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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
4.25*
Them plottwists tho. Unique book IMO.
The concept of blood was pretty interesting.
Overall, I think this book deserves the attention and praise it is getting^^
(maybe im just mainstream)
Them plottwists tho. Unique book IMO.
The concept of blood was pretty interesting.
Overall, I think this book deserves the attention and praise it is getting^^
(maybe im just mainstream)
adventurous
slow-paced
fast-paced
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall, I can say I did enjoy this book. I am a sucker for tropes like this one so I can’t say it’s especially stand-out in comparison to any other YAs I have read on this genre.
What I can say is I find the (attempted) allegorical nature of this story to be a little too literal. I can see where it tries to allude to real life in fiction (red blood vs silver blood in which the red bloods are the “oppressed” and the silver bloods are the “oppressor” and the red bloods are essentially low-class, forced to enlist in war, and deemed as lesser than the silver bloods. A little too obvious I think.) Essentially, silver bloods are racist white people (often described as having porcelain skin and being refined) while red bloods are any other oppressed race (often described as dirty, poor, and typically being darker-skinned). I have a bit of a problem with non-black people writing stories based on true and real oppression through the lense of their whiteness and what they THINK oppression looks like but I digress.
The twist is: silver bloods have superhuman powers while red bloods are regular-degular humans. Red Queen in a story about a girl, Mare Barrow, who is born with red blood, meaning she should be powerless like the rest of them but, by some gene mutation, she has powers like silver bloods AND those powers are eons stronger than what silver bloods have ever seen.
Mare gets herself caught up in silver blood society after the crowned prince (shocker) shows interest in her where she discovers her powers and is basically kept like a glorified lab rat while they figure out what she is. Mare barrow is basically a mixed girl.
While the premise of the story can be a bit yawn at times, I did enjoy reading it and liked the way Aveyard built the dystopian world, her writing is detailed, albeit a little jumbled at times, but well paced. There is a love triangle, but it does spur on the plot better than I find most love triangles and Mare has realistic character development, she’s whiney, headstrong, and immature but that’s exactly what I’d expect her to be like so I don’t find her character to be as annoying as some other reviews have said.
I’m willing to give the second book a try and I’d recommend it for those who like dystopian YA.
What I can say is I find the (attempted) allegorical nature of this story to be a little too literal. I can see where it tries to allude to real life in fiction (red blood vs silver blood in which the red bloods are the “oppressed” and the silver bloods are the “oppressor” and the red bloods are essentially low-class, forced to enlist in war, and deemed as lesser than the silver bloods. A little too obvious I think.) Essentially, silver bloods are racist white people (often described as having porcelain skin and being refined) while red bloods are any other oppressed race (often described as dirty, poor, and typically being darker-skinned). I have a bit of a problem with non-black people writing stories based on true and real oppression through the lense of their whiteness and what they THINK oppression looks like but I digress.
The twist is: silver bloods have superhuman powers while red bloods are regular-degular humans. Red Queen in a story about a girl, Mare Barrow, who is born with red blood, meaning she should be powerless like the rest of them but, by some gene mutation, she has powers like silver bloods AND those powers are eons stronger than what silver bloods have ever seen.
Mare gets herself caught up in silver blood society after the crowned prince (shocker) shows interest in her where she discovers her powers and is basically kept like a glorified lab rat while they figure out what she is. Mare barrow is basically a mixed girl.
While the premise of the story can be a bit yawn at times, I did enjoy reading it and liked the way Aveyard built the dystopian world, her writing is detailed, albeit a little jumbled at times, but well paced. There is a love triangle, but it does spur on the plot better than I find most love triangles and Mare has realistic character development, she’s whiney, headstrong, and immature but that’s exactly what I’d expect her to be like so I don’t find her character to be as annoying as some other reviews have said.
I’m willing to give the second book a try and I’d recommend it for those who like dystopian YA.
The best thing about YA fantasy is 100% the love triangles. Gets me every time.
Although this was a little slow to start I had such a good time reading this one. Kept me guessing until the end.
Although this was a little slow to start I had such a good time reading this one. Kept me guessing until the end.
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
2nd time read: 1st of aug., 2018
This is the second time I read this book. I liked Cal more, but I don't understand his obsession toward Mare.
BTW, Evangeline was such a bitch. I'd kill her if I were to be given a chance.
I think I've grown out of the phase of reading books with topic like 'over-thrown' and 'rebellions'.
-------
1st time read: 10th of mar., 2017
Well...there's not a specific reason why I bought it. I didn't even read the synopsis first. And I definitely hadn't heard of Victoria Aveyard before. I bought it because there were so many people in book community saying how good this book was.
Despite much praise I heard about this book, I had just let it sit on my shelf as long as it could have. I had no idea what got into me this morning. (Probably guilt. Yes. Because I bought this book a year ago.) I picked it up and read it.
