War Storm (Red Queen #4)

                Hello happy readers!  So I finally finished the final book in the Red Queen series War Storm by Victoria Aveyard.  Now you may remember that I went to a signing for this book last month and got to meet so many amazing people, including Beth Crowley who writes original music based on books she read and this one for Freysand of ACOMAF is stuck in my head!  Anywho at the event Victoria mentioned that people seemed to be split down the middle about her final book they either love it or hate it.  I was a bit concerned by that but now having read it I kind of get it.  I took a bit of time to process after finishing before I could sit down and articulate my thoughts.  But here they are fully digested and ready to share, spoilers for the previous books in the series.  Reviews to previous books:  Red Queen, Glass Sword, & King’s Cage. 

Rating:  4.5 Stars

                When we left  off things were not in a happy place.  Not like book two where Mare is taken captive bad but Cal just agreed to marry Evangeline and basically just broke Mare's heart choosing a crown over her.  So not a happy place.  Plus he messed up Evangeline's happiness which thanks to book three I now want.  But on more important news Cal's decision to fight for the crown has caused a hidden split with his Red allies as they don't plan to put another Silver in charge of them again.  But first they must remove the current king and go from there meaning Mare must continue to work with the boy who broke her heart.  Maven is a force but he is driven by an obsession deeper than any realize as he and his brother have more in common than they realize.  Allies that want to overthrow them.  It is all out war involving Silvers and Reds alike both on the same side and against one another.  Who will win?  Who will make it out the other side alive?  What will Norta end up?

                So this is a story of split war.  I loved that we got so many new POV's.  As I mentioned I was a bit leery of Evangeline getting a POV in the last book as I hated her but then I went and grew to like her.  I didn't full on love her like some of my others as she was still kind of a witch but I understood her so much better.  I even grew to want her to find a way to win, though only if she didn't mess with any of my others!  Which is huge progress from the first two books.  I looked forward to her story and seeing what was happening.  I felt bad for her and the whole love situation she was in, seriously I almost cried at some parts.  It was so messed up.  She ended up being one of my favorites of the series so huge kudos to the author for making that even possible!  We also got a new POV in Iris, the Lakelander princess / Maven's new wife.  That was very interesting to see how things are on her side, we got both the Lakelander perspective as well as one so close to Maven seeing him with a new outside light.  I liked getting to know more about the Lakelanders as they have been background for the first few books with new information constantly coming up.  She/they were also a villain different from Maven and seeing the pair side by side was very interesting. 

                And for other new surprising POV's that don't happen much and start late we do get a couple chapters from Maven himself!  I nearly swerved when the audiobook chapter stated "Maven" as the POV like what when did this happen???  The chapters while brief and limited are very enlightening.  His mind, warped as it has been from childhood is a very captivating place to me.  I can understand why the chapters are placed sparingly as too much from him would have taken away from him.  Small glimpses was a treat and more than enough to see just what has been hinted at.  On the flip side we also get to see a few chapters from Cal's POV which I enjoyed though as much as I enjoyed him, I didn't find them as fascinating as Mavens.  They didn't offer as much new insight for me.  I understood his reasons well enough as he is an open type of person who shares and is readable.  I already knew his reasons and motivations he was easier to read.  Still it was nice to have his own thoughts of his mother and brother that was a nice balm to the crazy going on.

                Of course we have Mare as the main POV.  I have some slightly mixed feelings on her.  I did feel at times she could be a bit wishy washy but she made a choice and she stuck with it.  She never wavered.  She hoped for a difference and took time for her when possible but she didn't waver in the overall choice.  I respect that.  She had some bad choices throughout the books sure but I think she held firm on the important parts.  I was with her in this, even as she struggled with her broken heart, her PTSD, and more she kept pushing forward.  That is impressive no matter what anyone says.  I enjoyed as she got to know more Newbloods like herself.  Knowing she wasn't the only one was a sweet moment not only in solidarity but in that they can teach her more of herself. 

                There are so many side characters who really came to life in this story.  Some stepped into new lights like Jullian.  We got to see more of Evangeline's family which again is crazy and Cal's granny.  We also got to see more from the Premiere and the world he lives in and wants to help spread.  The world we want!  The time spent there was beautifully written and impacted so much.  And of course General Farley was up front and center because she has come a long way since we first met her and she has struggled through so much on her own.  I really wished we had a few chapters from her.  Some of the others we spent so much time with in previous books were less focused in this one like Cameron and Kilorn to name a few. 

