Fairest tells the story of Levana Blackburn since she was a little girl, growing up in the shadow of her ever beautiful, scheming sister, Channary. It also provides a love interest for Levana, and giving her reasoning for the way she acts... Not that it makes her actions any better.
Was Fairest a riveting story that I just couldn't put down? Not exactly. In fact, I was kind of reading Fairest more to just be over with the book instead of actually enjoying the journey. I just wasn't all that interested in Levana's story-- and the actual story itself wasn't helping. See, even though Levana does have a sad life, for me that doesn't exactly excuse her behavior. I kept having to look up from my book at the wall and say, "This b**ch is pyscho." She's insane and she just uses people to get what she wants. Yeah, she's a villain, but not one that I can even find it in my heart to sympathize with.
All in all, I would give this book a 5.8/10 stars. It was well written, and I did enjoy seeing Winter & Jacin as children as well as what actually happened with Selene, but this book didn't make me any more caring about Levana-- in fact, it just made me dislike her more, which is the exact opposite of the book's purpose. I guess if you're in love with the Lunar Chronicle Universe and interested in Levana, try it out. But I don't exactly think this book is required to make the series' experience better. It's not really needed.
Synopsis:
In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?
Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.
Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.
Anyway, thanks for reading,
Anj