Stars Above

Here's a short review of each of the nine stories included in this anthology.The KeeperI'm really glad that this story was included. I typically prefer novellas to be focused on the main characters of a book or series, but Scarlet and Cinder are both a big part of "The Keeper," and I actually like that Scarlet's grandmother takes the pilot seat (literally and figuratively) in this story. I think having the focus of the narrative on Michelle does three great things: 1. It expands the reader's view of the series as a whole. The consequences are so much more than just the primary group. There are other people, other stories, that are affected by Levana and the Lunars. 2. SO MUCH EXPLANATION. Obviously Cinder and Scarlet would not have been able to tell this part of their story because they wouldn't have known it was important. Michelle is able to tell the story they can't, and "The Keeper" answers so many questions that were raised in Cinder (the book) and Fairest. 3. In the main group, there are several Earthen/Lunar couples, and I'm sure one of the effects of the series overall will be more merging of these two societies in all ways, but I love that Logan and Michelle were among the first. At its heart, "The Keeper" is a little bit of a love story, and I adore those.GlitchesReaders who have already read this story will remember how heartbreaking it is. Cinder shows up in New Beijing and meets her new family, but Linh Adri and Pearl are exactly the same as ever (aka horrible) and through horrible circumstances, Linh Garan never has time to change the world. The best moments in this short are the introduction of beloved characters Peony and Iko and the early development of their important relationships with Cinder. I'd place a weight on Peony and Cinder's relationship as sisters similar to that of Katniss and Prim because of the catalyst the tragedies in their lives provides in both series. Peony is absolutely lovely, and I adore these early scenes with her. Iko receives only a short mention in "Glitches," but Cinder's discovery of her skills as a mechanic is also crucial to the series overall, and Iko, as always, is steadfast in her role as Cinder's number one supporter.The Queen's ArmyPour one out for Wolf because while all the main characters consistently have gotten the crap kicked out of them metaphorically in their lives, he's had it physically too. This story will never not make me cry. If any character in the series desperately needs a Happily Ever After, it's definitely Wolf. This story shows us the stark contrasts between his home with his loving family and the savage brutality of his life in a pack. Wolf is a really special character, and I am deeply impressed with the way he exerts control on his destiny. There's some good foreshadowing in this story for Wolf's arc throughout the series.Carswell's Guide to Being LuckyOh, Thorne. You will always be my favorite. Basically "Carswell's Guide to Being Lucky" is Thorne being Thorne: he's a sassy, incorrigible flirt with adorable delusions of grandeur that make you want to roll your eyes and simultaneously sigh sweetly, hoping he achieves his goals. Oh, plus he's a precious little tweenaged version of the adult(ish) Thorne we all know and love. Yes, Thorne is ridiculous, but this novella proves he's also smart, meticulous, and goal oriented. Also, I don't care what Thorne says (because he's full of crap), Cress is right to crush on him for being a heroic little do-gooder. Sure, Thorne is a planner and always has a way of making you feel that everything you do falls perfectly in his plans, BUT he also has a good heart and frequently Does The Right Thing. He's no Captain America, but maybe kind of like Peter Quill/Star-Lord (in addition to Marissa's intended Malcolm Renolds/Han Solo)? Like he's a bit of a rogue with a heart of gold. Also he likes cats so, you know. Yay, Thorne. Final note: this fun novella contains the awesome line, "I'm a teenager, Professor. I'm insecure all the time."After Sunshine Passes ByOof. This is another heart-string-tugger. Cress actually reminds me a strongly of Lily James's live-action Cinderella: she's sweet and kind and hard-working and JUST WANTS TO BE LOVED, OKAY? *clears throat* This story is fairly short, but like the others, sets up Cress's motivations pretty well. Not hard to see how she came to be a Good Guy at all.The Princess and the GuardLet me tell you: "The Princess and the Guard" will put you through the emotional wringer. There is all sorts of JayWin shippy goodness as Winter and Jacin's relationship develops from childhood best friends (SO adorable) to awkward crushes to full-blown I-love-you-but-I'm-afraid-for-you-because-Levana's-a-crazy-bitch star-crossed lovers. However, it's also supremely distressing because you see Winter with her dad Everett, (totally bittersweet), Winter dealing with his death, Winter discovering what her power means and the consequences thereof, Jacin attempting to keep his family safe, Winter attempting to keep Jacin safe, an INFURIATING subplot that leads to some serious character development as well as Winter's Lunar disease and mental instability. However, Jacin talking her through each attack is everything.Each character in TLC has had a hard life even when some have had privileged lives as well, but I think Jacin has received a raw deal because he's effectively a Bad Guy throughout Cinder, Scarlet, and much of Cress. "The Princess and the Guard," more than anything, shows that he's actually very much a Good Guy who has faced some unfortunate circumstances like his lack of station and lacking skill with the Lunar gift. Reading about young Jacin, who wants to help people, who loves and helps his best friend, and knowing how Levana and Sybil twisted him to become what they wanted really did break my heart while I was also impressed with his ability to not fall past redemption. Jacin is a character who is...well, strong of character. I think at times he's focused a bit too narrowly, but I respect his ability to survive in such a toxic atmosphere and protect Winter from it as much as possible. A++. Great, great story. As I said above, one of my favorites in the anthology!The Little Android"The Little Android" is the story that doesn't entirely fit into the anthology because it's the one most outside the primary plotline. Also it more heavily relies on the original source than any others, and since it's based on "The Little Mermaid," that makes this story pretty tragic. Anyone unfamiliar with the original fairy tale should take a look at that before you read this story because it's definitely no Disney version. The writing is absolutely lovely in this story, especially the descriptions of space, and it also features a sweet love story as well as a quick look at Cinder.The MechanicI think Kai is a lot of people's least-favorite mc from the series. I've heard a lot of criticism directed toward him, especially in reviews of Winter, because they feel he doesn't "do anything." I have to disagree. While obviously Cinder's leading her rebellion thing and doing things like escaping from prison, finding Scarlet, rescuing Cress, etc, Kai is a boy-man ACTUALLY leading his country and attempting to carefully navigate a political stage starring Levana of all people. Kai's pov scenes throughout the series are full of the conflicted feelings he has about wanting to protect his people and attempting to figure out if marrying Levana or defying her would best achieve that goal. Oh, and that whole Levana-constantly-controlling-him thing. Because that's totally Kai's fault. "The Mechanic" does a wonderful job of getting inside Kai's head as a seventeen year-old prince before he's saddled with the complete weight of his country as its true leader. Kai still knows he's going to become emperor sooner rather than later, but for a little while he's just a teenage boy who meets a pretty girl and goes a bit stupid. It's precious!Something Old, Something NewI really really really don't want to spoil this one so I will simply say it's absolutely perfect. You'll see ALL your favorite characters being utterly themselves (Thorne is sassy and full of quips, Scarlet & Jacin have zero patience with anyone (in a good way), Wolf is 100% Scarlet focused, Iko is the fashion expert, etc), and you'll swoon with all the adorableness. I would have preferred one couple be featured a bit more because I'm biased, but this story wasn't about them so I get it. This is the perfect extra ending to a beloved series, and fans will be able to say farewell with a feeling of absolute satisfaction.

