Red Queen

I read this in about 4 days, which would be slightly faster than average, if it included 4 days of commuting on public transit where I read and not a 3-day weekend where I have so many projects going on that I usually don't get much time to read. While I probably should have been doing other projects, I could not quite tear myself away from this book.

Normally I reserve 5 stars for my favorites. I have to really, really, really like a book, downright love a book to give 5 stars. In that respect, this book is a 4.5-star, maybe a 4.75-star book. It's growing on me.

This poor book had the bad luck of following another YA fantasy that I found to be 'meh' and a YA sci-fi that I despised. Coming off two poor reads to a book I picked up purely on the recommendation of people who I think give good recommendations, but also know their taste varies from mine just enough that I'm not always in agreement with them and them with me, left me not very optimistic about this story. I kind of hate the name "Mare." As a nickname for Mary, it's okay. But naming a person after a type of animal is a little confusing to me.

The story does start with some YA fantasy tropes. And I was tired of those after the prior two books. But the tropes only go so far, and then Ms. Aveyard turns them on their head. Or doesn't quite delve into them. After this, spoilers ahead. Major plot-points are given away.

By mid-book, it occurred to me that the title was either a misnomer or, at least, mis-leading. I used to have the bad habit of skipping to the end of a book and reading it backwards when I saw things like that happening. Because I wasn't sure which it was and I was itching to know. I'm still not sure which. At a certain point, it was readily apparent that Mare could not become queen by the end of the book, and it also occurred to me, who gives away the ending like that? Even for a cookie cutter YA fantasy. Well done, Ms. Aveyard.

About mid-way through I had so many theories about what was going on, and some where directly conflicting with each other. Aveyard did a very good job planting what was going on, but she gave so much truth and lies filtered through the narrator, who did not know which was which that even though I knew Mavin was playing Mare, I became convinced that Mavin was on her side because she was convinced. And Mavin did a good job convincing her and me, even though she was regulary warned about him. Again, another well done aspect of the book.

I couldn't expect Mare to figure out Elara had killed Corinne, the previous queen, even though it was the point of the first arena scene and alluded to a dozen different ways. She was much too wrapped up in her own survival. It's a case of a main character behaving stupidly, which usually irritates me but was, again, so well done because Mare needed to survive that figuring out who was pulling what strings was too much, even when many signs pointed one way. The thing is, many signs pointed other ways, some at each other and some in different directions. It's one of those plots that the reader can figure out because they've read so many stories. Mare comments that they didn't even have time for bedtime fairy tales, let along plays with actors. Without stories, how do you learn? Stories are how we give lessons that aren't given in school necessarily. I'm very impressed with this part of the story. At no point was I irritated with Mare because she tried to be smart and she didn't act brashly or only on her feelings, but she was also trying to survive and could not tell who was telling her the truth and who was lying.

Another very strong aspect of this book is that it is different. There are some YA fantasy tropes that are involved, but nothing that is too much. And while reading, I didn't think, oh it's this story or that story. There are echoes of Hunger Games, but it isn't really like Hunger Games at all either.

My reading group who recommended this book forwarned me when I told them I was reading it, that I'd want to just continue in the series. Even though I have 3 books that I've promised to people through bookcrossing (and is the reason this one got bumped up on my reading pile), and I have 4 additional books that I need to have read prior to some unknown time in the future when they need to go to someone else, I really really want to keep reading these. I'm number 111 on 2 e-book copies or some nonsense through my library. I got this book from the used bookstore. I'm very tempted to drive to the store and see if they have the next book or purchase the ebook.

Overall, I highly recommend this book.

What. A. Fantastic. Book. !!!

The story is far away from an "ordinary" fantasy story with a stereotypical plot. Again and again I was surprised about the way a small revelation changed the whole picture. Really, I didn't trust anyone - as the author kept mentioning it repeatedly - still I wasn't prepared at all for what was happening. From beginning to end (especially the end). Shocking. Some parts literally took my breath away! (And I needed to re-read some passages.)

Love is part of it, but not in focus. It's the kind of dystopian world they are living in, the rebellion and this fancy super power the silvers are having. I mean, how cool is that? Fire balls, manipulating minds, nymphs! Now this is my kind of story!

Mare doesn't only have a unique name, she has also a great personality which seems so real. She's not swooning about the luxury, forgetting all she saw before. As a reader it is easy to follow her thoughts, understanding (in most cases) why she handles the way she does. She is regretting actions, she is a human being. She's not blind from love. Although I wished a bit more happening there (but well, there you see it's a young adult book ;)).

The whole setting is so interesting! I need a map! I need more info! I need more stories!!!

So, the next book cannot be published early enough, same for the final third part. I want more Gisa & the rest of the family, more of the world and more super powers!

I can highly recommend this novel!