Red Queen (Red Queen, 1)
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 Lauren Robert's Powerless and 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.
Discover more wonders in the world of Red Queen with Broken Throne: A Red Queen Collection, a companion novel with stories from fan favorites and new voices, featuring never-before-seen maps, flags, bonus scenes, journal entries, and much more exclusive content!
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Community Reviews
The writing style is straightforward and unpretentious, clearly designed to resonate with its intended demographic without overcomplicating the story. Character development, while simple, is effectively executed, providing a solid foundation for the characters to evolve within the scope of the narrative.
However, as expected in a YA fantasy, the spice level is nonexistent, which aligns well with the genre's conventions but might leave something to be desired for those accustomed to more mature content. While I thoroughly enjoyed the robustness of the protagonist and the fun of the adventure, I remain undecided about continuing with the series. The simplicity of the story, while charming, didnât quite captivate my attention enough to commit to subsequent installments.
Overall, Red Queen is a commendable entry into the YA fantasy genre, perfect for those who appreciate a quick, clear-cut read that stays true to its youthful spirit. It's a fun expedition into a world of power and rebellion, ideal for younger readers or those new to the genre.
However, as expected in a YA fantasy, the spice level is nonexistent, which aligns well with the genre's conventions but might leave something to be desired for those accustomed to more mature content. While I thoroughly enjoyed the robustness of the protagonist and the fun of the adventure, I remain undecided about continuing with the series. The simplicity of the story, while charming, didnât quite captivate my attention enough to commit to subsequent installments.
Overall, Red Queen is a commendable entry into the YA fantasy genre, perfect for those who appreciate a quick, clear-cut read that stays true to its youthful spirit. It's a fun expedition into a world of power and rebellion, ideal for younger readers or those new to the genre.
I really enjoyed this book it gave me a hunger games type feel. The book had some jaw dropping moments and a big twist. I love the details that describe this amazing world Victoria created.
Compelling dystopian story. The class divide between the Reds and the Silvers is insurmountable, the Silvers possess abilities that give them power over the human Reds. When Mare, a human Red, is discovered to have powers, she is forced to hide among the Silvers. The king and queen give her no choice but to pretend to be one of them. She is affianced to the younger prince, Maven. Together they assist the rebels, The Scarlet Guard, to plan the revolution.
The world building is strong. Without giving out too many hints, the novel makes it apparent that the world is America after an apocalyptic event. Their is a hint that the Silvers, who bleed silver blood, may be aliens. The characters are likeable, the romance quadrangle is not overdone.
The only negative is that the story is reminiscent of other works. There is a little bit of The Selection, with the Queenstrial and a little bit of Mockingjay, Mare being the face of the revolution. The story doesn't cover new ground, but it does entertain and it is hard to put down.
The world building is strong. Without giving out too many hints, the novel makes it apparent that the world is America after an apocalyptic event. Their is a hint that the Silvers, who bleed silver blood, may be aliens. The characters are likeable, the romance quadrangle is not overdone.
The only negative is that the story is reminiscent of other works. There is a little bit of The Selection, with the Queenstrial and a little bit of Mockingjay, Mare being the face of the revolution. The story doesn't cover new ground, but it does entertain and it is hard to put down.
World: The world of this book is amazing and has lots of potential by creating an automatic divide between castes via their blood color: Silver vs Red. While the world is set up to be a fantasy it uncharacteristically implements common everyday technology, giving it an urban fantasy vibe. Electricity exists. Mass weaponry and transport systems exist. Televisions and radios exist. Combined with the magic, the possibilities for this world are endless! And, unfortunately, not taken advantage of.
Writing: The writing style is intricate. It gives life to the scenery, drawing a picture the reader can imagine with ease, which adds to the world building. However, the writing falls flat in regards to the realism of the characters, their development, and their interactions with each other. Additionally, the way the main character speaks clashes with her upbringing, which is jarring at times.
Pace: This book moves slowly. The main plot isnât known until a few chapters into the book. Instead, the first chapters rely heavily on world-building and spends a great deal of time developing the setting in order to explain the charactersâ current living conditions. The rest of the plot revolves around intrigue and secrets as opposed to suspense, giving it a naturally slower pace, which can still be entertaining to the right readers.
Non-Spoilered Plot: The plot of âRed Queenâ is your typical rags to riches, Cinderella story. However, it twists the traditional fairy tale with the addition of humans with magical abilities, but only some. Naturally, this results in a divide among the population based on the color they bleed: Red or Silver. From there the dystopian element of a corrupt government is revealed when Red âCinderellaâ joins the glorious world of Silvers. In her new-found position she witnesses society from a different viewpoint. Itâs this new perspective that forces her to think about who she is, where she comes from, and who she wants to be.
