KING’S CAGE by Victoria Aveyard

“Who will light the way for the rebellion? Mare Barrow is a prisoner, powerless without her lightning, tormented by her mistakes. She lives at the mercy of a boy she once loved, a boy made of lies and betrayal. Now a king, Maven continues weaving his web in an attempt to maintain control over his country – and his prisoner. While Mare remains trapped in the palace, the remnants of the Red Rebellion continue organizing and expanding. As they prepare for war, no longer able to linger in the shadows, Cal – the exiled prince with his own claim on Mare’s heart – will stop at nothing to bring her back.”

What is the book about?

Mare Barrow is a prisoner, left powerless without her lightning, with no hope of escape. She lives imprisoned by a boy she once loved, a boy who still loves her and is obsessed with keeping her with him. Maven is now a king, but he continues weaving his web of lies and betrayal to keep control over his country and his people – especially his prisoner. Maven will stop at nothing to keep the Scarlet Guard from taking control of Norta (his country) and will use Mare to his advantage to strengthen himself while weakening the rebels. While Mare remains trapped in a king’s cage, the Scarlet Guard continues with its Red Rebellion organising and expanding its forces ready to overthrow the king. As the Guard prepare for war, Cal – the exiled prince with his own claim on Mare’s heart – is no longer able to linger in the shadows and has to step up and ignore his own beliefs to bring her back. Will Mare manage to escape Maven or will she live in fear of a broken king forever?

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

The ending of Glass Sword left me anxious for answers, with Mare trapped I had no idea what would happen and if she would be able to escape Maven a second time. The blub – which I read before beginning the book – only told me what I already knew but also gave me some hope and made me even more interested in starting the book. The book began instantly and in a very shocking way. It left me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath, from the very first page. I immediately felt like I belonged and I was there with Mare every step of the way. Every chapter was perfect and always left me wanting to read on so that I could get answers and find out what would happen to the characters. The book once again had me hooked from the very beginning and I was soon nearing the end without even realising. I knew I would love reading it and I was right. The start was incredible, as was the middle and the end.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I had two favourite characters in this book, one was Mare, who changed a lot during her imprisonment, and the second was Cameron, the newblood from the New Town slums. In the previous book – Glass Sword – I had not liked Mare because of how she changed and became very self-centred and acted horribly at times, destroying anyone that stood in her way. I understood this because the Silvers had treated her and many other Reds terribly and they would never show her mercy so why should she, but she was trying to defeat a monster and bring peace for everyone in a way that was turning her into a monster. However, being trapped in the palace gave her the opportunity to remember why she joined the Scarlet Guard and what the aim of the rebellion really was. She had hope and never gave up, even though she knew that there was no chance she would get out on her own and that there was no way the others could save her. She let Maven believe that he had her when really keeping her locked up was only pushing her further away from the boy she once loved, the boy that is now gone. Mare changed and became the girl that I liked in the first book once again. The other character I liked was Cameron, because she reminded me a lot of Mare in the first book. Cameron hated staying with the Scarlet Guard and had been forced to join by Mare, but she stayed because they were the only people that could help her get her twin brother back from the war safely. Cameron joined the Scarlet Guard because of her brother just like Mare did, and she remains in order to help him. Even though everyone kept telling Cameron that there was no way they could get her brother back and that there were more important things to worry about, she never gave up and kept believing that she could save him. She used her deadly ability to kill in order to get closer to her brother even though she hated it, and she never gave up on him even though it was almost impossible. I really admire both Mare and Cameron and I think that they are both amazing characters.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book is undoubtedly when Mare finally manages to escape. I knew it would happen at one point but after a while I started to lose hope and began to question if the Scarlet Guard was actually going to get her out of there. I liked this part because Mare was finally back with her family and was safe from Maven and all the torture he put her through. Mare had felt so alone in the palace with no one she loved and now she was with them again she knew that she was not alone and that people would never stop trying to get her back. This was a happy part of the book where Mare felt strong and safe and where she far away from the king. I also like that she was back with the Scarlet Guard because it meant that they had more of a chance at success with the lightning girl back on their side and now they would be able to attack Maven without worrying that they could harm Mare too. This part of the book restored Mare’s hope and her strength and gave her more reason to keep fighting for what she believes.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, the book was absolutely amazing and I loved it just as much as the previous ones. One of the things I like about the book was that it had 3 perspectives. The other 2 book only had Mare’s point of view but King’s Cage also had Cameron’s and Evangeline’s. I understood why Cameron’s perspective was given, because without a view from someone outside of the palace then the readers would not have known what was happening with the Scarlet Guard, but Evangeline’s view came as a huge shock. I liked hearing from different people but I specifically liked learning more about Evangeline and understanding how she saw things. Having more insight on her made me feel sympathetic towards her because she was made to be cruel and to be queen and all she wanted was to be free from everything and to have the chance to live her own life. Another thing that I liked about the book was the amount of characters – including Silvers – that began to realise that Maven was a horrible king and that he did not deserve the throne. This gave me a lot of hope that the rebels would be able to kill Maven and make Norta equal for everyone. The ending was the only thing that I didn’t really like and it left me shocked and sad but I know that there is another book so there is still a chance for happiness. I wish the ending had gone differently but I still liked it and I am sure that it was the best ending the author could have chosen. I am very happy that I chose to read this book and I really loved every single word, I cannot wait to read the final book in the Red Queen series but I will be sad to see it end.

