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A review by ros_lanta
The Red Queen by Isobelle Carmody
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
As the final book in a series I have loved since I was approximately 10 years old, I have decidedly mixed feelings about The Red Queen.
Firstly, the weak points. The book did not need to be over 1,100 pages long. There is a lot that could be taken out, particularly from the first half of the book, without significantly affecting the overall plot - and the book would have been much better for it. There were times when I had to push myself to keep reading because I lost interest. By contrast, the final events of the novel, which finally tie up all the story arc of the entire series, felt rushed and over with too soon, and there wasn't enough emotional resolution. There was also one particular choice made right at the end of the book that has bothered me ever since the first time I read it.
However, the book does also have strengths. The second half particularly was very gripping. There is some good character work, and you really get to see how much many of the characters have changed over the course of the series. The involvement of AIs is really interesting. There is also a lot of payoff, with things from previous books finally explained and made sense of.
Ultimately, this is a book that I love because it's Obernewtyn, but that is definitely flawed. I feel that with a stricter editor it could have been much tighter, more satisfying book. It's not a bad book, but it is underwhelming in comparison to what came before, and it's a shame that the series didn't go out on a high note.
Firstly, the weak points. The book did not need to be over 1,100 pages long. There is a lot that could be taken out, particularly from the first half of the book, without significantly affecting the overall plot - and the book would have been much better for it. There were times when I had to push myself to keep reading because I lost interest. By contrast, the final events of the novel, which finally tie up all the story arc of the entire series, felt rushed and over with too soon, and there wasn't enough emotional resolution. There was also one particular choice made right at the end of the book that has bothered me ever since the first time I read it.
However, the book does also have strengths. The second half particularly was very gripping. There is some good character work, and you really get to see how much many of the characters have changed over the course of the series. The involvement of AIs is really interesting. There is also a lot of payoff, with things from previous books finally explained and made sense of.
Ultimately, this is a book that I love because it's Obernewtyn, but that is definitely flawed. I feel that with a stricter editor it could have been much tighter, more satisfying book. It's not a bad book, but it is underwhelming in comparison to what came before, and it's a shame that the series didn't go out on a high note.