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tlstark1994's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
isabel_is_reading's review against another edition
1.0
I truly wanted to like this book, for one its popular and I found all my friends reading and loving it so I decided to pick it up from my school library. I regret it now, for a few reasons.
Characters
Mare:
Mare’s character arc in “Glass Sword” is deeply flawed. In “Red Queen,” she was a confused girl trying to navigate a new world of power and betrayal. However, in “Glass Sword,” she morphs into a power-hungry sociopath almost overnight. This drastic change is not only unbelievable but also obnoxious. Mare suddenly becomes an all-powerful leader, expecting to command an army despite barely understanding her abilities in the first book. Her arrogance and self-importance alienate her from everyone around her. Mare’s poor treatment of her family and friends makes her even more detestable. She’s depicted as a terrible daughter, sister, and friend, contrasting sharply with the more nuanced and relatable characters in similar dystopian novels, such as Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games.” It’s ok for a character to have flaws, but an author has to make sure a characters reasoning is understandable, even if they do horrible things and the story addresses the characters flaws. Being in mares mind was annoying and I was unable to enjoy the story because of how much I wanted to slap Mare.
Secondary and Tertiary Characters:
When writing a story I like authors to write secondary and tertiary characters as though they think they are the main character. Why? Because in real life people act like they are the protagonist of their stories. To write complex characters, you have to treat them like they are matter. In this book Mare’s superiority complex leads to the dismissal of other characters’ contributions and strengths. One brother is labeled as stupid, a friend is reduced to being a mere child, and the prince is described as a monster. This one-dimensional characterization undermines the narrative and fails to create a rich, believable world. A compelling story requires well-rounded supporting characters who contribute meaningfully to the protagonist’s journey, not caricatures that exist only to highlight the protagonist’s supposed greatness.
Writing
The writing style in “Glass Sword” is a major letdown. The first-person present tense narrative, which can be effective in fast-paced, action-driven stories, falls flat here. The constant inner monologue is overdramatic and pseudo-pretentious, so there is no depth whatsoever, creating a barrier between Mare and the reader. The writing feels like it’s trying too hard to be profound, resulting in a tone that is both grating and insufferable. The overuse of the phrase “Lightning Girl” is particularly annoying, making it hard to take Mare seriously as a character.
Plot
Lack of Originality:
“Glass Sword” suffers from a severe lack of originality. The plot feels like a patchwork of elements borrowed from more successful stories. Mare’s journey to find newbloods is reminiscent of the X-Men’s quest to find mutants, and her character is a poor imitation of Katniss Everdeen from “The Hunger Games.” This lack of originality makes the story predictable and un engaging and shows to me that the book was just trying to grab the attention of the masses instead of being a good story.
Contradictions:
The story is riddled with inconsistencies and contradictions. Mare, who grew up in a small village, is suddenly portrayed as an expert in forest survival and military strategy. These abrupt changes in her abilities and knowledge are never adequately explained, making it hard to suspend disbelief. Such contradictions undermine the credibility of the narrative and make it difficult for readers to invest in the plot.
Pacing:
The pacing of “Glass Sword” is another significant problem. The story is primarily composed of Mare moping and lamenting her fate, with very little actual progression. The action scenes, which should be thrilling and engaging, are poorly described and confusing. This lack of clear, cohesive storytelling makes it difficult to follow the events, and the deaths of characters have no emotional impact due to the flat, uninspired writing.
Problematic Elements
Stereotyping:
The portrayal of the only Black woman, Cameron, is problematic and offensive. She is depicted with stereotypical “attitude” and “sass,” reducing her to a trope rather than a fully realized character. Her backstory, which involves working in factory conditions reminiscent of slavery, is handled insensitively. Instead of using this narrative to explore deeper social issues or to develop Cameron’s character, it serves merely as a contrast to highlight Mare’s superiority. This tokenism and lack of depth are disappointing and offensive, especially in a book published in 2016.
Mare’s Arrogance:
Mare’s arrogance is one of the most off-putting aspects of the book. She views herself as more valuable than her comrades, which is highlighted in her cruel act of displaying Queen Elara’s severed head as a trophy. This level of brutality is unnecessary and portrays her in a highly negative light. Mare’s belief in her own superiority and her willingness to engage in such grotesque acts alienate her from readers (like me) and make it hard to empathize with her. I think this could have worked if the author showed how revolutionary acts can create a thin line between justice and brutality. Revolutions often involve acts of violence that can blur the distinction between the oppressors and the oppressed, and such a scene could have illustrated how Mare’s character is being consumed by the very violence she seeks to overthrow. I think this what the author was attempting, and I think it’s an important and interesting subject to explore, especially for young readers. I think there are a few reason why I didn’t personally like this choice despite the fact that I know what the author is attempting. The scene feels abrupt and out of character because it is not sufficiently built up through Mare’s development. Mare’s journey towards such a brutal act should have been more gradual, showing her increasing willingness to use violence as a means to an end. I also think that the authors writing style doesn’t help with the scene. The scene fails to explore the deeper implications of Mare’s actions, it comes across as a tactic to shock the audience, not a strategy to develop a theme. The aftermath of Mare’s brutal act should have been more thoroughly examined. Showing the impact on her relationships, her followers, and her own psyche would have added depth to the narrative. It would also have allowed for an exploration of the broader theme of how revolutionary leaders grapple with the consequences of their actions.
Emotional Manipulation:
The inclusion of a dead baby in the narrative is a blatant attempt at emotional manipulation. This shocking element adds nothing to the story or to the characters’ development. It feels like a cheap tactic to elicit an emotional response from the reader, rather than a meaningful or necessary plot point. This kind of manipulation undermines the integrity of the story and further alienates readers.
