Glass Sword Review
Red Queen (Book Two) By Victoria Aveyard
SYNOPSIS
Following Maven's betrayal, Mare must now find the other newbloods before he does. She would hate to think what would happen if he did. He has seen the list after all, so its only a matter of time before he starts hunting them down. With Cal by her side, and Shade alive, surely she can find them. It is a battle against the clock. A battle of wills. Who will kneel. Mare? or the mad boy king, Maven?
WHAT I LIKED
Compared to the first book in this series, the world becoming itself becomes even more impressive. This one takes you inside prisons, on the front lines, you see everything from the rebellions point of view. You see their struggle. Their triumph. You see the hope for change that spread through this fictional world. You even find yourself on the edge of your seat hoping to make a difference. I am going to be honest, my favorite part in this whole book was probably taking a look into the deadly and lethal Corros prison. That could just be because I love a good prison arc. Looking back, that may be the reason i loved the ending of red Queen so much when they were in the Bowl of Bones.
I won't lie. But i won't spoil it either. I always admire an author who is not afraid of killing some fan favorite characters. Much as Suzanne Collins did in Mokingjay. While, to see favorites disappear is a very sad time, it helped with the story so much. But, I am sad to say, i dreaded turning the page during the deaths so much. Only because it made it so real that they would no longer be in the story. I can honestly say Victoria Aveyard truly has a way with words. It seems every book I find quotes that send shivers down my spine. Quotes such as Mare Barrow's "I am a weapon made of flesh, a sword covered in skin. I was born to kill a king, to end a reign of terror before it can truly begin." This quote alone just screams at how far Barrow has already come. And how much further she needs to go.
The plot of this particular sequel is outstanding. We follow the young Mare barrow through a race with time as she tries to find newbloods before Maven can reach them. Some she saves, and as every heroin often does, some she loses. But during this constant battle for the upper hand, Maven always allows Mare to know how far his love, or better yet, his obsession with her will go. But it's hard to understand if he is truly obsessed with her, or if his obsession lies with trying to one up Cal. All is fair in love and war i suppose.
WILL YOU LIKE THIS BOOK?
Let's be honest here. I liked the book. It wasn't as good as the first one by far and got better towards the end making me need to read the next, however it brought another book to mind. If you ever went through a "Twilight phase" like I did, hell, i still love twilight, but you would remember New Moon. Arguably the worst book in the series by far. This is where i must compare our lovely heroin, Mare Barrow to the lovely Bella Swan. I felt in this book, it showed more of Mare's true colors. I felt she was doing too much "woe is me" for my taste. She began to just see how traumatizing everything around her was, and mourned for herself, but not for the families of those deceased. To me, now, this is just my opinion, she seemed to care more about her own happiness, then the happiness of those she promised to protects happiness. But, like i said before, I do think you will like this book as it progresses.
RATING
This book in particular i would have to rate a 3 out of 5 stars. Most reasons are stated above. Overall I enjoyed it. But i felt Mare Barrow lacked in character this time. I thought she was self centered more then a likeable heroin would be. But truly, I can not wait to read King's Cage. So stay tuned!
About the Creator
That Bookish Kat
Hi! My name is Kaytlyn. I am 25 year old aspiring author with a passion for reading and cats! In my blog I will be doing book reviews as well as book to movie adaptation reviews. I always welcome suggestions on what to read next!
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Red Queen Review
SYNOPSIS In a world divided by the blood of silver super human beings, and reds meant to serve them, there lies some red blooded beings, who can control mighty powers. Some more dangerous then those of the silvers. In the midst of this chaos we find a young, daring Mare Burrow. Who moves to the silver society, in a desperate attempt to blend in. Our young heroin in this tale, can control lightning, well, all things electricity actually. Every day she is there, she risks exposure. Should they find out, the silvers would surely rip her apart. Can Mare make it through?
By That Bookish Kat6 years ago in Geeks
The Rachels - 2025
Much to my surprise, I have kept a list of the films I‘ve seen this year. I daresay it isn’t complete. There will be films that snuck in on a late night in front of the TV that I would’ve forgotten to note. Or others, that I went to watch at the cinema, but then had a red wine and promptly forgotten about. But it’s not a bad approximation of the films I’ve seen this year. In total, there are 53 films listed, so an average of one a week and one for good luck.
