Same Story, Better Writing

Why is this one at the top of the lists this year? Another class divided society, this one with silver blood topping the servile reds. Our protagonist from a hard-working, destitute family is nothing-special, yet feisty and bound for greatness (unbeknownst to her). This is the same story as so many others and seems to be the child of a "Hunger Games" and "Selection" mating.

Nothing new here except for three versus two boys in love with our heroine. The writing is superior to that of Kiera Cass' "Selection" series, but definitely not phenomenal; just better. Mare is easier to relate to than others, but not as magnetic as Katniss. The narrator does a nice job with inflection, definitely more relatable and not monotone. What you have here is a formulaic book one in the predictable, money-making trilogy publishing. If you're looking for a new YA action/romance tale of anarchy, this is a good listen. Just don't expect anything new or surprising.

216 of 237 people found this review helpful

Formulaic, Couldn't Finish

It's not the worst book ever, but truly nothing memorable happens in this book. I wanted to like it a lot more-- there's magic and cool powers. But the plot was so predictable and the characters cartoonish. There was absolutely no subtlety in this novel. Nothing kept me wanting to read on. It's just your standard YA fare.

75 of 89 people found this review helpful

It was so much better than I expected

With all the hype and conflicting reviews I decided to go into this one with low expectations. Fortunately, it was better than expected and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.

My only complaint is the time period of this book – is it modern times or more like medieval times? This definitely had a Game of Thrones feel to it. It’s a little confusing at first but once you get used to the incongruous feel of the time period the story really begins to click. The world of have and have-nots and the disparities between those with and without power begins to make sense.

This was an excellent start to the series and I’m anxiously waiting for the next book to be released.

17 of 21 people found this review helpful

A magically dangerous world...

What did you love best about Red Queen?

4 Stars

Ooh, RED QUEEN, where do I start? I really, REALLY enjoy it, a lot. But I did have my ups and downs with it though. At first I was a little let down by the feel and strong sense that I've already read it before in another book. It wasn't jaw dropping original, or earth shattering amazing or something to drool over in longing, but it had it's own balance of power and fire that I really enjoyed.

I guess one of the main let downs about RED QUEEN was that I had my expectations too high for it, even after the mixed reviews started rolling in. It seemed like people either absolutely loved, or really disliked it for their own reasons. But I fall somewhere in the middle with a 4 star rating. The beginning was slower paced then I would of liked, and ended with too many unanswered questions that I just need to know. And the mildly entangled love triangle type thing Victoria had going was not my favorite either. But after getting over all them minor details, I was able to become engrossed in the story and ride in the dystopian wave and get lost in a world of magic and murder...

But what I really loved was the last quarter or so of this book. It picked up it's pace and sped through the pages at alarming rate. With it's thickened plot and revealed secrets, RED QUEEN was devastatingly wonderful to watch, as it unfolded into a disarray of deception and betrayals that shattered an explosive web of blood and murder, as it painted the way for the evil power that ruled this blood defined world, and brought it to it's knees.

THE PLOT

Mare Barrow is a Red, the lowest in their blood define world, where Silvers thrive and prosper by ruling with an iron-fist over the low class Reds that serve them, or die fighting for an unbeatable cause. But Mare is the lowest of her kind, even amongst her Red citizens.

As a thief in the shadows, dipping in her fellow Reds pockets, blending into her surroundings, taking what others have worked hard for, Mare is determined to at least provide something to her large families income, even if she has to steal for it. Until one day she dips into the wrong Reds pocket and is reveal as a thief for her first time. Only later she realizes he wasn't really a Red who caught her, no, he was a Silver, and a very powerful one at that, and he's just changed her world forever...