Which book did you like better, the first, the second or the third?

Red Queen, Glass Sword and King’s Cage were all very good books and I loved them all equally, however I think that King’s Cage was the best book. One thing that made King’s Cage really stand out from the other books was that it had 3 different perspectives instead of just Mare’s. It made the book more interesting since there were more people to hear from and there were 3 different storylines to follow which made it the best book out of the 3. Another thing that makes King’s Cage my favourite book so far is the way that the rebellion expanded. There were so many people helping the Scarlet Guard with their mission and so many more people were beginning to see that Maven was a monster made of lies that no one should trust. The book really showed how even though Reds are thought to be inferior, they are also strong and can achieve anything if they work together and never give up. King’s Cage really gave me hope that Maven could be defeated and that the perfect world was achievable. I think that all 3 books were really extraordinary but King’s Cage was my favourite.

Would you recommend this book?  

This is definitely an incredible book that I think everyone should read. I particularly recommend it for readers over 13 and I suggest reading the other books in the series (Red Queen and Glass Sword) before this one, or you will be extremely confused.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An inventive and magical new world full of power, lies and betrayal which will leave you gasping for breath.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

GLASS SWORD by Victoria Aveyard

“I was born to kill a king, to end a reign of terror before it can truly begin. If there’s one thing Mare Barrow knows, it’s that she’s different. Mare’s blood is red – the colour of common folk – but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court wants to control. Pursued by Maven, the vengeful Silver king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join the rebellion. But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.”

What is the book about?

