Now it might be typical for me to say that a YA book about a ordinary girl becoming the face of a revolution reminds me of The Hunger Games. But it does. It’s a testament to Meyer’s skill because like Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy she doesn’t sugarcoat the ugly aspects of war and revolution. Poor citizens make up the majority of the population and together, they can overwhelm the powerful minority. It still means that many will die, people will get hurt and loved ones will be sacrificed. You can’t save everyone.

That’s what Cinder must deal with as she and her friends finally make it to Luna for Kai’s wedding and Levena’s coronation. As one can imagine Cinder goes through quite a bit development here and it is well-earned. One of her biggest hang-ups with being the long lost princess Selene is that she’s unsure of taking the crown when the revolution is thorugh, she feels unready for the potential responsibility and having the fate and trust of so many people on her hands. The few casulties that she has already witnessed have made her feel uilty enough. But as she learns, the revolution may start because of her, but it is also so much more than her.

Cinder also comes to terms with her cyborg-ness, a part of her that she always felt reviled and outcast for but when in battle, she loses that function of herself, she realizes how much she has come to rely on it to make her strong. But as one can imagine, she’s stronger than she believes when she finally faces off against the Lunar tyrant. She also comes full-circle with her awful stepfamily, and don’t worry, she doesn’t forgive them or that nonsense.

All the other characters get their time in the spotlight from the irrestistibly charming Thorne to Cress who chooses to be brave several times amidst her numbing fear thanks to Thorne’s advice, “Be heroic.” Finally, the girl in the satellite tower doesn’t just fantasize her adventures but she’s living up to them.

Scarlet and Wolf’s romance and bond provides a bolster of strength and unexpedcted leadership among the mutant hybrids, Iko gets shot and knifed a few times but it doesn’t keep her down and Kai manages to stall in important moments, settling for his more diplomatic role rather than the active adventures of his companions.
Princess Winter and her loyal guard Jacin might seem like after-thoughts to this whole revolution going on but Meyer gives ample time to demonstrate Winter’s own charm and the horrors that live in her head thanks to her strong-willed decision not to use her Lunar gifts. The bond she and Scarlet form is particularly sweet and though Jacin is gruff to everyone else, it’s clear how much he adores his princess.

Additionally, it was horrifying yet intriguing to see Levana’s clear descent to paranoia and madness and for Cinder to see the face behind the glamours and veils, as well as little (and horrifying) information of her mother’s nature.

It’s an exciting end to the Lunar saga that leaves plenty open for future installments like the Wire and Nerves graphic novels. But generally I enjoyed how Meyer kept the suspense up to the very end, and realistically created potential for hopelessness, helplessness and failure against the odds. I especially admire how she made me feel invested in several characters who unfortunately die but their impact was memorable even though they’re just introduced.

A truly great scifi fairytale.