King's Cage (Red Queen #3) by Victoria Aveyard
Format: Audiobook, Narrated by Amanda Dolan, Adenrele Ojo, and Erin Spencer
Format: Audiobook, Narrated by Amanda Dolan, Adenrele Ojo, and Erin Spencer
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pub. Date: February 7th, 2017
In this breathless third installment to Victoria Aveyard’s bestselling Red Queen series, allegiances are tested on every side. And when the Lightning Girl's spark is gone, who will light the way for the rebellion?
Mare Barrow is a prisoner, powerless without her lightning, tormented by her lethal mistakes. She lives at the mercy of a boy she once loved, a boy made of lies and betrayal. Now a king, Maven Calore continues weaving his dead mother's web in an attempt to maintain control over his country—and his prisoner.
As Mare bears the weight of Silent Stone in the palace, her once-ragtag band of newbloods and Reds continue organizing, training, and expanding. They prepare for war, no longer able to linger in the shadows. And Cal, the exiled prince with his own claim on Mare's heart, will stop at nothing to bring her back.
When blood turns on blood, and ability on ability, there may be no one left to put out the fire—leaving Norta as Mare knows it to burn all the way down.
To say I was immensely disappointed with this book would be a monumental understatement. For the first three-fourths of it, I was totally underwhelmed and basically just . . . waiting. Waiting for Mare to break out of Maven's grasp, waiting for her reunion with Cal, and waiting for any hint of the action and intrigue that I loved so much in Red Queen—but none of those things happen until the last third of the novel! That simply wasn't enough to redeem this book. Overall, this was just one big whine-fest. Ideally? I was imagining banging Mare and Cameron's heads together and knocking them both out.
However, Mare and Cal are so adorable in this book until the very last second . . . when their ship literally goes to hell. I'm so angry about this in particular because most of Cal's character growth and development are completely destroyed in the last few pages, and it was so frustrating and totally unnecessary. I am now officially concerned that I'm going to end up hating how this series ends. I'll still read the series conclusion though, since I've stuck around for this long.
This audiobook is narrated by Amanda Dolan (Mare's POV), Adenrele Ojo (Cameron's POV), and Erin Spencer (Evangeline's POV). I was fine with both Amanda and Adenrele's performances, but Erin's voice literally hurt my ears. She sounds like a creepy doll from my nightmares. It's possible that's how she was told to narrate this so I won't write her off completely based solely on this audiobook, but her parts were terrible.
2) Despite my feelings about the way this book ends, I still ship Mare and Cal. They were so sweet and epic in this book. I got the same feels from them that I had from Red Queen. Seeing how Cal was doing everything he could to get Mare back, and all the shit he went through . . . it was so touching.
3) The last fourth of the book was a total adrenaline rush. I was on the edge of my seat and felt like I couldn't catch my breath. There were curveballs and angst and excitement, and it was awesome.
2) The ending. I am not happy at all with how Cal and Mare end this novel. I'm mad at Cal, I'm mad at Mare. I just hate what is happening to this ship.
Honestly, why was it important to destroy three books worth of Cal's character development? I mean, I understand why he felt torn because he was a part of both worlds, but what he did at the end . . . it was just horrible and absolutely out-of-character.
3) As compelling as her story is, I simply couldn't connect with Cameron. In fact, I found her annoying, needlessly difficult, and I was constantly wanting to fast-forward through her sections. I understand how hard her situation is, but the writing didn't make me feel anything towards her except frustration and impatience.
I thought I knew what heartbreak was. I thought that was what Maven did to me. When he stood and left me kneeling. When he told me everything I ever thought him to be was a lie. But then, I believed I loved him.
I know now, I didn't know what love was. Or what even the echo of heartbreak felt like.
To stand in front of a person who is your whole world and be told you are not enough. You are not the choice. You are a shadow to the person who is your sun.
I love your brother, Maven. You were right. You are only a shadow, and who looks at shadows when they have flame? Who would ever choose a monster over a god?
Sorry you didn't like this. I haven't started the series. Not sure I should. Will have to see what other people think too.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the first two books but this one was just painful. Maybe you'll like them more than me though! You won't know until you try!
DeleteTHAT bad?? Oh my, and here I wanted to start the series . . . I'm kinda scared now, although I heard lots of amazing things about Red Queen and I know you loved it, too. *sigh* Thanks for sharing your honest opinion!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, yes. It was that bad. I love Red Queen but it just seems like this series is going downhill. Maybe I'll love the next one though.
DeleteWe're definitely opposites about this! Glass Sword was the book where I was horribly bored, and this felt a lot better than that for me.
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of people were horribly bored with Glass Sword, I was definitely one of the few that still enjoyed it. I'm glad you liked this one though!
DeleteI liked Red Queen but was bored throughout Glass Sword so I wasn't sure if I should continue. Judging by this review and others I have seen, I am leaning toward no..
ReplyDeleteA lot of people felt the same as you. But a lot of people who didn't love Glass Sword, loved this one. So maybe give it a shot?
DeleteI liked this one more than I did Glass Sword, but I do however agree with all your points. The first half was too slow, even though I did also enjoy the insight into Maven's character. I also loved Mare and Cal's relationship development, but that ending was sooo maddening!
ReplyDeleteI thought Maven's character was way more interesting in this book and I enjoyed learning more about his monster side. The ending though... I can't even.
DeleteAw too bad. At least you found something you did like so that makes me hopeful it ends well. I have only read the first book and have been wanting to get back into this one. I am still curious about the relationships in this one!
ReplyDeleteThat's true, that's why I'll still read the next one but I am very worried. I guess we'll have to see!
DeleteI've only read the first book but now I'm worried for the next two books. Hopefully I'll at least like them. :P
ReplyDeleteI hope you do like them! You'll have to read them and let me know!
DeleteUuuugh. This one sounds so awful :( I'm sorry you had so many issues with it sweetie. And ahhh, ruining the ship at the very end of the book? NOT OKAY. I read book one, ages ago. I didn't like it much. And never plan on reading the rest of the books. Especially not now. Ugh. But curious to know how it all ends, even so, haha :) And so curious to know what you think of it. <3
ReplyDeleteIt was sooo awful. If you didn't like Red Queen (the best one in my opinion) then you definitely shouldn't go on. Since I'm still in for the ride, I'll be sure to let you know how it ends.
DeleteYES. I completely agree. This was such a disappointment, and I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it either. :( Are you going to continue the series? I'm curious to see what you think if you do. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! <3
ReplyDelete~ Zoe @ Stories on Stage
I'm sorry that I'm just seeing this comment now but I'm not sure if I will continue on with the series. Maybe I will but after a bunch of others have to gauge the situation.
DeleteThank you for stopping by!
It was a wonderful read, though, and I didn’t want to put the book down. The characters are dynamic and multidimensional that leave the reader teetering between sympathy, support, and disdain for their motives and actions - including the main character, Mare. It struck me as a cross between The Hunger Games and The Selection. The ending leaves you satisfied, but enough unresolved so the reader is itching to get their hands on the next book!
ReplyDelete