Red Queen, by Victoria Aveyard
Hey all!
I just finished Red Queen, by Victoria Aveyard!
I actually finished a few days ago, but I'm writing my release today in honor of the release of book 2: Glass Sword! Can't wait to get it!
Goodreads Blurb:
" This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.
The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.
That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.
Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.
But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart ..."
Note: This is a re-read! It will be reviewed as such :)
The last time I read Red Queen was when it came out a year ago. I can honestly say that while I though that most of it was jam-packed with typical YA tropes the first time I read it, the second time made me appreciate the story more, as well as its surprising uniqueness.
Honestly, re-read it before reading Glass Sword if you have the chance! It was so much better the second time around!
So Mare has red blood. She steals for money for food, and her brothers are at war. She and her friend are waiting conscription, when she suddenly, through a meeting, gets a job at the palace. There, she realizes that she has silver-like powers. She is "Red and Silver, stronger than both". This leads her though a whole royal game, in which she has to disguise herself as a princess and has to figure out who to trust, and who to be weary of. She joins the Scarlet Guard, a resistance group, who resist against Silver oppression. It is full of deception and plot-twists!
Mare is really stubborn! She does things even though her parents disapprove, and joins the red guard right under the queen's nose. She's not one to be pushed around! She's not the strongest female protagonist, but I think that her character may further develop in Glass Sword, and I think I might be pleasantly surprised! ^_^
The princes are confusing. You never really know if Cal is to be trusted or not, and Maven seems mostly trustable. I'm really looking forward to Cal's character development in book 2!
Kilorn is my personal favorite! He knows what is right to do and will do what it takes to get that done.
The plot seems common at times - especially in the context of a royalty novel - but it has an x-men feel to it that brings it to another level in which we can't really say that it is just a 'typical royalty novel' anymore!
I won't say much about the ending, but wow! You guys who read it know what I'm talking about!
I can't wait for Glass Sword, coming out TODAY all over the world! :D
What did you think of Red Queen? Let me know!
I'm giving this a 4/5 stars :)
I read this book over the summer and absolutely LOVED it! I am so excited for the release of Glass Sword. I was thinking about rereading it too and since you've found you liked it better the second time around, you have inspired me to reread it before my copy of Glass Sword comes in the mail. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy reading! Have a great day!
Oh I’m glad I got you to re-read it! Enjoy it! :D
DeleteI read this book when it first came out, and I definitely need to reread it before I pick up Glass Sword. I have all these theories about what's going to happen, and I desperately need to know! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteI’m trying not to guess what will happen, I want to be as surprised as possible! Thanks! :D
DeleteYay for rereads - you'll be ready for Glass Sword when it comes out!
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in Red Queen, but I'm just hesitant to read it because there ARE SO MANY MIXED REACTIONS :/
I love re-reads, you see so much more than you did the first time around! :D
DeleteDon’t worry about the mixed reactions, just pick it up with an open mind :)
I read this book a while back, but I should reread it before getting Glass Sword. Ugh the ending of Red Queen! So many feels! I can't wait to see what happens next! Nice review!
ReplyDeleteCloe @ Mornings and Epilogues
I forgot how intense the ending was! I’m glad I re-read it! :D
DeleteEnjoy glass sword! :D