Once again Marissa Meyer does not fail me. I am in love with the Lunar Chronicles and I've desperately wanted to know more about Levana since I read the first book in the series.

Levana has always struck me as such a complex character. Surely nobody could be as evil as her without her own dark past. This novella did not disappoint at all. It answered so many of my questions about Levana: Why does she wear her glamour? Why is she so cold? Why is her hatred for Princess Selene so strong? We even learn exactly what happened to Selene all those years ago and, believe me, Levana is pure evil.

This book made me loathe Levana. She is a truly evil character who has no true feelings or emotions because she has spent so much of her life manipulating those around her. However, I could not help but be filled with sympathy for her after reading of her own tortured childhood. An older sister who constantly taunts her after destroying her appearance at such a young age. It is no wonder that Levana manipulates those around her with such desperation and ease: she doesn't believe anyone else is capable of loving her and she doesn't even love herself.

Levana is one of my favourite villains of all time at the moment and this book was a wonderful addition to the series. I am now very excited to read Winter and I'm curious to see how I will respond to Levana knowing what I now know. I will always think her cruel and completely evil, but maybe now I will understand her motives and actions in a different way. I highly recommend this novella for fans of the Lunar Chronicles. Fantastic writing once again.