I can’t express the feelings overwhelming me right now, the minutes after I finally finished one of my favorite book series ever. I’ve waited what felt like thousand years for Victoria Aveyard to finally tell the story of Mare Barrow – and she killed it. The fourth and final book of the RED QUEEN series is absolutely stunning, with great turning points, incredible dialogues and a fantastic ending. This book is probably the best I’ve read this year and the defiantly best of the series. After KING’S CAGE has not really won me over, this book has really made me cry – in so many ways.
After Cal has chosen his crown over her and the revolution, Mare has to protect her heart from everything that is coming her way. She is determined to overthrow the kingdom and ending the reign of the boy who has caused her so much pain: Maven. But the Scarlet Guard can’t end the long lasting suppression of the reds without allies, and so she must side with the boy who broke her heart: alongside Cal and his silver allies, she tries to overrun a kingdom that has caused the death of so many innocent.
The battle between Reds and Silvers, heirs and slaves, Mare and Maven. Victoria Aveyard has really made the impossible possible: with this epic conclusion to this heartwearming series she COMPLETELY convinced me!
SPOILER ALERT (anyone who wants to read this book do not read this paragraph):
At the end, Mare and Maven fight one on one and Mare survives, having no memory of what happened to Maven. I’ve always wanted to believe that somebody could still cure Maven and rip his mother’s part out of him, leaving his beautiful and carrying soul. But with the book ending, Maven can not be cured and dies at the end. Or does he, because Mare doesn’t know if or where he is still alive… I’ve heard that Cal could have helped his brother survive and is keeping him save and captive without Mare knowing…Epic Reads!!!
Sooooooo, at the end, Maven MAY be dead – but deep in my heart I wanted him to be nice. Don’t get me wrong, I love Cal and Mare together and will always hope the lightning girl and the Chlore prince have a future – but Victoria Aveyard gave me the burgeoning hope that Maven could still have a heart – but nothing.
SPOILER ALERT END
However, she really gave this story an epic finale with Norta becoming a free republic, although the end of Norta isn’t really mentioned. Another thing that I really respect of Victoria Aveyard is the liberal perspective of sexuality:
Evangeline Samos is gay. That is a really cool thing to write, considering the homophobia in this world. Being able to live your sexuality in the free Republic of Montfort, Evangeline, Elane (her girlfriend) and her brother Ptolemus run away from their parents, turning their backs on Norta and the Kingdom of the Rift. I’ve hated Evangeline the first two books because she was such a devious witch considering Mare and the redblooded, with her silver pride and her “soon to be queen” perspective. But during this book, one becomes to see the human side of her – being controlled by her parents, living a life that is forbidden in her country – loving a girl – and having to marry a boy she doesn’t love.
Do you know the principle of many people telling a story – each person tells one chapter – but there is actually just one main character. Am I the only one who wants to skip the chapters with the boring people and just wanting to read what the main character has to say? Well, this book was different. I still love Mare’s story the most but this book was the only book that didn’t bore me when Evangeline and Iris were telling their story.
So – all in for one – this book threw me over in the best possible way and I recommend it to everyone who likes a strong female character, a revolution and fighting for their rights!
impressed by your work
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