Glass Sword' hit me differently than 'Red Queen'. Mare’s evolution from pawn to reluctant revolutionary is messy in the best way—she makes brutal choices that had me debating her morality for days. The world expands beyond Norta, introducing Scarlet Guard lore that pays off later in the series.
What didn’t work? The middle drags during training sequences, and some romantic tension feels recycled. But the finale’s twist recontextualizes everything—I immediately bought 'King’s Cage' after. Worth it for the lore alone if you’re invested in the universe.
Honestly? I almost DNF’d 'Glass Sword' halfway through. The first 100 pages are repetitive—another training montage, another 'who can Mare trust' spiral. But then the second half delivers payoffs that made me gasp aloud. The bombing at Corros Prison? Masterful.
It’s a flawed but necessary bridge to 'King’s Cage'. Skip it if you want tidy resolutions, but read it for Maven’s letters alone—those pages live rent-free in my head.
I tore through 'Red Queen' in one sitting, so naturally I sprinted to grab 'Glass Sword' the second it hit shelves. The sequel dives deeper into Mare’s moral gray zones—she’s not just fighting the Silvers anymore, but her own paranoia and the weight of leadership. The action scenes? Even more visceral, especially the lightning battles. But what hooked me was the twisted politics; the new factions and betrayals made my jaw drop.
That said, some side characters felt undercooked compared to Book 1. Cal’s broodiness got repetitive, but the new villain, Samson, chilled me to the bone. If you loved the first book’s blend of dystopian grit and fantasy powers, this amplifies both. Just brace for a cliffhanger that’ll leave you screaming into a pillow.
'Glass Sword' gave me whiplash in the best possible way. Mare’s internal monologue is razor-sharp here—her distrust even of allies mirrors real revolutionary struggles. The book’s pacing is uneven (that jungle detour overstays its welcome), but the newbloods’ introductions are standout moments. Evangeline’s subplot also adds delicious complexity.
Fair warning: it’s darker than Book 1. Themes of propaganda and dehumanization hit hard, especially Mare’s 'monster' speech. If you can handle bleakness between the electrifying action, it’s essential reading.
2026-05-09 15:10:30
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Two years after the death of her mate, Lamia has returned to MacTire and built herself an empire. A war is coming, one that threatens all the kingdoms. she needs to work with all kingdoms to defeat the evil that threatens to change the way of life for shifters and mankind alike.
When she crosses paths with the ruthless and cold King of the bears, who is holding her beloved father prisoner, she finds herself challenging him for her father’s life.
There’s just one problem. Lamia isn’t a fan of bear shifters and he’s her second chance mate. With no other choice she makes a deal with the ruthless king, she is dead set on rejecting, but first she has to survive the storm that’s coming.
Mathias Artos, the unforgiving and cold blooded King of the bears and ruler of Lonely City, a place where the scourge of the realm come to find respite, fortune and misguided happiness, was never destined to find another mate.
He wasn’t interested in taking a chosen queen; he preferred his harem of women.
Until, the Moon Goddess sent him a she-wolf he didn’t want her nor need. Or so he thought.
When an old ally of the bear-shifters helps them discover who they really are, can they work together to take on the powerful man who is behind the army that is sweeping the realm and wiping out whole packs?
When past and present collide Lamia and Mathias are forced to work together to unite all shifters in a bid to defeat the evil that is coming for them.
Can Lamia and Mathias survive each other and work together to bring down a common enemy, or will their pride get in the way becoming their downfall.
Having grown up together Saint the future Alpha and King was sure his childhood love and best friend Bellatrix were destined to be fated Mates. When the past walks in and disturbs that and everything else can love over come the Bond, or will the pull be too much. With dark forces working together to take the crown and finish the work that failed to take it from Orion and Lenny, can the next generation over come everything their parents fought hard to protect as well as standing together?
She was the lowest among them, an omega meant to serve, to obey, to be forgotten.
Until the Alpha touched her.
Until he marked her with words that felt like a promise... and shoved her off a cliff like she was nothing.
Ayla thought betrayal had a name, a face, a heartbeat she once trusted.
She thought the crashing water would be her grave.
But death didn’t claim her.
The dragon did.
She awakens not in darkness, but in silk sheets soaked with sweat, her body wracked with fire, strangers calling her Queen Liliana.
The child they beg her to bring into the world is no wolf pup, it’s something older, deeper… and hers.
Now fire sings in her veins. Scales burn beneath her skin.