What I like about this book
- the idea of silver blood and red blood
It's a really cool idea though I still have a hard time to get the silver blood image. Hmm...all I can think of is Dread Doctors' works...silver thing flowing out of failure's mouths, noses...
p.s. Dread Doctors are horrible characters from Teen Wolf season 5
- the twist!
Whoohoo! I live for plot twists, baby! I was like...okay...this book probably can get an average three-star rating and then BANG plot twist! I definitely didn't see it coming at all!
What I dislike about this book
- the weird fantasy world
Okay, it's not THAT weird, but I cannot picture a world that has market, the poor, and the rich a.k.a. royals (kinda like medieval period) has video camera and ID cards. It's just...weird for me.
Characters
Mare Barrow
She thought she was smart. However, as we all know, someone can always outsmart you. One thing here, she was 'kinda' two-timing at one time. Please do not mimick her.
Prince Cal
Well...in my opinion, this guy is weird. I'll talk more about him in the spoiler section down below.
Maven
He is my favourite character because he is just WOW! He really did amazed me.
Farley
I think Farley is me. I like her a lot. She's sassy and brave.
Neither could I. Let's high-five!
Recommendation
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I'll pick up the second boom for sure. Hopefully, it won't let me down.
I recommend this book to people who love high fantasy novels and everyone.
That's my non-spoiler review of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. I'm glad that I picked it up. Let me know what you think!
If you haven't read this book, I'm here to bid you adieu. I'll see you next time. If you're fine with spoilers, then you're very welcome to keep reading.
spoilers
So I wanna talk about Cal.
What's the deal with this guy?
At the very beginning, he took Mare into the palace. Why? He didn't even know her back then. Later, he grew fond of her. Yeah, I have no idea why. After he found out that Mare was with the Guard, he kinda wanted to let her die. In the end of this book, he was framed by Maven and then he turned to Mare like...hmm, I think it's better that we stay together. Sorry 'bout me trying to put you in jail and wanting to have you executed.
This dude definitely has some serious problem.
This is the second time I read this book. I liked Cal more, but I don't understand his obsession toward Mare.
BTW, Evangeline was such a bitch. I'd kill her if I were to be given a chance.
I think I've grown out of the phase of reading books with topic like 'over-thrown' and 'rebellions'.
-------
1st time read: 10th of mar., 2017
"You're playing at the game as someone's pawn."
Well...there's not a specific reason why I bought it. I didn't even read the synopsis first. And I definitely hadn't heard of Victoria Aveyard before. I bought it because there were so many people in book community saying how good this book was.
Despite much praise I heard about this book, I had just let it sit on my shelf as long as it could have. I had no idea what got into me this morning. (Probably guilt. Yes. Because I bought this book a year ago.) I picked it up and read it.
What I like about this book
- the idea of silver blood and red blood
It's a really cool idea though I still have a hard time to get the silver blood image. Hmm...all I can think of is Dread Doctors' works...silver thing flowing out of failure's mouths, noses...
p.s. Dread Doctors are horrible characters from Teen Wolf season 5
- the twist!
Whoohoo! I live for plot twists, baby! I was like...okay...this book probably can get an average three-star rating and then BANG plot twist! I definitely didn't see it coming at all!
What I dislike about this book
- the weird fantasy world
Okay, it's not THAT weird, but I cannot picture a world that has market, the poor, and the rich a.k.a. royals (kinda like medieval period) has video camera and ID cards. It's just...weird for me.
Characters
Mare Barrow
She thought she was smart. However, as we all know, someone can always outsmart you. One thing here, she was 'kinda' two-timing at one time. Please do not mimick her.
Prince Cal
Well...in my opinion, this guy is weird. I'll talk more about him in the spoiler section down below.
Maven
He is my favourite character because he is just WOW! He really did amazed me.
He knows I'm sinking fast, a stone dropping through the river. And he wants to drown with me.
Farley
I think Farley is me. I like her a lot. She's sassy and brave.
"You want me to pin my entire operation, the entire revolution, on some teenaged love story? I can't believe this."
Neither could I. Let's high-five!
Recommendation
I enjoyed reading this book very much and I'll pick up the second boom for sure. Hopefully, it won't let me down.
I recommend this book to people who love high fantasy novels and everyone.
That's my non-spoiler review of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. I'm glad that I picked it up. Let me know what you think!
If you haven't read this book, I'm here to bid you adieu. I'll see you next time. If you're fine with spoilers, then you're very welcome to keep reading.
spoilers
So I wanna talk about Cal.
What's the deal with this guy?
At the very beginning, he took Mare into the palace. Why? He didn't even know her back then. Later, he grew fond of her. Yeah, I have no idea why. After he found out that Mare was with the Guard, he kinda wanted to let her die. In the end of this book, he was framed by Maven and then he turned to Mare like...hmm, I think it's better that we stay together. Sorry 'bout me trying to put you in jail and wanting to have you executed.
This dude definitely has some serious problem.
"Take them inside, to the king. He will judge them both."
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes