A review by jestersandpages
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

1.0

Screw this book, I have left this feeling nothing but animosity.
This book is pretty bad, I am at a loss for words as to explain how this thing won any awards or is even remotely popular. It's uninspired, not subtle, obvious, long winded, and has one of the most idiotic, imbecilic, foolish, oblivious characters.
This was an utter drag to read and took serious will power to even finish. If this book hadn't been so hyped I would have DNF'd it by chapter 5. If you want my advice, if this kind of book set up is what you like: powerful girl betroved to prince, trickery and politics; go read The Diabolic. That book is fantastic, imaginative and creative.

World Building/Writing:
The world building is entry level and bare bones. Ask a tween, who couldn't care less, to describe scenery and towns and it would be on par (if not slightly better depending the tween). To sum up all the towns and places: pretty palaces, very big, and shit ugly slums.
The best description in the book comes from the descriptions of the Silvers blood and their armour. Which is a pretty minor thing. Though it's themes of higher class vs lower class, privileged vs minority etc is done decently and is fairly relatable; but a bit hamfisted. Now the writing it's self is bland, unimaginative and obvious. Classifying red blooded people, Reds and silver blooded people, Silvers; is lazy. Be creative and come up with some more unique yet fitting names. It is fitting with how humans catogorize each other tho, so it is more realistic.
This book has some of the most forced and obvious foreshadowing I've ever seen. There are at least 4 unique incidences where it's beyond obviously foreshadowing and incredibly out of place. Authors, you do not have to put in foreshadowing. It's a good tool to use but don't force it.
There's a lot of reader manipulation, things happen for the explicit reason of emotionally manipulating the reader. Rather than for any real story or character relevant reason.
This book is a classic example of absolutely every single thing revolves around the main character.

Characters:
*Sigh*
Mare: Did I mention yet how dumb this character is? She is like an emobiment of moronic thoughts, behaviours and beliefs. It is completely infuriating to read and feels like the author has committed a personal offence against the character by writing her to be so damn oblivious. Not only that but she is flat and the author writes her as a "strong female character tm" only when it's convenient for the story. Otherwise she's pretty spineless. That's lazy writing. She becomes a whining baby. Self righteous and expects everyone to praise and adore her "help". She also completely abondons her personality to become bloodlust crazy for the last bit.
Maven and Cal - these two princes are the same damn charcter just written about slightly different.....everything about and all of their actions in the book are obvious. Their bland "prince saves princess" stereotypes. All the "romantic" pulling between the two kings is silly, stereotypical and the way I'd expect 10 year olds to act.
Julian: is quite likeable, in fact he's one of the two only likeable characters. However, he is a stereotypical man saves women and gives her worth. This does get flipped on its head via him being a book nerd.
Kilorn: Put there to give Mare something to worry about and try to force protection on. His is likeable and would have made for a vastly better main character. Not in the book too much.
King and Queen - not so much characters as just things for the main character to oppose.
Crazy bitch/the other princess - she could have been pure gold but alas this book doesn't have genuinely good characters. She is just plain unpleasant to read. Not in the "this character is the bad guy" way but more in the "this characters a poorly written stereotype that's hard to witness" way. Violent and deadly, seemingly exists purely to get on the nerves of the main character.

Ending:
This is the books one of two saving graces, the other being the scene where the main character gets near fried on a shield. The ending is pretty darn good even with being obvious but the main characters stupidity and random out of character bloodlust wrecks it.

Cover:
Minamlisic and visually appealing. The red blood over the silver crown is pretty great symbolism. It's very eye catching and is instantly recognisable. The title choice is also superb for the book, though the reference to the title in the book is very groan worthy. The over all colours of the cover give a break and oppressing feel which is prefect for this book. The cover is the one thing done completely right.

Over all, don't waste your time reading this. It's not worth the hype, rewards or popularity. Just read The Diabolic or some other book that's actually good, instead. Also, Yes I know Red Queen came out first but Diabolic still does this kind of story worlds better and the similarities between the two are many.