First impressions

The contrast in color that was used in the cover art was interesting. Simple enough, but compelling.

The Good and the not so good

I actually read this book a few years ago, but after winning the entire Red Queen series in a raffle, I decided to do a reread. The first time around, I really didn’t have much of a reaction to the story. I didn’t remember liking it, but I couldn’t remember a reason I disliked it either. So I read it again and was left with the impression of: Ehh, not for me.

It’s not that this novel is necessarily bad or anything- in fact it is pretty well written with some beautiful quotes. Overall, the novel just fails to stand out. Quite often, it felt like things were just happening for the sake of having something happen. Personally, I think the series probably could have been condensed into one or two books instead of spread out the way it was.

The main protagonist of this story, Mare Barrow, is in some respects admirable (i.e. for her strength). In the end though, she just falls into my opinion of the typical YA heroine stereotype:

✔ Emotionally withdrawn
✔ Independent (to the extent that she alienates literally everyone) (also, trust issues)
✔ Deals with the difficulty of life by allowing her hardships to completely change her
✔ Not like “other girls”
✔ I don’t know about you but I would actually quite enjoy being a princess. Why does every YA heroine seem determined to hate it?
✔ Every guy is determined to fall in love with her

In fact, this book is guilty of falling into what I would consider to be a lot of the standard YA tropes (oppressive government, love triangles, teenage rebellion). Now, if that is something that you want to read, go for it. But if you are looking for something different, this is probably not the book for you.

The last word

I wanted to like it, but I just couldn’t. I’m sorry. Not for me, but maybe for you?

Since I do have the rest of the series, I guess I will keep reading, and update you on my thoughts…