Winter

Meyer, Marissa. Winter. Book 4 of the Lunar Chronicles. 2015. 824p. ISBN 9780312642983. Available at FIC WIN on the library shelves.

At the end of Cress, Kai was kidnapped by Cinder and her friends, provisionally saving him from the evil clutches of Queen Levana of Luna. But as they float in space, they need to come up with an actual plan to overthrow Levana and install Cinder, the former Princess Celine, as rightful heir to the throne. At the same time, Scarlett languishes in a cage in the Queen’s animal menagerie.

Meanwhile, Princess Winter, Levana’s stepdaughter, has grown up to be beautiful and admired by the people of Luna. First introduced in Fairest, she refuses to use her lunar gift to control others, but in the process is afflicted by visions and a hint of madness. In love with her guard Jacin, she tries to stay clear of Levana and feeds Scarlet in secret.

Eventually Cinder and Kai decide that the best plan is to conduct the wedding ceremony on Luna. Then they can infiltrate the planet and lead a popular uprising against Levana and her minions so she can reclaim her throne. If only it were so simple.

The plan goes awry immediately when the queen has Kai’s ship searched. All manage to escape except Cress, who is left behind. One by one, the members of Cinder’s party are peeled off, forming smaller groups of operatives. And as they spread throughout Luna, with the vain hope of overthrowing the queen, it will cost them all everything, and then some. This just might be the day the wicked queen and stepmother wins after all ...