So I recently read the new Red Queen novella, ‘Broken Throne’. I must say that I’m disappointed that the two previous stories were included because I wanted moooorrrreeeee *cries*. But anyway, here’s my review (spoiler free of course);
“There's a difference between us and you," Ashe finally snaps. "We do what we have to in order to survive, to carve out a life. Not because we don't agree with the palace we end up living in.”
This was one of my highlights for the novella. I was initially a bit skeptical at the story since it featured new characters entirely. It was interesting to see the dynamics between more Reds and Silvers. Ashe and Lyrisa were certainly interesting characters to hear from, and provided a breath of fresh air from the usual voices (War Storm was torturous to read through at some points with Cameron essentially sounding like a Mare 2.0). While the story was certainly a common type, it was executed fairly well, and a good read in my opinion.
“For now I can rest, and heal my iron heart.”
How could I possibly say no to more Evangeline??? My girl really deserved a short story to herself, and while I’m quite delighted that this even exists, there were a couple of things that dimmed the good things about it. A few moments are absolutely precious, but others seem a bit wish-washy and a tad out of character. I’m happy that Elane got a few chapters to herself, but she sounded a little generic and wasn’t quite a memorable character. But hey I loved the ending, and overall it was enjoyable - gotta love those Samos siblings.
Mare. Was. Actually. Bearable. Perhaps staring at mountains really does improve people personally and emotionally... Anyway, this story did have its moments. The family dynamics were quite good, and Mare’s interactions with Evangeline were actually enjoyable. However, her relationship with Cal has always been an awkward topic since the last book, and it’s no different here. Luckily though, the biggest MareCal shipper is there to set those two incapable bickering children back on track for us readers.
There was something a bit lacking here - it seemed like a repetition of what happened in War Storm. Apologies, it was a repetition of what happened in War Storm. Maven is possibly one of the most complicated characters in Red Queen, and it’s always interesting to see a glimpse inside his sad but twisted mind. I liked the endings, but I felt that this story was a bit useless here as it did nothing to build onto the world or even the plot. Cal’s perspective of Maven was sad to read about, but unfortunately, it felt like the same thing all over again. Please just give our sad little boy something more!
So, overall ‘Broken Throne’ was a good read and it certainly had its moments but there were still quite a few things out of place. I just can’t believe that this is our last glimpse into the Red Queen world!!! But I guess good things don’t last forever so it’s time to say farewell at last to a truly amazing series.
“Who can say where the paths lead, or how the scales may balance in another decade? I suppose I can, but that is my curse. To watch, to see, until the ending of all things. We destroy. We rebuild. We destroy again. It is the constant of our kind. We are all a god's chosen, and we are all a god's cursed.”
