Review by Tracey Madeley -- Chasing The Red Queen

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Tracey Madeley
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Review by Tracey Madeley -- Chasing The Red Queen

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[Following is a volunteer review of "Chasing The Red Queen" by Karen Glista.]
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4 out of 4 stars
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Chasing the Red Queen is another vampire novel, or iridescent as they like to be known. Torrin is a police officer with his forensic sidekick Gage. The murders at the beginning of the book are a little too graphic for m taste but are relatively few in number. Even the battle scenes at the end are not too gruesome. Donja and Makaula are typical teenagers with teenage angst, complete with moving house, step-parents and losing friendships. Donja falling for Torrin is understandable if a little fast and perhaps underdeveloped. Torrin’s attraction to her is more logical and believable. Scarface is the evil iridescent who also seeks to capture Donja, but thanks to some clever twists and turns things are not as straightforward as they seem. The use of what appears to be Native American Indian Myth in terms of the seven miigis give an original touch, along with the antigen markers. Like True Blood with its introduction of synthetic blood, I think the author seeks to take vampire books into new territory with the use of myth, antigen and vampire hierarchy based on parenthood and fertility.

The first part of the book concentrates on establishing Donja as a character. Her relationship with her mother and younger brother as well as her feelings towards her new step-father. There is the stereotypical fluctuation in her feelings as she goes through this transition which is demonstrated very well through the inner monologue. She does not want to forget her dad, but equally, she recognizes Carson is a good man who loves her mother very much. Adding another layer to this insecurity is Makayla, who Donja assumes is the spoilt daddy’s girl who believes Donja is beneath her. It is lovely to see this turned around when her assumptions prove groundless and they become firm friends and co-conspirators in the vampire secret. Is too much of the book devoted to teenage angst? I’m not sure.

Like Twilight there are good and bad vampires and the differences are conveyed well by their different attitudes to people. Bad vampires are indifferent to human life and suffering. Torrin representing the good guys not only has a respect for life, but he demonstrates a higher ethical standard. He is loyal, trustworthy, a protector of men, a passionate and courageous warrior capable of destruction, but also self-control. I found the ending logical and satisfying, perhaps Anna’s part was a little stretched, but as a minor character, it did not matter too much.

A question common to any book, is does it hold together as a whole? I’ve already mentioned that there are a lot of words at the beginning devoted to the teenage Donja. There is also the question of whether she comes under Torrin’s influence far too quickly and unless she is hypnotized is this unrealistic. Arguably her conflicting feelings show that she is still trying to process what he is telling her and maybe even feels pressured into a decision. There is a parallel problem with Donja’s parents when they discover the relationship and they need to make their own decision. The way the story is written the author has not really left us much choice, such decisions were the only option and in that sense, they become the only credible option.

Unlike Twilight this is not really a YA novel, despite the teenage Donja and Makayla. It should appeal to romance readers, as well as those who like vampire novels and fantasy. There are some gory parts, but not many and it is worth sticking with it. There is enough in this book to make it original and different and well worth the read despite being quite long.

I would give this book 4 out of 4 stars.
I found it interesting and I thought the author tried to bring some originality to the genre with the use of Native American myth. Equally, there was good characterization with a marked distinction between good and evil. The pace was steady and there are enough twists to retain the readers attention.

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Chasing The Red Queen
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