At first, seeing that it was 61 chapters, I thought it’s a bit lengthy, but now that I have finished it, not considering that I didn’t read it straight and forward, it’s actually an easy read. I like the fact that it took its time in telling the story. So I guess the 61 chapters was a must. I was already prepared for dragging moments in the story, but surprisingly it didn’t come! Needless to say, I loved every moment of it.

If you thought Cinder was badass in the previous books, she upped her game in this one. She had started practicing her bioelectric skill with Wolf as well as doing hand-to-hand combats. Who better to teach her than Wolf, right?

Since this is Cress’ story we are introduced to her, little Cress and her satellite. It’s definitely weird that she talks to her younger self! I think that kept her sane, though. It probably was the closest living person communication she had, and then there’s also Sybil Mira who visit her now and again. I think it’s twisted that Cress would want to be acknowledged or even care at all that Sybil was satisfied with her work. I mean, in the first place, Sybil was the one who imprisoned her in that satellite. And another weird stuff about Cress is her stalker-tendency with Thorne! I knew for a fact that she and Thorne are canon OTP, but I didn’t think it would be that way! It’s cute and different and weird… like Cress!

From the start I just knew that Thorne will just break this naïve girl’s heart. Shockingly, he hasn’t. Not majorly. The thing with the android at the hotel was more of a misunderstanding, really. Thorne did also explain that she was thinking about Iko too! He’s supposed to be some scum of a criminal, but he really isn’t. I don’t believe it in the way Cress does, but clearly he’s a good guy. Iko is just this chip that got inserted in his Rampion, but he cared enough to think about her, knowing that Iko wanted a life-like android body.

Also Thorne got blind here. That is probably the worst thing that could happen right? He’s a wanted criminal and on the run, how’s he supposed to escape when he needs to if he’s blind? But he never did complain about it nor blamed anyone, or he just knew that he would eventually get his sight back because of technological advances? But still. Another character that marks him a good guy is that he placed his trust in Cress to guide him and be his eyes. Someone he barely knew, and he didn’t even consider and thought of her as Lunar.

Another new character is Jacin Clay. Sybil’s ex-guard, betrayed her and went with the gang. The only other main character that didn’t knew Cinder is Princess Selene, apart from poor, oblivious Kai. But eventually he knew, way before Kai did! He doesn’t admit it, but I somehow know that he’s somehow form an attachment to the gang. He show he’s coldness, but someone who can love Winter can be a gentle friend to others, for sure. He did betray the gang, but I hope there is more to it and redeem himself in the next book. Like a double-agent?

In exchange for this new character to ride in the Rampion was Scarlet. Oh how Wolf broke down, over-actingly so! He is a Lunar Special Operative, for crying out loud! Well, she is his Alpha. A pilot for a pilot how convenient! It was sickening the way that Lunar brat tortured her. In that moment I realized how really bad everything will when Lunars will take over earth. The worst torture is not physical pain, but the mental one. That can easily crack a person. In time, I’m sure Scarlet will get to be good friends with Winter, if she ever see pass Winter’s cray cray self.

The introduction of Winter in this book can really keep a reader’s attention. When she wanted Scarlet to be her pet, she seemed sane as any Lunar or princess. She said then that she could practice her gifts with Scarlet, meaning to torture her brain. But when they talked in the “menagerie” Winter said that she hasn’t been using her gift for a long time, which in effect drives her crazy. Why? Wouldn’t it be odd that her a princess has not been using the gift? For all we know she could have been more powerful than Levana! We’ll just have to find out in the next book.

Two books later, and they had finally thought of a way to stop the wedding! And truly their plan was elaborate, and each had a role to play. Cinder’s and Iko’s was the most important – they were to abduct Prince Kai. After parting in such an awful moment in the ball, everything was so awkward between Kai and Cinder! Glad Iko was there to lighten things when it got too heavy. Another helpless moment for Kai as he was tranquilized by Cinder so that there would be no trouble in bringing him. The worst part was that it was that easy to resurface the love they had for each other! Ugh. In just one conversation, everything became all right! It seemed the important thing was if Cinder ever used her Lunar skills on Kai, to confirm that he was feeling all that all on his own! What a sappy love story! Cinder, honey, you’re too eager!!

4 stars