Mare Barrow is safe, or as safe as she can be with Maven, the traitorous Silver king, and all of his followers hunting her down. Mare knows that she is different, dangerous, powerful, and that people (mainly Maven) want to control her. But there are other like her, with Red blood but Silver abilities, yet stronger than both. On the run from the Silvers and everyone else that wants her dead, Mare sets out to find other Red-and-Silver fighters and recruit them for the rebellion. But the king is also on a mission, desperate to destroy every newblood before Mare can get to them, so he can keep his country running in the same blood-segregated way. But Mare is not only trying to escape Maven and all his murderous Silvers, she is also on the run from her own path trying to keep herself off a deadly path to becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to destroy.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After reading Red Queen, I was anxious to learn more and carry on with Mare on her mission to make the world equal for everyone. I was left on a cliff-hanger, which annoyed me immensely, but made me even more excited and agitated to begin reading the next book. Before beginning Glass Sword, I read the blurb and only became even more intrigued to start reading. I had many questions, even more after reading the blurb, and I was desperately in need of some answers. Glass Sword started instantly, carrying on from basically the moment it finished in Red Queen. From the very first sentence, I was once again transported into Mare’s world and it felt as though I had never left. I was once again attached to the story and the characters waiting impatiently to learn what would happen next. Every word, sentence, paragraph and chapter was perfectly written to attract the reader and I loved every single second from the very start. The start was so mesmerising that soon I was halfway through the book wondering which world was real.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I don’t think that I really have a favourite character in this book because, although I liked a lot of the characters, all of them had clear flaws that were constantly showing. I know that no one is perfect but these flaws were ruining too much in the story that none of the characters really stood out to me. One of the characters I liked was Cal because of how, even though he didn’t believe in the cause and was a Silver and always will be, he still helped Mare and everyone else in any way that he could. I liked how friendly he was with the young newbloods and how much he helped and cared for the little kids, I know that Cal has a brutal side but this showed me that even the most ruthless soldiers can have a sweet and sensitive side. Another character that I liked was Kilorn because of how he kept fighting even though he didn’t have any ability. He was normal but he was just as brave as any of the powerful newbloods. Kilorn only ever had a gun at his side to protect himself but he still put his own life on the line to help the rebellion and I really admire his courage to stand with the newbloods even though he is not one of them. I also liked Mare at times when she was showing her old self and being the brave and kind girl who never gave up, putting her life on the line to save others, but most of the time I didn’t really like her as much because of how much she changed throughout the book.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Although the whole book was really good it doesn’t mean that the whole book was happy, in fact there weren’t really any parts of the book that weren’t sad or full of death, which makes choosing a favourite part very difficult. However if I look closely, I think that my favourite part would have to be when Mare and all the other newbloods are training to get ready for a new mission. At that moment they are all full of hope that this will be a successful mission and they look past all their fear that they will fail to put on a brave face and show that they are ready for anything. I liked this part because it showed how even though people were scared they were strong enough to ignore it and hope for the best. They were brave enough to go on a mission that they didn’t have much faith in because they knew if they succeeded they would help lots of people escape horrible fates like death or worse, and I think that shows true commitment to your cause and to your people.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Glass Sword was one of the most marvellous books I have ever read and I enjoyed almost everything about it. One of the things that I really loved about the book was all the character development I got to see. Lots of character, new and old, became stronger and braver and faced their fears to stand up for their cause. I loved seeing how they all came together to not just help each other but help all the other Reds who don’t have the courage to stand up and show that they are just as strong as Silvers and deserve to be treated equally. Another thing I liked about the characters was that although they were almost always in a near death situation, some of them still managed to have a smile on their face and enjoy the times when they weren’t on the run. Some of the characters looked past their fear and were able to be happy showing that even though everything had been taken away from them, they could still find happiness in the darkest of times. The ending was a shock and I definitely did not see what happened coming. I never thought it would end that way and I was expecting a much more hopeful finish. The ending was not only a cliff-hanger but it was also sad and gave off the idea that there was no hope left and that it was the end of not just the book but the rebellion. But I know that there is still a chance that Mare will succeed and that she will get past everything that has happened; I still believe there is hope even if she might not. There is only one thing in the whole book that I wish I could change. Now there were a few things that I didn’t exactly like but I know that they had to happen for the story to be as it is, or at least I hope there was a reason or else I will be extremely angry. The one thing that really annoyed me was how Mare changed in the book. I know that she went through a lot and that she could no longer be Mare Barrow the girl from the Stilts or Mareena Titanos the long-lost Silver princess, she had to change and adapt to her new role and new life, but why did she have to have such darkness in her. She had been trying to avoid being a monster and scaring people but in the end all the hiding just led to the same fate, and that ruined the brave, kind girl I knew and I just wish she could have been strong enough to get past all of that. Apart from that one small thing, Glass Sword was perfect and I absolutely loved it and cannot wait to read on!