Book Condition: Book arrived in good condition. No misprints or physical issues.Book Review: For anyone who really enjoyed this series, they’ll appreciate these added stories about the main characters. Many of them give a back story to things briefly mentioned in the books and helps you connect more with the characters it’s discussing. However, the one story I felt was kind of pointless was The Little Android. The story itself was good, but it didn’t really have an impact on the main storyline or affect the main characters so much that it made any difference to read it. As a stand alone short story it’s great, but when grouped in with other Lunar Chronicles stories it felt like a waste of time to read. I would have rather read about two weddings than just the one mentioned. It kind of left me feeling not fully satisfied and wanting more, which sure can be a great thing, but not when the author has no plans of releasing any further stories. Besides that though I very much enjoyed reading this book as a final conclusion to the Lunar Chronicles series. Marissa did a great job with connecting all the characters together so smoothly while at the same time getting us to connect and fall in love with each of them, which is not always successfully done. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Lunar Chronicles is a fantastic series with an amazing storyline, characters, and writing, but you have to admit that there was a lot going on in all of the books. Not to mention the multiple unanswered questions piling up. So to officially wrap up the series once and for all, Marissa Meyer released an engaging, captivating, heartbreaking collection of short stories that tied up any and all loose ends. Thank god, because after Winter ended, I still needed more of these beloved characters! There are a total of nine stories included in this collection, one of them a completely separate story set in the same world, and one of them an epilogue describing the aftermath of the entire series. I'm going to review each of these stories separately, going in the order they were written.The Keeper: 3.5 stars. An interesting look into how Michelle Benoit cared for Cinder before she became a cyborg, and how Cinder's and Scarlet's stories are intertwined. This one was okay, considering it was about a minor character who was less involved throughout the series, and it was fun to read and pick up on Scarlet's little cameos. However, I kind of wish we got to learn more about Logan Tanner and how he came in contact with Princess Selene. But overall, it was a great story.Glitches: 4.5 stars. This one picks up immediately after The Keeper, and tells us how Cinder made her way to New Beijing, met Adri, Pearl, and Peony, and rebuilt Iko, simultaneously finding a knack in her crazy new world. It also tells us what happened to the mysterious Linh Garan, the inventor of the bioelectricity device, and Cinder's stepfather. It was really interesting to find out how Cinder ended up in New Beijing, and her reactions to meeting her new family for the first time. It was definitely strange reading about a Cinder who didn't exactly stand up for herself, and was weak, scared, and lonely. I was glad when Cinder first realized her talent for fixing objects, and to see a sign of the familiar Cinder. Peony was super kind from the beginning, and that makes her storyline even more sad. This was a really good story, with great, descriptive writing, and an intriguing backstory.The Queen's Army: 4.5 stars. This short story was about Wolf (or Ze'ev), and the challenges he had to face when becoming a part of Levana's mutated wolf-soldier army. This was an especially intense story, and gives us the background I was searching for with Wolf. Since he isn't a very outgoing character, I feel like this is a very important addition to his story, and I can relate to him more now that I know more about him.Carswell's Guide To Being Lucky: 5 stars. Thorne is one of my favorite characters in this series, mainly because he reminds me so much of Han Solo. And I also think that Han Solo would have a similar backstory. Of course Thorne's jokes and quips were awesome, but seeing and understanding his past and how it influenced his later personality was fun to read about. It was great making connections between his 13-year-old self and the man he was going to become, such as his type of girl. Those similarities were really what sold this for me, and I felt like I was reading about the same Thorne having adventures on the Rampion.After Sunshine Passes By: 4 stars. Even the title makes me tear up a little bit. Cress's imprisonment on the satellite is heartbreaking, but knowing that she gets her happy ending in the end somehow made the whole ordeal worthwhile.The Princess and the Guard: 4.5 stars. Now THIS is what I was hoping for in Stars Above. Winter and Jacin are probably the two main characters we know the least about, especially since Jacin is so internalized, and their backstory was desperately needed. This one was mostly based on the cruelty of Levana, and the relationship between Winter and Jacin. Non-hallucinating Winter is just as awesome as crazy Winter, and sort of reminded me of Cinder and Cress in certain ways. We also get to see a tremendous show of strength on Winter's part, when Levana forces her to carve up her own face, and she refuses to let even a tear fall during the event. And although it was horrifying, this somehow makes her craziness even more endearing.The Little Android: 5 stars. This one got me the most. Even though it has no relation to the rest of the Lunar Chronicles, aside from a small cameo by Cinder, this is a very heartbreaking, tearjerking story that will definitely tug on your heartstrings. It's a retelling of the original Little Mermaid tale, and just like the original, this story has a very bittersweet ending. It chronicles the events that follow after an android falls in love with a human engineer, and rejects her original programming. This android reminded a lot of Iko, just a little quieter. It made me wonder if there a lot of independent androids in the Lunar Chronicles universe, but it mostly just made me tear up a lot.The Mechanic: 4.5 stars. Not an extremely important story, but a pretty good one. This is the first meeting between Kai and Cinder told from Kai's perspective, and it is very lightweight. I know some readers aren't huge fans of reverse POV's stories, but it is a really interesting and insightful addition that sheds some light on Kai's early motivations and personality, and of course, why he fell for Cinder.Something Old, Something New: 5 stars. An amazing, fun, detailed epilogue of the entire Lunar Chronicles. It tells the story of Cinder and the rest of the Rampion crew reuniting on Scarlet's farm for an unforgettable event. (cough, WEDDING, cough.) This is once again told from Cinder's POV, and is a really neat way to wrap everything up, although it did serve as a reminder that this fantastic, wonderful series is finally over. However, it was the best conclusion an author could have written, given the circumstances.Overall, this was a truly great, astounding short story collection that ties up all loose ends, and answers any questions a reader may have about the Lunar Chronicles. Each story was completely filled with action, adventure, emotional conflict, and descriptive, enticing writing. No one else could have done it better. Farewell, Lunar Chronicles.

