Winter (2015) by Marissa Meyer is the explosive finale to The Lunar Chronicles, a YA sci-fi series reimagining fairy tales in a futuristic world. This fourth installment centers on Winter, the scarred, unstable stepdaughter of Queen Levana, whose refusal to use her Lunar mind-control powers has left her haunted by hallucinations. As Cinder’s rebellion escalates, Winter allies with Scarlet, Cress, and the reformed guard Jacin to overthrow Levana’s tyranny.
Meyer balances four romances and a galaxy-spanning revolt with aplomb, culminating in a Snow White-inspired showdown (poisoned apples included). Though lengthy, the novel’s action and emotional payoffs satisfy.
A triumphant close to a genre-blending saga.
