Fairest: The Lunar Chronicles: Levana's Story by Marissa Meyer, 272 pages

Levana is the evil Lunar Queen we love to hate.  This novella, which is being touted as Volume 3.5 in the Lunar Chronicles series, tells her story.  I listened to this book, but am putting myself on hold for the print version, because I hear it has stunning artwork.

Did this book make me sympathetic toward Levana?  Heck no, she is one evil B.  But she did grow up with parents who didn't care and a crazy and cruel older sister who maimed her.  The poor little princess only wanted to find love . . . which didn't work out too well for any involved, by the way.

If you haven't started the young adult, sci-fi series, don't begin with this one.  There are some spoilers in the book.  However, if you follow the series, don't miss out on this volume, just because it's a novella.  It did a great job with the back story and is a nice preview to "Winter" the story of Levana's stepdaughter, and the final book in the Lunar Chronicles.  Bonus: it also includes the first 3 chapters of "Winter" which is scheduled for release in November 2015.