I brought this book after reading the Lunar Chronicles just because I wanted to read The Little Android. I wasn't really interested in any of the other stories when I brought it because I usually think added extras like this are pointless after already reading the series... However, I take it all back.The Little Android actually turned out to be my least favourite story - it was also the only story that didn't star the main characters from the Lunar Chronicles, though Cinder makes a brief appearance. I loved the idea for this story, but just though that it was too short with not enough space to develop the story and the characters, I think the other short stories were so enjoyable because we already know the characters and they didn't need any development since the stories were just snap-shots from their younger years. Personally I felt let down by this particular story, especially after anticipating it so much and buying this book just to read it...The rest of the stories more than made up for that disappointment though! It turns out I loved seeing the main characters from the series as kids, especially Thorne, and although we already know the events which happen in these stories it was nice to see them in more depth and show how they changed the characters and set them on their future paths. I also loved seeing Kai and Cinder's first meeting through Kai's eyes and wanted more!Something Old, Something New, the end story was definitely my favourite because it seemed to give a definite close to the series, which I felt the end of Winter lacked - though I'm disappointed that it doesn't look like Iko will get a story, beside the graphic novel which I'm still debating whether or not to read since I seem to be in the minority who doesn't actually like the art work in it. It was also great fun to see all the characters back together again and what they're doing two years after the rebellion.All in all, despite my initial thoughts, I really enjoyed this book and it's made me want to go back and re-read the Lunar Chronicles again, even though I only read them a couple of months ago and I have a TBR list about 500 deep!

