Scarlet is the second novel in the science fiction series The Lunar Chronicles by American author Marissa Meyer. Scarlet was released in 2013, one year after its predecessor Cinder, and is set in the same distant future on Earth. Scarlet continues the story of Linh Cinder, a cyborg girl who learns that she is the lost princess of Luna (formerly known as the moon). Scarlet introduces a new cast of characters by weaving the first book’s plot into a reimagining of the classic fairy tale, “Little Red Riding Hood.” Scarlet and a mysterious stranger named Wolf investigate the disappearance of Scarlet’s grandmother, while Cinder learns more about her tragic past and what her evil aunt Queen Levana is capable of. Like Cinder, Scarlet is a story focused on love, war, trust, betrayal, sacrifice, bravery, and self-acceptance. Since its publication, the series achieved a massive fan following and made The New York Times Bestseller list. Several of Meyer’s novels, including Cinder, have gained the attention of television and film producers alike. The version used for this guide is the hardback of the Feiwel and Friends imprint of MacMillan Publishers.

Plot Summary

Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing, and no one is willing to help find her. The French police have decided that her grandmother ran away, and there is no evidence of foul play. Scarlet is furious, and when she decides to launch her own investigation, she meets Wolf, a timid stranger with a talent for street fighting. Wolf knows something about her grandmother’s disappearance, and he knows who took her: his old gang, the Wolves. Scarlet forms an uneasy alliance with Wolf, who agrees to help her look for her grandmother.

Meanwhile, Linh Cinder escapes from prison in New Beijing using the tools her friend Dr. Erland smuggled to her. She runs into Carswell Thorne, a handsome criminal with a zest for mischief, and the two escape on a stolen spaceship. Cinder recently learned that she is the rightful heir to the Lunar throne, and as she tries to process the news of her royal lineage, she begins to experiment with “glamour,” a Lunar gift that allows her to manipulate the thoughts and feelings of other people. As Cinder and Thorne plan their next move, they manage to revive Cinder’s android friend Iko and make her the ship’s auto-control system.

Emperor Kai, the newly-crowned ruler of New Beijing, deals with the aftermath of the events from Cinder. The girl he liked turned out to be a Lunar cyborg, and Kai finds himself being pressured to capture her and turn her over to the wicked Lunar queen, Levana. Kai also feels the mounting pressure to form a marriage alliance with Queen Levana, who has made it clear that her demands are not to be ignored. Kai tries to set aside his feelings for Linh Cinder and focus on bringing her to justice, but he can’t stop thinking about her and their connection.

While searching for Scarlet’s grandmother, Wolf tells Scarlet that he chose to leave the Wolves. Scarlet is still unsure if she can trust Wolf, but she decides to take the risk because he might be the only chance she has to find her grandmother. As they jump from train cars, outrun androids, and fight Wolf’s brother, who tries to bring him back to the gang, Scarlet and Wolf start to develop feelings for one another. However, Scarlet is unnerved by Wolf’s unusual animal-like behaviors, and she wonders how seriously he takes the whole “wolf” thing. Just when Scarlet starts to think she can trust Wolf, he leads her into a trap, and she learns that Wolf is actually a Lunar soldier who works for Queen Levana. The soldiers kidnapped her grandmother because they think she might know something about the missing Lunar princess. However, Scarlet’s grandmother is somehow immune to their Lunar glamour, and the soldiers want to find out why. Scarlet is devastated by Wolf’s betrayal, and Wolf starts to second-guess himself because his feelings for Scarlet were real.

Cinder and Thorne go to the home of Scarlet’s grandmother in hopes of learning more about the story of the Lunar princess. They discover that Michelle Benoit hid the Lunar princess on her farm for years, keeping her alive until she was ready to be turned into a cyborg. They go into town to get supplies, but suddenly, men attack and kill the townspeople as if they are wild animals. Panic and chaos erupt across Earth as news of the attacks spread. Back in Paris, Wolf helps Scarlet escape, but Scarlet’s grandmother is killed by a crazed Lunar soldier right after she tells Scarlet to find the Lunar princess. Wolf starts to lose control and tries to attack Scarlet, but Cinder and Thorne rescue her. Wolf regains his self-control, and Cinder, Thorne, Scarlet, and Wolf narrowly escape on the spaceship. Emperor Kai knows that Levana is responsible for this devastating attack, and as the death toll rises, he breaks down and agrees to a marriage alliance so she will call off the attack.

Back on the ship, Scarlet and Wolf make up and apologize to one another. Cinder tells everyone on board the truth: She is the Lunar princess, and Levana wants her dead. They all agree to help Cinder defeat Levana, and as Cinder thinks about her responsibility and her rightful place on the throne of Luna, she decides that she is willing to challenge the Lunar queen if it means protecting Earth from any more of her cruelty.