Characters: Mare Molly Barrow, a seventeen-year-old girl, is the main character and narrator of this book. She is a Red, meaning that sheâs human. She isnât supposed to have any powers and is expecting to live her life in shambles and grime because all Reds are slaves to the magical Silvers. In other words, sheâs a down-to-earth, cynical, blunt character who expects the worst from life. This is excessively shown by her need to degrade herself and compare herself to her younger sister by saying she, herself, is not pretty, not smart, not talented, not anything except for a common thief.
From there, Mare loses all personality. She becomes âspecialâ by discovering she, a Red, has a magical Silver ability: electricity, which happens to be an ability that Silvers have never seen before. In other words, sheâs one of a kind. Unfortunately, she barely seems to respond to it, or give it any thought. Mare quickly accepts the fact that all women hate her and all men are in love with her and even when she has the opportunity to make a change and take a stand sheâs far too relaxed about it, lacking all the necessary fervor to be a part of a rebellion, much less the figurehead of said rebellion.
Plot: The overarching plot of this novel is rags to riches where a lowly Red, Mare, is adopted into the upper crust society of Silvers. Even with this commonplace Cinderella story, this book has the potential to be amazing with the added features of magical abilities, common-place technology, and a war that hits close to home. Unfortunately, this is where the intrigue ends and the predictability begins.
Mare is forced to join the Silvers and hide the fact that sheâs a Red with a magical Silver ability on penalty of death, which, for her, is a poor motivator. She lives in a world where she could easily die of illness or starvation in her hometown. Additionally, she was about to be drafted into a war, where death is almost certain. To add to this, none of the Silvers ever truly threaten her life. Itâs hyped up, but itâs really just poorly played mind games and a bunch of high-born Silvers toying with the confused, new girl.
However, despite the threat of death looming over her head, Mare, the ânot prettyâ girl, finds love. Even though heâs a Silver and sheâs a Red, heâs a prince and sheâs a commoner, and heâs the son of the woman threatening to kill her, she falls for Maven, which works well since heâs her betrothed(another part of the plot to cover up her true identity). However, not only does Maven, her betrothed, fall for her, but so does his elder brother, Cal, the crown prince. Though, he, like Mare, is betrothed to another. With the reminder of her betrothal to Maven, and the feelings she has for him, which keep her from choosing Cal, not that it matters since Maven betrays both her and Cal.
Before the betrayal, though, Mare learns to trust Maven. The two become close when they both offer themselves to the Red rebellion, which seeks equality between Silvers and Reds. To gain ground, they request Mare to be their figurehead. She is the perfect choice because she is a Red who has the abilities of a Silver and can actively fight against them, but even as she accepts, never does she come out and state that sheâs part of the rebellion, nor does she act as a figurehead would.
Additionally, the rebellion is given little emphasis, passing them off as something less than threatening. Their attacks are minuscule. No one seems to know about them, which could be attributed to the Silvers covering it up, the tired tactics they use, or their lack of resources in their attempts to gain presence. Whatever the reasoning, the rebellion doesnât have enough weight for anyone to want to rally behind them or root for them. Even when they conjure a master plan to really tip the scales, it tosses them on their faces because the entire plot relies on Cal loving Mare more than he cares about his role as future king. He doesnât.
However, Cal feels betrayed by Mareâs decision to help the Red rebellion. In his surprise he takes her to the King and Queen to seek punishment for her actions, but in so doing he sets up a perfect opportunity for the Queen and her son, Maven, to murder the King. With no security cameras, and a sound proof room, itâs all too easy for the Queen to frame Cal and Mare for the assassination. This coup calls for the public executions of Cal and Mare.
The two are thrown into an arena where they have to fight against Silvers who outnumber them. To up the suspense, someone blocks Mareâs electricity powers, which makes her as helpless as a normal Red. For those reasons, their deaths are certain. Even so, the two manage to take out the man blocking Mareâs powers, kill or send their attackers retreating. Not that it matters, because this is an execution, not gladiator. Thereâs no winning your freedom. No, the two are going to die whether they win or lose, but just when theyâre about to the rebellion, the people who were blocked in the subway with countless Silver guards pursuing them and are supposed to be dead, pops out of the ground and saves both Cal and Mare.
With this last-second save Cal and Mare are now forced to join the rebellion and among the rebellion members is her brother, who supposedly died on the war front. Not only that, but he has a magical Silver ability too. Because of this unnecessary happy family reunion and the weak hope for the rebellion in book two, I leave âRed Queenâ with two stars.
