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| Broken Throne |
Series: Red Queen (Goodreads)
Author: Victoria AveyardPublisher: Orion Fiction
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, Dystopia
Age Group: YA
Source: Amazon UK (Purchased)
Review
I have always thought that it is important for any author of
a long running series needs to give the dedicated readers the resolution that they
deserve. With Broken
Throne I felt that Aveyard achieved this for the Red Queen series. It has
been a few years since I first read Red Queen and when I started out I wasn’t
to keen or sure about whether I would continue to read it. However, I am very
glad I did because although Aveyard’s writing didn’t start out strong I definitely
felt by the end of the main series and in Broken Throne that she has
improved incredibly as an author and has managed to create such intricate and
complex characters that continue to make me question them (for the best). What
I think is important about creating long running series’ is that it is a joint journey
for the reader and the author. Authors do not just start out as incredible
writers without faults, they too must learn as many others must, how to change
and edit their work to improve as individual writers. Therefore, we as readers
may begin a series and see faults that make us critical or ambivalent about
continuing to read a series. However, as readers we must remind ourselves that where
we must learn to achieve so must an author. For this reason Aveyard with
continued readership and learning has become a strong author to watch with a
series to be proud of.
Throughout Broken Throne there are documents, written
by Julian Jacos, that separate the six main short stories in this collection. Personally,
I really liked the inclusion of the documents they not only gave background history
and information about Norta and Cal’s family but we got to see a glimpse of
Julian’s personality from which some readers might have loved and missed from
the main Red Queen series.
Queen Song and Steel Scars
These two short stories were previously published before this
collection as Cruel Crown and some readers may have been a little disappointed
to have seen them again included in this collection rather than reading new
ones. However, even if these same readers had read them before I personally was
grateful to read them again in this collection because it had been years since I’d
last read them. Queen Song allowed us as readers to glimpse the level of
cruelty that Elara was capable of but also to meet Coriane, Cal’s mother, as an
individual and not through the eyes of other characters. Coriane herself never craved
the crown and its duties, in fact, she preferred to tinker with mechanics
rather than dress up like a princess and parade around with a crown on her
head. Watching Coriane suffer as she did at the hands of Elara was difficult to
read because she went from a happy woman full of potential to a broken woman at
the hand of one who craved the crown she possessed but never wanted.
In Steel Scars I loved seeing how Shade and Farley met. Farley
had finally been given control of her own mission which was a huge personal
achievement for her but she knew the burdens that such a role would require of
her too. Farley is not a woman who cowers from responsibility and this short
story reminded me why I always liked her in the main Red Queen series.
‘Now I have to protect others, taking their lives – and deaths – onto my shoulders.’
World Behind
World Behind proved Aveyard’s ability to create characters
that intrigue and draw you in, even after the last pages of this short story
you want to know more about Ashe and Lyrisa. In this shorty story we see the
tensions and conflicts held between the Reds and Silvers from a new perspective
and by the end it makes you question really how different are the Reds and
Silvers from one another?
Some people have argued that this story is pointless and I
personally disagree because there is a subtle reference to Prince Bracken that is
hugely important to the inclusion of this story in the collection (if the
subtle reference is missed, it is possible to question this story’s inclusion).
‘Sometimes I wonder if the differences are more than I realise between Silver and Red... There is the blood, of course: the colour and what it gives. Abilities I cannot understand or comprehend […] But beyond that, is there more? Are they born different from us, more rigid and cruel and violent, or do they become that way? I used to think the former. Now I’m not so sure.’
Iron
Heart
This
story allowed us to revisit the Samos siblings and see how they have begun to
change for the better (though this will be a long life’s challenge, not an overnight
change). Once again I loved seeing how Evangeline and Ptolemus supported one
another as siblings and carried the shared burden of how their parents raised
them and the choices they made to survive the Nortan war. This story proves
that change is difficult and we shouldn’t expect it to be otherwise but more
importantly that it is possible given plenty of time.
“…Montfort doesn’t bother me so much anymore. It isn’t easy, to relearn how things just are,” he says. “And I’m trying. I check my words. I keep quiet in mixed company so I don’t say the wrong thing. But sometimes I do. Without even knowing it.” I nod, understanding what he means. We're all doing the same, fighting against old habits and old prejudices as much as we can. “Well, keep trying.” “You too, Eve.” “I am” “Try to be happy, I mean,” he says, his voice sharp. “Try to believe this is all real.”
What
is also important about this story is seeing Evangeline and Elane free to love
one another freely and to express their individual selves without prejudices
for being seen as other and hated for it. Aveyard is another author within
the YA community who writes inclusively and represents not only straight couples
but LGBTQ+ couples too. More importantly, neither is shown to be better
than the other but actually suggests that relationships of any kind aren’t easy
and do have their difficulties as well as their positive moments.
Fire Light
Months after Mare and Cal were separated they are finally forced
to come together again at Montfort for political discussions to represent their
own factions. We learn very quickly that both of them are still struggling with
the choices they had to make to survive the war. However, by choosing to seek
one another out and re-explore their relationship and their importance to one
another they have the potential to heal one another and find some kind of
happiness together. I also loved that we saw Mare reunited with her family and
her interactions with them and especially the rare moments where they could forget
their shared pain and laugh with (or sometimes at) one another.
“No makeup?” “Is Farley wearing any?” I sigh, crossing my arms in defence. Gisa doesn’t miss a beat. “Does Farley need any?” “No -” I start, remembering how pretty she is, until the implication hits me. “Hey!”
Fare Well
This was a very very short story but perhaps the one that
leaves you asking the most questions, not because the story is unresolved, but rather
because once again we are reminded of how complex Maven is as a person and not
a clear-cut villain. Some would argue from reading this short story and the main
Red Queen series that Maven was just as much a victim as the many others were,
others may not agree. But I personally do not think it as simple as him being a
victim or villain. Cal is also more complex than some may say he is I believe that
too much was expected of him from a young age to see the victimisation of his brother
and to save him, even as a child himself, then villainised unfairly for such an
impossible task.
‘I was just a boy too. What was I supposed to do?’
Synopsis (From Goodreads)
The perfect addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Red Queen series, this gorgeously designed package features three brand-new novellas, two previously published novellas, Steel Scars and Queen Song, and never-before-seen maps, flags, bonus scenes, journal entries, and much more exclusive content.
Fans will be delighted to catch up with beloved characters after the drama of War Storm and be excited to hear from brand-new voices as well. This stunning collection is not to be missed!
Key Quotes
‘If nothing else, world leaders should know what befell our ancestors, so they can avoid such disaster in the future. I am particularly concerned by man-made climate change, an easy trap to fall into, especially for advancing societies.’
‘Information is more dangerous than any weapon we possess.’
“...We don’t use our ability against our own, outside the proper channels-“. This time, his laugh was hollow. “And is Elara Merandus following that law? She hits you, you hit her back, Coriane. That's the way of my kingdom.” “It isn’t your kingdom yet”, she heard herself mutter. But Tiberias didn’t mind. In fact, he grinned darkly. “I suspected you had a spine, Coriane Jacos. Somewhere in there.”
'Strange, the most worthy people are often the least likely to say so.’
Similar reads
Ash Princess, Warcross, The Cruel Prince, Throne of Glass, Shadow and Bone
Afterthoughts
Have you read Broken Throne, what did you think, did it resolve any loose ends from the main series for you?
Do you think Cal could have done more for his brother Maven?
Do you think the new Nortan States will find peace and equality?
Who's your favourite character from this collection, or main series?
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