it. Her sister's petty will doom and scar her home as it has done to her.
Added to Levana's concerns is the palace guard, Sir Evret Hayle, a beautiful caring man who has stolen her heart. Only Evret is married to the most beautiful woman Levana has ever seen. But when Evret's wife dies in childbirth, Levana sees her opportunity to steal him away.
The Princess Levana rises to power, marries the man she loves and rules her world better than any other had before. But there are secrets that Levana must keep and the world she has built around her is as false as the glamour she uses to hide who she truly is.
Fairest is a terrific short novel as in it stands completely on its own. It gives us a little of the backstory that plays into the series of the Lunar Chronicles but mostly it serves as a vehicle to allow us the reader, to glimpse for a short time behind the glamour that is the mask of Queen Levana of Luna.
Levana is a tragic figure, unloved and misunderstood. Horribly treated by her sister and dismissed by the Palace Court. The one person she loves cannot get past the love and mourning he has for his dead wife to return her heart. All this contributes to create the monster we know in the Lunar Chronicles.
A wonderfully told tale that must be read by all fans of the Lunar Chronicles and may bring new ones into the fold.
A very well written tale!
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she is."...She was lying on a burning pyre, hot coals beneath her back. White sparks floated in her vision but the mercy of unconsciousness wouldn't come. Her throat was hoarse from screaming. The smell of her own burning flesh invaded her nostrils. Smoke stung her eyes. Blisters burbled across her skin, and entire swaths of flesh peeled away, revealing raw tissue underneath.
The pain was relentless, the agony never ending. She pleaded for death, but it never came.
She reached out with her good hand, trying to drag her body from the fire, but the bed of coals crushed and collapsed under her weight, burying her, dragging her deeper into the embers and the smoke.
Through the haze she caught a glimpse of kind eyes. A warm smile. A finger curled toward her. Come here, baby sister..."
Luna, Earth's moon, is in mourning. An assassin has attacked the palace and murdered the King and Queen and now the crown goes to the eldest daughter Channary. The younger princess, Levana, works her glamour to change her disfigurement, from a childhood accident that she has never healed from. It is the funeral day and Channary is to rise to the throne. But Levana knows that Channary is not the ruler Luna needs but there is nothing she can do about it. Her sister's petty will doom and scar her home as it has done to her.
Added to Levana's concerns is the palace guard, Sir Evret Hayle, a beautiful caring man who has stolen her heart. Only Evret is married to the most beautiful woman Levana has ever seen. But when Evret's wife dies in childbirth, Levana sees her opportunity to steal him away.
The Princess Levana rises to power, marries the man she loves and rules her world better than any other had before. But there are secrets that Levana must keep and the world she has built around her is as false as the glamour she uses to hide who she truly is.
Fairest is a terrific short novel as in it stands completely on its own. It gives us a little of the backstory that plays into the series of the Lunar Chronicles but mostly it serves as a vehicle to allow us the reader, to glimpse for a short time behind the glamour that is the mask of Queen Levana of Luna.
Levana is a tragic figure, unloved and misunderstood. Horribly treated by her sister and dismissed by the Palace Court. The one person she loves cannot get past the love and mourning he has for his dead wife to return her heart. All this contributes to create the monster we know in the Lunar Chronicles.
A wonderfully told tale that must be read by all fans of the Lunar Chronicles and may bring new ones into the fold.
A very well written tale!
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LibraryThing member acargile
Marissa Meyer has written Queen Levana’s story, the Queen of the Moon from the Lunar Chronicles.
I will admit that I wasn’t particularly interested in her story because she’s awful and mean—I didn’t want to feel any understanding or liking for her. Honestly, I really didn’t. Levana is
Levana is obsessed with one guard—Evret who has a beautiful wife, of whom Levana is jealous. As the reader, you can see the disaster that is about to ensue. As Levana and Evret’s relationship becomes more complicated, Levana becomes more powerful. She is more interested in politics and keeping the moon sustainable as a place to live than Channary.
It is a good book and I did enjoy it. I also didn’t have much sympathy for Levana; I feel she is a victim of herself and her own ambitions and choices. The end of the novel reflects the end of Cress; so, when the final novel comes out, we’ll be together concerning the stories on the Moon and on Earth. If you read Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, you definitely need to read this novel before Winter is released.
I will admit that I wasn’t particularly interested in her story because she’s awful and mean—I didn’t want to feel any understanding or liking for her. Honestly, I really didn’t. Levana is
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the youngest and her older sister is to be queen. When their parents die, neither is particularly sad. They are not a close family. Channary, her sister, teases Levana about her looks and treats her as an annoying sister. Eventually, we do find out why no one ever sees what Levana truly looks like and how Levana becomes queen. Levana is obsessed with one guard—Evret who has a beautiful wife, of whom Levana is jealous. As the reader, you can see the disaster that is about to ensue. As Levana and Evret’s relationship becomes more complicated, Levana becomes more powerful. She is more interested in politics and keeping the moon sustainable as a place to live than Channary.
