Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

The official summary is a great introduction to the world, so I won't bother writing one. I don't really agree with the Graceling comparison though (can't comment about The Selection, I haven't read it). The only point it has in common with Graceling is people having special abilities. But in Red Queen, the abilities are a lot more like wielding magic, rather than being extraordinarily talented for something AND the range of possible abilities isn't as wide and is much more predictable then in Graceling. So yeah, The Graceling mention played it's part - it got me to request the book - but it's not a fitting description.

Red Queen is a fantastic debut novel! I really thought I had it all figured out. Poor girl meets rich boy, rich boy pities her and helps her, turns out he is a prince, they marry and she becomes queen. TA-DAM! ... NOT. The strongest and most important element of Red Queen is its unpredictability. 'Anyone can betray anyone' is a motto mentioned many times in the novel, and it's probably the most important and representative sentence of Red Queen. You can never take anything for granted while reading or it'll bite you, just like the characters.

I liked Mare even though she was a little naive despite all the warnings. I understand that she finds herself in a very difficult situation, away from her family, submerged in a world she knows nothing about and had to lie through her teeth for survival, but unfortunately she hangs onto the wrong buoy, hoping not to drown. Cal isn't perfect, and I like that he did his best to serve his people the only way he knew how. I just wished he was a little more daring and courageous in the end. Maven is one cryptic character and I'll have to let you figure him out for yourself!

Victoria tried to play the love triangle trend and it didn't quite work. Mare has a bit of a crush on Cal at first and then finds herself betrothed to Maven. She isn't really in love with neither boys, and use them both to her advantage. There is also a childhood friend orbiting around her, that might have been an option, but nothing major there either. I didn't really care for the romance for that reason, but it might work better in the next installment.

My favorite aspect is by far the lore. I love how social ranking is determined by blood color (reds are slave and silver the elite) and their respective powers. The world is set in a future in which we've destroyed each other in wars and the new world is a blend of great technology and great poverty. The difference between both world is incomparable.

I enjoyed the plot line full of twist and turns, keeping me engaged until the very end. I particularly liked the final battle and I can't wait for the second installment. I want to know what awaits Mare now that so many secrets have been revealed. I strongly suggest you get your hands on this debut!

Posted by Tynga at 00:25

 Dystopian, Edelweiss, Fantasy, Fantasy amp; Magic, Haper Collins, Harper Collins, Red Queen, Review, Victoria Aveyard, young adult  6 People left their mark

Tynga is a 32 years old mom of two, from Montreal, working as a lab technician in an hospital specialized in heart disease. In her free time, she enjoys reading all things Paranormal and photography.

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