The Wicked Will Rise

Title: The Wicked Will Rise

Author: Danielle Paige

First Published: March 31st 2015

Series: Dorothy Must Die #2

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Available As: Hardcover, paperback, ebook

My Rating: 9/10

Goodreads Summary:

In this dark, high-octane sequel to the New York Times bestselling Dorothy Must Die, Amy Gumm must do everything in her power to kill Dorothy and free Oz.

To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gumm was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage, and then Dorothy must die...

But Dorothy still lives. Now the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy’s only ally. As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she’s only just scratched the surface of Oz’s past—and that Kansas, the home she couldn't wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust—and who is really Wicked?

I can't believe I just found out about this book! It came out in March and I buy it in September? I'm ashamed of myself.

This book was a great read. It fulfilled my expectations as a sequel to Dorothy Must Die. Completely worth the read. I saw other novellas by Danielle Paige, but I didn't bother to read them. Now, this book has rekindled my interest for this series and I hope to read the novellas soon!

Following the events of the first book, Amy has to find a way out of the mess called Oz and kill Dorothy. Along the way, she learns more about herself - and how far she's willing to go. The more Amy plays with her dark magic, the more she dwells into the wickedness of it all. As I was reading this book, I couldn't help but compare her with Adelina from The Young Elites. Both are strolling down a dark path that is near impossible to get away from. At the end of the book, we really see Amy in a new light as she joins the Order of the Wicked once and for all. Do you think she's the same person she was at the start of the first book? I don't think so.

Will there be another book? I hope so. I would like to see Amy's new life as a dark witch and what the Wizard wants with Kansas. What will become of Dorothy? I doubt she'll ever see the errors of her ways and change. She has become too dependent and greedy of the magic she had in Oz, and of course, magic would make anyone greedy.

Waiting (impatiently) for the next book to arrive!

My Chosen Quote:

“You can’t just cover your eyes and pretend like terrible things aren’t happening simply because you can’t see them.”

Scarlet

Title: Scarlet

Author: Marissa Meyer

First Published: February 5th 2013

Series: The Lunar Chronicles #2

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Available As: Hardcover, paperback, ebook

Pages: 464

My Rating: 9/10

Goodreads Summary:

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison--even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

The thrilling sequel to Cinder! Based on Little Red Riding Hood, following Scarlet's story. Living in France, Scarlet's missing grandmother seems to be a piece of the puzzle. Not before long, the two girls are thrown into the chaos. With Queen Levana hot on Cinder's heels, she must learn to trust her allies and her instincts.

I can't believe how different but similar Cinder and Scarlet are. Cinder is our calm, level-headed cyborg. A.K.A Princess Selene. But nobody needs to know that yet... Scarlet is different. She's more fiery and acts on her instincts, no matter what everyone else tells her. But their similarities are also present. Both are strong characters - willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. The alternating chapters from Cinder and Scarlet really show us in depth what is going on and the events that link both girls together.

Cinder is definitely not the same girl she was at the start of Cinder. She's no longer the mechanic girl, the person nobody knows. Now? She's a fugitive, running from all forces. This has changed her ultimately. She's still struggling with her Lunar abilities, and she's also afraid to use them on people. Reading about her fears of becoming like Levana, it really tells us much about Cinder. Is she using her powers for the greater good? Or will it makes things worse? I wonder if she will eventually embrace her Lunar side. For her personality, she has a cold demeanour to her, probably because of all the deaths and dangers she faced.

Introducing a new ship! Wolf and Scarlet have come to town. I love their chemistry and how Wolf is willing to sacrifice himself to save Scarlet. Those two make a really good team. I really hope Cinder and Kai are reunited, but I don't know if their relationship can be repaired. Kai certainly thinks Cinder betrayed him and that everything he felt for her was a lie...

I really like how Marissa Meyer chooses different countries around the world and incorporates them into the books. Like how Cinder is from New Beijing and Scarlet is from a small town in France. Two completely different countries, two completely different settings. It's fun to read about!

Scarlet is a great book to read, but I preferred Cinder better. I wonder if the following books of the series will be good. I sincerely think so!

My Chosen Quote:

“I think I realized that I would rather die because I betrayed them, than live because I betrayed you.”