Nine stories that fill in the backstories of the Lunar Chronicles' heroes, plus a happily-ever-after epilogue
More from the Lunar Chronicles
The Lunar Chronicles reimagined Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Snow White as a futuristic adventure involving a cyborg mechanic, a farm girl, a hacker and a princess. This collection returns to that world with nine stories, most of them set before the series began, showing how its heroes became the people readers came to love, from childhood to their first meetings.
Who will enjoy it
Fans who have finished the Lunar Chronicles and want more time with the characters, ideally after reading Winter.
What you will get
A charming collection of nine stories that fill in the pasts of the Lunar Chronicles' heroes and give fans one last happy ending.
Stars Above Facts: Pages, Genre and Setting
Genre
Young Adult · Short stories · Fairy-tale retellings · Cyborgs
Length
400 pages · ≈ 12 h
More about this book
Short story collections set in a beloved series can feel like leftovers, but Stars Above is a genuine treat for fans. The opening story shows a young Cinder arriving in New Beijing to live with her new adoptive family, a quietly moving glimpse of the girl before the adventure. Others visit Scarlet's grandmother on her farm, Wolf's recruitment into the queen's army, Thorne as a scheming boy and Cress's lonely childhood.
Two stories stand out. The Little Android is a standalone retelling of The Little Mermaid, featuring an android who falls in love, and it is sad, sweet and beautifully written. The Princess and the Guard shows Winter and Jacin growing up together at the Lunar court and explains their bond. The final story is a joyful epilogue set after Winter, giving the characters a happy ending with plenty of jokes.
Newcomers should start with Cinder, since the stories rely on knowing the series. For fans it is a warm farewell. Several stories also work as quick bedtime reads for anyone who misses the crew, and Meyer's affection for her characters shows on every page. About 400 pages in the Feiwel and Friends hardcover.
Winter
Cinder
Cress
Scarlet
The Distance Between Us
Heartless
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
Nimona
An Abundance of Katherines
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
Heist Society
The Heir