                Overall the story was well done for me.  There was action and intrigue as we expect and lots of political espionage happening in all corners.  The character building and even world building as we tear down one part.  It had a lot going for it in this book and series overall.  The end had parts I expected and parts that shocked me.  I was unsure how I felt at first having finished it just in shock of it all but it makes sense.  It won't be a perfect happily ever after for anyone there was just a massive war both internal and external so lots happening there.  That can't be solved or wrapped up in a little bow.  It gave the open ending we needed to believe it was possible.  Some relationships were broken but some have the possibility of rebuilding just like the world and I love that.  I love the parallels there.  At first I wanted a quick instant fix but then I realized that wouldn’t have fit with the epic journey we had just finished.  So I am very satisfied with the ending.  Even if I wanted more as soon as I finished!

                Until next time…

King's Cage (Red Queen #3)

                Hello happy readers!  I previously reviewed the first two books Red Queen and Glass Sword and waited as close to the release of the final book War Storm as possible to finish book three so I wouldn’t have long to wait.  Yep any time waiting was too much.  This author really knows how to sucker punch you with a cliff hanger that’s for sure.  So here are my thoughts on King’sCage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard, spoilers for the first two books duh.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

                Mare, the Lightning Girl, is a prisoner to the boy king.  She gave herself over to him to save her friends and now she lives each day wondering what new horror she will face above the constant weakness of silence.  Maven has his little red pet but his grip on his country is far from firm as the Scarlet Guard continue to fight on.  It is no longer a right of Red on Silver or Newbloods.  Alliances, blood, abilities, it all forms and turns on itself as the battles grow stronger, leading to all out war!

                Okay first of all the ending of the last one was horrible.  I knew this was supposed to have a bad cliffhanger as well so I held off until close to release of the final book, still knowing didn’t prepare me.  I didn’t think anything could be worse than Shade.  Okay it probably still is the worst but this one breaks your heart in a different way.  It all continues to build upon itself as things grow and grow with the different splinters widening and spreading.  I loved seeing the slow boil inside the court as things began to happen.  Seeing from Mare as she was broken a little more each day was so very hard, because even when she wasn't my favorite and made some questionable decisions there are just some things no one should have to live through.  Okay maybe a few people but not anyone you even remotely like.    

                Speaking of liking characters.  I enjoyed in this that we got some new POV’s including that of someone I never thought I’d enjoy, Evangeline.  Yes we hear from a Silver POV in small parts though the vast majority I still Mare’s story.  This works for many different reasons the first being practicality given Mare is a prisoner and we need a way to see things she’s not privy to both in the castle and the rebellion (Cameron) and secondly it provides a deeper understanding for other character that I personally didn’t like as much.  With Cameron I didn’t want her dead like with Evangeline (seriously book one I just wanted her fried) but more that her attitude grated on me but seeing what she normally kept to herself I grew to enjoy her.  I even grew to understand if not respect in a small way Evangeline which is a miracle in and of itself.  We of course also see more of our other characters on all sides and even get to meet several new ones both on team good and evil. 

               

                All in all the final book comes out tomorrow and I can't wait to dive right in and see where these characters and this war is going to end up.  There are so many wheels spinning I can't wait to see where they end up and who is left standing at the end.  So many possibilities and to be honest I'm not 100% sure which one I want to happen more.  I'm hoping my heart will heal and I won't be broken even more but I don't have high hopes there as I think these books have always shown they can and will be ruthless just like war itself.  So now I just have to buckle up and hold on. 

                Until next time…

~Can't Wait Wednesday: War Storm (Red Queen #4)~

                Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Wishful Endings.  Waiting on Wednesday has been don for some time so I am switching it up for now!  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

War Storm (Red Queen #4) by Victoria Aveyard

Out: 5/15  

From Goodreads:

                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 lightening girl be forever silenced?

                In this 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.

Why I’m Waiting:

                 So I just finished King’s Cage last week and I held off on reading it because I knew there was a cliff hanger ending and I wanted to wait as long as possible.  Now here I am caught up and needing to know what happens next because that ending really ticked me off! 

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your CWW as well so I can check it out.

