writehollydavis
Written on Dec 12, 2016
Graceling meets The Selection in debut novelist Victoria Aveyard's sweeping tale of seventeen-year-old Mare, a common girl whose once-latent magical power draws her into the dangerous intrigue of the king's palace. Will her power save her or condemn her?
Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood--those with common, Red blood serve the Silver- blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.
To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard--a growing Red rebellion--even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.
- ISBN10 0062310631
- ISBN13 9780062310637
- Publish Date 10 February 2015 (first published 1 February 2015)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Imprint Collins
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 400
- Language English
Reviews
Liz (Bent Bookworm)
Written on Dec 9, 2016
I finally, finally got around to this book. With above a 4-star average on GoodReads and nearly 205,000 ratings, I thought for sure I couldn’t lose! Well. Erm. Behold my rather sad panda negative review of Red Queen. I honestly have NO CLUE how this book is so popular and I’m really kind of angry about that. I feel robbed.
Best Quote:
This world is Silver, but it is also gray. There is no black-and-white.
Feels:
I really expected to like this book more than I did. I saw SO MANY glowing reviews (which I avoided reading in their entirety because reasons), I loved the idea of silver blood vs. red blood + some unexplained combination of the two. And then…and then…and then this was me:
Actually, until the last couple of chapters I was more like:
Characters:
Main characters are Mare Barrow (a.k.a., Mareena Titanos), Kilorn (her best friend since childhood), Prince Cal, and Prince Maven. Also a cast of side characters who honestly sound much more interesting. Julian, anyone? Colonel Ellyn Macanthos? Farley?? Anyway.
Our heroine, Mare, was a very hard person for me to connect with and mostly I just wanted to shake her until her teeth rattled. She reminds us at least a few times that she is trying to “save” people, yet she seems to be incredibly good at getting them in more trouble than they were in to start with (Kilorn might be the exception there). She’s completely out of control of her emotions. I know, she’s a teenage girl under an extreme amount of stress – I got it, really. But geez Louise, a girl with as much street smart as she supposedly has should know better than to trust to appearances as much as she does. She’s so extremely childish it’s disheartening. Like when her best friend/crush Kilorn joins up with the rebels against her wishes, because she’s trying to keep him safe.
“Mare,” he calls after me. “At least say good-bye.”
But I’m already walking, Maven by my side…I won’t look back, not now when he’s betrayed all I’ve ever done for him.
Yeesh. Control issues much?
Kilorn, I put in with the main characters because even though the role he plays in the actual story is small, his part in the back story is huge and I suspect (hope?) he will be more in the forefront of the next books. I like his stubbornness, though I’m a little less enthusiastic about his collapse in the face of conscripting. Like everyone in this book is a fucking drama king/queen. Give me a break.
The princes. Well. They are about as different as night and day, and yet they are both so perfectly predictable. Yawn. Had them pegged as good guy/bad guy from the second scene they appear in together. Which isn’t necessarily bad…except neither of them do anything unexpected, ever. They are literally just good guy/bad guy. I see the character development there, and I have some question if Prince Bad Guy could maybe, just maybe possibly, be redeemed down the road (maybe after his brainwave controlling mother is out of the picture). I liked Prince Good Guy. I think what he went through in the last couple of chapters will (or should) have a MAJOR effect on him and his actions in the future, which could also be interesting.
Plot:
“You want me to pin my entire operation, the entire revolution, on some teenaged love story? I can’t believe this.”
Oh, Farley, I couldn’t have said it better. Because yes. Best line of the book. That’s exactly what this is – and not only that, but trope after trope after trope. Love triangle? Check – only because more is obviously better let’s make it a fucking LOVE SQUARE. Special snowflake? Check – and she is oh-so-special let us count the ways she is the ONLY ONE who can fix this.
“For hundreds of years the Silvers have walked the earth as living gods and the Reds have been slaves at their feet, until you.”
Insta-love? Check – because as soon as certain characters set foot on the page, I went “Oh, yep, there’s one…two…three…wtf?!?”
The plot – obviously the oppressed Reds versus the godlike Silvers – has a decent start. But so many of the parts surrounding Mare are just extremely farfetched and had me squinting at the pages and saying “Really?” out loud. Like the fact that, the very first day Mare starts her job, she’s sent to the biggest Silver event in decades. Where she conveniently produces powers she never had even an inkling that she had. Suspicious much, I am. The queen, who has the power to read people’s thoughts and memories – why does she never catch on to the secret attacks? It just doesn’t make sense.