An amazing collection of short stories that really tie together the many parts of the series and add fluff to the ongoing main plot. I really enjoyed some of the backstories that came into it all. Scarletts in particular as it makes far more sense as to why she ended up become the way she did!

This book gives you a background to the main characters and a conclusion. I enjoyed reading this book, as I had with Marissa Meyer's others.However, I feel as though she struggled to write the book from a young child's point of view. Particularly whilst reading Thornes chapter, a 13 year old wouldn't act nor speak in the way he was written. Regardless, I still enjoyed because I'd fallen in love with the characters long ago and will read any new material about them that I can find.The conclusion, or epilogue if you will, was beautiful. It made me laugh at the witty banter passed between characters, it made me emotional when Scarlett saw what her friends had done for her and it gave me a sense of finality to the series.This book is beautiful and well written. Anyone who is a fan of Marissa Meyer's should read this book.

Of course I loved this book. The lunar chronicles is a fantastic series, and this was a great way to get to know the characters we adore even more, and say goodbye to them after our series has finished. This series had become my all time favourite.I cannot wait to see what Merissa Meyer writes next.

This series is easier one of my favourites and just reading these short stories made me want to reread the entire thing all over again! These stories give you a further insight into the characters lives, for me i was just glad to be reading about them again. The short story 'The little android' was adorable and the way it was retold was well thought out and flowed nicely! I will be reading anything that Marrissa Meyer writes in the future, most definitely.