King's Cage

Reviewed by: Cidney Mayes - Memorial Middle School Library, South Portland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 8, 2017

Review

Aveyard's third installment in the Red Queen series follows Mare Barrow and the evolving struggle between the Red Bloods and Silver Bloods. Mare, once leader of the resistance, has been captured after offering her life for her friends' and is now King Maven's prisoner. She is forced to lie over braodcast, claiming that the Scarlet Guard forced her into serving them, which allows Maven to lay the groundwork for building an army of newbloods (Red Bloods with magical abilities). Meanwhile, Cal, the exiled and true heir to the Silver Throne, and the Scarlet Guard are fighting to end Silver tyranny by forming new alliances.

Told in alternating perspectives from Mare; Cameron, a newblood reluctantly working with the Scarlet Guard; and Evangeline Samos, a member of the Silver House Samos and Maven's betrothed; courtly scheming takes precedence over action in this installment. Aveyard has turned the focus inward, as characters must face their internal conflicts as the intrigue builds around the expanding war for the crown. A slower-paced book for the series, but will satisfy readers who are fans of Red Queen. Recommended for grades 7 and up.

Overall Book Score: very good