Scarlet by Marissa Meyer Summary

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer is a young adult science fiction retelling of Little Red Riding Hood set in a futuristic world. The story follows Scarlet Benoit, an 18-year-old French farm girl searching for her missing grandmother with help from a mysterious street fighter named Wolf. The narrative interweaves with Cinder's story as she escapes prison and discovers her identity as the lost Lunar princess, while both storylines converge around Michelle Benoit's secrets and Queen Levana's deadly schemes.

Scarlet is perfect for young adult readers who enjoy science fiction, dystopian worlds, and creative fairy tale retellings. Fans of romance mixed with action, adventure, and political intrigue will appreciate the blend of multiple storylines and character perspectives. This book appeals to readers who loved Cinder and want to continue The Lunar Chronicles series, as well as those seeking diverse casts, strong female protagonists, and imaginative world-building that combines technology with futuristic elements.

Scarlet is worth reading for fans of The Lunar Chronicles series and those who enjoy multi-layered storytelling with interconnected plots. Marissa Meyer successfully expands the universe introduced in Cinder while introducing compelling new characters like Scarlet and Wolf. The book delivers romance, suspense, and creative fairy tale adaptation, though it works best when read as part of the series rather than as a standalone novel, since it builds directly on events from Cinder.

Marissa Meyer is an American author born February 19, 1984, best known for The Lunar Chronicles series. She studied Creative Writing and Children's Literature at Pacific Lutheran University and holds a Master's in Publishing from Pace University. Before writing Cinder in 2012, Meyer spent ten years writing Sailor Moon fan fiction under the pen name Alicia Blade. Her other notable works include the Renegades trilogy and Heartless, showcasing her talent for reimagining fairy tales and classic stories through science fiction and fantasy lenses.

Scarlet modernizes Little Red Riding Hood through a futuristic lens where Scarlet Benoit represents Red Riding Hood and Wolf serves as the literal "big bad wolf." Instead of traveling through woods with a basket, Scarlet journeys to Paris seeking her kidnapped grandmother. The twist: Wolf is part of a genetically modified "pack" of Lunar soldiers with enhanced abilities, and his tattoo replaces the traditional wolf identity. The grandmother's house becomes a farmhouse hiding royal secrets, transforming the classic cautionary tale into a science fiction adventure about trust and deception.

Scarlet and Wolf develop a complex romantic relationship built on trust and betrayal throughout the story. Wolf initially helps Scarlet search for her grandmother Michelle, but she discovers he was originally part of the pack that kidnapped her. Despite this betrayal, genuine feelings develop between them as Wolf struggles against his Lunar programming and violent instincts. Their relationship explores themes of redemption, trust, and whether someone can overcome their nature, with Wolf ultimately choosing Scarlet over his pack loyalty.

Scarlet directly continues Cinder's storyline after her escape from New Beijing prison with Carswell Thorne. The stories converge when Cinder travels to Scarlet's grandmother's farm seeking information about Princess Selene's past. Michelle Benoit, Scarlet's grandmother, was the pilot who brought the Lunar princess to Earth and hid her on the farm before she became a cyborg. This revelation connects both heroines' destinies, as Scarlet's family unknowingly protected Cinder years ago, making their alliance crucial to defeating Queen Levana.

Michelle Benoit is Scarlet's grandmother and a former pilot who played a crucial role in Lunar-Earth history. She rescued and hid Princess Selene (Cinder) on her French farm years earlier, protecting the rightful heir to Luna's throne from Queen Levana's assassination attempts. Her kidnapping by Lunar forces drives Scarlet's quest and reveals the connection between the two storylines. Michelle's secrets and sacrifice demonstrate her bravery and importance to the rebellion, making her disappearance a pivotal catalyst for both Scarlet and Cinder's journeys.

Scarlet explores themes of trust and betrayal through Wolf's deception and redemption arc. Family loyalty drives Scarlet's determination to find her grandmother despite everyone dismissing the case. Identity and self-discovery continue from Cinder's storyline as she learns about her royal heritage and Lunar abilities. The book examines prejudice against Lunars and cyborgs, the corrupting nature of power through Queen Levana's tyranny, and the strength found in unlikely alliances as diverse characters unite against a common enemy.

Cinder escapes New Beijing prison with Carswell Thorne, a charming criminal who owns a stolen spaceship. Together they revive Iko by installing her personality chip into the ship's systems, giving Cinder's android friend new life. The pair travels to Michelle Benoit's farm investigating Cinder's past as Princess Selene, discovering the bunker where she was hidden and transformed into a cyborg. Cinder begins experimenting with glamour, her Lunar gift for manipulation, while learning to accept her royal identity and responsibility to challenge Queen Levana.

Yes, you should definitely read Cinder before Scarlet to fully understand The Lunar Chronicles. Scarlet is the second book in the series and directly continues multiple storylines from Cinder, including Cinder's prison escape, her discovery of being Princess Selene, and Emperor Kai's political dilemma with Queen Levana. The books feature interconnected plots where events in Cinder set up crucial revelations in Scarlet. Reading them in order provides essential context about the Lunar-Earth conflict, character backgrounds, and world-building that enriches the overall experience.

The wolf packs in Scarlet are genetically modified Lunar super-soldiers created through horrific experimentation. These soldiers possess enhanced strength, speed, and animalistic fighting abilities, with Wolf being a former member who escaped. They're controlled by Thaumaturges, powerful Lunars who use mind manipulation to command them. Queen Levana deploys these packs in devastating worldwide attacks on Earth to force Emperor Kai into a marriage alliance. The wolf pack metaphor extends the Little Red Riding Hood retelling while introducing a terrifying military threat that demonstrates Levana's cruelty and power.