Winter

August 24, 2015
At twice the length of Cinder, Meyer’s 800-page conclusion to her Lunar Chronicles is daunting both in its immensity and in its narrative breadth, shifting among every major character from the series and some new ones. But readers who have invested in Cinder and its sequels won’t be disappointed: this final installment abounds with nail-biting action, suspense, and romance. As Cinder plots a revolution against the exquisitely evil Lunar Queen Levana, readers meet Levana’s stepdaughter, Winter, whose debilitating visions are kept in check by Jacin, her beloved personal guard whom she is forbidden from marrying. Meyer stays true to the fairy tales that underlie this series with several references to Snow White but continues to keep things fresh with her futuristic setting and many delightfully unexpected twists. Winter is not quite as formidable as her predecessors, and her innocence and vulnerability can be grating. That said, the explosive final confrontation with Levana is gratifyingly tense, and Meyer expertly ties up any and all loose ends, allowing readers to leave behind this saga with a contented sigh. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary Management.

February 29, 2016
The fourth and final installment in Meyer’s fairy tale–inspired SF series Lunar Chronicles finds Cinder plotting a revolution against the exquisitely evil Lunar Queen Levana. Readers meet Levana’s stepdaughter, Winter, whose debilitating visions are kept in check by Jacin, her beloved personal guard whom she is forbidden from marrying. Reader Soler is one of those magical voice actors who can create a seemingly endless supply of memorable voices. Here, she offers an appropriately sweet, fluttery Snow White–esque voice for Winter; a deliciously purring, cooing “popular mean girl” voice for Queen Levana; a French accent for Scarlet; a strong, manly hero’s voice for Jacin; and many, many more. Even background characters who appear for just a line or two get distinctive voices, such as an Australian-accented guest at the wedding banquet. Soler’s pacing is excellent, and she skillfully navigates listeners through Meyer’s 23-hour story. Ages 12–up. A Feiwel and Friends hardcover.

Narrator Rebecca Soler confidently navigates a complicated plot in this final installment of the futuristic Lunar Chronicles series. Exiled princess Cinder and her friends are ready to make their move to take Lunar from Queen Levana, but Cinder doesn't yet know she has an ally in Levana's stepdaughter, Winter. Soler creates a gentle, high voice for Winter, a reimagined Snow White who is beautiful and kind but suffers from hallucinations brought on by her refusal to use her lunar gift of mind control. Soler's portrayals distinctly reflect each character--Cinder's confidence, Levana's grandiosity, Winter's quiet strength. Even listeners new to the series will get caught up in this story of jealousy, vengeance, and forgiveness. A.F. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine