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Teens & Tweens Review is an opportunity for York County Public Library teens and tweens to write book reviews for their peers. Check out what our youth are reading below, and then see our list of read-alike titles suggested by YCPL staff.

Title: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Reviewed by: Michael S.
Rating: 4 stars

In Red Queen, protagonist Mare Barrow was born into a world where the color of one’s blood describes their social circumstance. Are you a red-blooded, destined to work every day or get conscripted into the military, or a silver noble enjoying the luxuries of a life built on the back of those you suppress and superpowers that make you near invincible? Mare is a red and is nearing the age of conscription into the army if she is not able to get an apprenticeship, until everything changes. A strange man gets her a job at the palace, where she discovers impossible powers in front of all the silver nobles. She is hidden away by the royal family; masquerading as a lost silver princess. Will she start a red rebellion, or will she be put to death for her incredible powers?

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is an excellent book and I only have one issue with it. The characters in the beginning of the book seemed flat to me, and the action started out slowly. As the book progresses, I encountered more and more dynamic action and conflict within Mare and her companions. In general, as the book progressed, I found it easier to latch onto the hardships and gravity the decisions Mare was forced to make. I think as a reader, you should be mindful of the slow start and continue reading even if you are not immediately finding situations and characters you are engaged with.

I would recommend this book to my friends, and I think it is worthwhile to read the book through as it takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts about the world Victoria Aveyard is describing to us. I would rate it 4/5 stars, because even though it started out slow for me, I found the rest of the book excellent and enjoyable to read.

Books in the Red Queen series:

1. Red Queen
2. Glass Sword
3. King's Cage
4. War Storm

YCPL Readalikes
Here are some other great series starters, all available from the York County Public Library:

• The Selection by Kiera Cass
  Summary: America Singer is chosen to compete in the Selection&emdash;a contest to see which girl can win the heart of Illea's prince&emdash;but all she really wants is a chance for a future with her secret love, Aspen, who is a caste below her. 
• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
  Publisher Summary: Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from stories, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin, a High Lord of the faeries. As her feelings toward him transform from hostility to a firey passion, the threats against the faerie lands grow. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose Tamlin forever.
• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
  Summary: Orphaned by the Border Wars, Alina Starkov is taken from obscurity and her only friend, Mal, to become the protegé of the mysterious Darkling, who trains her to join the magical elite in the belief that she is the Sun Summoner, who can destroy the monsters of the Fold.

For more reviews from YCPL teens and tweens, check out our Teens Review series. Want to submit your own review? Email us at YouthServices@yorkcounty.gov to learn more.