Reviews - Red Queen, Volume 1

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25.9k reviews for:

Red Queen, Volume 1

Victoria Aveyard

3.83 AVERAGE

piiihla's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

midimichi's review against another edition

2.0

I chose to read this book for the cover because DANG that is one gorgeous and cleverly designed cover! They totally made it to suck you in. I didn't even care what this book was about, nor did I have any clue what I was getting into when I picked it up from the library. Eventually I read a synopsis... Not the best but several books I've read and enjoyed have a fairly pitiful synopsis. So I looked past that to reviews. Let's just say I was grateful for the reviews I read because at least I was warned.

I've heard of authors writing out simple ideas and throwing them in a hat to then retrieve one or two ideas from the hat in which to enhance, develop, create their story. This story felt as though the author threw her favorite books and maybe even a movie or two into a pile, couldn't decide which ideas were the best to steal from and therefore used all of them. Reading this book I saw an amalgamation of so many books I've already read and possibly even some I haven't. The Hunger Games and Red Rising being the strongest contenders. But there are also bits and pieces from Divergent, The Selection, and even the Disney movie - Frozen.

Not to say it's all bad! It actually was quite cohesive. I was impressed that that many different ideas could come together and flow well enough I actually could follow along. Also, once again, THAT COVER. Gorgeous. And really I don't have anything against a book that reuses old ideas, there's nothing wrong with that! In fact there are so many stories out there there's a good chance that no matter how creative you feel you're being, it's been done before. And although this story wasn't really unique or new, it wasn't a complete bomb. I felt that the idea was interesting and I was curious to see where the author would go with it.

That being said. From the very first page you feel like you're reading the Hunger Games. Mare's voice and personality are painfully similar to Katniss. She really only cares about her family. Both deal with the black market and find an illegal way to support their family. Even the town she lives in is reminiscent of the Hunger Games. In the first chapter you meet Gale, I mean Kilorn who is a good friend to Mare, someone she grew up with, survived with, etc. They go to watch this fight where the leaders of this messed up society show who holds the power... Sound familiar? I thought so. Not that any of this is bad. Honestly I love the Hunger Games and am always game for a book that gives me a little more of that world, story, or even just the feel of it.
Early on in the story Kilorn has an unexpected event that means he will be conscripted into the war and Mare does everything in her power to save one of the few people she loves... Sort of. Except her sister becomes the sacrificial lamb... Anyway, in the background you're learning about Silvers and Reds who are different because of their blood and strength, power, etc... All very reminiscent of Red Rising - which is a phenomenal series by the way. And that comes into play throughout the story.

Okay, moving on from the Hunger Games for a moment Mare meets a random stranger, shares her sob story and finds herself brought into the palace to work. She can now support her family which is good since her sister who apparently was their sole income, is no longer capable of working. Mare ends up working an event called Queenstrial which sounds shockingly similar to The Selection. Granted this trial goes much more quickly and the decision is made with significantly less fanfare. The unique aspect is that Mare accidentally exposes herself as a freak. Well, she learns she's special and unique and that no one can know about her.... Divergent? And she has to hide in plain sight acting like everything is normal... Also she joins an underground rebel force trying to change society... Yep, still Divergent... But also Red Rising and the Hunger Games. So ya know. That's been done before.

At the same time as all of this is going on, the main character is falling for a prince... or two... much like The Selection again. Yet a love triangle between brothers? Has anyone read Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck? I'm just saying. Oh and the evil queen controlling her? That felt familiar... Yet I'm having a hard time placing it right now... However, her nickname? "Little lightening girl". Did that remind anyone else of Katniss, "girl on fire". Just the way it was repeatedly used.

As all of this is happening you know exactly who Mare is going to fall for. You know there will be a love triangle... In fact I suspect multiple love triangle/square type happenings will occur in the future. Even though we all know who she'll end up with in the end... I just hope that it isn't a cop out like in Mockingjay. Ahem. :D

Throughout the book I couldn't help but feel that none of the characters received the development they deserved and needed. They are not deep and well crafted, they're shallow and flimsy. The relationships are even weaker. Maven and Mare spend some time together as he plays the perfect catch. I remember thinking early on that he seemed too good to be true. That he was probably going to betray her at some point. I also remember really hoping I was wrong because he was getting the most character development and I was starting to kinda somewhat like his character. Also, too predictable. Side note: I don't get Cal's appeal in this book. He barely gets any "screen time!" I mean, he's hot, powerful, dedicated to his cause, a bit of a daredevil? with his motorcycle and whatnot. But we barely know the man. Just that he is a soldier and he won't change. Yep. That's it.

Anyway. You've got the girl that hates her and tries to ruin her at every turn... The Selection again. But eventually we move away from the girl drama and more into the rebel cause. Which you hope will get more exciting, at least I did. But it didn't seem to pump up the adventure all that much. Then Maven presents this terrible, stupid plan where you get the cheesiest most painful line in the book... As Kilorn states that he can see someone giving up everything they believe in for a GIRL. Ouch. Not pretty. I literally did cringe at that part. I'm a sucker for cute romances with slightly cheesy romantic lines... this was not one of those moments.

Anyway, a betrayal that reminded me a bit of Frozen occurs and everything blows up in Mare's face. Surprise! Not. Her and Cal are then sentenced to death where I experienced my one surprise the entire book. Mare's guard... Lucas maybe? I actually liked his character even though his part was small... Dies. He dies. He's killed. Didn't see that coming. This didn't feel like the kind of book that actually kills off it's characters that matter. Like her brother, Shade. I didn't believe for a second he was actually dead.

So they are sent into an arena to fight for their lives. Mare and Cal are amazing so of course they are victorious. Blah blah blah... And they are saved by the rebels believed to be dead... Ummm, Hunger Games again?

All in all I guess I just wasn't feeling this book. It wasn't the worst book I've ever read, but I've read so many books I don't know that that's saying much. It had an interesting premise and a promising idea... I'll give it another chance but we'll see if I can make it through the next couple of books...