Glass Sword (Red Queen #2)

                Hello happy readers.  I hope all has been going well on your end.  The weather has taken a turn, finally, to not sweating just stepping foot outside and was actually cool for a couple of days. I'm excited though the 90 to 60 sudden drop wrecked havoc on my sinuses.  I also tried a new recipe, Caramel Apple Bread which seems to be a hit!  I have been able to finish a book from my TBR I’ve had for some time, Glass Sword (Red Queen #2) by Victoria Aveyard.  I reviewed book one back in March of 2015 here so it had been a while but when I started the audiobook of the sequel it all came back as I listened.  It picks up where Red Queen left off so spoilers.

Rating: 5 Stars

                So it has been some time since I read Red Queen.  I dove right in.  Mare and Cal are on the run with the Red Guard but being a silver, Cal is not treated with the best care.  Mare is a red with silver abilities, the lightning girl.  She thought she was an anomaly but finds there are others like her, new bloods.  The king is dead at Cal’s hand.  His hand forced by the Queen, using her ability against him to dispute him and put her traitors son Maven on the throne.  He is not the man either of them thought him to be, just a puppet playing the part that would make them both care for him.  Now Mare must fight but the cost is high and all of the treachery and betrayal have taken their toll and changed her.

               

                The action and intrigue of this series picks up at the first page and doesn't let you down.  There is so much happening from escaping without dying and oh yeah convincing the people you're with Cal isn't just an evil silver but an ally.  I loved throughout the book there is always more than one thing happening.  The constant struggle between the reds and silvers and now new bloods, never knowing where one stands as we are constantly reminded that anyone can betray you at any time.  Oh and the political issues of being on the run as Maven takes over as king.  It's one hit after another and we just keep rolling with the momentum never slowing down.

                The pacing of the book keeps it moving along for sure.  Still there is lots of character development with all out characters.  There is no clear right and wrong anymore everything seems to be shades of grey.  Mare, everyone really but her especially, has to deal with so much.  Blaming herself.  Wanting to save people like her, save everyone and fix the world into something better.  She wasn't trained to be a leader, she never wanted to be one but despite everything people keep looking to her to lead.  Watching her struggle with all of her issues throughout the book was grounding.  There was one part in which case I was so glad I was parked when it happened because I just stared at my car display in shock.  You go through the emotional ringer with these characters that's for sure.

"If I am a sword, I am a sword made of glass, and I feel myself beginning to shatter."

                One of my favorite parts was getting to meet all the new characters.  Some good and some bad.  I especially enjoyed our new bloods and learning all their new powers as some were so much fun to imagine.  I enjoyed the difficult position each one was in and how real everything felt.  Not everyone is saved all the time.  This is a war and they are rebels and that means they are the underdog.  Farley was by far a favorite for me, the accent the narrator did for her was spot on as well, I loved how she could be surrounded by people with special abilities and be severely out matched but still hold her own with her tricks and skills.

                There is some small pieces between Mare and Cal but given everything that has happened it is very small and sedate.  They both are struggling with Maven.  Yes he is a monster.  He has done and continues to do horrible things to people.  Still that is not the Maven they knew and loved and even knowing that their Maven was "real" is still a hard thing to reconcile with the monster that is out to get you.  I love that they both are struggling with that and their places in this new war.  They both have beliefs and hard wired instincts they have to work on with everything flipped around.  I thought the reactions to it all was rather true to the characters and I enjoyed it. 

                Overall I really enjoyed this story and am glad I don't have to wait long to start the next book and then even less time for the final book to come out.  As much as I want to dive right in given that ending…and yes that ending hurt me…I also want to be fresh for the final book to come out.  And I have a few other books I have to get to this month!  I am caught up in this story and even waiting close to 2 years between reading without any catch up I fell right back into things with no problem because the author wrote such a unique and interesting world it was transfixed in my head! 

                Until next time…

~Waiting on Wednesday~ Glass Sword

                “Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  Basically books that are not yet out that we are dying to get our hands on.  This week’s pick is:

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

Out:  2/9

Book 2

From Goodreads:

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling:  she is not the only one of her kind. 

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive kind, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion?  Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

               

Why I’m Waiting:

                I read the first book Red Queen (review) and enjoyed it.  I did really enjoy it and even gave it 5 stars but I do think for some it can be over hyped.  I read it rather soon after release only knowing a bit of the hype and it was what I expected and had a twist thrown in I wasn’t expecting so props for that.  I think it was a good first book and really set up for what I hope will be a wonderful series and after the ending I’m ready to see what happens next!               

                What are you waiting on?  Tell me below what you think of this title and leave a link to your WoW as well so I can check it out!

