Fairest by Marissa Meyer

Shruthi | Holmdel High School, Grade 11

Rating: ****

There are always two sides to a story, and this story is the flipside on the villain’s point of view. “Fairest” by bestselling author Marissa Meyer, introduces you to Levana’s background, including a bit of her past and her rise to the throne.

Since childhood, Levana was treated as an outcast by her own sister, and her parents did nothing to help, nor did they pay the slightest attention to her. So, when her parents are murdered by a rebel shell and her sister ascends the throne, Levana feels more grief towards the honor being extended towards her sister than the death of her parents, the late king and queen. However, her path goes askew when she meets a young and sympathetic guard named Evret Hayle.

Fairest is the excellent and tragic story of Snow White’s wicked step-mother’s history. Though I did pity her to some extent, I never found her actions justifiable, which I suppose is what makes the villain of the story. However, the story does a great job of explaining why Levana does a lot of what she does. The story was well-crafted, and I liked that Levana wasn’t a stereotypical villain; she did have feelings. I recommend reading this novel after Cress and before Winter; it helps explain a lot that you otherwise wouldn’t understand.

Amisha | Biotechnology High School, Grade 9

Rating: ****

Queen Levana is the current ruler of Luna, the colony of Lunars that live on the moon. Lunars have the ability to manipulate bioelectricity and see glamours which enables them to control how others see them and allows them to control others. Queen Levana is a tyrant who has current plans to take over Earth by marrying the Emperor of the Commonwealth, Emperor Kai, and becoming his Empress. However, before becoming the queen she is now, she used to be an innocent and naive princess. In this companion novella to The Lunar Chronicles Meyer leaves the readers awestruck.

This novella was a beautiful addition to Marissa Meyer’s series and I was shocked while reading about Levana’s backstory. Her life has been filled with so much tragedy, anguish and dismay which reflects her attitude and actions as Queen in the present. However, this novella deepened my loathing yet at the same time I pitied her childhood and the way she was treated. Her passion for Evert Hayle was very potent yet saddening to read about and the way Channary treated her was heart-breaking. It was very interesting to see how her childhood turned her into the unfeeling, manipulative, and cold-hearted Queen of Luna. I definitely recommend reading this novel since it gives great insight into the childhood of Queen Levana, the antagonist of the Lunar Chronicles'.