Also, there is way, way way way way WAY too much romance in this book. Has Mare never even seen a man before? Seriously? I nearly rage quit when I realized that yes, indeed, the Love Square was a thing. Also WHY are all these guys in love with her? What do they see that I don't?
Worldbuilding/Setting:
The setting here is X-men meets Lord of the Rings, which was actually pretty cool. Just…I need a map! Haha. Also more names. The descriptions are good, but I need names and big pictures to orient myself, even in a book, and that felt lacking. The world, to me at least, seemed like a combined setting of fantasy and dystopian, what with all the fancy clothes and crazy magical power yet also video cameras and other technology.
Final Rating and Thoughts:
2.5 stars. I tried, folks, I really did. But all the tropes, the sheer predictability, and my extreme dislike for Mare have me giving this one a no-go. I was considering a 3 star rating, but for me the shift to the better side of the middle of the road is whether or not I will read the sequel, and for this one I have to say no. I’m somewhat curious about a few things, but not enough to put up with Mare’s stupid self-centeredness for an longer.
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Amber (The Literary Phoenix)
Written on Jun 11, 2016
Katie King
Written on Mar 30, 2016
I didn't anticipate the general consensus of this. I thought it was supremely hyped when it first came out and I didn't follow it much after that, so I assumed everyone had enjoyed it. I guess not.
Totally flawed BUT I like the concept. I love the cover. I like the abilities. I like the revolution plot and of course the plot twist at the end. I actually didn't see it coming (some have said it was obvious, I didn't think so).
Lots of lines, terms, catchphrases were repeated throughout the book. I'm not normally that observant, so if I notice it, it's a problem. Lots of conflicting statements on one line vs the next. I get repeating themes, but this was just lazy. Very heavy-handed.
World building was interesting, but I felt as though it really lacked. I tried to picture this diamond world but I struggled quite a bit. I don't know what diamond and "something" mixed together look like...I really anticipate this getting better though.
MC wasn't all that great, she came off as bratty to me. She's also a bit of a heartless c*nt, as others have pointed out (in terms of naming the targets and how she treats Cal), which does nothing to endear her to me. I like her ability (and the concept) but she's just another all-powerful mystery-power special snowflake. WHY is she so powerful?? I would've thrown the book across the room if she had been able to overcome ability silencing, but thankfully even she couldn't.
Romance was basically a square, maybe with a hint of a pentagon? Not only is it desperate to have 3 love interests, cliche to make 1 the longtime best friend and the other 1 a handsome prince, then sad to make that 2 handsome princes, and tacky that the princes are BROTHERS, but pushing someone else into it as well?? COME ON!
All in all, I felt a very strong connection between this and several other popular YA novels. I don't need to name them, other reviewers have already done so. Sure, there was originality, but it was overshadowed by a feeling of "I've seen this before". I will be checking out the novellas to see if the world building improves.
cornerfolds
Written on Feb 21, 2016
In February 2015, Red Queen hit the shelves with a BANG. Every single reader I knew was talking about it and rating it five stars... which was why I have been avoiding it like the plague since then. Super hyped books scare the crap out of me because most of the time when I go into a book with really high expectations, I get let waaaaay down (which sucks). When Glass Sword came out this year, I decided it might finally be time to give Red Queen a chance, especially since I had the option to listen to the audiobook! I am happy to report that this book was actually really freaking awesome.
My biggest fear going into this was exactly what I've read on the bad reviews I stalked: that it was a ripoff of The Selection and The Hunger Games. Almost immediately I realized that those were not really fair assessments of Red Queen. Yes, there are some teenagers trying to kill each other. Yes, there is a chapter where girls compete for the privilege of marrying the crown prince. But that's really where the comparisons end.
This is the story of Mare Barrow, a Red, and her immersion into the world of the Silvers. Through circumstances out of her control, Mare finds herself living in the Silver world in a position very close to the royal family. Mare was an enjoyable protagonist, thank goodness. She was neither too helpless nor too bitchy, but tried to fit into her new world while simultaneously gathering information about what was -really- going on. Although she did try to see the best in those around her, she remained wary, and of course this wouldn't be a YA dystopian series without at least one love triangle!
