Where should I start reading The Lunar Chronicles?

You should start with Cinder , the first novel in the series. Reading the prequel stories or novellas beforehand will spoil major character reveals and plot points.

Is Fairest necessary to read before Winter?

Yes, reading Fairest: Levana's Story between Cress and Winter is highly recommended. It explains Queen Levana's tragic past and sets up her motivations, making the finale in Winter far more impactful.

Are the Wires and Nerve graphic novels sequels?

Yes, the two Wires and Nerve graphic novels are direct sequels to the main series. They focus on the android Iko and show what happens to the characters after the events of Winter .

What is Stars Above in The Lunar Chronicles?

Stars Above is a collection of nine short stories. It includes prequels about the characters' childhoods, a standalone retelling of The Little Mermaid , and a final epilogue story set after Winter .

Can Cinder's Adventure be read on its own?

No, Cinder's Adventure: Get Me to the Wedding! is an interactive choice-driven e-book that takes place after the main series and contains references and characters from throughout the saga.

Lunar Chronicles Books in Order

The Best Reading Order for The Lunar Chronicles

For the most seamless and spoiler-free experience, reading Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles in publication order is highly recommended. The core storyline builds continuously from book to book, and reading the prequels or spin-offs out of order will reveal major plot twists ahead of time.

Here is the recommended reading path for first-time readers:

Cinder (Book 1) — Published in 2012.
Scarlet (Book 2) — Published in 2013.
Cress (Book 3) — Published in 2014.
Fairest: Levana's Story (Prequel novella / Book 3.5) — Published in January 2015.
Winter (Book 4) — Published in November 2015.
Stars Above (Short Story Collection) — Published in 2016.
Wires and Nerve, Volume 1 (Graphic Novel / Spin-off) — Published in 2017.
Wires and Nerve, Volume 2: Gone Rogue (Graphic Novel / Spin-off) — Published in 2018.
Cinder's Adventure: Get Me to the Wedding! (Interactive E-book) — Published in 2022.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

While the publication order is the safest route for your first journey through Earth and Luna, some seasoned fans prefer a chronological re-read. Chronologically, several short stories and one novella take place long before the events of the first book.

However, diving into the chronological sequence first is not recommended because the prequel novella, Fairest, and several stories in Stars Above rely on context established in the main novels. Reading them first ruins the mystery surrounding Queen Levana, the lunar court, and Cinder's true identity.

Here is how the series fits together chronologically:

"The Keeper" (Short story in Stars Above) — Set years before Cinder, following Michelle Benoit as she cares for a young Scarlet and receives a mysterious cybernetic child.
"Glitches" (Short story in Stars Above) — Set when Cinder first arrives at her stepfamily's home in New Beijing at age eleven.
"The Queen's Army" (Short story in Stars Above) — Follows Ze'ev (Wolf) as he is forced into Levana's genetically engineered mutant army.
"Carswell's Guide to Being Lucky" (Short story in Stars Above) — Shows a young Carswell Thorne during his school days.
"After Sunshine Passes By" (Short story in Stars Above) — Follows a nine-year-old Princess Winter and her first meeting with Jacin Clay.
Fairest: Levana's Story (Prequel novella) — Explores Queen Levana's tragic childhood and rise to power.
"The Princess and the Guard" (Short story in Stars Above) — Chronicles the growing bond between Winter and Jacin before the events of Winter.
"The Little Android" (Short story in Stars Above) — A futuristic retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid," occurring alongside the timeline of the early books.
Cinder (Book 1)
"The Mechanic" (Short story in Stars Above) — Details the first meeting between Cinder and Kai from Kai's perspective.
Scarlet (Book 2)
Cress (Book 3)
Winter (Book 4)
"Something Old, Something New" (Epilogue novella in Stars Above) — Takes place about two years after the end of Winter, serving as a series-wide epilogue centered around a wedding.
Wires and Nerve, Vol. 1 & 2 (Graphic novels) — Set after the main events of Winter, following the android Iko as she hunts rogue lunar soldiers.
Cinder's Adventure: Get Me to the Wedding! (Choose-your-own-adventure e-book) — Follows Cinder as she plans her wedding to Kai, with fun crossovers to other Marissa Meyer works.

