Winter Book Review
Every great series must eventually come to an end. It’s always a mix of emotions when you finish a long adventure with characters you’ve come to care about deeply. You might wonder if the conclusion will make all your time and emotional investment worthwhile or if you’ll be left puzzled and unsatisfied. Although the story is ultimately the author’s vision, as readers, you probably get what I mean.
Marissa Meyer’s last book in her best-selling series, “The Lunar Chronicles,” doesn’t let readers down. This series gives a futuristic twist to classic fairy tales and sets them in a dystopian world.
“The Lunar Chronicles” includes Cinder (based on Cinderella), Scarlet (Little Red Riding Hood), Cress (Rapunzel), Fairest (The Evil Queen from Snow White), and the final book, Winter, which reimagines Snow White. Winter, the concluding installment, is filled with as much adventure, humor, and romance as the earlier books.
I eagerly awaited Winter for months, and when it finally arrived, I read it immediately. A second reading was just as enjoyable as the first. As someone who expected a lot from the series finale, Winter surpassed my expectations.
Without giving away too much, here’s a summary that includes some earlier books’ spoilers.
In Winter, we follow Princess Winter, the stepdaughter of Queen Levana of Luna. The story picks up right after the events of Cress: Cinder and her group have kidnapped Kai, Scarlet is held captive on Luna, and Thorne is blind. Jacin, who sided with Cinder against the Queen’s troops, faces trial for his actions.
During Jacin’s trial, we discover that he and Winter were childhood friends, but their relationship is complicated due to their roles as a princess and a guard. The relationship between Levana and Winter, first explored in Fairest, is further developed in this book. Winter also keeps Scarlet safe, treating her like one of her pets.
As the story advances, Kai and Levana’s wedding is set to occur on Luna. Kai and Cinder attempt to smuggle Cinder and her crew onto Luna using the arrival of the Earthen wedding party, leading to chaos and separation. Kai is detained, Cress gets stuck in the palace, and the others end up in Luna’s mining district, where they decide to start the rebellion. Winter and Jacin save Cress and hide her in the palace, which becomes a risky plan.
Meanwhile, Levana grows more jealous of her beautiful stepdaughter. Despite Winter’s fragile state, she is beloved in a way Levana can’t understand. Winter, who chose not to use her Gift after seeing its destructive potential, slowly descends into madness, haunted by terrifying visions.
Levana’s jealousy turns into obsession. She orders Jacin to kill Winter, but he fakes her death and helps her escape along with Scarlet. They leave the city, determined to aid Cinder in overthrowing Levana.
Levana closely follows them, and the rebellion must succeed before her coronation as Empress on Earth. The stakes are high, with characters facing extreme danger. The biological warfare plague that initially targeted Earth has mutated and now threatens Lunars too.
Facing a Queen who uses fear, genetic modification, brainwashing, and biological warfare as weapons, no one is safe. Meyer keeps readers on edge, never allowing them to feel secure about the fate of the characters. The narrative explores significant issues such as love, loyalty, mental illness, sacrifice, healing, revolution, democracy, manipulation, forgiveness, unionization, choice, and jealousy.
The series raises questions about love, morality, leadership, and sacrifice. Each leading lady in the series—Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter—exhibits strength in unique ways. Their differences complement each other, producing some of the best interactions, especially between Scarlet and Winter.
The romantic storylines also need closure. Scarlet and Wolf must reunite, and Cress’s feelings for Thorne deepen, sparking mutual realization. Kai and Cinder struggle with their roles and budding relationship amidst political duties. Their complicated romance, tied with significant political implications, finally reaches a satisfying conclusion.
Winter and Jacin face the challenge of her royal status and mental health, with Levana’s tyranny always looming. Their relationship, full of mutual sacrifice and protection, offers a new type of love story in the series.
Ultimately, the entire series is Cinder’s story. Readers start with her and feel compelled to see her journey to its end. Although other characters play crucial roles, Cinder remains the focal point of the narrative.
Winter, spanning 823 pages, skillfully balances wrapping up the series while giving Winter her own space in the storyline. This brilliantly concludes a beautifully crafted series, leaving readers eagerly anticipating Meyer’s next work.
ADAPTATION RECOMMENDATION
As with the other books in the series, Winter would make an excellent miniseries. A proper adaptation could be visually stunning, despite needing a hefty special effects budget due to Luna’s fantastical elements.
OVERALL RATING
“The stuff that dreams are made of.”
ROMANCE RATING
“You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. I have loved none but you.”
Have you read Winter? What’s your favorite fairy-tale retelling? Let me know in the comments!