The two real love interests in Red Queen are the two princes, Cal and Maven. Cal is the older brother who is next in line for the throne and a bred soldier with a hot temper. Maven is the younger, more gentle brother who sympathizes with the Reds. Mare's relationship was pretty set in stone early on, but that didn't stop her from feeling for both of the guys and finding herself attracted to different qualities in each of them. I didn't really mind the love triangle too much since I felt like it worked okay within the story. Luckily, the triangle was mostly resolved by the end of this first book.
Victoria Aveyard did a really fantastic job setting up the world of this book. Without being overly wordy in her descriptions, she painted landscapes that I could easily picture in my mind. I especially liked the village that Mare grew up in, the Stilts. The worlds of the Reds and Silvers were very divided in terms of class and I really felt like they were very well formed and I could see all of them plainly. This is a series I would love to see on the big screen one day! It would be visually breathtaking!
I did feel that the plot of Red Queen was unique, despite some surface similarities with other YA dystopians. I really enjoyed learning about the Reds and the Silvers and the differences between the two. I also really loved finding out about all the different abilities within the Silver world and how each of them worked. My only complaint is that I wish the history of how the Reds and Silvers diverged (since that seems to be what they were hinting at) was better explained instead of just focusing on their current differences. I definitely look forward to learning more about their history in future books. I also can't wait to see what happens with the politics between the different players, which is not something I usually say.
One thing I did NOT see coming in Red Queen was the twist! I actually had no idea that there was even a twist in this book at all. I have avoided reviews as much as I could and apparently did a great job of it. I was left with my jaw hanging open and immediately had to message a friend to freak out about it with her. Well done, Miss Aveyard. Well done.
Red Queen is a book that is intricate and well done, something I was not really expecting based on the claims that it was ripping off so many other stories. While there were a couple slow parts, the pacing overall was good enough to keep me engaged and I actually ended up buying a hard copy so I could finish it faster! For those of you who are still on the fence about this one, I definitely recommend that you finally pick it up! I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Renee
Written on Feb 16, 2016
It was time for a reread. I remember how enthusiastic I was about this book when I read it for the first time. I loved it with all my heart. I thought the plot twists were unexpected, the idea felt totally new, and wow the powers. Now, I am a bit less enthusiastic, but I still adore this book. However, I won't call it one of my favorites anymore just because the final plot twist has been foreshadowed early on in the book and I thought it spoiled it too much. Even though I didn't see it coming the first time.
Maybe it is also nostalgia, but I honestly love the world, the characters, and the plot twists. I do think some characters are a bit too bland, but I can definitely name a few popular YA books with more bland characters than this one.
I just now learned that this book is often compared to Red Rising, which appeared a year earlier. Personally, I love both books and even though there are some comparisons, they are almost nonexistent. The two books both have Reds as the lowest persons of the society and they both have a main character that wants to change the world from within the highest society. In both cases, this person is originally a Red. But whatever you call the lower society, infiltrating a higher class, or preferably the highest class of society, and trying to bring it down from within is nothing new. Both books do it in their own unique way. And I don't blame Red Queen for not changing its name of the lower society too avoid comparison, because having red blood makes sense and makes the reader feel connected to the lower society.
February 2016: 5 stars
Emma (SCR)
Written on Feb 6, 2016
The first thing you notice about this book is the influence of other YA fantasy books. I don't think this is a bad thing. I enjoyed those books so this gave me hope for this book.
Mare Barrow thinks she's just a regular red who will live a red life and nothing exceptional will happen to her. She however is very wrong. Mare's life changes dramatically in this book. I like Mare. Sometimes I thought she was a bit naive and a little too trusting but on the whole she's a good person and she's just fighting to survive.
The twist in this book was good. Like really good. I didn't expect it and that made it all the better. I don't want to ruin anything so I won't mention any more on it.
I'm so glad I finally got round to reading this book and I immediately went on to book two (review coming shortly). I honestly cannot wait for book 3.
BookeryBliss
Written on Jan 31, 2016
Don't get me wrong, I like a book who can give me the inner thoughts of a character, but Mare was a Debbie-downer.
It felt a little like this:
I should use my powers..... oh but I can't. I tried last time and it didn't work. It probably never will. I'm a complete failure.
No one likes me. I don't even like myself. I'm not worthy of anything. Ever.
And this goes on repetitively, over and over, she re-hashes what she already hashed a million times on why she couldn't do something.
