Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles #3.5)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Originally Published: January 17th 2015
Format: Paperback (222 pages)
Synopsis: In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?
Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.
Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death.
My Rating: ★★★★★
Once again Marissa Meyer does not fail me. I am in love with the Lunar Chronicles and I’ve desperately wanted to know more about Levana since I read the first book in the series.
Levana has always struck me as such a complex character. Surely nobody could be as evil as her without her own dark past. This novella did not disappoint at all. It answered so many of my questions about Levana: Why does she wear her glamour? Why is she so cold? Why is her hatred for Princess Selene so strong? We even learn exactly what happened to Selene all those years ago and, believe me, Levana is pure evil.
This book made me loathe Levana. She is a truly evil character who has no true feelings or emotions because she has spent so much of her life manipulating those around her. However, I could not help but be filled with sympathy for her after reading of her own tortured childhood. An older sister who constantly taunts her after destroying her appearance at such a young age. It is no wonder that Levana manipulates those around her with such desperation and ease: she doesn’t believe anyone else is capable of loving her and she doesn’t even love herself.
What did I love most about the book?
I loved everything about this story. Levana is genuinely one of the most terrifying fictional villains I can think of. I hate how easily she is able to manipulate those around her but this book did its part in explaining why Levana is the person she is today.
Memorable Quotes
“She cried for the girl who had never belonged. A girl who tried so hard, harder than anyone else, and still never had anything to show for it.”
“Love is a conquest! Love is war!”
“Levana had not seen the bodies, but she had seen the bedrooms the next morning, and her first thought was that all that blood would make for a very pretty rouge on her lips.”
“I know you must be hurting now, but don’t give up hope on future happiness, and all the good things that are still to come for you.”
Final Thoughts
Levana is one of my favourite villains of all time at the moment and this book was a wonderful addition to the series. I will always think her cruel and completely evil, but maybe now I will understand her motives and actions in a different way. I highly recommend this novella for fans of the Lunar Chronicles. Fantastic writing once again.
Have you read Fairest? What did you think? Who is your favourite villain?
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kellysrambles.com 
I did not enjoy this novella as much as the rest of the other books in the series– but I wonder if part of that was ruined for me because of when I read it? I read this book upon its immediate release, instead of after reading everything. I think it made the end of the series less impactful for me, sadly.
But I’m so glad you enjoyed it! She is quite a fascinating villain, that’s for sure…
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I really liked it mainly because I was desperate to learn more about Levana! She’s a fantastic villain!
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