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

Although both Red Queen and Glass Sword were incredible books, I think that Glass Sword was the better book. Red Queen was indeed amazing and I loved every part of if but I think that it was too full of betrayal and that the whole purpose was mainly to show Mare that even the people closest to you can betray you. I think that it had a rather muddled plot, mainly because of all the plot twists that made the story suddenly change, and though Glass Sword was full of surprises it had a much clearer plot. Glass Sword also made me a lot more emotional and I think that the plot was a lot better than in Red Queen. Red Queen did had some sad parts but I didn’t react that much because, for some reason, I still had hope that it wasn’t really true, but with Glass Sword there was no doubt in my mind about what had happened and I could nothing but feel sad with the characters. Glass Sword also had a lot more action without too much of being death. Mare and the rest of the Scarlet Guard had a deeper purpose and mission than just scaring some people with a few terrorist attacks and I think that game the plot more meaning. I think that both books were perfect but, in my opinion, Glass Sword was the better book.

Would you recommend this book?  

I absolutely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good book and likes action, adventure, romance and doesn’t mind a bit of bloodshed. I suggest reading Red Queen (the first book in this electrifying series) before Glass Sword or else you are sure to be rather confused and I also think that this book is best suited for anyone 13 or over but if you have read similar books then I am sure you will enjoy this one.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A captivating and imaginative thriller, impossible to put down and full of surprises.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

RED QUEEN by Victoria Aveyard

“This is a world divided by blood – Red or Silver. The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to seventeen-year-old Mare, a Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change. But Mare possesses a deadly talent of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power. Fearful of her potential, the Silvers hide Mare in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess. Knowing that one false move will mean her death, Mare must use her new position to bring down the regime – from the inside. Now Mare has entered a game of betrayal and lies.”

What is the book about?

Mare Barrow’s world is divided by blood: Red or Silver. The Silvers are the ruling class who possess god-like abilities while the Reds are only normal commoners with no way to escape the strength and power of the Silvers. And their world is engaged in a war that has gone on for decades being fought by Reds to gain the Silvers more land, food and power. Mare lives in the Stilts, a small poverty-stricken village, with her parents and her younger sister, waiting for the day when she has to join her brothers in a war that she doesn’t believe in. But one day, when all hope seems lost, Mare’s whole life changes and for once there is a chance for change. Mare possesses a deadly power of her own that threatens to destroy the system of Silvers over Reds. But the Silvers have a plan and they hide Mare in plain sight claiming that she is a long-lost Silver princess. Although Mare is safe from death for now she knows that one wrong move will lead to her downfall and that she is under more pressure than ever before. Mare has to use her new position to bring down the royal family from the inside to make sure that Reds are no longer treated as inferior just because of the colour of their blood. Now Mare has entered a world of betrayal and lies and anyone can betray anyone…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