It is a good book and I did enjoy it. I also didn’t have much sympathy for Levana; I feel she is a victim of herself and her own ambitions and choices. The end of the novel reflects the end of Cress; so, when the final novel comes out, we’ll be together concerning the stories on the Moon and on Earth. If you read Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, you definitely need to read this novel before Winter is released.
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LibraryThing member lilibrarian
The story of Queen Levana of Luna, a prequel to the the Lunar Chronicles series.
LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: The rest of the Lunar Chronicles portray Queen Levanna as a manipulative, power-hungry, ruthlessly cold villain who will go to any lengths to secure what she wants. But how did she get to be that way? Fairest opens with Levanna as a young woman, shortly following the death of her parents,
Review: Like all of Meyer's books, this one is an imaginative blend of fairy tale elements and science fiction, fun and fast to read, and capable of holding my attention even when I am busy and stressed out and less able than normal to invest energy in reading for fun. While I'm eager to know how Cinder & Co.'s story is going to resolve, and anxious for the final book in the series to hurry up and be published already, this prequel was definitely a worthwhile diversion. Villains are always more interesting if they've got some layers to them, if they're not evil just for the sake of evil. If they're well done, I find villain's backstories very compelling, and this one was really well done. Even leaving aside what we know about Levanna from the rest of the series, I spent this book rocketing back and forth between feeling intensely sorry for her and complete repelled by her -- sometimes both simultaneously. It's an interesting feeling to totally understand why a character is doing something, all the while going "Oh no, no no no. This is going to be a disaster. Oh honey, no." It's definitely a new perspective on Levanna's character, and it will be interesting to see how this changes my perception of her when the fourth book comes out - and if/when I revisit the first three books. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Although this is a prequel, and is relatively well self-contained, I don't think it would work as a stand-alone, or even a point of entry into the series - it's so focused on explaining "how things got to be this way" that you really need to know what "this way" is in order for the story to have any impact. But for those who have read the first three Lunar Chronicles books, Fairest is just as compelling as the others, and is a fascinating look at a particularly nasty bad guy.
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and the investiture of her vain, self-centered, and cruel elder sister Channary as queen. Levanna wants what's best for the Lunar people, but she's still young and powerless, and struggling to control her glamor that she uses to hide the horrible disfigurement inflicted on her as a child by her sister. She's also isolated - her royal blood means that she has grown up apart from other children, and Channary has no use for her other than as a pawn whose marriage might bring a beneficial alliance. So Levanna finds herself falling in love with the only person who's ever been nice to her - a palace guard named Evrett. Evrett is married, but Levanna is determined - and with the mental gifts conveyed upon her by her royal lineage, she is unaccustomed to not getting what she wants… but she doesn't always realize until too late that getting her own way comes at a sometimes terrible cost.Review: Like all of Meyer's books, this one is an imaginative blend of fairy tale elements and science fiction, fun and fast to read, and capable of holding my attention even when I am busy and stressed out and less able than normal to invest energy in reading for fun. While I'm eager to know how Cinder & Co.'s story is going to resolve, and anxious for the final book in the series to hurry up and be published already, this prequel was definitely a worthwhile diversion. Villains are always more interesting if they've got some layers to them, if they're not evil just for the sake of evil. If they're well done, I find villain's backstories very compelling, and this one was really well done. Even leaving aside what we know about Levanna from the rest of the series, I spent this book rocketing back and forth between feeling intensely sorry for her and complete repelled by her -- sometimes both simultaneously. It's an interesting feeling to totally understand why a character is doing something, all the while going "Oh no, no no no. This is going to be a disaster. Oh honey, no." It's definitely a new perspective on Levanna's character, and it will be interesting to see how this changes my perception of her when the fourth book comes out - and if/when I revisit the first three books. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Although this is a prequel, and is relatively well self-contained, I don't think it would work as a stand-alone, or even a point of entry into the series - it's so focused on explaining "how things got to be this way" that you really need to know what "this way" is in order for the story to have any impact. But for those who have read the first three Lunar Chronicles books, Fairest is just as compelling as the others, and is a fascinating look at a particularly nasty bad guy.
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LibraryThing member lauraodom
Oh my, I can't believe I forgot to review this one after I finished it! The Lunar Chronicles series is one of my favorites. I think Marissa Meyer is fabulous. The fact that she took an entire book to develop the series villain is a testament to her character development. The story of Levana
I loved how we learned the history of the dynamic between Levana, Winter and Selene (Cinder). I loved the sneak peek of Winter at the end. I cannot wait for that to come out in November! My only complaint was that it went by so quickly. The book is much shorter than any of the others in the series. It made me sad to finish it, but also made me want to go read all the other books again before Winter comes out. Maybe I'll save those for October.
Would I recommend this to fellow book lovers? YES!
Would I recommend this to my teen daughter? Yes. But she won't read this series. She. Kills. Me. Sigh
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reminded me a bit of Regina (the evil queen/mayor) from the TV series, Once Upon a Time. So, at some point there is some sympathy created for Levana. The difference, however, is that eventually Regina turns from her evil ways, but Queen Levana just immerses herself into them deeper and deeper, so by the end of the novel, we see how evil she has become and fail to feel all that sorry for her.I loved how we learned the history of the dynamic between Levana, Winter and Selene (Cinder). I loved the sneak peek of Winter at the end. I cannot wait for that to come out in November! My only complaint was that it went by so quickly. The book is much shorter than any of the others in the series. It made me sad to finish it, but also made me want to go read all the other books again before Winter comes out. Maybe I'll save those for October.
