Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard by Marissa Posada

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Justification: I chose this book because it is a popular choice on Goodreads. I was also intrigued by the conflict in the book of Silver vs. Red. I'm always a sucker for a story with court alliances and betrayals, no matter the setting. I have been tempted to read this book before, but never had an opportunity to follow through. This seemed like the best chance to get to complete this book.

Evaluation: This book has examples of figurative language. The story starts with the village going to a First Friday event in the arena. Mare explains how uncomfortable the head is during the summer. "...the village crowded...in the heat of high summer...but the stink of bodies, all sweating with morning work, is enough to make milk curdle." It makes the reader feel the head and experience the smell right from the beginning. Another example is the war. "The Choke is...bombed out...soldiers spend the majority of the time there, ducking in trenches, doomed to explode or making daring pushes that end in a massacre." I definitely do not want to visit there.

There is an example of music in language. There is a saying that Mare learns while trying to disguise as a Silver. "Anybody can betray anybody." Mare foolishly believes that she is the only one lying to people in court. But the advice rings in her mind every time she thinks she is using someone. Towards the end of the book Mare realizes that she isn't the only one to betray those close to her. The saying is similar to foreshadowing that as it says "Anybody can betray anybody." Mare realizes too late that she is new to the game that everyone else is a pro at.

There are examples of dialogue. The reader really gets to know some of the 'villans' in this story through dialogue. Evangeline is the obvious bride for the crown prince and will let everyone know her place is above them. An example is when Evangeline challenges Mare, someone who has only tried for a couple of weeks. She is supposed to train with someone else, but she tells the instructor, "No, I challange Mareena Titanos." She thinks herself above the instructor and wants to show Mare her place as well. Although she is not married to the crown prince yet, she already thinks herself a queen.

Response: This book relates to me in that I am always interested in courts and their intrigue. It fascinates me in how people betray one another even if it is not to hurt them. My opinions were strengthened in the idea that if it is too good to be true, then it probably is not true. Mare should have known that Maven was using her. I enjoyed the text as entertainment. The suspense of trying to tell who is on which side of the cause was exciting. I'm anxious to read the next book in the series.

Conclusion: This book has examples of figurative language, music in language, and dialogue. This is a good book with a lot of court intrigue. I give this book four stars. I recommend this to anyone who likes court politics.

APA Citation: Aveyard, V. (2015). Red Queen. New York: Harper Teen.