CLICHES:
Main Female Heroine Character has no personality: Mare isnât pretty(but her little sister is), isnât smart, has absolutely no talents(outside of being a thief), comes from nothing, her parents canât/donât support the family so the children must, and she expects the worst out of the world(because of her lowly life circumstances). At best sheâs bitter, realistic, cynical, and blunt(not even fiery).
One of a Kind: Sheâs a lowly pauper Red, raised to the status of princess Silver to cover up the fact that she has an ability that only Silvers are biologically capable of having.
Excessive One-of-a-Kind: Her ability is lightning. No Silver in history has possessed this ability. (Note: They state in the book that abilities are passed on from the father and yet they explain Mareâs unique ability by claiming that itâs a combination of the abilities her âSilverâ parents had.)
Over-the-top One-of-a-kind: She can create her own lightning. Other elemental manipulators require a source nearby to control as they canât create their own element out of nothing. (Mare draws it from her body like an energy source.)
MIA Parents: Mareâs parents are present physically, but her father canât work and her mother doesnât either. Her little sister is the sole breadwinner and Mare steals to support her family, which her mother shames adamantly.
âNot prettyâ girl loved by all boys: Both princes fall in love with her(and she with them), and out of nowhere her best friend has a sudden unexplained attachment after seeing her with one of the princes.
Alpha Female: All the women hate her and see her as a threat for no obvious reason other than she exists. (Literally all the people who like her in the book are men: Cal, Maven, Julian, Lucas.)
Rebellion Leader: The rebellion wants her to be their face, their figurehead.
The Love Betrayal: Maven, the boy she loves and whom she thought was good, is actually evil(hinted at throughout the book).
Saved from certain death: The rebellion saves them from certain death at the very last second so that they may fight another day.
No Deaths: No one good/important/close to Mare dies in this book, which is odd given the countless mentions of how easy it is to die. Even her brother is magically brought back from the dead.
Writing: The writing style is intricate. It gives life to the scenery, drawing a picture the reader can imagine with ease, which adds to the world building. However, the writing falls flat in regards to the realism of the characters, their development, and their interactions with each other. Additionally, the way the main character speaks clashes with her upbringing, which is jarring at times.
Pace: This book moves slowly. The main plot isnât known until a few chapters into the book. Instead, the first chapters rely heavily on world-building and spends a great deal of time developing the setting in order to explain the charactersâ current living conditions. The rest of the plot revolves around intrigue and secrets as opposed to suspense, giving it a naturally slower pace, which can still be entertaining to the right readers.
Non-Spoilered Plot: The plot of âRed Queenâ is your typical rags to riches, Cinderella story. However, it twists the traditional fairy tale with the addition of humans with magical abilities, but only some. Naturally, this results in a divide among the population based on the color they bleed: Red or Silver. From there the dystopian element of a corrupt government is revealed when Red âCinderellaâ joins the glorious world of Silvers. In her new-found position she witnesses society from a different viewpoint. Itâs this new perspective that forces her to think about who she is, where she comes from, and who she wants to be.
Characters: Mare Molly Barrow, a seventeen-year-old girl, is the main character and narrator of this book. She is a Red, meaning that sheâs human. She isnât supposed to have any powers and is expecting to live her life in shambles and grime because all Reds are slaves to the magical Silvers. In other words, sheâs a down-to-earth, cynical, blunt character who expects the worst from life. This is excessively shown by her need to degrade herself and compare herself to her younger sister by saying she, herself, is not pretty, not smart, not talented, not anything except for a common thief.
From there, Mare loses all personality. She becomes âspecialâ by discovering she, a Red, has a magical Silver ability: electricity, which happens to be an ability that Silvers have never seen before. In other words, sheâs one of a kind. Unfortunately, she barely seems to respond to it, or give it any thought. Mare quickly accepts the fact that all women hate her and all men are in love with her and even when she has the opportunity to make a change and take a stand sheâs far too relaxed about it, lacking all the necessary fervor to be a part of a rebellion, much less the figurehead of said rebellion.
Plot: The overarching plot of this novel is rags to riches where a lowly Red, Mare, is adopted into the upper crust society of Silvers. Even with this commonplace Cinderella story, this book has the potential to be amazing with the added features of magical abilities, common-place technology, and a war that hits close to home. Unfortunately, this is where the intrigue ends and the predictability begins.
Mare is forced to join the Silvers and hide the fact that sheâs a Red with a magical Silver ability on penalty of death, which, for her, is a poor motivator. She lives in a world where she could easily die of illness or starvation in her hometown. Additionally, she was about to be drafted into a war, where death is almost certain. To add to this, none of the Silvers ever truly threaten her life. Itâs hyped up, but itâs really just poorly played mind games and a bunch of high-born Silvers toying with the confused, new girl.
