This series has been so action-packed and whimsical, and everything is finalized in this massive 800-page book. ✨ I’m so happy that I gave this series a try because The Lunar Chronicles adventure had so much going on with characters that I’ve grown to love.

My main critique is that this book is unnecessarily long. I listened to the audiobook, and it felt like 1,000 hours. 🙄 There were many scenes that weren’t vital to the plot and a couple plot holes that made me skeptical and go “Uhh…What?” Still, I thought Marissa Meyer created a fun fairy tale world with unique twists.

Spoiler-Free Summary: Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mark her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend–the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters? Fans will not want to miss this thrilling conclusion to Marissa Meyer’s national bestselling Lunar Chronicles series.

I give this book 3.5/5. ⭐⭐⭐ I didn’t love this book as much as Scarlet or Cress, but I’m still glad I finished the series. I would rank the books as 1) Scarlet 2) Cress 3) Winter 4) Cinder. Be sure to check out my reviews for the other books!

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

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WRITING

I mentioned this in my Cress review, but there were so many coincidences the author used to cover plot holes in this book. I accepted for the sake of moving the plot alone in the earlier books, but it was exceptionally frustrating in Winter. 😤 Additionally, this book did not need to be 97 chapters long. Meyer could have easily left out half of the scenes, and the ending would have been the same. Another critique is that this story is extremely predictable. It can’t be helped because they’re fairytale retellings, and I did want a happily ever after so I can’t really complain…but I would’ve enjoyed having more unique plot twists to spice things up. 🤷‍♀️

CHARACTERS

Winter. I actually read Fairest (Book #3.5) before this and really appreciated learning about how Queen Levana’s past intertwined with Winter before I started this book. ❄ Winter has been driven mad because she refuses to use her Lunar abilities. Her personality parallels Snow White by being very innocent and kind. 🍎 There were moments when I was annoyed with how naive and oblivious she was, but I can also understand how it fits into her character. Jacin. Gosh darn it. I knew he betrayed the Rampion squad at the very end of Cress, but now that we learn why, I can’t be mad at him. I love how he’s so protective of Winter. It’s enough to make any girl swoon. 😉 I wish we got to learn more of his personal backstory and personality because, unlike the other main characters who receive special history spotlights, his entire character is tied to Winter.

Queen Levana. Oof. She’s so crazy and creepy. Even though we learn about her tragic backstory that leads to her tyrant behavior, I don’t feel any pity for her. Her heart is filled with so much hatred and bitterness. 😳

Others Characters: Scarlet is still my favorite character in this series by far. I loved her spunk and bravery, and her determination and snarky comments were a breath of fresh air. Wolf. I was so sad when his mother was killed for leading the rebellion. It gave me such a Hunger Games throwback. I loved seeing how much Cinder has grown in this series from a shy Cinderella to freaking Queen of Lunar!! 😱 I was also so proud to see Cress become surer of herself, and I was so proud and sad when she chose to stay behind on Lunar so the others could escape.

PLOT

There was so much going on that I don’t even know how to break it down?! 😱 Le’ts just say that even though I thought this book was hecka long I did enjoy it a lot!

One scene I did want to point out is where Winter and Scarlet are trying to convince the wolf soldiers’ to join Cinder’s army reminds me so much of this GIF but also the scene in Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix when Umbridge offends the centaurs and is dragged away. 😂

ROMANCE

I was loving the love in this book. 😍 In the midst of war, our characters become more aware of those who they love and want to protect. *coughcough Thorne coughcough* I loved how Thorne became more open about his feelings for Cress, and I was so heartbroken when he became so distraught when she was left behind. My faves Scarlet and Wolf are also finally reunited!! I LMAO’ed so hard when Wolf was being all mopey about Scarlet.

“She shot me in the arm once.” This confession was said with as much tenderness as if Scarlet had given him a bouquet of wildflowers rather than a bullet wound.

IN CONCLUSION

I honestly can’t believe that I finished this series. Science fiction really isn’t my favorite genre, but I was pleasantly surprised by the fantasy elements intertwined throughout the plot. I loved learning about each character, and I loved seeing them develop with each book as we’re layered with new characters to love. 💖 I would definitely recommend giving this series a try!

Want to Buy This Book?

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HAVE YOU READ THE LUNAR CHRONICLES SERIES? WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON Winter? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS! 💕