But I kept reading.
Overall, I was not impressed. This book was just mediocre to me.
Silvara
Written on Jan 31, 2016
(No actual spoilers I don't think! I'm discussing the love interests a bit, but I don't think I've given anything away.)
I wasn't sure if I'd end up liking this book, but all my friends kept raving about it. I was afraid it would end up too much like The Selection, which I didn't like so much. I'm glad I finally read it! It was a lot better than I thought it would be.
I loved Mare. Her interactions with her family, as well as the Silvers were great. And the intrigue and twists! I thought she was going to end up with the crown prince, because that's how 99.9% of these stories go if a prince is met, right? And then she ends up being betrothed to Maven (his younger brother) instead. I was like, okay, well she's still going to end up with Cal because he's the crown prince, right? But then I started really liking Maven and it didn't look as much like Mare was really going to end up with Cal. Only she had some sweet moments with him, so maybe it was still possible?
But then there was also her childhood friend Kilorn, who seemed like he was crushing on Mare. And suddenly I had no idea who she was going to actually end up with! By the end of the book I'd changed my ship at least 3 times. *nods* All that said, the romance wasn't THE theme. It was mostly politics, intrigue and twists. The love bits just happened along the way.
I also really liked the magic we got to see. The Silvers can do all these really neat and scary things. Though each one only has one power, and the power tends to run in families. But they're all so arrogant and cold. They treat the Reds as beneath them, and don't care that the Reds are living in poverty. They think the Reds WANT to live that way, not giving any thought to the fact that the Reds live that way because the Silvers MAKE them live that way.
Which of course then leads to the rebels. I liked the leader, and I really liked how the techs managed to fool the Silvers about some things.
I loved Mare's little sister, and I just knew there would be some really awesome twist with her brother. So that didn't surprise me at all when it happened.
So the short/condensed version of this review: If you haven't read this yet, you should. I can hardly wait til the next book comes out.
This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon
Amber
Written on Jan 10, 2016
I had put off reading Red Queen for over a year. In the beginning, it's just because I forgot about it, and then the mixed reviews started rolling in and no matter how hard I tried to avoid them, I still caught a glimpse of people's thoughts or star ratings. I honestly wasn't going to pick this up any time soon, until Joan asked if anyone wanted to buddy read it with her. I jumped at the chance because I needed motivation, and 48 hours after the buddy read started, here we are.
It's easy to see why Red Queen has gotten so much hype. There's something about it that captivates you and doesn't let you go. You could say that there's a spark. *chuckles* I was hooked from the beginning, but my true devotion came about at around two thirds of the way through. It's a wild ride and I loved every minute of it.
Red Queen is promoted as a YA X-Men in a fantasy world, and that's exactly what I feel this book is. While the setting does feel a bit dystopian, considering there's an elite and somewhat evil group of people who form the government, I would say the world is a light fantasy. And then, of course, there are the powers. The Silvers - the elite and upper class - have silver blood and powers alongside it. All different powers. People who can control metal, who can manipulate people's thoughts, who can turn invisible... and then there are of course the classic elemental powers like Water-bending and Fire-bending. They're not called that, of course, but whatever.
Mare, the main protagonist, is a Red. A member of the working class, who could almost be considered slaves except they're being paid minuscule amounts for what they do. Reds don't have powers, and that's why they're oppressed. And this book is all about the uprising and rebellion of these people, as they fight to be treated as equals. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a complete and utter sucker for rebellion stories. It started with Spartacus and has carried on through the years. So when I realised what this book was I practically jumped for joy.
I loved Mare. A lot. She's snarky, impatient, quick on her feet, and she loves her three brothers and her little sister. Who does that sound like, hmmm? Mare is also young and somewhat naive, especially as she has been thrown into a world where nobody can really help her.
There are hints of a love triangle in Red Queen but to be perfectly honest, it's nothing to worry about. At all. Like, I am hesitant to even call it a love triangle. Can I just say, though, that I LOVE THE MAIN SHIP I AM WEAK FOR THIS ZUTARA REALNESS. And that's all I'm going to say about the romance because of reasons.
I feel like this review started off so well and now I have no idea how to carry on. It's been almost 24 hours since I finished Red Queen and I'm still having feelings. It doesn't help that I started Glass Sword right away, either.
READ THE BOOK. Read it. R E A D T H E B O O K. I don't know how else to put it.