Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
- AsDreamsAreMade
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 07 Feb 2016, 12:13
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-asdreamsaremade.html
Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
Glass Sword picks up right where Red Queen left off. Mare finds herself in the belly of the Scarlet Guard, or what she thinks is the belly of the Scarlet Guard; fighting against Maven and his atrocities. However, she discovers if she truly wants to help the newbloods she must find them before he does. She sets off to do just that with the help of her closest friends, including Cal and Kilorn, but she’s forced to make decisions she never thought capable of. All for the good of her people, or so she tells herself.
Wow. Did this one throw me for a loop.
Mare is definitely conflicted with this one. Between her decision regarding the newbloods and her feelings toward Cal, Kilorn and even Maven, she struggles to find an identity. She’s no longer Mare from the stilts or Mareena–she doesn’t know who she is and her choices reflect that. She also struggles with who to trust. Everybody has their own agenda and wants something out of her. I can see where she feels isolated. At times though, I was a bit over it. She just beat herself up over her guilt quite often. That was the only thing I had an issue with in this novel.
The plot was holy twister!
There were times that I just sat straight out of bed screaming at what I was reading, “THAT CAN’T BE TRUE!” Every character is forced to make choices they never thought possible of and it really threw you for a loop at times (in the best possible way). I really loved Cal. He struggles with finding where he belongs; no longer a prince, but refusing to fight against his own people. The dynamic between him and Mare is interesting because of it. Kilorn starts to really come into his own and I loved Shade and Farley. Every character was rich, complex, and their storyline dynamic.
The end.I thought Red Queen had me dying, but that was just piddley compared to this one. Wow.
Victoria Aveyard returns with an even more complex story than Red Queen. Her characters keep you guessing at every turn (along with the plot) and she’ll keep you turning the page for more, well into the night.
-
- Posts: 11
- Joined: 10 Mar 2016, 23:37
- Bookshelf Size: 0
I HAVE NO WORDS!
But seriously, I am speechless. This book is so good! I finished this yesterday and really, I'm still a complete mess.
The story started exactly where Red Queen ended. They were on the run from Maven and there were a lot of action scenes even in the beginning. That's a really good start because it set the pace for the whole book. They were hunting newbloods, the Reds with Silver powers like Mare.
I liked how the story went on. I was bored reading some scenes, though. I wanted action and I wanted to see Maven so badly and what he would do so I just wanted to skip some pages but of course I didn't do that. I was just really excited to see how it ends but the story was really good. The pacing that the action scenes set in the beginning was faltering a bit in the middle when there's not much happening. But it wasn't a major problem, honestly. For me, it was actually necessary to see their progress throughout the story.
Characters were really good! My favorite new character was Cameron. She was sassy as hell but that didn't really stop me from loving her. The romance between Cal and Mare was still underdeveloped. It was a problem for me in Red Queen because there was supposed to be a thing between them even from the start. But I couldn't see it. Here in Glass Sword, their "thing" was shown more but I still couldn't feel it. Maybe because I was so in love with Maven. But I loved how they handled each other's feelings. I loved their connection. It wasn't really strong as to call it romance but it was there.
I was mad at Mare for a couple of times because she was being unreasonable. I have read many reviews that said they didn't like her here. As for me, I loved Mare here in Glass Sword as much as I loved her in Red Queen. I actually saw her develop in some ways, in contrast to those who said that she didn't grow. Her fighting spirit was stronger and she was fiercer than ever. She had been ruthless, too and she tried so hard to look like a leader. She had questionable reasoning about certain things but that was part of her and there were reasons why she had to do it. Yes, I was mad at her and that was because of Kilorn. You don't talk to my baby that way, okay, Mare?
Kilorn was still a favorite. He tried to be Mare's support and he did just that. I didn't like Cal in Red Queen so much because of his twisted political views. (And you love Maven after all he's done?) I just really didn't like the guy! I'm sorry. But! I was very pleased with him here and I was glad to see more of him here. I'm starting to like him, actually.
This book is so good. I keep saying that. It made me feel a lot of feels and I'm still a mess right now. Don't let people and reviews spoil you, okay? Please. Spare yourselves.
- ebfielder
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 18 Mar 2016, 11:06
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ebfielder.html
- Latest Review: "Tick" by Allison Rose
- untameddauntless
- Posts: 7
- Joined: 09 Apr 2016, 02:16
- Currently Reading: The Selection
- Bookshelf Size: 16
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-untameddauntless.html
- Rvt4life2015
- Posts: 9
- Joined: 26 Jul 2016, 19:45
- Currently Reading: The Tiger's Wife
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-rvt4life2015.html
- emilythebooklover00
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 09 Aug 2016, 16:36
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-emilythebooklover00.html
- livreads
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 13 Aug 2016, 23:42
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-livreads.html
- manatee glasses
- Posts: 16
- Joined: 30 Jul 2016, 22:37
- Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 659">don't call me ishmael</a>
- Bookshelf Size: 41
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-manatee-glasses.html
-
- Posts: 346
- Joined: 11 Aug 2016, 20:55
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 1344
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-psychopathycathy.html
- Latest Review: Notes of Sorrow Songs Of Joy by Robert Lauri
Everyone says that this type of fantasy story has been overdone, but Aveyard really put a creative spin on it and I thought all the characters were very personalized and three-dimensional. And the plot! Whew, it really kept me on my toes!
