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Red Queen

Book 1 in the series:Red Queen

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In a world divided by blood, where those with red blood serve the silver-blooded elite, Mare Barrow, a red-blooded girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, discovers she possesses the powers of a silver-blood. Forced to play the role of a lost silver princess, Mare navigates power dynamics and a growing rebellion, all while uncovering hidden truths and facing tough choices amidst a dangerous conflict between Reds and Silvers.

The plot of "Red Queen" follows Mare's journey as she becomes entwined in a complex web of relationships, betrayals, and power struggles within a society where blood defines one's fate. The book combines elements of fantasy and dystopian fiction, offering a mix of intrigue, action, and unexpected twists that keep readers engaged from start to finish.

Characters:

The characters in Red Queen are well-crafted, with Mare as a relatable lead facing moral dilemmas, and complex relationships with princes Cal and Maven that drive the plot.

Writing/Prose:

Victoria Aveyard employs an engaging narrative style characterized by detailed world-building and dynamic character arcs that enhance the reader's experience.

Plot/Storyline:

Red Queen presents a powerful narrative of class conflict and betrayal, centering on Mare Barrow, a Red girl who discovers she possesses abilities akin to the Silvers, leading to intense political drama.

Setting:

The setting of Red Queen is a richly imagined dystopian world where the stark contrasts between the lives of Reds and Silvers heighten the narrative tension.

Pacing:

The pacing of the novel is uneven, beginning with slower exposition and character development before speeding up with thrilling action and dramatic revelations.
I hate First Friday. It makes the village crowded, and now, in the heat of high summer, that’s the last thing anyone wants. From my place in the shade it isn’t so bad, but the stink of bodies, all swe...

Notes:

The world, in Red Queen, is divided between Reds and Silvers, with Reds being ordinary folk and Silvers possessing supernatural powers.
The plot follows seventeen-year-old Mare Barrow, a Red, who discovers she has the ability to control electricity during a critical moment.
Mare is forced to pretend to be a lost Silver princess, leading her into a complicated political situation.
The book features themes of class disparity, betrayal, and rebellion against oppressive systems.
Mare's journey is not just about her powers but also her struggle with identity and loyalty amid love interests.
The story includes a competition called 'Queenstrial,' where noble girls display their powers to win the crown prince's favor.
The series blends elements of dystopian and fantasy genres, drawing comparisons to The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Graceling.
The book has been lauded for its engaging writing style and plot twists that defy expectations, particularly towards the climax.
The emotional and violent stakes are heightened with every character's potential for betrayal, encapsulated in the theme 'Anyone can betray anyone.'
Victoria Aveyard's debut novel has led to a successful book series with multiple sequels and companion works.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

There are themes of violence, betrayal, and war, which may be distressing for some readers.

Has Romance?

There is a significant romantic subplot that features a love triangle.

From The Publisher:

The #1 New York Times bestselling series!

Red Queen, by #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard, is a sweeping tale of power, intrigue, and betrayal, perfect for fans of George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones series.

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.

Plus don't miss Realm Breaker! Irresistibly action-packed and full of lethal surprises, this stunning fantasy series from Victoria Aveyard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Red Queen series, begins where hope is lost and asks: When the heroes have fallen, who will take up the sword?

Ratings (356)

Incredible (50)
Loved It (113)
Liked It (88)
It Was OK (61)
Did Not Like (34)
Hated It (10)

Reader Stats (676):

Read It (363)
Currently Reading (7)
Want To Read (230)
Did Not Finish (17)
Not Interested (59)

10 comment(s)

The author's dedication is to her family "who wanted to know what happened next even when [she] didn't" and like?? That should have been my first warning.

Unlikable overpowered super-special MC with an obnoxious narrative voice. I made it through one chapter and knew exactly where it was going. No thanks. Would have been more interesting if Bone Marrow got her super special powers and her super fancy new title as princess and decided to join the side she's always hated.

 
Did Not Like
2 months

It was just OK, pretty sure it's like all others of same vein I have read before... Parts of this I found boring and the Romance love triangle baloney, I'm sick of them now in YA to be honest.

This could have been a lot better if more world building and concentration on the red/silver war was achieved instead of romance. Pretty disappointed and had to force myself to finish it.

 
It Was OK
3 months

I'm not falling easily in love with YA fantasy stories. This one was alright, decent plotline with the blood classes and drama. Entertaining enough but not sure if I will continue with it as I didn't find anything overly compelling for me.

 
Incredible
4 months

First, let's get some things straight. Is this as good as

Red Rising? No. Does it have similar themes? Yes. But comparing this to

Red Rising is like comparing apples to oranges. They're not quite comparable--they're both fruit, but they taste completely different. And one has an edible skin.

This book is quite good. I started it yesterday and finished it today. It's

that good. I basically devoured it. It's as good as the Grisha trilogy, although I devoured one book after another there and the sequel for this book isn't out yet.

It takes the traditional tropes and turns them on their head. I have to say that I saw a particular spoiler moment coming, but that might've been because I just finished reading a book where the main character literally betrays almost every single person in her life. So I was already suspicious.

 
It Was OK
5 months

The pacing could be better. The story develops slowly but picks up in the last ten chapters with many twists and turns making it hard to put down.

 
Loved It
8 months

First dystopian I loved wholeheartedly in middleschool

 
Did Not Like
8 months

Perhaps it's because I'm not a huge fan of books centered around court life and political intrigue, but I wasn't a big fan of "Red Queen".

I found the concept itself very interesting, and that is what got me into this book originally. The Silvers (gifted with strong supernatural abilities) rule over the Reds (no abilities) without kindness or sympathy. The odds are very much against the Reds to ever improve their situation, until our main character, Mare, discovers a shocking secret about herself that could change everything.

I didn't feel very attached to any of the characters, and honestly wasn't all that excited by the events of the book. To be fair, the twist at the end did genuinely surprise me, but if that's all I can say about this book, it's not much.

 
It Was OK
1 year

Plot twist

 
Incredible
1 year

Amazing world buildling and magic system and a dark plot twist. I like how she loves one brother yet schemes with another. It's a very unique dynamic.

 
Loved It
2 years

While not my most favorite book series, I did enjoy the Red Queen series. I’m especially fond of the first book. It’s the one that set everything into motion, and there is a bit of a plot twist at the end of it.

 
 
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