Rate: 3/5

Medium: Audiobook

Overview (No Spoilers):

Last summer I dove into The Lunar Chronicles, enjoying Meyers futuristic take on much loved fairy tales.  Somehow I’d missed the memo that Meyers had written a prequel to this series focusing on the life of Queen Levana. While I’d liked the bulk of The Lunar Chronicles, I hesitated to pick up this prequel as based on what I knew of this villain’s past that this would not in any way a feel good read.  Regardless, I decided to read Fairest as a way to revisit a literary world I’d delighted in a year ago and it was just as sad and depressing as I’d anticipated. That being said, I don’t regret this read as it gave valuable insight lacking in the rest of the series regarding Cinder’s Mother and Winter’s Father, as well as other characters that will come to play prominent roles such as Cress and Jacin.  Additionally, we learn more regarding the events leading up the Cinder’s accident and Evret’s death. Most important of all though is that we gain first hand understanding of how unstable Queen Levana is and how long she has been mentally ill. I wish I would have read this book when intended before Winter as I feel as though it would had added significantly to the backstory of the Lunar politics and key characters.  Overall, while not a warm or fuzzy read, Meyers provides the readers with first hand accounts of key events in the past that have far reaching consequences in her present day series.

Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):

• Who was Cinder’s father?
• It was so twisted that Levana started wearing the glamour of Evret’s recently deceased wife and continued to wear it for decades after her death.
• What happened to the world blanket she was keeping safe for Winter?
• How did Queen Channary get the disease the killed her?
• It was interesting that Queen Channary kept Cinder by her bedside when she had shown a lack of feeling for her other family members.
• Why could Levana not get pregnant?
• Would she have killed Winter if she had gotten pregnant?