Book Review: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen
By Victoria Aveyard
Red Queen #1
Hardcover: 383 pages
Publication Date: February 10, 2015
Publisher: Orion
Rated: ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
4 out of 5 Stars

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Related Reviews: | An Ember In the Ashes | The Young Elites |
Categories: Dystopian, Fantasy, Magic

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

I have read so many mixed reviews of Red Queen, and it seems that there are two sides to the debate. The first is that this book is phenomenal, a wonderful original dystopian novel. The second is that this book is a carbon copy of The Hunger Games. Well.. then I am thankful I have yet to read that series. I am a proud member of the first group; I loved this book! The world building is wonderful, and I was able to conjure a constant image of the story in my mind. I was also able to connect with all of the characters in their own way.

A young girl, about to be shipped off to a war that isn't hers to fight. A young prince, heir to the throne of his people. An unlikely match, yet impossible to deny their instant connection. That is, until she betrays him in the worst way possible. Ahh.. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but come on Miss Aveyard? Was that ending, and the subsequent betrayal absolutely necessary!? It has me questioning every single one of the characters and their loyalties. One of the quotes used a lot is: "Anyone can betray anyone." Looking back, I probably should have realized the ultimate twist from the start. I was too caught up in the story. Too immersed in the world of Red and Silver to thoroughly pay attention to the ultimate deception. The darkness of the ending twist made all the more sweet by the author's ability to distract the hell out of me.

I am officially a fan of this series, and I am now looking forward to the release of the second in the Red Queen Series in February 2016! I am hoping that Glass Sword will find her growing relationship with a certain someone who saves her life, as well as an increased ability to use her powers. The whole controlling lightning idea is pretty badass, indeed. I have begun to feel a growing unease with the current dystopian style novels that find themselves gracing the pages of my fellow bloggers. Little originality. Carbon copies. And maybe if I had a little more experience with the genre, I would have felt that unease with this story as well. Thankfully, that is not the case. As to the case of the love triangle that I've heard murmurings about, it is almost non existent. The romance aspect of this novel is not at the forefront of the story, so it kind of just slips past the reader without leaving much of an impression. For that Miss Aveyard, I am more grateful than you will ever know.. :)

“I will never make the mistake of loving you ever again." "So you choose him?" That's all this ever was. Jealousy. Rivalry. All so shadow could defeat the flame.”

“I told you to hide your heart once. You should have listened.”

"I'll make the other scream for you, Mare, every last one. Not just your parents. Not just your siblings. But every single one like you. I'm going to find them, and they will die with you in their thoughts, knowing this is the fate you have brought them. I am the king and you could've been my Red Queen. Now you are nothing.”

“The gods rule us still. They have come down from the stars. And they are no longer kind.”

Related Reviews
| An Ember In the Ashes | The Young Elites |

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