Characters
Mare:
Mare’s character arc in “Glass Sword” is deeply flawed. In “Red Queen,” she was a confused girl trying to navigate a new world of power and betrayal. However, in “Glass Sword,” she morphs into a power-hungry sociopath almost overnight. This drastic change is not only unbelievable but also obnoxious. Mare suddenly becomes an all-powerful leader, expecting to command an army despite barely understanding her abilities in the first book. Her arrogance and self-importance alienate her from everyone around her. Mare’s poor treatment of her family and friends makes her even more detestable. She’s depicted as a terrible daughter, sister, and friend, contrasting sharply with the more nuanced and relatable characters in similar dystopian novels, such as Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games.” It’s ok for a character to have flaws, but an author has to make sure a characters reasoning is understandable, even if they do horrible things and the story addresses the characters flaws. Being in mares mind was annoying and I was unable to enjoy the story because of how much I wanted to slap Mare.
Secondary and Tertiary Characters:
When writing a story I like authors to write secondary and tertiary characters as though they think they are the main character. Why? Because in real life people act like they are the protagonist of their stories. To write complex characters, you have to treat them like they are matter. In this book Mare’s superiority complex leads to the dismissal of other characters’ contributions and strengths. One brother is labeled as stupid, a friend is reduced to being a mere child, and the prince is described as a monster. This one-dimensional characterization undermines the narrative and fails to create a rich, believable world. A compelling story requires well-rounded supporting characters who contribute meaningfully to the protagonist’s journey, not caricatures that exist only to highlight the protagonist’s supposed greatness.
Writing
The writing style in “Glass Sword” is a major letdown. The first-person present tense narrative, which can be effective in fast-paced, action-driven stories, falls flat here. The constant inner monologue is overdramatic and pseudo-pretentious, so there is no depth whatsoever, creating a barrier between Mare and the reader. The writing feels like it’s trying too hard to be profound, resulting in a tone that is both grating and insufferable. The overuse of the phrase “Lightning Girl” is particularly annoying, making it hard to take Mare seriously as a character.
Plot
Lack of Originality:
“Glass Sword” suffers from a severe lack of originality. The plot feels like a patchwork of elements borrowed from more successful stories. Mare’s journey to find newbloods is reminiscent of the X-Men’s quest to find mutants, and her character is a poor imitation of Katniss Everdeen from “The Hunger Games.” This lack of originality makes the story predictable and un engaging and shows to me that the book was just trying to grab the attention of the masses instead of being a good story.
Contradictions:
The story is riddled with inconsistencies and contradictions. Mare, who grew up in a small village, is suddenly portrayed as an expert in forest survival and military strategy. These abrupt changes in her abilities and knowledge are never adequately explained, making it hard to suspend disbelief. Such contradictions undermine the credibility of the narrative and make it difficult for readers to invest in the plot.
Pacing:
The pacing of “Glass Sword” is another significant problem. The story is primarily composed of Mare moping and lamenting her fate, with very little actual progression. The action scenes, which should be thrilling and engaging, are poorly described and confusing. This lack of clear, cohesive storytelling makes it difficult to follow the events, and the deaths of characters have no emotional impact due to the flat, uninspired writing.
Problematic Elements
Stereotyping:
The portrayal of the only Black woman, Cameron, is problematic and offensive. She is depicted with stereotypical “attitude” and “sass,” reducing her to a trope rather than a fully realized character. Her backstory, which involves working in factory conditions reminiscent of slavery, is handled insensitively. Instead of using this narrative to explore deeper social issues or to develop Cameron’s character, it serves merely as a contrast to highlight Mare’s superiority. This tokenism and lack of depth are disappointing and offensive, especially in a book published in 2016.
Mare’s Arrogance:
Mare’s arrogance is one of the most off-putting aspects of the book. She views herself as more valuable than her comrades, which is highlighted in her cruel act of displaying Queen Elara’s severed head as a trophy. This level of brutality is unnecessary and portrays her in a highly negative light. Mare’s belief in her own superiority and her willingness to engage in such grotesque acts alienate her from readers (like me) and make it hard to empathize with her. I think this could have worked if the author showed how revolutionary acts can create a thin line between justice and brutality. Revolutions often involve acts of violence that can blur the distinction between the oppressors and the oppressed, and such a scene could have illustrated how Mare’s character is being consumed by the very violence she seeks to overthrow. I think this what the author was attempting, and I think it’s an important and interesting subject to explore, especially for young readers. I think there are a few reason why I didn’t personally like this choice despite the fact that I know what the author is attempting. The scene feels abrupt and out of character because it is not sufficiently built up through Mare’s development. Mare’s journey towards such a brutal act should have been more gradual, showing her increasing willingness to use violence as a means to an end. I also think that the authors writing style doesn’t help with the scene. The scene fails to explore the deeper implications of Mare’s actions, it comes across as a tactic to shock the audience, not a strategy to develop a theme. The aftermath of Mare’s brutal act should have been more thoroughly examined. Showing the impact on her relationships, her followers, and her own psyche would have added depth to the narrative. It would also have allowed for an exploration of the broader theme of how revolutionary leaders grapple with the consequences of their actions.
Emotional Manipulation:
The inclusion of a dead baby in the narrative is a blatant attempt at emotional manipulation. This shocking element adds nothing to the story or to the characters’ development. It feels like a cheap tactic to elicit an emotional response from the reader, rather than a meaningful or necessary plot point. This kind of manipulation undermines the integrity of the story and further alienates readers.
writing_rider's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aisling_wright's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
caseyprice's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75