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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Published Jun 7, 2016

416 pages

Average rating: 7.38

312 RATINGS

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ljzsreadsandreviews

Jul 04, 2025

8/10 stars

I’m honestly not sure how I haven’t read this series sooner. I was obsessed with dystopian series when I was younger but apparently I overlooked this one and I am so glad I’m getting into it now. My intention was to read this on my Kindle but I started it as audio on a long drive and got hooked. The premise is not all that unusual but I love the plot nonetheless. I truly enjoyed the characters, specifically Mare. She’s the typical poor girl turned powerful and I loved it. I also can’t wait to see her strength grow throughout the series. There wasn’t a ton of action or surprises for me but I still found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to know what happened next. Plus since this is only book one, I’ve got a lot of story left to keep me intrigued!

Trish Wohlford

Apr 24, 2025

6/10 stars

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, didn’t 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.

Bookworm101

Apr 22, 2025

9/10 stars

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.

wardbunch

Mar 26, 2025

8/10 stars

Great escapist YL.

Pherfer

Mar 25, 2025

8/10 stars

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.