Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen #2

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.75/5)

Dates Read: 12/8/23 - 12/11/23

    Mare Barrow, a Red girl born into a world ruled by Silvers, holds a secret weapon: the power of lightning. When betrayed by the Silver prince, Mare flees, only to discover she's not alone. Other Red-and-Silvers with forbidden abilities whisper rebellion.

    Mare unites them, a spark igniting a fight for freedom. But the path is bloody. Will she harden into the monster she fights, or rise as a beacon of hope?

“Attend to your own fate, Mare Barrow.”

“And that is?”

“To rise. And rise alone.”

    Glass Sword dives deeper into the world of Red Queen, offering a more nuanced and emotional journey for its characters. While some may see Mare's struggles as moping or anger, the book realistically portrays the trauma of her past and the burden of leadership. Her grapples with identity, grief, and the pressure to fulfill others' expectations are relatable and raw. I liked her so much more in this installment of the series.

“I am your rightful king, Silver-born for centuries. The only reason you're still breathing is because I can't burn the oxygen from this room.”

    This complexity extends to Cal, a character who has suffered immense betrayal and loss. His vulnerability and clinging to Mare is a blatant portrayal his desperate search for connection and purpose. Their relationship, though strained, maintains a poignant undercurrent, reminding us of the boy they once knew and their shared struggle for redemption. I'm holding out hope that Cal and Mare can get it together, and get together.

"If I am a sword, I am a sword made of glass, and I feel myself beginning to shatter."

    The book excels in its action and suspense. Aveyard masterfully crafts fight scenes that are both brutal and breathtaking, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. The plot twists and schemes keep the story unpredictable, constantly raising the stakes and fueling anticipation for the next chapter. I won't spoil anything, if I'm this late to the series, I'm sure there are other people who haven't read it either. A certain someone's death was so heartbreaking, they deserved so much more.

    While some may prefer the lighter tone of the first book, Glass Sword offers a more mature and emotional experience. It is a story about the scars of trauma, the complexities of leadership, and the enduring power of hope in the face of oppression. I'm excited to see where King's Cage takes the series.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

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Series Reviews  ↓

Red Queen (#1)