When I first picked up Cinder by Marissa Meyer, I expected to read a retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales, Cinderella. I assumed that the story would have some little twist on it to make it feel new again, but generally follow the normal plot. What greeted me was a completely new story with well-rounded characters, mystery and intrigue. I became so enamored with this book I could not put it down. I was obsessed on how this story could possibly end, all the while forgetting I knew the story of Cinderella. Cinder is a futuristic retelling of Cinderella, with almost a steam punk feel to it. Cinder has all the shimmering beauty we all expect to find in todays' world of "Disneyfied" fairy tales, but also the gritty and dark parts that relate this story back to its origins with the Grimm Brothers, all the while having a tone that is all Marissa Meyer. When I finished with Cinder I would have willingly traded almost anything I own to get my hands on the next book, Scarlet.

I am not a big fan of the story "Little Red Riding Hood" mostly because I am petrified of wolves but also because I feel that Red is too gullible and unwitting to make a proper story heroine. So when I started Scarlet, the second book in the Lunar Chronicles Quartet, I had some trepidation. Well, I had nothing to worry about...the little red riding hood in Scarlet is a Red that the Katniss Everdeen generation can get behind. A heroine with drive, courage, and brains who dives into her adventure with Cinder right by her side. Not to mention by the end of this book I was in love with the Big Bad Wolf.

Androids, cyborgs and all of the fairy tale characters you know and love. Oh my! Meet Marissa Meyer, author of the Lunar Chronicles Quartet and a New York Times-bestselling author. She will be coming to sign at Square Books, Jr. on February 14, 2013. I can't think of a better person to spend Valentines Day with than the person who makes some of the books I love best. JB