Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

RATING: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

Publisher: HarperTeen

Publication Date: February 10, 2015

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 383

 

 

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“Anyone can betray anyone.”

 

SYNOPSIS:

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 a prince, and Mare against her own heart.

REVIEW:

I have many things to say about this book if I were to review it based on the emotions that I get while reading this book. But I want to suspend my prejudices and review it without ranting or raving about something.

The characters in this book are very easy to relate to. Especially with Mare, the main character, in her struggle to figure out what she really is and why is she different. The characters are likeable and Victoria Aveyard develops them into a character that you want them to be. Some characters are very predictable, but some are not. And the character development is good, especially in the last part. I love some characters and I want to kill some of them if they are not fictional, to be honest. The world building as well is good, but I wish the book has a map on it to see the different places from the story. Don’t we all love a book with maps on it?

I have heard lots of mixed reviews about Red Queen for over a year now since it was released. And that stops me from reading this book. I have to agree with some that the plot of this book is not ORIGINAL. It is true in some ways and the characters kinda remind me of other characters from books that I love. (Kilorn reminded me of Gale Hawthorne.) BUT even so, the plot of this book is okay. For those who have very high standards and likes to compare the plot of the book to another, they may dislike it. But for some who wants to read and enjoy, this is the book for you. The start may be a bit confusing, I got confused about the different types of power at first but soon enough I’m flying inside this book as fast as I can. The plot of the book reminds me of The Selection by Kiera Cass, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (because of Gale), and Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (because of the different powers and the rebellion). But reminding me of good books that I have previously read doesn’t mean that it is not as original as the other. The plot has a different touch and feels in it. The characters are somewhat relatable, especially Mare. It is a good book, and if you have a hangover from the said books above, you should definitely check this book out.

I have reserved my words for the climax. The climax of this book is a bit fast. It’s like the story is slowly building the climax and then as I’m turning the page it is already happening. But nevertheless, that climax broke my heart (and you’ll know if you read the book). I love that character, I really do. But… 😦 Why do authors have to be so mean at times? WHY?! The plot twist. That plot twist! Yet it is predictable when you are almost there but there has been a misleading scene that got me thinking that that is the plot twist, the climax. But it is not! The plot twist in the Epilogue makes me so happy because it broke my heart, the same way as Mare broke hers about this certain character. (I’m really holding myself back because I don’t want to spoil anything but I can’t contain it so I’m putting CHARACTER instead of a name.)

I’m really looking forward into reading the second book. But I wouldn’t pick it up for now. I guess I’ll be giving myself time because my heart has been broken.

Highly recommending it if you want a fast read  and enjoyable book (and a heartbreaking one).