Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen #1

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.75/5)

Dates Read: 12/1/23 - 12/2/23

    In a world divided between the powerful Silvers with god-like abilities and the common Reds struggling in poverty, Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red from the impoverished Stilts, believes change is impossible. Everything shifts when she unexpectedly finds herself working in the Silver Palace and discovers her own lethal power, a force that could disrupt the established order.

    Fearing Mare's potential, the Silvers decide to conceal her true identity by portraying her as a lost Silver princess, engaged to a Silver prince. Despite the constant threat to her life, Mare secretly collaborates with the Red Guard, a resistance group, determined to overthrow the oppressive Silver rule.

    In a realm of deceit and betrayal, Mare is caught in a perilous dance — Reds pitted against Silvers, princes in conflict, and Mare torn between loyalty and her own emotions.

   “The gods rule us still. They have come down from the stars. And they are no longer kind.”

    The dystopian setting intrigued me, but I wanted more clarity on the world's history and the origins of the supernatural abilities of Silvers compared to Reds.

    Mare's decision-making, especially her trust in a certain someone despite obvious warnings, seemed questionable. She was always judging Cal, as if she didn't just immediately decide that killing people was okay if she got what she wanted. Even when Cal was trying to avoid destruction. That didn't sit well with me. I do wish Cal could just get with the program though, it's obvious that the rebellion is the right side to be on. Mare's character just lacked the depth I expected from a protagonist.

    The climax was a strong point, well-paced and emotionally charged, deviating from a predictable narrative. Despite the familiar plot, I enjoyed the book, and Aveyard's writing style. I'm still going to read the next in the series, here's to hoping for answers and character development for Mare.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

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