Red Queen Fantasy Spy Game

                Hello world.  I am alive and though still on antibiotics, feeling much better.  With the bipolar weather my sinuses got into a hissy fit and caused all sorts of havoc which meant I pretty much slept all the time.  I did some reading to but writing my thoughts down, a bit tricky.  I am coming back at you with another book that came out on Feb 10th, Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard.  This is a debut novel and wow is it amazing.  And I want to share my thoughts with you. 

               

                I feel I have to mention first off the cover love.  The beautiful and simple crown inverted and dripping blood.  Simple and beautiful and in real life, vs. the pictures, it's even better with a slight raise to it giving it depth and even some shine.  LOVE.  Now if you're not familiar with the books premise then let me fill you in.  The world is pretty much divided into two types, the Reds, the commoners without power, and the Silvers, the elite and powerful who rule with their godlike powers.  It's blood pure and simple.  If you bleed red or if you bleed silver.  Moment to think about that, how cool would the blood look coming out silver though?  Anywho back to the story, we follow Mare, a red girl almost 18, age of mandatory military conscription without other prospect, and their job market is worse than ours.  She likes in a small and improvised area and feels her life will never change, until by some twist of fate she ends up working in the Silver Palace, surrounded by Silvers she can't stand.  Circumstances being what they are Mare ends up discovering she, despite being a Red, has a deadly power all her own.  This is unheard of and anything can go.  Power is ultimate and what happens in the pursuit of power makes one hell of a story.

                This is a fantasy book filled with things to keep you guessing.  Following along-side our street thief Mare as she goes from gloom and hopelessness to playing a game of power in the Silver Palace.  Mare is a likeable character, she has a rough run of things and she has some issues, but I found myself rooting for her.  I wanted things to move forward and see how they would turn out for Mare and the rest of our cast.  I had some theories, no doubt, about what would happen and was still surprised.  She has a depth to her that leads room to grow as the series continues.  She was a bit rash at times, but even as the book progressed she thought about things a bit more in the overall but she never lost that fast reaction attitude that was clearly hers.  Then moving to the Princes Cal and Mavin.  Step brothers, each with their own attributes.  It was clear to see, from Mare the good and bad of both.  How things come across and how they were intended are many times not the same. 

                Red Queen for me was an enthralling fantasy spy game thriller.  You have the different classes, the Reds vs. the Silvers.  But within the Silvers they have their own power structure.  Silvers might be above Reds but they could still be lower rank in the hierarchy.  The overtone of the Segregation and elitism at play between the Reds and Silvers was well done.  I wanted to be in the fight.  But more than class war, we have people with hard core powers.  The powers are wide and vary from controlling metal, fire, healers, and so many more. 

                I really enjoyed the book and the overall story and look forward to reading more.  I do think some areas were a bit vague.  Less development or explanation on some aspects that could shed light on the backstory.  I don’t feel it subtracted from the overall story though, and the way it was done seems purposeful to me, and only intrigues me further.  Like it will be more important to the next book in the story and flow from the stories arch.  I have a ton of theories about what shall happen.  I mentioned previously that while I was theorizing about the book I was also surprised.  There are twists, some I saw coming, others I should have seen coming but I was so shocked by something else I just didn’t see it.  I give Aveyard’s Red Queen a solid 5 Stars.

               

                Spoiler Part:  I have to talk about the end!  So don’t cheat or ruin it for yourself. 

                Speaking of twists.  I didn’t see the ending coming.  Okay that’s a lie, I did.  I expected it from the very start and I just knew he would betray them, I was only undecided on the motivation.  If it was the plan along bread out of resentment and duty or if it was more emotional.  Then as it got so close to the end I started to rethink, maybe I was wrong and that maybe that was the real twist.  I started to let my guard down then BAM!  Just like I imagined.  Dang you.  That played with my emotions.  Also while I was so caught up in the expected yet unexpected twist I didn’t even see the other twist with Shade, I suspected at the very start but then I got so wrapped up I honestly forgot about him.  And Lucas!!!  I was totally expecting something to happen but that just blew me away.  One shock right after another at the end.

                END Spoiler Part! 

                I can’t wait for the next book to come out and let me dive back into the world of the Reds and Silvers.  I want to see what becomes of all of our characters.  I feel some serious stuff about to hit the fan.  I also feel more backstory coming, diving deeper into the war and the society and maybe some romance.  As always please share your thoughts and such below.  I’m working on some more reviews to post soon, finished a couple more series and a couple stand-alones.