A little while ago, when I first came across the series, I knew that I had to have the Red Queen series. For months I was desperate to get them waiting for my birthday to arrive so I could finally get the books I had been dreaming for and as soon as I got them I started to read. I had already read the blurb of Red Queen multiple times before getting the books, but I still read it again before starting the book admiring the amazing book that was now mine. Once I had read the first sentence I knew that I would love the books and that I would soon be completely obsessed with them. After reading the first few chapters, I already felt like I had been with Mare her whole life and like I was a part of her world, Victoria Aveyard transported me into a whole other world and really made me feel like I belonged in only a few magical chapters. I loved Red Queen from the very beginning and I was both desperate for it to end and for it to never end, I am very glad that there are more books to follow.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Mare because of how she sacrificed her own safety for everyone else’s. She was safe in the palace with the royal family, or as safe as anyone can be with thousands of soldiers with guns around every corner, but she threw away that safety and used what she had to help others. She could have chosen to keep quiet, to be the pretty princess that everyone was expecting for a very long time, but she chose others safety and freedom over her own and accepted that her fate might be death but at least she would die doing something for her people. I also loved how although Mare as the main character, the hero, she was still human and that showed in the book. She made mistakes, she trusted people that she shouldn’t have, but above all, she was like any other daughter or son, seeking her parents love, protection and pride. Victoria Aveyard showed me the brave and heroic side of Mare, the one that never gives up, but also the little cracks in her armour that make her as human as any other person. I also really liked Farley because, even though she didn’t have any abilities like the Silvers or any power over anyone, she still fought for what she believed in. Farley was brave and perseverant and she didn’t let anything stop her from achieving her goal, she was willing to die for her cause because she knew that everyone else’s freedom was worth her own life.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part was definitely hard to choose with so many amazing things happing in Red Queen but I think that the best part was probably when Mare was training with Julian and she finally discovered how to control her ability. I really loved this part because it mean that now Mare had the power to control her ability and rise to defend herself and all the other Reds who don’t have the strength to defend themselves. It also meant that Mare could now learn more about why she was different and what her powers really were. Mare could be herself and let her true strength and power show like all the other Silvers who take pride in their power. This was the part of the book where Mare realised that she had the power to kill, to destroy, if she wanted to and that she was not just a little Red girl from the Stilts, she was different, she was strong and she wouldn’t need anyone to help her survive.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall Red Queen was an unbelievable book which I enjoyed immensely. One of the main reasons why I loved the book so much was how, although this dystopian world with magical powers and different coloured blood could never be, it contains elements of truth that once and still do ruin our own world just like Mare Barrow’s. The discrimination against the Red’s because of the colour of their blood and the fact that they don’t have superpowers like the Silvers isn’t unlike the discrimination that some people still experience on our world today. Red Queen is a wonderful book that shows exactly what could happen if people went too far with some of the discrimination that still occurs today. Another thing I loved about the book was all the twists and surprises hidden around every corner. Mare was warned not to trust anyone but still she put her faith in people and was betrayed. I loved how even though I should have been warier of the people around Mare and who she should trust, I still trusted the people Mare did. Even though she was repeatedly betrayed I never suspected anything until it was too late and those are clearly the signs of a good book, one that makes you feel like you are really there and makes you make the same mistakes as the character even when you aren’t really there with them. The ending was also incredible and left me desperate to start reading the next book in the series. There was a shocking surprise at the end and I know that (unless you have read the book) you will have no idea what I am talking about but I really need to tell someone so I just want to say that I knew it and I was right! I also knew that Red Queen was a remarkable book when I finished the book and found myself feeling sad that I was in my own bedroom and not with Mare in her extraordinary world. I loved every single part of the book and I savoured every single word and I cannot wait to read the next book in this incredibly book series.

Would you recommend this book?  

I have no doubt in my mind that anyone who picks up this book will immediately fall in love. I 100% recommend it for reader 13 or older who enjoy action, adventure and don’t mind a few twists and turns. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A compelling, action-packed dystopian novel full of surprises, love, betrayal and rebellion. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THIS LIE WILL KILL YOU by Chelsea Pitcher

“You are cordially invited to tell the truth, or face the consequences… One year ago, there was a party. At the party, someone died. Until now no one has told the truth about what happened. Tonight, the five survivors arrive at an isolated mansion expecting to compete in a contest with a $50,000 prize. Nobody questions the odd, rather exclusive invitation until it’s too late… Five arrived, but not all can leave. Will the truth set them free? Or will their lies destroy them all?”

What is the book about?

