It all started with a cyborg Cinderella. Now, the sequel to Tacoma author Marissa Meyer’s futuristic fantasy “Cinder” is in bookstores. “Scarlet” is the second book in Meyer’s young adult “The Lunar Chronicles” series, which take fairy-tale characters and reboots them in a sci-fi/fantasy setting. There’s romance, intrigue and villains.
Meyer, a Pacific Lutheran University grad, will hold a book talk and signing Saturday at Tacoma Public Library’s Wheelock branch.
The title character in “Cinder,” a cyborg mechanic in New Beijing, still is very present in the new novel. The story also introduces a new character, Scarlet Benoit, based on the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale.
“I tried to follow the main trajectory of the fairy tale while giving it my own spin,” Meyer said.
Scarlet’s grandmother is missing in a futuristic France. Granny is one mysterious lady, it turns out, with many secrets. As Scarlet looks for her grandmother, she crosses paths with street fighter Wolf, who might have information on the missing woman. The pair meet Cinder and all three become entangled with the villain from the first book, the vicious Lunar Queen Levana.
“The spotlight is being shared,” Meyer said. “Cinder is still the main character. That will continue with books three and four.”
In the new book, “We learn more clues about Cinder’s past and that she has ties to Scarlet and her grandmother that neither are aware of,” Meyer said.
“Cinder” became a New York Times Bestseller, an Amazon Best Book of 2012 and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2012.
The last year has been “crazy” for Meyer, she said. Her hometown book signing is coming between book tours in Toronto and England. The national and international fan base has been steadily building. The series has sold in 23 international markets, Meyer said.
The remaining two books in the series feature characters based on Rapunzel and Snow White and will publish in 2014 and 2015. Meyer wrote drafts of the first three books and an outline for the fourth before she even sold “Cinder.”
“There’s lots of foreshadowing and hints to come.” If readers take another look at “Cinder,” Meyer said, “They’ll see these hints they may have missed in the beginning.”
After “The Lunar Chronicles” series is finished, Meyer said she might switch genres but still write for young adults. Whatever she writes, it will be a “combination of action and romance that I enjoy so much,” she said.
Meyer practiced her writing talents by crafting fan fiction – online stories based on other authors’ characters. Meyer recently found out her readers are writing fan fiction based on her work, a moment she called “the coolest thing ever.”
“I remember running around my house screaming, I was so excited. I had this feeling of my life coming full circle. It’s such an honor that the readers have embraced these characters and stories.”
Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. Seating is limited and on a space-available basis. “Scarlet” sells for $17.99 and is suitable for ages 12 and older. ‘Scarlet’ Book Talk & Signing
Author: Marissa Meyer
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Wheelock Library, 3722 N. 26th St., Tacoma
Information: marissameyer.com, tacomapubliclibrary.org
Craig Sailor: 253-597-8541 craig.sailor@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/getout
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