By Rachel Robbins25 days ago in Geeks
Why The Ikkis Team “Had a Bit of a Debate” About Casting Dharmendra, Reveals Writer
Start writing...Casting a legend is never a simple decision. When the makers of The Ikkis began shaping their story, one name naturally surfaced early in discussions: Dharmendra. Revered across generations, the veteran actor has been a towering presence in Indian cinema for over six decades. Yet, as the film’s writer recently revealed, bringing Dharmendra on board was not an automatic choice. In fact, it sparked what he described as “a bit of a debate” within the creative team—a debate that ultimately speaks volumes about changing storytelling priorities in contemporary Indian cinema. At the heart of the discussion was not Dharmendra’s talent or legacy. Those, the writer stressed, were never in doubt. Instead, the debate centered on tone, authenticity, and audience perception. The Ikkis is not a nostalgia-driven project designed to celebrate cinematic icons for their own sake. It is a story rooted in character nuance, emotional realism, and a very specific worldview. The team was concerned that casting a superstar of Dharmendra’s stature might unintentionally overshadow the character he was meant to portray. “In today’s cinema, audiences are extremely aware,” the writer explained. “When a legend like Dharmendra walks on screen, viewers don’t just see the character—they see Dharmendra.” This star-text effect, while powerful, can be a double-edged sword. For a film that relies on immersion and subtlety, the risk was that the audience’s emotional response might be shaped more by reverence than by narrative logic. Another point of debate involved generational expectations. Dharmendra’s fan base spans decades, from those who grew up watching his action-packed roles in the 1970s to younger viewers who know him through selective appearances and public persona. The writers questioned whether these expectations would align with the restrained, layered role envisioned in The Ikkis. Would audiences accept Dharmendra in a quieter, more introspective part, or would they unconsciously wait for echoes of his larger-than-life past? There were also internal creative considerations. The team reportedly explored alternative casting options, including lesser-known actors who could “disappear” more easily into the role. This approach reflects a broader trend in modern Indian cinema, where realism often takes precedence over star power. Films and series today increasingly favor actors who serve the story rather than dominate it. However, as discussions evolved, so did the team’s perspective. What began as skepticism gradually turned into curiosity. The question shifted from “Will Dharmendra overpower the role?” to “What if he redefines it?” The writer admitted that the turning point came during deeper character analysis. The role demanded not just performance skill, but lived experience—someone who could convey emotional weight with minimal dialogue, using silence, posture, and presence. “That’s when we realized Dharmendra might actually be perfect,” the writer said. Age, often viewed as a limitation in casting, became an asset. His life experience, cinematic journey, and natural gravitas aligned organically with the character’s inner world. Rather than distracting from realism, his presence could enhance it—if handled carefully. Crucially, Dharmendra himself played a role in resolving the debate. According to the writer, the actor approached the project without ego or demands. He was open to discussions, receptive to the director’s vision, and willing to shed his superstar image in service of the story. This humility reassured the team that he would not impose himself on the narrative, but blend into it. The final decision to cast Dharmendra was not a compromise, but a creative leap of faith. It reflected confidence not only in the actor, but in the audience’s ability to evolve. The makers trusted that viewers today are ready to see legends in new lights—less as icons, more as human beings. The writer emphasized that this debate was healthy, not divisive. It represented a maturing industry where casting choices are scrutinized as carefully as scripts. “Ten years ago, this wouldn’t even have been a discussion,” he noted. “You’d cast a legend and move on. Now, every choice is about storytelling integrity.” As The Ikkis moves closer to release, the casting of Dharmendra stands as one of its most intriguing aspects. Whether audiences will see the legend first or the character first remains to be seen. But the very fact that the team questioned, debated, and ultimately chose with intention suggests a film deeply aware of its creative responsibility. In the end, the debate about Dharmendra was not about doubt—it was about respect. Respect for the story, for the audience, and for a legendary actor whose greatest strength may now lie in reinvention rather than nostalgia
By Fiaz Ahmed Brohi5 days ago in Geeks
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