Title: Stars Above
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Rebecca Soler
Running Time: 9 hours, 8 minutes
Source: OverDrive/Public Library
Goodreads Summary: The enchantment continues....My Rating: 4/5 Stars
The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories—and secrets—that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies?
With nine stories—five of which have never before been published—and an exclusive never-before-seen excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s upcoming novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles.
--The Little Android: A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles. Glitches: In this prequel to Cinder, we see the results of the plague play out, and the emotional toll it takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch….The Queen’s Army: In this prequel to Scarlet, we’re introduced to the army Queen Levana is building, and one soldier in particular who will do anything to keep from becoming the monster they want him to be. Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky: Thirteen-year-old Carswell Thorne has big plans involving a Rampion spaceship and a no-return trip out of Los Angeles. The Keeper: A prequel to the Lunar Chronicles, showing a young Scarlet and how Princess Selene came into the care of Michelle Benoit. After Sunshine Passes By: In this prequel to Cress, we see how a nine-year-old Cress ended up alone on a satellite, spying on Earth for Luna. The Princess and the Guard: In this prequel to Winter, we see a game called The Princess. The Mechanic: In this prequel to Cinder, we see Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective. Something Old, Something New: In this epilogue to Winter, friends gather for the wedding of the century...
My Thoughts: What a treat to be back in the world of The Lunar Chronicles! Seeing the whole gang again was priceless!
Stars Above gives us 6 prequel stories, 1 alternate POV story, 1 spinoff (with a cameo from one of our favorite characters), and, of course, the highly anticipated epilogue. Needless to say, I loved them all.
It was great to see more background on some of the characters, although new information wasn't added to the story through the prequels. I had fun seeing the characters as kids, noting how they had changed as they grew up and how they hadn't.
The alternate POV story was Kai and Cinder's first meeting told from Kai's perspective. It was, as would be expected, supremely cute. I think my second favorite scene from the book was how confused Kai was upon meeting Cinder!
The spinoff was probably my least favorite of the stories. This was not because it wasn't good, but it was kinda sad and The Little Mermaid has never been my favorite tale.
And, of course, the epilogue. *Sigh* I think I melted from sweetness overload. It was everything fans cold have ever asked for, the perfect happily ever after!
Obviously, I don't really need to tell you how Meyer's writing remains perfect, even in short story form. She's a master of building deep characters and intricate settings quickly and moving the plot along in a well paced manner. I have no complaints.
As for the audiobook version of Stars Above, it wasn't my favorite. Rebecca Soler narrates all of The Lunar Chronicles and usually I really enjoy her narration, but for some reason in this one I didn't. I found her voice really nasal and wobbly at times and it grated on my ears. But that didn't stop me from really enjoying the book, which I think translates well to audio.
All in all, I couldn't ask for a better ending to a beloved series. Bittersweet, but more on the sweet side.
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