Reviewed by G. Ritzke, January 2023
Mare Barrow is a 17-year-old girl with red blood, in a world where silver and red blood are divided. The red is known as the peasants, fighting to survive working in factories. While the silver has the powers in their blood to keep them afloat, living in their plush palaces with reds to work for them. She has three older brothers, Bree, Tramy, and Shade, along with her parents with whom she lives. Her brothers are on the front lines of the ongoing war between the northern kingdom of the Northlands and Mare’s homeland. Mare also has a very good pickpocketing ability. After trying to pickpocket someone and getting caught she lands a job at the palace and finds out some interesting information. She must learn how to make the best and figure out what to do in every situation given to her. Learning the ropes of life at the palace and staying in contact with her family will put a lot on the line but Mare figures out a way just like she always does.
Red Queen and the rest of the series is about a teenager figuring herself out, meeting new people, and learning to survive by herself. With the problems, she faces Mare has lots of reasons to give up but she keeps on going. Throughout this book and the rest of the series, there are lots of challenges, plot twists, and hardships that happen. Do you ever know what is going to happen next? I loved this series and recommend it to teen readers who like action and adventure, along with trying to figure out what happens next because you never know.