- MerryLove
- Posts: 96
- Joined: 10 Sep 2016, 17:23
- Currently Reading: A Court of Wings and Ruin
- Bookshelf Size: 117
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-merrylove.html
- Latest Review: "Coppers Journey" by Julius Green
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
Glass Sword took on a new tone that I adored, but that I'm sure is not for everyone. Mare finds herself working further with the Scarlet Guard and in searching for those on the list she received from Julian. Instead of navigating a palace, she's navigating new territory with guerrilla warfare and death sentences. She has to make some tactical decisions, some hard choices, and some difficult sacrifices. It is in no way easy for her, and she feels like she's losing her humanity along the way. It takes on a dark tone that is very raw and is very real, and I love it for that. Her decisions and her emotions are not anywhere near perfect. They're a lot more like what you'd expect from a seventeen year old that got tossed into a leadership role in a war zone. There are a number of reviews that didn't like Mare's character because of the dark tones she takes, but for me it only made the situation feel more real. It made me think about how I might react in a similar situation. She's not a typical hero who's conveniently good at everything she needs, but that doesn't make her a bad hero. It just makes her a different kind of one.
I loved that the author took the path that she did with this second book. It was hard, but it was so good. The ending was FANTASTIC too. It felt like the ending that keeps on giving. I'd get to a part where I'd think “okay, this is the big finale”, and then there would be MORE. It was so good. And the final part of the ending was so satisfying, finishing with a solid ring of the gong, and left me longing for the next book. The author seems to have a very good knack for writing a story arc that burns slowly and gradually builds for a large climax.
I just recently learned that this series is actually a quartet, not a trilogy. The flow so far has definitely had a trilogy feel, and at the moment I'm kind of wondering how much story could be left that it will fill two more novels. We shall wait and see! Hopefully the release of the third book will shed some light as to why this series will be better as a quartet than a trilogy.
Rating
I would give this book a full 4 out of 4. I loved it even more than I did the first one. This one felt like its own original story, and definitely had its own original take. I would not, however, recommend it for everyone. You know you. If dark characters that brood and churn and are in turmoil for most of the book is not your cup of tea, I don't think you will enjoy this one.
- Mannie913
- Posts: 80
- Joined: 28 Oct 2016, 08:11
- Currently Reading: Sweep Volume 3
- Bookshelf Size: 114
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mannie913.html
- Latest Review: "Audiobooks.com Book of your Choice" by Audiobooks
- Reading Device: B00GDQDRPK
As for Kilorn, I love him. I was really glad when Mare stopped babysitting him. He's grown and can make his own decisions. I'm glad they've come clean about their relationship, that it will never be more then friendship.
Completely upset about Shade. It breaks my heart. I hated that everyone didn't understand that continuing on with her work was her form of grieving. It doesn't mean she didn't love him or even the other newbloods that were killed. She just couldn't handle facing the truth of death so she continued on to make sure their deaths were not in vain.
Farley disappoints me with the words she threw at Mare over Shade's body. I know she was grieving but damn! And then Cal to go in one Mare like that right after her brother was taken from her. Of course she turned cold!
Anyways, I should probably sleep so I can read tomorrow! Good night!
-
- Posts: 20
- Joined: 30 May 2017, 11:17
- Currently Reading: Paper Towns
- Bookshelf Size: 166
- DDunstock
- Posts: 73
- Joined: 15 Jun 2017, 07:45
- Currently Reading: Casimir Bridge
- Bookshelf Size: 281
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ddunstock.html
- Latest Review: "Puffy and the Formidable Foe" by Marie Lepkowski and Ann Marie Hannon
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
I also don't like Mare. I feel like she has no direction and complains constantly.
I have King's Cage on my bookshelf and hope it's better than this one.
- MerryLove
- Posts: 96
- Joined: 10 Sep 2016, 17:23
- Currently Reading: A Court of Wings and Ruin
- Bookshelf Size: 117
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-merrylove.html
- Latest Review: "Coppers Journey" by Julius Green
- Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
- DDunstock
- Posts: 73
- Joined: 15 Jun 2017, 07:45
- Currently Reading: Casimir Bridge
- Bookshelf Size: 281
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ddunstock.html
- Latest Review: "Puffy and the Formidable Foe" by Marie Lepkowski and Ann Marie Hannon
- Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG
Ah dang! Good to know, though. I'll probably still read King's Cage since I already bought it hardcoverMerryLove wrote:Unfortunately, not so much. I loved the second book, but was so done by the third.