RED QUEEN (Red Queen, #1)

by Victoria Aveyard

[Katie King]

3 stars for sure.

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.