Stars Above: A Lunar Chronicles Collection

Estou muito apaixonada nessas edições novas, sério!!

Loved the short story format. Loved knowing the past and future of some of my favourite characters and also some of new people revolving around the story.

Because I came to this series a bit late, I had not read any of the previous novellas that were released. So I went into this very blind, and let me tell you, Meyer is just as talented at novellas as she is at long-form stories.From a literary point of view, a novella should be intriguing, a bit of a tease for the longer series it represents – but it should also standalone as a story. To me, Meyer imbues each story with just enough detail so that we feel for the characters, but holds back enough that if I were a new reader, I would definitely want more.I should note, though, that I felt a marked difference in the newer and older stories – while the previously released stories provide insight, they don’t quite have the depth that the newer ones achieve. The new material not only spans more half of this book, but those stories also boast a confidence and more descriptive writing that really makes them breathe. Although I enjoyed each and every one of these stories, the new ones have arrow-sharp theme and direction, and because of that, I liked them the most.THE KEEPERThe Keeper is the story of Michelle Benoit, and of how this tough, wonderful woman came to care for two of our heroines, Cinder and Scarlet. We also finally get Scarlet’s proper genealogy. A short prequel, but one that really characterizes Michelle, and why Scarlet was so desperate to find her. It was also amazing to hear all that happened BEFORE Cinder but AFTER Fairest.GLITCHESTaking place very soon after the end of The Keeper, this is the story of Cinder’s first few weeks of consciousness and how she came to live with the Linhs. It’s essentially the very early parts of the Cinderella story, where her father dies and leaves her in the care of the stepmother and stepsisters.A few things become clear very quickly in this story: Cinder has a lot of extra skills from her cyborg side that will become useful, Adri has always had a fear/prejudice against cyborgs, and Linh Garan hints at some very valuable technology that will come into play later in the novels. I loved how Meyer really got in the head of eleven year old Cinder, a girl who has no idea how to deal with her cyborg aspects, or the prejudice that she’s facing. A moving story with an expected, but emotional ending.THE QUEEN’S ARMYI was dreading reading this one because honestly, I feel like we’ve been put through the wringer with Wolf and Scarlet already. I did appreciate this backstory on Ze’ev, Ran and the Kesley family and how Ze’ev came to be an Alpha in the Queen’s Army.Big things I didn’t realize: how young the kids were that Levana took – Ze’ev is just 12 when he’s taken and genetically modified, and it’s just as frightening and gruesome as you expect. I also didn’t realize how much the thaumaturges are stretching and learning their abilities by having the packs as their playthings. It’s not just the physical modifications, but the mental ones that truly make the Lunar special operatives one of Levana’s worst evils (I would still argue that letumosis is worse, but…). Fascinating and dark, but I feel like I understand Ze’ev a lot better now.CARSWELL’S GUIDE TO BEING LUCKYThis one was just okay for me – I had hoped to get the story about Thorne acquiring the Rampion, but this short story featured a younger Thorne helping a girl who has been bullied in school. It was fairly predictable, showing how Thorne used to be before he met Cinder and Cress – which is essentially Han Solo from Star Wars: a ne’er-do-well with thoughts only on how to get rich or get girls quick. And yet, like Han Solo, you can’t help but be charmed by him. At his heart, Thorne is actually interested in anyone who can see through his rough exterior, and someone who is more interested in other things than in being charmed by him. Contrary, but it also makes it clear why he ends up liking Cress in the end. Cute, but not essential, in my opinion.AFTER SUNSHINE PASSES BYWow. As if you didn’t already hate Sybil Mira before this, this story shows Cress’ early talent at system programming, and how she eventually ends up captive in her satellite. Although very short, Meyer brilliantly shows Cress’ longing for freedom and her sweet nature and contrasts it to Mistress Sybil’s complete lack of empathy. Even though this was so sad (seriously, what is WITH the kids in this series constantly being taken and hurt and tortured?!), I loved this little window we get into nine year old Cress’ mind, and finding out little things that made her, well, her.THE PRINCESS AND THE GUARDWonderful. I feel like Winter and Jacin are the most underrated couple in the Lunar Chronicles universe, mostly because we meet them last and get very little of their friendship leading up to their romance. Here, finally, we see Winter and Jacin, first as eight year olds, then as teenagers, and Winter’s devastating, but incredibly brave decision to forego her Lunar gift (seriously, Winter is DEFINITELY a Gryffindor). I think this is one of the darkest stories in the book, and the most illuminating of just how sick mind manipulation can be. Brilliantly written and devastating. My second favorite of the book.THE LITTLE ANDROIDDid not expect to love this one like I do – what an amazing retelling of The Little Mermaid! It was refreshing to get a story from The Lunar Chronicles universe that just touches peripherally on our main characters, but also continues some of the threads of prejudice, freedom, bravery and sacrifice that so characterize the main novels. Mech 6.0 turning into a “loving” android, surpassing her artificial intelligence is the perfect foil for the original Little Mermaid story, and I love that this isn’t the Disney-fied version, either (even though I have a MAJOR thing for Ariel). Even though this is more a character story for the android and the love interest is pretty much a dream boy, it’s still an adorable and genuine story. Very clever and beautifully written retelling.THE MECHANICI have a confession to make: I didn’t ship Kai and Cinder together at all in the first book. I KNOW. I just…got more friendly, light flirting feels than swoony ones. But The Mechanic finally gives me those feels about their first meeting. By writing Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective, Meyer has given me a new look at what was going on there, and yeah, it’s shippy and I am ON BOARD. Normally I’m pretty wary of “told from the other character’s perspective” style books, but this one…this one actually added to my love of these two characters and their relationship. A little short, but worth reading.SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW (OR STARS ABOVE)And now we come to the one you’ve all been waiting for. Not gonna lie, this was the first thing I flipped to when I got this manuscript, and I’m sure a lot of you will, too. You won’t be disappointed; I teared up several times during this. It was just so darn delightful to be with our favorite characters again, and to NOT be doing it while agonizing over their welfare.Told from Cinder’s point of view two years after the war on Luna, Something Old, Something New tells the story of a special wedding for two very special characters. While the rest of The Lunar Chronicles had funny and sarcastic moments, Something Old, Something New finally allows Marissa Meyer to really flex her humor writing muscles. This story shines with well-deserved optimism and CUTENESS. Those of you with shippy hearts will be very, VERY satisfied.Aside from the shippiness (because we know that’s the most important, but I have to say something coherent!), what I really loved about this story is that it depicts a world where Luna and Earth are working together, but restoration is still continuing. Not everything is perfect after Winter – it’s like the end of The Lord of the Rings, where you come back home, but realize that the bigger events do have a ripple effect and have changed and shaped not just the characters, but their external lives. It’s truthful to what I’d expect in the fallout from war, and it celebrates the imperfections of life.To me, this story was an absolute gift to fans. Every character rings true, and it’s funny, sweet, charming…it’s an ending that leaves your heart full. If you were looking for the perfect coda to The Lunar Chronicles, this is it.THE FINAL WORD:Full of Marissa Meyer’s signature world-building, and snarktastic dialogue, STARS ABOVE is definitely essential to your Lunar Chronicles collection (the epilogue alone is worth it, I promise!). If you were thinking of giving these a pass, don’t. Unlike many other anthologies I’ve read, these stories are well-worth your time and add a lot of depth to the characters and plot that we know and love.

