Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
Red Queen was a memorable story.
Glass Sword is a disappointment.
Yes, it had action, a little romance, and some conflicts.
But it just didn’t live up to my expectations. There was too much of Mare being self centered and claiming that she understands and wants to be better but it all feels too forced. Instead of growing as a character, I feel like she has become less than what she had started as. I felt no sympathy for the characters and the plot. It just sounded like endless, repetitive strategizing with hints of irrational emotion as they avoid an army. In fact, I saw more traveling than action. I kept reading and waiting for some breathtaking moment to occur, but I got more pointless rambling. Yes, there were some crucial deaths, but I feel like their deaths were wasted. Just randomly inserted for no real cause. The story had many conflicts. But, they were all too small and there was no shape to the story.
Usually there is a rising action, climax, and then some downfall. Some sort of plot that follows some shape. But Glass Sword was just a straight line with a few bumps here and there. I unintentionally almost skimmed half the book.
Mare is a boring character. Emotions and irrational decisions are inserted into her mind. I still find her boring. She claims she is stronger and trying to seal her heart and mind from each other. I feel like she just went in circles. If that was the point, then I hoped I would at least feel some sort of sympathy or connection to her character. But, I didn’t. She seemed weak, clumsy and very annoying. She doesn’t seem like the special lightning girl. She seems like a random citizen picked from the mass (in which she is, but she did endure a lot in Red Queen. Therefore she should have grown more and become stronger) and unexperienced with life threatening situations.
Cal is not the fiery prince he was before. Or is he? Truthfully, I don’t even have an opinion on him anymore. He seems more like a supporting character that will be killed off in the end.
Maven should have been in the story more! I’m tired of him just writing these notes and being “remembered.” I wanted to see him in action. That one scene of him burning her was good. I was like WOAH, are you marking your territory or something? Do you actually still like her? Define like for you, Maven. What in the world is going on inside of that mind of yours? So Maven was the most interesting character to me, but he didn’t even come out in this book too often..
Despite all the disappointment I had with this second book of the series. I WILL read the third book. I know for sure something big is going to happen there. I know that Ms. Aveyard did not fill the second book with so many tiny conflicts and filler novel nonsense for nothing. It was probably for an even more action packing, heart wrenching, and climax filled third novel, right?
I began this book while having no clue what it was about. I only began reading it because it was a series that seemed to be gaining fame. But in the end, I was not disappointed. The setting is in the future after World War 3 and during a time where we go back to having a monarchy. The story follows America Singer, a class 5, who is selected to be one of the 35 candidates to be the Prince’s bride. I actually really like the idea of the new social order because it does seem unique. It is obviously not an original idea but more of an innovated one. All of the setting actually gives a purpose for the protagonists and their motives. <br> America Singer is a straightforward and understanding character, I don’t find myself frustrated by her actions too much. She cares deeply for her family and for those who are loyal to her. Although she can be a bit tempered, she has a understandable reason for it. Prince Maxon is described as boring at first, but I enjoyed learning more about his character. He seems very caring and devoted. His character is charismatic and I would like to know more about him..because he can’t just be all rainbows and sunshine. Lastly, is Aspen Leger, who is America’s first love. He originally is class 6 (Servant) but he moves up by the end of the book. But I feel a bit annoyed by his pride and such sometimes. He has reasons but he just doesn’t reel me in. <br> All the rebels are making me curious too. The Northerners and Southerners have reasons they want to bring down the royals. But why? The Northerners appear to be searching for something. But what? and the Southerners are for blood. It’s not really as frightening since we have not been shown anything much of what they do. But I am curious about their motives.<br> I do like the other bridal contestants and their contributions to the story. Celeste is the closest to an antagonist we get and she seems very snobby and self-centered. I would like to see how she is going to continue to play out her role in the next book because all she has done so far is being mean to the contestants. Marlee is a kind soul and America’s closest friend out of all of the contestants. But I really want to know what her secret is? Why is she still in the competition if she doesn’t like Maxon? I feel like The Selection is a great opening for the series and that all the smaller details, set ups and information here will lead to a bigger plot and deeper storyline by the end.
ardentperuse 