Would I recommend this to fellow book lovers? YES!
Would I recommend this to my teen daughter? Yes. But she won't read this series. She. Kills. Me. Sigh
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LibraryThing member CILLYart4U
Get the behind-the-scenes details on the evil queen portrayed in the Lunar Chronicles in this book ! Loved the way the author makes this book appealing to middle-grade, young adult and adult readers! If you love fairy tales, fantasy with a futuristic flair, this book and the others in the Lunar
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Chronicles series is for you! Show Less
LibraryThing member fatimareadsbooks
It's 4 am and I just finished this... I may not sound very coherent. Pardon me.
I absolutely loved this book, it just fed into my anticipation for the fourth book, Winter. It made me want to reread The Lunar Chronicles trilogy so badly - which I no doubt will be doing very soon.
In this book, we get
I didn't realize that there was this much depth to Queen Levana's character. There was so much development to her character throughout the book. It wasn't development, exactly, but you can see how her character gradually shifts from the lonely Princess Levana at the beginning to the evil Queen Levana we know today.
No doubt her character would've had more complexity if a bit of the character depth from this book had been woven into the other three books. It would've been more interesting, as she was a bit of a typical, bland, evil villain in the other books.
This book is a great bridge to get you into the mood for the fourth and final conclusion to The Lunar Chronicles series, Winter. There are back stories, and we go into some depth with the characters. Love, love, loved it.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to sleep.
I absolutely loved this book, it just fed into my anticipation for the fourth book, Winter. It made me want to reread The Lunar Chronicles trilogy so badly - which I no doubt will be doing very soon.
In this book, we get
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back stories. Lots and lots of back stories. Dr. Logan Tanner, *coughs* Princess Selene, Princes Winter... and of course our beloved(?¿) villain, Levana.I didn't realize that there was this much depth to Queen Levana's character. There was so much development to her character throughout the book. It wasn't development, exactly, but you can see how her character gradually shifts from the lonely Princess Levana at the beginning to the evil Queen Levana we know today.
No doubt her character would've had more complexity if a bit of the character depth from this book had been woven into the other three books. It would've been more interesting, as she was a bit of a typical, bland, evil villain in the other books.
This book is a great bridge to get you into the mood for the fourth and final conclusion to The Lunar Chronicles series, Winter. There are back stories, and we go into some depth with the characters. Love, love, loved it.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to sleep.
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LibraryThing member AliceaP
I just figured out that Levana is the Evil Queen and Winter is Snow White. *mind blown* Now I have no idea if you guys have or have not already reached this conclusion and so I don't know if this is a spoiler...hold on I'm going to see if this is a well-known fact or not..okay it doesn't seem like
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it's totally a spoiler but it makes sense if you read the title of the book (Fairest just in case you've forgotten) and remember the saying that the Evil Queen would say when looking into her enchanted mirror. The real point I was trying to make is that I completely forgot that these were fairytales with a twist and then when it hit me I was truly shocked. Also, I'm obsessed with this series and so to discover that Winter isn't technically the last book (she's written a short story compilation called Stars Above full of secrets!) made me quite happy. I know there are some of you that aren't really into young adult lit and I totally get that. It's not for everyone and honestly I don't like all of the genres myself. However, when there's relatable characters with interesting storylines in a world that is fascinating you're bound to enjoy it. In this story, you find out just what Levana looks like without her glamour and why she's seemingly without feelings. There are moments of fleeting happiness in the previous books in this series and if you're looking for that here you're going to be disappointed. That shouldn't stop you from reading it though because there's a lot of backstory that I have a feeling will definitely play a part in Winter (why isn't it out yet?!). Show Less
LibraryThing member lkmuir
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?
Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her glamour; to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story; a story that has never been told . . .
Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.
Who is the fairest of them all?
Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her glamour; to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story; a story that has never been told . . .
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until now.Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.
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LibraryThing member EllsbethB
I was asked to read this by my YA book club even though I hadn't read the other books (I joined after they read the others). I wasn't very impressed. It felt like maybe the author was trying to hard to create empathy for the protagonists, and I'm not sure it worked very well. I was assured this was
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not typical in the other books in the series, so I'll still give those a shot. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was a late addition to the Lunar Chronicles where we get Levana's history along with Winter and Cinder's beginnings and the story of Channery, Cinder's mother. While the background was interesting, Levana as a character just kind of gave me anxiety. I think this is why I stay away from morally
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ambiguous characters and unlikable protagonists. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was a late addition to the Lunar Chronicles where we get Levana's history along with Winter and Cinder's beginnings and the story of Channery, Cinder's mother. While the background was interesting, Levana as a character just kind of gave me anxiety. I think this is why I stay away from morally
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ambiguous characters and unlikable protagonists. Show Less
Awards
Young Adult Favorites Award (2016)
Call number
YA B Mey