Wem, ebenso wie mir, beim Beenden von „Winter“ ein kleines bisschen das Herz gebrochen ist, wird sich freuen mit „Stars Above“ noch einmal in die Welt rund um Cinder, Scarlet und ihre Crew abzutauchen. Ich hatte noch keine einzige, der teilweise schon zuvor veröffentlichten Kurzgeschichten gelesen, weswegen die Spannung dementsprechend hoch war. Und ich wurde nicht enttäuscht!Es war unheimlich schön einmal einen Blick in das Leben unserer geliebten Charaktere vor der ganzen Sache mit Selene und der Revolte zu lesen. Wie kam Cinder zu Michelle Benoit? Wie sah Thornes Schulzeit aus? Oder Wolfs Zeit in der Royal Army? All das und mehr erfährt der Leser in 9 tollen Kurzgeschichten.Über Marissa Meyers Schreibstil muss ich, denke ich, kein Wort verlieren. Der ist, wie immer, wundervoll ausschweifend und detailgetreu, aber trotzdem auf den Punkt gebracht.Sie bleibt den bekannten Charakteren treu und erlaubt den Lesern kleine Einblicke in ihre Vorgeschichten. Doch auch einen abschließenden Ausblick in die Zukunft der Crew nach „Winter“ hat uns die Autorin nicht vorenthalten und darauf habe ich am meisten gehofft.Dieser war einfach wunderschön und traurig zugleich. Denn, auch wenn es schön war zu erfahren, wie es diesen tollen Charakteren mit ihrem lang ersehnten Frieden ergeht, es war doch gleichzeitig ein endgültiger Abschied aus der Welt der Lunar und von diesen Charakteren, die uns über so viele Bücher unheimlich ans Herz gewachsen sind.Trotzdem volle 5 Sterne für ein Leseerlebnis, welches das Fanherz erwärmt!

Como todos y cada uno de los libros de la saga este es absolutamente increíble, incluso un poquito más encantador porque te cuenta como eran los protagonistas antes de conocerse, cuando eran pequeños y te deja claro porqué son como son en el momento en que ocurre el resto de la saga.Se compone de 9 historias cortas sobre cada uno de los personajes principales (más una nueva) siendo la última de estas "un final" para la saga.La más encantadora es, desde luego "The Little Android", un cuento absolutamente precioso sobre un pequeño robot que se enamora de un humano. Teniendo en cuenta que mi cuento favorito siempre ha sido la sirenita creo que no era de extrañar que me enamorase de él... pero es que es increíblemente triste y hermoso.El resto de cuentos son también encantadores y el libro, además tiene otra historia más: un adelanto de Heartless.¡No puedo esperar a que salga la nueva saga!Desde luego, una compra absolutamente acertada.---Like everyone of the books of this series this one is absolutely incredible, even a bit more charming because it's about the childhool of the principal characters before they know each other and it reveals to you why they are like they actually are.It has 9 short stories about every character (and one new) being the last story like a conclusion of the series.The more charming is without any doubt "The Little Android", a beautiful tale about a little android that falls in love with a human. My favorite fairy tale ever is the little mermaid so I'm delighted with this one but it REALLY is incredibly sad and beautiful...The rest of the tales are also lovely and the book has anothe story: an advancement of Heartless.I cant wait to read the new series!This is a REALLY right purchase.