The Red Queen Series - Part II

This is a continuation of my review of the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard. I read the first two way back in 2017 and then re-read them before continuing with the next two books. You can read my review of the first two books here. 

In this breathless third installment to Victoria Aveyard’s bestselling Red Queen series, allegiances are tested on every side. And when the Lightning Girl's spark is gone, who will light the way for the rebellion? Mare Barrow is a prisoner, powerless without her lightning, tormented by her lethal mistakes. She lives at the mercy of a boy she once loved, a boy made of lies and betrayal. Now a king, Maven Calore continues weaving his dead mother's web in an attempt to maintain control over his country—and his prisoner.

As Mare bears the weight of Silent Stone in the palace, her once-ragtag band of newbloods and Reds continue organizing, training, and expanding. They prepare for war, no longer able to linger in the shadows. And Cal, the exiled prince with his own claim on Mare's heart, will stop at nothing to bring her back.

When blood turns on blood, and ability on ability, there may be no one left to put out the fire—leaving Norta as Mare knows it to burn all the way down.

The first half of this book made me feel so sad for Mare, being stuck with Maven, trapped in a gilded cage, powerless and unable to help herself. The attempts are good ones, but will one ever succeed? Or will the silent stone make her crazy first? While the last book had me hoping for some kind of redemption for Maven, this book seemed to erase that possibility completely. I love that you see the real reason for the way that Maven is. 

Victory comes at a price.

Mare Barrow learned this all too well when Cal’s betrayal nearly destroyed her. Now determined to protect her heart—and secure freedom for Reds and newbloods like her—Mare resolves to overthrow the kingdom of Norta once and for all… starting with the crown on Maven’s head.

But no battle is won alone, and before the Reds may rise as one, Mare must side with the boy who broke her heart in order to defeat the boy who almost broke her. Cal’s powerful Silver allies, alongside Mare and the Scarlet Guard, prove a formidable force. But Maven is driven by an obsession so deep, he will stop at nothing to have Mare as his own again, even if it means demolishing everything—and everyone—in his path.

War is coming, and all Mare has fought for hangs in the balance. Will victory be enough to topple the Silver kingdoms? Or will the little lightning girl be forever silenced?

In the epic conclusion to Victoria Aveyard’s stunning series, Mare must embrace her fate and summon all her power… for all will be tested, but not all will survive.

Not what I was expecting. I love how this saga wrapped up. The stories of the war and the battles over Norta are quite graphic at times. First, the reds and newbloods work together to get the crown from Maven, then they want to end the monarchy. The battle scenes really painted such vivid pictures, it made me feel like I was really there. Seeing Mare finally get to settle with her family after all is said and done was just beautiful. While there wasn't the "happily ever after" with Cal that I was secretly hoping for, it seems there is still a slightly open door. There is also a new way of life for their entire world to figure out. Luckily, they have someone around who has been through it and can help guide them.