“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
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