Glass Sword

The Red Queen

Additional Authors

No items found.

Book Synopsis

If there’s one thing Mare Barrow knows, it’s that she’s different.

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control.

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors.

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat.

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul.

‍

The Hook

As I look ahead to Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard, I can already tell it’s going to be an exciting continuation of Mare’s journey. Based on the synopsis, it seems like Mare is about to gain more fame than she ever wanted or imagined. With Maven, the prince who betrayed her, now hunting her down, there’s a sense of impending danger that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Mare is also taking the chance to seek out others like herself—those referred to as the newbloods. I’m really curious to see just how many of them are out there and what kind of power they hold. These newbloods sound like they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with, and I can’t wait to see how that unfolds.

One thing that has me concerned, though, is Maven. I worry that, despite his betrayal, he might actually believe he loves Mare in his own sick and twisted way. It seems like he could become obsessed with her, especially since she once told him that she loved him. I wouldn’t be surprised if Maven spends the next book—or even the entire series—chasing after Mare, driven by his fixation on her. That’s definitely going to add a layer of tension and unpredictability to the story.

I’m also intrigued to see how things will develop between Mare and Cal, now that Cal is no longer the prince and has lost the responsibilities that came with his title. Will their connection grow deeper, or will the chaos of their world drive them apart? With so many new elements at play—the newbloods, Maven’s obsession, and Mare’s evolving powers—Glass Sword promises to be a thrilling adventure. I’m eager to dive in and see where this next chapter takes us in the Red Queen series.

Free Book Sample For Member Download:

Book Review

By Blogger:

Dee Szuba

As I sit with Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard, I find myself torn. I can’t tell if I love it or hate it, and that feeling leaves me confused. On one hand, I’m disappointed in the lack of Maven’s presence throughout the book. He’s the main villain, and his absence feels like a glaring gap. It’s strange not to have more scenes with him when he’s such a significant part of Mare’s trauma. I kept waiting for those tense moments where they would come face-to-face, but they were few and far between. I get that the story focuses on Mare’s journey, her pain, and her evolution, but Maven is integral to that. I think the story would have benefited from more direct interaction with him.

On the other hand, I have to give credit where it’s due. Victoria Aveyard is a master at crafting unexpected twists, and this book is no exception. The ending left me speechless. I didn’t see it coming at all, and it was one of those jaw-dropping moments that makes you question everything you thought you knew about the story. Aveyard’s attention to detail is admirable; she weaves in layers of complexity, even if the world-building in this installment didn’t feel as rich as it did in Red Queen. That being said, it’s still a decent read. Despite some misses, the overall narrative keeps you invested, especially if, like me, you’re the type of reader who needs to see every book in a series through to the end.

Looking ahead, I have high hopes for the next book. I’m banking on more scenes with Maven and Mare because I feel like their dynamic has so much more to offer. I keep bouncing between Team Maven and Team Cal, just like Mare seems to do. Both have their allure, but neither seems like the perfect fit. Honestly, I hope she chooses neither in the end. That kind of twist would be brilliant and completely unexpected.

Book Spoilers

Disclaimer: This section might contain Spoilers about the book because, as we read the books we try to provide readers with information that might catch them off guard and/or trigger them to in one way or another. This is the main reason for this blog was created.

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard is, overall, a relatively safe read for most audiences. However, it’s important to note that there are some darker themes prevalent throughout the book, including scenes of child enslavement, torture, and murder. These elements are woven into the story, so readers need to be okay with those sensitive topics if they choose to pick up this installment. The good news is there isn’t any foul language to be concerned about, which makes the book accessible to a slightly younger audience, though I’d still recommend it for those with a more mature perspective due to the heavier themes.

Spoiler alert:

As I mentioned earlier, I was disappointed by the lack of scenes with Maven. He’s the main antagonist, yet we barely get any interactions with him in this book. The only real presence he has is in the epilogue, after Mare surrenders to him, and even then, it’s just a short moment. Sure, there’s another scene earlier where he brands Mare with an “M,” but it’s over so quickly that it almost feels like an afterthought. After that, she blacks out, and we’re left wondering what happened next. It seems like Victoria Aveyard intentionally minimized Maven’s role, which I don’t think was the best move. I understand that she wanted to build the story around Cal and Mare’s evolving relationship, but I felt like something was missing without more of Maven’s twisted dynamic with Mare. That’s why I’m hopeful that the next book, King’s Cage, will focus more on Maven and Mare, especially after that intense ending.

One character I thoroughly enjoyed was Cameron. She’s a spitfire, and her attitude throughout the book added a refreshing burst of energy. Although she wasn’t a major player in the story, she quickly became one of my favorites. On the other hand, I struggled with Mare’s constant internal turmoil. I know she’s dealing with trauma, and that’s part of her character arc, but the back-and-forth between her emotions drove me crazy. One minute, she’s lamenting over her love for Maven, and the next, she’s cozying up to Cal. It felt a bit exhausting at times. I get that she’s confused, but the constant indecision between the two brothers became frustrating.

Looking ahead, I hope the next book addresses some of these issues. I’m particularly curious about Maven and whether he was fully in control of his actions, especially since his mother could manipulate people like puppets. It’s entirely possible she was controlling him, and now that she’s dead, I wonder if Maven’s behavior will change. While I’m still undecided on whether I’m Team Maven or Team Cal, I can’t help but think that Mare might be better off with neither of them. Either way, I’m excited to see how things unfold in King’s Cage.