Mother/Daughter interview about Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

"The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth..."

My eldest daughter, Rita, enjoys reading retellings of fairy tales. I thought she would enjoy Cinder and it's sequel Scarlet, retellings of the familiar Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood tales, for this reason.  I was right, she is now a big fan of this local author, Marissa Meyer, and her books. Instead of doing a straight review of Scarlet we decided to conduct a mother/daughter interview about the book.

Me: What is it about these books that you like?

Rita: I love the creativity that the author uses to transform stories that everyone knows into something that continually kept me guessing about the next plot point.

Me: I know what you mean. Cinder isn't just a downtrodden girl, she is a cyborg with exceptional mechanical skills and Scarlet is a fiery redhead who can pilot airships and is keenly loyal to her grandmother.

Rita: I know that you and other readers were sad that Scarlet (the book) is not told from Cinder's perspective. After you finished with the book were you satisfied with the way the book was written?

Me: I wouldn't say I was sad. I was surprised that Scarlet, the book, didn't immediately continue the storyline from Cinder. I thought Meyer did a good job telling the stories from two different points of view.  Each of the main characters voices were very different. I enjoyed "meeting" a new character, Scarlet, and her elusive but sexy guide, Wolf. What did you think of this plot twist?

Rita: I was frustrated at first because I really wanted to know what was happening to Cinder but soon came to love Scarlet, as a strong female character. Plus, it doesn't take too long before we find out what has happened to Cinder since we last heard of her (only a few chapters.) I liked how the puzzle pieces started fitting together which ultimately brought the two characters together.

Me: I felt that Scarlet was a bit too hot-headed or feisty. It made her seem a little too unbelievable. Did you have any troubles with any of the characters?

Rita: Scarlet's personality befitted her hair, so I didn't have any troubles with her feisty nature. But I have problems with Cinder's sidekick, Thorne. Even by the end of the book I don't understand his motivation for helping out Cinder and risking his life to fight the wolves and why he stole things in the first place.  I wonder if this is a mystery that will reveal itself in the next book.

Me: I know.  Thorne was very one-dimensional, just the goofy, make-a-joke-or-sexist-comment sidekick.  However since everything else seems so serious it was nice to have a little comic relief.

Rita: The third book in the series, Cress, is loosely based on the Rapunzel story. How do you think that will fit into the storyline?

Me: I have no idea, but I am sure that it will work.  I understand that it is set in Africa and we know that Cinder, Wolf, Thorne, and Scarlet are heading towards Africa right now so I imagine that Rapunzel will meet them there.  What do you think will happen?

Rita: I don't know how Rapunzel will factor into the story, but I imagine it will focus more on the wandering around in the desert part of the story than the locked up in a tower part. And maybe her love, Thorne(?), will go blind for a while.

Me: You are obviously more familiar with the whole fairy tale than me.  I thought the story ended with the rescue from the tower.  Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Rita: I've already recommended this book, and series, to several friends. How will you promote it in your library this coming year?

Me: I would love to have Marissa Meyer come to GKHS for an author visit since she is local.  I think that would generate a lot of interest. I will highlight both books on my SERIES shelf and book-talk them when I get a chance. The books "sell" themselves, however, and are already very popular.

Thanks so much, Rita, for joining me on the conversation about this wonderful book, Scarlet by Marissa Meyer. Cress is due to be published in February, 2014.  I bet you are as eager for it as I am.

30 books this Summer Reading Challenge

23 / 30 books. 76% done!