Red Queen is a book that has a little bit of everything, although the Library of Congress classifies it as fantasy fiction. I had just finished reading Persuasion by Jane Austen, and I needed an easy read that wouldn’t leave me brain dead. The book Red Queen is the first in a series—I have yet to read the entire series, but that is soon to change. The book possesses humor, mystery, romance, tension, betrayal, action, and gore; there is abundant meaning behind it all. The foundation of the book is based on the oppression and privilege of different communities. In this case, the communities are defined by blood—red or silver—and power. Although the book is an easy and fun read, there are many consequential points that the author makes: oppression based on differences weakens entire nations, power comes in different forms, people with good intentions may not always be in the right, and fighting for what one believes in is the strongest thing one could do. The writing of Red Queen itself is a bit simple, meaning it gives your mind room to breathe, but there is meaning and purpose behind every word. The writing, although somewhat plain, is creative, which I believe is imperative for a fantasy fiction novel. I will warn you that after reading the first book it will be hard not to long for the second, at least that was my experience.
Recommended for:
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who needs a break from an academic or rich style of writing. Someone who loves fantasy and worlds separate from your own. Anyone who enjoys love triangles and forbidden love. I would also recommend this book to people who appreciate tension and fighting either within oneself or with others.
Not Recommended for:
Someone who wants to challenge themselves with complex ideas and philosophical underpinnings will probably not enjoy Red Queen. This book is not for those that do not enjoy reading about fantasy and learning the ins and outs of made-up worlds.
Lindsey Norwood’s reviews reflect her personal opinions and not necessarily those of the library or university.
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