From the Bookshelf of Once Upon a Time...…

Red Queen (Red Queen, #1)

Victoria Aveyard

Start date: May 1, 2015

Finish date: May 31, 2015

Discussion: Old Archives

Why we're reading this: May 2015 Group Read
[close] May 2015 Group Read

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 15 topics — 1,894 comments total

Old Archives

This topic has been closed to new comments.

Dearest - September 2015
By Rachmi · 16 posts · 15 views

last updated Jan 17, 2016 03:29PM

Hero - September 2015
By Rachmi · 35 posts · 21 views

last updated Oct 01, 2015 12:14PM

What Members Thought

Oct 13, 2014 Rachmi rated it it was ok

Shelves: romance, ebook, paranormal, utopian-dystopian-post-apocalyptic

1.5 stars

First, I'm not sure whether this is a fantasy or dystopia story. I don’t know why I thought it is more fantasy rather than dystopia when I read the blurb. Call me weird but I have different ways of thinking regarding of genre I read. When I read a dystopia story, I tend to questioning the worldbuilding but especially the setting, time setting to be exact. This is important to me because it'll lead me whether I believe in the story or not. If there isn't much clarity in the time setting ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 28, 2014 Cassie C rated it it was amazing

Review to come!

Update 3/14/15:

Drop everything and read this book NOW! This novel was utterly fantastic from the amazingly creative world to the phenomenal characters. While I do wish there was a bit more world building in the beginning of the novel (I do still think a novella about life prior to Red Queen would go a long way), by the end of the novel (really it's more like halfway through) you have a full understanding of the world and the ins and outs of everything. The writing is spectacular, Review to come!

Update 3/14/15:

Drop everything and read this book NOW! This novel was utterly fantastic from the amazingly creative world to the phenomenal characters. While I do wish there was a bit more world building in the beginning of the novel (I do still think a novella about life prior to Red Queen would go a long way), by the end of the novel (really it's more like halfway through) you have a full understanding of the world and the ins and outs of everything. The writing is spectacular, and Ms. Aveyard shows true talent by drawing you in from the very first page. I never wanted to stop reading this novel, and finished it in almost one sitting (that pesky thing called school got in the way). Ms. Aveyard swept me away on an exciting adventure that I never wanted to leave. I could picture ever single scene, every single intricacy that she had written into a scene, and beyond. It takes a truly amazing author to be able to do this, and suffice to say, Ms. Aveyard is one to watch!

However, where this book truly stands out is the characters. Ms. Aveyard crafts wonderfully complex characters; characters you will feel a connection to right away. I adored Mare's character, and she is easily one of my all-time top female leads. She was so strong, loyal, and fierce, and I simply couldn't get enough of her. She fights till the very end, never gives up, and her snark and sassiness goes on for days. Seriously, how can you not love her?! Cal was a character I loved as soon as I met him, and I wanted Cal and Mare together throughout the entire book. Maven was a character I couldn't get a good read on right away, but I was happy to find that I ended up being right about his character (yep...that's all I'm going to say).

The idea of Reds and Silvers was pure genius. It was just so original and interesting that it truly is something that helps this story be so amazingly interesting. I enjoyed reading about the different types of Silvers, and the rebellion growing against the Silvers- known as the Scarlet Guard. This rebellion adds such a suspenseful aspect to this novel, and keeps you very intrigued as you know right from the off that there is more to the story. While reading, I had plenty of theories, and I ended up being partially correct. However, that being said, I was still shocked and surprised when everything was finally revealed. There is a twist at the end that is even more shocking than the other twists at the end. The ending truly sets up a good segue into the next book (and the rest of the series). I have no idea what to expect next, and I can't wait to see where this series goes!

Overall, this is a truly magnificent start to what is sure to be an amazing series, and you need to read this right away. You will not be disappointed. Filled with suspense, action, adventure, romance, and betrayals, every page is filled with something unexpected. Ms. Aveyard has made me a fan, and I wish I had the next book right now!! Trust me, as soon as you start reading, you'll love this story and never want to stop!

Happy reading :) ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 23, 2015 Parvathy rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, disturbing-dystopia, glued-till-the-last-page

It starts out great..... I couldn't put it down from the moment I started reading. These days it is very rare for a book to have such an effect on me but Red Queen some how managed it. It is a dystopian fiction and in the current literary landscape where every other novel is a dystopian fiction Red Queen stands out. Why? Because of its adequate use of certain well tested literary components.

The main character is a strong willed girl who would do anything for her family (which includes a younger ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 31, 2015 Mary rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I thought it was interesting. The silvers and the reds, unique gifts or talents. I guess I just didn't really feel connected to the character/relationships. Parent interactions and family was ok, but when it came to the heroine and her relationships. I found it lacking and superficial. It's annoying enough to have a love triangle but to have 3 guys around...even though not much happened. Maybe it's my mood, but I just didn't get into as much as I would like. But I did think it was a great idea. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 17, 2016 Jill Heather rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, ya

So unmemorable that I thought "Oh, I meant to read this book" and started reading it again a few months later. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 25, 2015 Irene Hollimon rated it it was amazing

And to think that once I shied away from the YA label because I'm old and YA should be beneath me or something I'm not- what will people think? Better to be caught reading porn than YA right? At least porn can be explain away by everyone has needs... But I'd lose some IQ points if I liked YA and we can't have that..
It's good- really good- maybe too close to Hunger Games to make it to my best of category- but it also has a feel of winner's curse and girl of fire and thorns to it
I'll be looking fo ...more

Like · see review

May 31, 2015 Tricia, Existential Crisis, in the Making rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2nd-fav-list

I'd love to give a long and lengthy review about why this book is amazing, but I'm at a lost for words currently due to the stress of having to wait another year for the second installment. ...more

Like · see review