However, despite the threat of death looming over her head, Mare, the ânot prettyâ girl, finds love. Even though heâs a Silver and sheâs a Red, heâs a prince and sheâs a commoner, and heâs the son of the woman threatening to kill her, she falls for Maven, which works well since heâs her betrothed(another part of the plot to cover up her true identity). However, not only does Maven, her betrothed, fall for her, but so does his elder brother, Cal, the crown prince. Though, he, like Mare, is betrothed to another. With the reminder of her betrothal to Maven, and the feelings she has for him, which keep her from choosing Cal, not that it matters since Maven betrays both her and Cal.
Before the betrayal, though, Mare learns to trust Maven. The two become close when they both offer themselves to the Red rebellion, which seeks equality between Silvers and Reds. To gain ground, they request Mare to be their figurehead. She is the perfect choice because she is a Red who has the abilities of a Silver and can actively fight against them, but even as she accepts, never does she come out and state that sheâs part of the rebellion, nor does she act as a figurehead would.
Additionally, the rebellion is given little emphasis, passing them off as something less than threatening. Their attacks are minuscule. No one seems to know about them, which could be attributed to the Silvers covering it up, the tired tactics they use, or their lack of resources in their attempts to gain presence. Whatever the reasoning, the rebellion doesnât have enough weight for anyone to want to rally behind them or root for them. Even when they conjure a master plan to really tip the scales, it tosses them on their faces because the entire plot relies on Cal loving Mare more than he cares about his role as future king. He doesnât.
However, Cal feels betrayed by Mareâs decision to help the Red rebellion. In his surprise he takes her to the King and Queen to seek punishment for her actions, but in so doing he sets up a perfect opportunity for the Queen and her son, Maven, to murder the King. With no security cameras, and a sound proof room, itâs all too easy for the Queen to frame Cal and Mare for the assassination. This coup calls for the public executions of Cal and Mare.
The two are thrown into an arena where they have to fight against Silvers who outnumber them. To up the suspense, someone blocks Mareâs electricity powers, which makes her as helpless as a normal Red. For those reasons, their deaths are certain. Even so, the two manage to take out the man blocking Mareâs powers, kill or send their attackers retreating. Not that it matters, because this is an execution, not gladiator. Thereâs no winning your freedom. No, the two are going to die whether they win or lose, but just when theyâre about to the rebellion, the people who were blocked in the subway with countless Silver guards pursuing them and are supposed to be dead, pops out of the ground and saves both Cal and Mare.
With this last-second save Cal and Mare are now forced to join the rebellion and among the rebellion members is her brother, who supposedly died on the war front. Not only that, but he has a magical Silver ability too. Because of this unnecessary happy family reunion and the weak hope for the rebellion in book two, I leave âRed Queenâ with two stars.
CLICHES:
Main Female Heroine Character has no personality: Mare isnât pretty(but her little sister is), isnât smart, has absolutely no talents(outside of being a thief), comes from nothing, her parents canât/donât support the family so the children must, and she expects the worst out of the world(because of her lowly life circumstances). At best sheâs bitter, realistic, cynical, and blunt(not even fiery).
One of a Kind: Sheâs a lowly pauper Red, raised to the status of princess Silver to cover up the fact that she has an ability that only Silvers are biologically capable of having.
Excessive One-of-a-Kind: Her ability is lightning. No Silver in history has possessed this ability. (Note: They state in the book that abilities are passed on from the father and yet they explain Mareâs unique ability by claiming that itâs a combination of the abilities her âSilverâ parents had.)
Over-the-top One-of-a-kind: She can create her own lightning. Other elemental manipulators require a source nearby to control as they canât create their own element out of nothing. (Mare draws it from her body like an energy source.)
MIA Parents: Mareâs parents are present physically, but her father canât work and her mother doesnât either. Her little sister is the sole breadwinner and Mare steals to support her family, which her mother shames adamantly.
âNot prettyâ girl loved by all boys: Both princes fall in love with her(and she with them), and out of nowhere her best friend has a sudden unexplained attachment after seeing her with one of the princes.
Alpha Female: All the women hate her and see her as a threat for no obvious reason other than she exists. (Literally all the people who like her in the book are men: Cal, Maven, Julian, Lucas.)
Rebellion Leader: The rebellion wants her to be their face, their figurehead.
The Love Betrayal: Maven, the boy she loves and whom she thought was good, is actually evil(hinted at throughout the book).
Saved from certain death: The rebellion saves them from certain death at the very last second so that they may fight another day.
No Deaths: No one good/important/close to Mare dies in this book, which is odd given the countless mentions of how easy it is to die. Even her brother is magically brought back from the dead.
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