Red Queen – Victoria Aveyard

Do you have what it takes to overthrow a nation?

Mare Barrow lives in a two-class system: the Reds and the Silvers. Named for their blood color, Reds are workers, while Silvers are elite. Reds are normal humans, while Silvers have special powers such as telepathy, the ability to control water or fire, ,metal or teleportation.

In an exciting twist of fate, Mare ends up in the palace, where she discovers an incredible power of her own. The King and Queen quickly cover this up, forcing her into a role as a Silver. With painted skin and a unique ability, Mare learns more about the Silver class and the inner workings of the royals. When she’s asked to aid a rebellion set to overthrow the kingdom, her agreement begins a long and dangerous path toward a new future. Raised a simple Red girl, does Mare have what it takes to become a spy for the cause?

This book was so exciting to me! In a war-driven fantasy, we see behind the scenes of how a war can affect the towns and villages it’s set to defend. We get to see where the lower classes and upper classes mix and how one feeds the other. The book’s tone is so determined I found myself anxious over the next turn of events, where this would lead if there was enough time to wrap up this certain storyline.

Mare’s life as a thief is looked down upon by her family. Still, it’s the only way she feels she can contribute. Her family dynamic is written in a way that you can’t help but sympathize with Mare’s character. She lives in the shadow of her older sister, her mother and father are disappointed in her, yet her brothers adore her. When her life changes as she transfers to the palace, her wonder and amazement are felt through the words on the page. Witnessing the difference between the world she knew and the world of the Silvers is a stark contrast.

I love the way the contrast between worlds is written, as well as the way the characters come together. The world she knows and the world she comes into connect in so many discreet ways. It’s impressive to watch them unfold. I love the contrast between Maven and Cal as well. Two brothers weighed down by the pressure of a crown.

I can’t really think of anything I didn’t like about the writing style or the storyline of this one. It’s a super well-rounded book. I can’t wait to see what the next one has for us!

I give this one 5 out of 5 stars.

About Victoria Aveyard :

Victoria Aveyard is an author and screenwriter, born and raised in a small town in Western Massachusetts. She has a BFA in Writing for Film & Television from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling and USA Today bestselling series, Red Queen, and the #1 New York Times bestseller Realm Breaker. The next installment in the Realm Breaker series, Blade Breaker, publishes June 28^th.

She lives in Los Angeles with her partner and her dog, Indy.

Her books have been translated into over 40 languages and counting.