She remembers being Ayla. But they swear she is a queen, reborn through flame and fury, the last of the dragon-blooded line.
Torn between two lives, two names, two fates…
Was she reborn by fate’s hand, or was she always meant to rise?
Because if this isn’t death, then it must be the beginning…
of the Dragon Queen.
"Look at me properly and try to remember." He implored her, his silvery eyes boring into hers. Maya raised her nervous eyes to meet his. Searching her head, she tried to remember where she may have met this man before.
As she stared at him, a sense of familiarity began to settle. Those eyes... she'd seen them before. Where has she seen them? One by one, the images came. The pictures from a time she had forgotten. She had helped someone with eyes just like this.
Still in his embrace, a daunting realisation began to set in. She'd met this man before. Long before he even dreamed of being a king...
****************
A tyrant king conquers a kingdom so he can get married to her forgotten princess. People expect a marriage filled with strife and everything but none of that happens. Instead he treats her right, worships her and kisses the very ground she walks on. Why is that? People wonder. The reason is quite simple.
Years ago, the same princess had saved his life from the bitter hands of death when he was betrayed by his half brother, the crown prince of Madonia.
Princess Elyria Valenor has spent her life preparing to inherit the throne of Aetherion alongside the man she loves, Cassian Draven. But on the night of her coronation, a devastating betrayal destroys everything. Branded a traitor, stripped of her crown, and forced into exile, Elyria vanishes from the kingdom she once called home.
Years later, whispers spread across the realm of a feared Dragon Queen and the return of an ancient power long thought extinct. As mysterious attacks shake the kingdom and old secrets begin to surface, King Cassian finds himself haunted by the past he cannot escape.
With Aetherion on the brink of chaos, Elyria returns to confront those who stole her future. But revenge is never simple, and the truth behind her downfall may be far more dangerous than either of them imagined.
This is a sequel! You HAVE to read ‘The Heartless Hybrid Queen’ first.
Aurora Cade:
I finally got the revenge I wanted, but at what cost? Now I’m a prisoner again, weakened and about to die in a blood ritual. Answers I’ve wanted my entire life are unravelling in front of me, but all I can think about is getting back to my mate. I will do whatever it takes to get back to him. Whatever it takes.
I devoured 'The Red Queen' in a single weekend because the political intrigue hooked me instantly. The blend of fantasy and dystopia reminded me of 'Hunger Games' meets 'Game of Thrones,' but with its own spicy twist—silver-blooded elites versus oppressed Reds. Mare Barrow’s journey from insignificance to rebellion leader felt raw and relatable, though some twists were predictable. The romance subplot? A bit rushed, but the betrayals kept me guessing.
What really stuck with me was the world-building—Victoria Aveyard paints a vivid, brutal hierarchy. If you enjoy underdog tales with bloody court schemes, it’s a solid pick. Just brace for a few tropes; the sequel digs deeper into the chaos.
In 'Red Queen', the ending is a masterstroke of setup for the sequel. Mare Barrow’s world is shattered when she discovers her powers, and by the end, she’s not just a pawn but a symbol of rebellion. The Silver elite’s grip on power is slipping, and Mare’s betrayal by Maven leaves her with a burning need for vengeance. The final scenes show her joining the Scarlet Guard, setting the stage for a full-scale war.
What’s brilliant is how the book leaves threads dangling. Cal’s internal conflict between loyalty to his family and his feelings for Mare is unresolved. Maven’s descent into darkness hints at even more manipulation and cruelty. The world-building expands beyond Norta, teasing other kingdoms and their roles in the coming conflict. Mare’s growth from a naive girl to a determined leader is just beginning, and the stakes are higher than ever. The sequel promises to delve deeper into the moral gray areas of power, loyalty, and revolution.
The sequel to 'Red Queen,' titled 'Glass Sword,' is widely available both online and in physical stores. I picked up my copy from a local bookstore during a weekend hunt for new reads—there’s something special about flipping through pages in person. If you prefer convenience, platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Book Depository offer quick shipping. For audiobook fans, Audible has a great narration. I’d also check out indie bookshops; many support pre-owned sections where you might snag a deal.
Don’t forget libraries! Mine had a waitlist, but the digital loan through Libby was instant. The series has such a loyal fanbase that resale apps like ThriftBooks often have copies too. Honestly, the hunt is part of the fun—I ended up chatting with another fan in line about Mare’s arc, which made the purchase even sweeter.