One year ago, there was a party and at that party somebody died. The people involved thought this person deserved it, that he had done something cruel enough to deserve such a horrible and torturous death, but no one really knows the truth. Everyone has their secrets, everyone is trying to protect someone, and until now no one has told the truth about what really happened at that party. Tonight, the five classmates who have been suspected to be involved in some way in the murder arrive at an isolate mansion expecting to compete for a $50,000 scholarship but end up getting involved in a game that none of them want to play. Nobody questions anything about the odd, exclusive invitation or the strange competition until it’s too late. Now the five survivors are trapped. Five arrived, but how many will leave? Will the truth help them escape? Or will their lies be their downfall? 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

This Lie Will Kill You wasn’t a book that I had had on my wish list at all but as soon as I saw it when I was looking on Amazon I knew that I would enjoy reading it. I have always enjoyed reading murder mystery books and getting to play the detective solving a crime; it was like I was living my own adventure. Once I read the blurb, I already had tons of questions and was even more interested in reading the book. When I started to read, I was incredibly surprised at how quickly I got into the story and how quickly I had read the first few chapters. Even from the start I already really loved the book and I was intrigued at how the mystery would end. Obviously, like in most mystery books, the further I got in the book, the more questions I had and the more desperate I got for the answers. I was hooked from the very start and enjoyed every word of the book.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I found it impossible to choose a favourite character because I really liked both Ruby and Juniper and I don’t think that I would like them as much as I do if the other didn’t exist. The two girls had the friendship that most people dream of having: staying together even after being separated for so long. Even though Ruby and Juniper had stopped being friends after what happened at the party a year ago, they still had that spark that just needs a bit more kindling to light the fire again. They helped each other and without the other, they would both be very different people. The girls were so close that they would have jumped in front of a bullet to save each other because they wouldn’t want to live in a world where the other didn’t exist, and that was true friendship. Ruby was brave and was confident and always wanted to make sure everyone knew how amazing she was, and while Juniper didn’t show off all her good personality traits she was also brave and kind wanting to help other people whenever she could. Together they made the other even better and they were the only people who truly knew each other, sharing everything and keeping each other safe.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part would definitely have to be the end because, even though it left me wanting more, it was also happy. In most murder mystery books, the best part is usually the ending because the murder is solved and the characters can get closure and feel safe and happy again, and this was exactly the same in This Lie Will Kill You. At the end of the book, all the characters have learnt what really happened at the party and can understand the truth and move on with their lives without felling guilt for something that wasn’t completely their fault. Most of the characters get to have happy or kind of happy endings and can now look towards the future instead of living in the past. The ending didn’t really give a lot of information about what would happen to the characters later on but I like to believe that they will happy together for a very long time. I also think that all the characters involved will now have a friendship that can’t be broken because they have all been through something together and will be there for each other making sure that no one is ever alone.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, This Lie Will Kill You was a really amazing book and I loved everything about it. One thing that I really enjoyed about the book was the flashbacks to the year before. They were very interesting and I really loved learning about what happened, even if it was in little pieces, because it helped me put together the puzzle and understand the truth a lot better. Another thing that I liked about the book was that all the characters had very different personalities and it showed that even though people have different backgrounds or personalities, they can all get along if they look past that and see the people they truly are. The ending of the book was a lot like the one from One of Us is Lying, and pretty much all of the books by Karen M. McManus, leaving me wanting to learn more but not actually leaving any of my questions unanswered. Even though the ending was a bit annoying, I still enjoyed the end because I know that I won’t forget the feeling of finishing the book and feeling the need to keep reading and learning more about the characters, even if their lives aren’t going to be that interesting with the mystery solved. I really loved reading This Lie Will Kill You and I’m sad that the book is finished but I really enjoyed reading it and I am very glad that I chose to try out the book.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend this book, particularly if you have read One of Us is Lying or any other murder mystery novel. I think that This Lie Will Kill You is best for readers over 14 but if you have read similar books and don’t mind a bit of death then I am sure you will enjoy it.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An incredible and mysterious novel full of love, friendship and crazy plot twists.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego