Red Queen is Victoria Aveyard's debut novel and she is able to spin a world that rival's Harry Potter's. In the beginning, we are introduced to Mare, a 17 year old pick-pocket Red in a world run by Silvers. In her village, Reds (those with Red blood meaning they have no abilities) are little more than slaves that can only hope to find a job before they are 18 so they aren't conscripted into the war that has lasted 100 years. Silvers are the elite nobility with unique abilities (such as able to control fire or read people's minds) living lavish and rich lifestyles. You see Mare's family is supported by her younger sister, who has wonderful embroidery skills, while her mother cares for her disabled (by the war) father. Mare, like her three brothers before her, is destined for the trenches.
After Mare's best friend Kilorn loses his job and now will face conscription, she make an attempt to buy his and her freedom with a smuggler. This deal will set a chain of events into motion that will change the world. Out of desperation after causing her sister to lose her job, Mare attempts to pickpocket someone she assumes to be a Red working for the royals. After getting caught, and him graciously walking her home and giving her money instead of turning her in, she finds herself whisked away to the castle to work as a servant.
While serving one of the high families, she accidentally falls into an electric field, showing to world that she, in fact, has powers herself. Quick thinking from the royal family creates an elaborate cover up of a long lost Silver child raised by Reds. She must now learn to navigate the dangerous court filled with people that would kill her if her true identity was discovered and figure out how to deal with a growing rebel group of Reds, called the Scarlet Guard. It doesn't take long for Mare to learn the cold, hard truth. Anyone can betray anyone.
Here's What I Thought
Over the past year, I have picked up countless books just to toss them aside out of boredom. Nothing, even old favorites like Harry Potter could hold my interest. I started this book after downloading the sample on my Nook and I couldn't purchase the full book fast enough. I started staying up late just to read again!
Aveyard creates a beautiful world torn by war, unrest, and a discriminating caste system. She creates characters that you both love to hate and hate to love. While some of the characters, such as Cal, Evangeline, and Queen Elara, are fairly predictable (at least for this first installment of the series), other characters, who shall not be named because *spoilers!*, took complete turns that I never saw coming. Even as I was reading the words and the scene was playing out in my mind, I was in denial of what was happening. It's been a long time since I have read a book that I found the characters completely unpredictable. Anyone can betray anyone.
As far as the world of Norta goes, I found it to be a refreshing change of pace from witches, wizards, beasts, etc. It played along a lot of the same principles, but added another layer. Their blood. The question is raised several times throughout the book that no one knows why the Silvers have evolved separately from Reds, nor why Mare has abilities, despite being Red. I am hoping that this is something that will be explored more in future books.
Overall, I give this novel a 5 Star rating. Between a refreshing new world full of action and deception and being able to bring me out of a year long book slump, I am sure this book is going to leave you breathless and wanting for more! Now on to Glass Sword.
Let me know what you think!
I would love to discuss the book more with you and here what you loved and didn't love. What did you think about the twist at the end? Feel free to comment below and make sure to like my page on Facebook and follow me on Twitter!
About the Author
Victoria Aveyard is an author and screenwriter, born and raised in a small town in Western
The Red Queen series is currently being translated into 37 languages and counting.
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