I received this book for free from HarperTeen in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard Series: Red Queen #1
Published by HarperTeen on February 10th 2015
Genres: Fantasy, YA
Source: HarperTeen
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Graceling meets The Selection in debut novelist Victoria Aveyard's sweeping tale of seventeen-year-old Mare, a common girl whose once-latent magical power draws her into the dangerous intrigue of the king's palace. Will her power save her or condemn her?
Mare Barrow's world is divided by blood--those with common, Red blood serve the Silver- blooded elite, who are gifted with superhuman abilities. Mare is a Red, scraping by as a thief in a poor, rural village, until a twist of fate throws her in front of the Silver court. Before the king, princes, and all the nobles, she discovers she has an ability of her own.
To cover up this impossibility, the king forces her to play the role of a lost Silver princess and betroths her to one of his own sons. As Mare is drawn further into the Silver world, she risks everything and uses her new position to help the Scarlet Guard--a growing Red rebellion--even as her heart tugs her in an impossible direction. One wrong move can lead to her death, but in the dangerous game she plays, the only certainty is betrayal.
This was fantastic and great to read. I loved that this had so much going for it. A great plot full of deception, lies, romance, and magic. Besides that, it was filled with some great action and I loved the characters. I think this would have been a joy to read, but it was enhanced with the audio. I often cringe when I know I am getting myself into a series, but I am really glad that I started this one and I am interested to know where the story will go.
Mare is a pretty smart girl. Growing up in poverty, and knowing what is coming to her in her near future, she does the best she can. She is a thief, but she is good at it. She’s also very snarky and a bit rough around the edges. I loved her personality. Then there is the fact that she learns that she has magic. She controls electricity. No Red has been known to have power, so why does she? She goes along with the plan that the Silver King and Queen have devised. Not that she has much choice, but she also decides she is going to fight back as well. By joining the Scarlet Guard to take down the Silvers. She does all that she can to protect her family from where she is, but she knows that she needs to do more. She knows that her death awaits, just not when it will come.
The romance aspect was good too. It wasn’t over powering, and it wove into the story well. There was a point to it. It wasn’t just thrown in for a few kissy scenes to make people swoon. I really liked how it was done, even with there being more than one romantic interest at times. It fit what was going on.
Now onto the audiobook part of this. I really loved this as an audiobook. The narrator was the perfect voice for Mare. She really captured the tone I imagine Mare having when she talks and thinks. She had the attitude and the bluntness down perfect. And she really gave it emotion when it was needed. It was easy to believe that it was actually the character going through certain things. I really think that a narrator can either make a book better for me, or destroy it. In this case, I thought it was fabulous!!
This was definitely an action packed book. There was always something happening at every turn. I also was so caught up in it, that at times I would miss the deceptions going on that should have been so clear. It was twisted and awesome!! Filled with evil, goodness, and revenge. It was an amazing book to listen to and it had me constantly second guessing what was going on or what was going to happen. The characters were very well done, and it had a solid plot. I can’t wait to see where this story goes!! I can’t wait for the next one to come out.
4 Hot Espressos
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Jeann @ Happy Indulgence
Glad to hear you loved this one Amy, I’m interested in how the audiobook brings out more elements of Mare’s character. I did love the powers in this one, but I felt like it dragged a bit too much for me. Lovely review!
Kelsey
I really liked this book too, and I’m glad to hear the audiobook was good! I’m excited for the next book too, I’ll probably end up pre-ordering it 😀
Sabrina
I have read such mixed reviews about this book, but for some reason just didn’t like it when I read it. I just found Mare to be annoying and fickle. I think my high expectations were partly due to waiting so long for it to come out. But I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Ksenia @ Ksenia's Book Blog
Wonderful review, Amy! Sounds like an interesting read. A agree with you narrator can bring a lot into a book or ruin it. Glad it was the former.
Nick @ Nick's Book Blog
I really enjoyed this one as well. I loved the twists and the turns. I need to get this on audio since you loved the narrator so much.
Great review, Amy!
Michelle @ In Libris Veritas
I ended up enjoying this more than I thought I would, and I agree the narrator was a great fir
Hannah
This is near the top of my TBR – I’ve been meaning to get to it for ages! I’m definitely going through a fantasy kick at the moment. Lovely review!
Jessica @ a GREAT read
OOoh nice review! I still need to read this one myself, but I’ve been hearing a lot of good things lately! Which makes me happy! Especially with new to me/debut authors! But this sounds incredible and I really can’t wait to read it! Great review!
The Cosy Dragon
I love it when the audio book is great! Nice review. I might pick up the audio book too! 🙂
Savannah
This is one book that has caught my eye. Thanks for your great review.
A.P.Bullard
I was not a fan of this book, but you wrote a great review. I have only tried a few audio books, and they just don’t really do it for me.
Here is my review of Red Queen, should you be interested in reading it: http://www.booklexia.com/visit-the-archives/book-review-red-queen-victoria-aveyard
Cynthia
Great review. I have heard rather mixed reviews for this one. Some have said that it copies from other dystopian novels. I don’t even care. I still want to read it. 🙂
Lyn Kaye
I will say that Red Queen was just fun. I had some issues with how the females were treated,but I did love all of the action, and how the romance was portrayed. I am deadly curious about the next installment!