Called upon as a servant after her encounter with the Silver boy that bestowed her a kindness she's never received from a Silver, she's offered a job within the palace walls and is finally able to legally provide some type of income to her needing family. She accepts even with the uncertainty of why the Silver boy has shown such kindness to a Red, but is thrilled nevertheless. Until a power deep within she never knew existed, rages to the surface and explodes out to reveal itself to the whole arena court, and the frightening truth of a Red servant with undeniable powers is reveal for the first time in history. But that's not possible, she's Red, and only Silvers have powers. But the truth is burning inside of her, just revealed for all to see. What first turned into an eager job opportunity, has now turned into her eternal prison.

Swept into an intrigue court life as a Silver in disguise, shielding her true blood identity from all Silvers except the Royal family, Mare is forced to become betrothed to the second Prince Maven, and mascaraed as the dead war Generals lost daughter, and given a title and prestige at court as nobility. Masked in makeup and showered with hate, Mare yearns to be free of the invisible restraints she's been forsaken too. But with no other options in keeping her family safe, she plays their game of charades. But when devastating news shocks her back to reality, she knows it's time to stopping hiding within the shadows and time to rise up and take a stand against the Silvers. Bounding together with her fellow Reds, Mare and the Scarlet Guard join forces to take back what once was theirs...FREEDOM... And now with the power pulsing through her, she has the strength and determination to take the stand and demand change...

Magic and power, danger and betrayals, jealousy and deception, murder and blood, all invade Mare's world when she enters the powerful world of Court life, and is taught the true meaning of pure evil. Caught between two prince's and the uncertainty of where their loyalties lie, with the pulsing desire to be free, and a rebellion brewing from the shadows, Mare will be tested and have to decide just where and who her true loyalties lie, and just how far she's willing to go for her cause, and if she is willing to lay it all on the line for it.

Overall, the RED QUEEN was a fantastic debut that I absolutely loved to pieces, even with it's flaws. I was a little skeptical after starting it, but slowly got into the faster pace as it picked up towards the middle. I wasn't a big fan of the love triangle either, but was still intrigued enough to have me routing for one of the princes. I did like the twist at the end, even though it was obvious and I totally seen it coming. But besides that, I loved everything else. I really got into RED QUEEN about halfway through, and liked the route it took and the twist that came, even if some of them were predictable. But nevertheless, RED QUEEN is a fantastic debut that is not to be missed for any dystopian/fantasy fan out there, and I'm sure you won't be disappointed!!!

NOTE: I received a physical ARC from Harper Teen for reviewing purposes! All opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced in any way!

53 of 69 people found this review helpful

This is the worst book I've read this year.

The main character was selfish, self-absorbed, and utterly stupid. The plot and subsequent 'twists' were predictable. The whole thing read like a formula for YA Fantasy that a marketing team cooked up. All in all, this book is souless.

60 of 79 people found this review helpful

Decent

This story is great but it does have some slow parts. Overall loved it and loved the plot line. Can't wait to continue the story and find out what happens next.

23 of 31 people found this review helpful

Disappointing

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Everything.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Made the main character less of a moron. Maybe if I think about it as the author trying to make a point, that everyone is self-absorbed and short-sighted in adolescence.. maybe that will make me hate this main character less. Every thing she said, every choice she made, was a ridiculous choice. I hated the character.

What didn’t you like about Amanda Dolan’s performance?

I could not tell if the narrator was thinking or talking. Sometimes it was difficult to tell which character was talking. She was so whiny and annoying.

Any additional comments?

If I have to hear "There is so much I do not understand" or "I do not know" one more time I will scream! This main character is a whiny, selfish IDIOT!

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

Story is nothing you haven't heard, boring

The narrator was great, but if you've read YA the story is too one dimensional and done to death to be interesting. The characters are paper thin, and behave in mind bogglingly stupid ways. Read hunger games instead.

31 of 42 people found this review helpful

Alright

honestly, I struggled to finish. In fact, I skipped to the end.

24 of 33 people found this review helpful

It was okay.

I struggled to finish this book. The story had a fair share twist and turns but it was very slow. I quickly got lost as some parts and had to go back and listen to it again.

9 of 12 people found this review helpful