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TL;DR: In a futuristic France, Scarlet Benoit is searching for her missing grandmother, who has been kidnapped. A mysterious street fighter called Wolf offers to help, though Scarlet is unsure whether to trust him. Meanwhile, Cinder, the cyborg mechanic from the first book, escapes from prison and learns more about her own secret past, which is linked to Scarlet's grandmother.
Table of Contents
Scarlet at a Glance
| Author | Marissa Meyer |
| First published | 2013 |
| Type | Science fiction |
| Best for | readers who want a fast science fiction twist on Little Red Riding Hood |
Scarlet is the second book in Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles, published in 2013. It follows Cinder and adds a new heroine inspired by Little Red Riding Hood. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes violence, kidnapping, torture and death.
Main Characters
- Scarlet Benoit: A fierce farmer searching for her grandmother.
- Wolf: A street fighter with a dangerous past.
- Cinder: A cyborg mechanic on the run.
- Captain Carswell Thorne: A charming criminal who escapes with Cinder.
- Queen Levana: The cruel ruler of the Moon.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
A missing grandmother
Scarlet delivers vegetables from her grandmother's farm. The police say her grandmother, Michelle, ran away, but Scarlet knows she was kidnapped. At a tavern, she meets Wolf, a fighter with green eyes and odd habits. He seems to know something about the kidnappers and offers to take her to Paris to find her grandmother.
Cinder's escape
In New Beijing, Cinder escapes from prison with the help of Captain Thorne, a vain but charming criminal with a stolen spaceship, the Rampion. Cinder is learning that she is Princess Selene, the lost heir to the Moon's throne. She also learns that Michelle Benoit helped hide her as a child.
Wolf's secret
Scarlet and Wolf travel to Paris. Scarlet grows to care for him. But she learns that Wolf is part of a pack of genetically altered Lunar soldiers, bred to be like wolves. His pack kidnapped her grandmother to find out what she knew about Princess Selene. Scarlet feels betrayed.
The pack
In Paris, Scarlet is captured by Wolf's pack and learns her grandmother has been killed. Wolf, who truly cares for Scarlet, turns against the pack to protect her. Cinder and Thorne arrive and help Scarlet and Wolf escape. The four join forces aboard the Rampion.
The attack
Queen Levana launches attacks on Earth's cities using wolf soldiers, killing many people. To stop the violence, Emperor Kai agrees to marry Levana. Cinder, Scarlet, Wolf and Thorne decide that they must stop the queen. The book ends with the crew united and preparing for the battles ahead.
5 Key Takeaways
- Trust can grow even after betrayal.
- Family secrets can shape destinies.
- Courage means acting when others will not.
- Identity is more than what others made you.
- Teamwork helps overcome powerful enemies.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Kindness can change someone created for violence.
- Following your instincts can save lives.
- Unlikely allies can become family.
Who Should Read Scarlet?
Read Scarlet if you enjoyed Cinder and want more fairy-tale science fiction. It suits teens and adults.
About Marissa Meyer
Marissa Meyer (born 1984) is an American author from Tacoma, Washington. She began writing fan fiction before publishing Cinder in 2012. The Lunar Chronicles continues with Cress and Winter and includes the companion book Fairest. She later wrote the Renegades trilogy, Heartless and the Gilded duology.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Scarlet:
- Why does Scarlet decide to trust Wolf again?
- How does Scarlet's story connect to Cinder's?
- What does Wolf learn about himself?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Scarlet is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Scarlet, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It adds great new characters and builds excitement for the series.
Check price of Scarlet on Amazon
What to Read Next
- Cinder by Marissa Meyer: the first Lunar Chronicles book
- Cress by Marissa Meyer: the third Lunar Chronicles book
- Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard: a girl fights a cruel royal family
Related: Cinder by Marissa Meyer: Summary and Key Takeaways · Renegades by Marissa Meyer: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Scarlet about?
Scarlet searches for her grandmother and joins Cinder against the Lunar queen.
Who wrote it?
Marissa Meyer, in 2013.
Is it a series?
Yes, the second Lunar Chronicles book.
Which fairy tale inspired it?
Little Red Riding Hood.
Who is Wolf?
A genetically altered Lunar soldier.
What happens to Scarlet's grandmother?
She is killed by Wolf's pack.
Who is Captain Thorne?
A charming criminal who helps Cinder.
What age is it for?
Teens and adults.
How long is it?
About 450 pages.
Do I need to read Cinder first?
Yes.
Is there romance?
Yes, between Scarlet and Wolf.
What comes next?
Cress.
Is Scarlet a good sequel?
Yes. Many readers think it is even better than Cinder, thanks to Wolf and Thorne.
Is Scarlet worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a fast science fiction twist on Little Red Riding Hood. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.