Deep Dive: The Core Novels

Cinder (2012)

Inspired by Cinderella, the first book introduces us to Linh Cinder, a highly talented cyborg mechanic living in New Beijing. As a second-class citizen under the thumb of her cruel stepmother, Cinder's life changes when Prince Kai visits her workshop. A deadly plague is sweeping Earth, and the threat of an invasion by the ruthless Lunar Queen Levana looms large. When Cinder's stepsister falls ill, Cinder is volunteered for medical testing, unlocking secrets about her past that could save the world.

Scarlet (2013)

Reimagining Little Red Riding Hood, the second book shifts perspective to the French countryside. Scarlet Benoit is determined to find her missing grandmother. She reluctantly teams up with Wolf, a street fighter with animalistic instincts and secrets of his own. Meanwhile, Cinder escapes from prison and joins forces with Captain Carswell Thorne, a charming thief. Soon, Scarlet and Wolf's paths collide with Cinder and Thorne as they unravel Levana's sinister plots.

Cress (2014)

This Rapunzel-inspired installment introduces Cress, a shell-shocked lunar hacker who has spent years isolated on a satellite orbiting Earth. Under Queen Levana's orders, Cress is forced to spy on Earth, but she secretly uses her skills to assist Cinder and her growing crew. A rescue mission goes awry, separating the group across the globe and forcing them to overcome trials in the Sahara Desert, New Beijing, and beyond.

Winter (2015)

The epic conclusion to the main series retells Snow White. Princess Winter is beloved by the lunar people for her grace and beauty, despite the scars left by her stepmother, Queen Levana. Winter has chosen never to use her mind-manipulating lunar gift, a decision that has driven her to the brink of madness. Protected by her childhood friend and royal guard, Jacin, Winter joins Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and their allies to spark a revolution on Luna and dethrone the tyrant queen once and for all.

Novellas, Spin-Offs, and Companion Works

Fairest: Levana's Story (2015)

This prequel novella is essential reading. It details the backstory of Queen Levana, showing how she became the cruel, mask-wearing ruler of Luna. While chronologically a prequel, it should be read between Cress and Winter, as it provides crucial emotional context and introduces key elements that pay off in the final book.

Stars Above (2016)

A comprehensive anthology containing nine short stories, Stars Above is a goldmine for fans. It brings together several previously published standalone e-shorts (like "Glitches" and "The Queen's Army") and adds new ones. The most important inclusion is the final story, "Something Old, Something New," which serves as the ultimate epilogue for all the main couples.

Wires and Nerve, Vol. 1 & 2 (2017–2018)

These two graphic novels, illustrated by Douglas Holgate and Stephen Gilpin, are direct sequels to the main series. The plot shifts focus to Iko, the sassy, fashion-loving android. Armed with a newly upgraded human-like body, Iko takes on the dangerous task of hunting down rogue mutant wolf-soldiers left behind on Earth. The main cast makes frequent appearances, providing a satisfying look at their lives post-revolution.

Cinder's Adventure: Get Me to the Wedding! (2022)

An interactive, choose-your-own-adventure digital short story where the reader helps Cinder navigate the chaos of planning her wedding to Emperor Kai. Depending on your choices, you can encounter characters from the main series, as well as fun Easter eggs and cameos from Marissa Meyer's other popular series, including Renegades and Gilded.

Practical Reader Advice

Can the books be read standalone?

No, the core novels cannot be read as standalones. Unlike some fairytale retellings that feature completely separate stories, The Lunar Chronicles is a continuous, serialized narrative. Each book adds new characters to the central group, but the main plot—overthrowing Queen Levana and stopping the letumosis pandemic—progresses directly from Cinder through to Winter.

Do you need to read the graphic novels?

While the graphic novels (Wires and Nerve) are not mandatory to understand the conclusion of the main series, they are highly recommended for fans of Iko. They resolve lingering plot threads regarding the genetically modified soldiers and give readers a wonderful epilogue to the entire crew's adventures.

Is Marissa Meyer the sole author?

Yes. Marissa Meyer is the sole creator and writer of all the novels, short stories, and graphic novels in The Lunar Chronicles universe. However, she collaborated with artists Douglas Holgate (for Volume 1) and Stephen Gilpin (for Volume 2) to bring the Wires and Nerve graphic novels to life visually.