Review of Chasing The Red Queen
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Soma Zakir
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- Latest Review: Chasing The Red Queen by Karen Glista
Review of Chasing The Red Queen
[Following is a volunteer review of "Chasing The Red Queen" by Karen Glista.]
Today I'm going to be reviewing Karen Glista's novel CHASING THE RED QUEEN. This is a fast-paced, spooky, action-adventure novel with some elements I enjoyed and some I didn't. Donja Bellanger is a depressed goth girl approaching her 18th birthday, and things aren't going well for her. Her mother is remarrying, and while her soon-to-be stepfather appears to be kind enough, they will be relocating far away from her childhood home to a new home in Sault Ste. Marie. She does not want to leave her closest friend, and she is still upset over her boyfriend's cheating on her. Makayla, her new stepsister, doesn't seem to like her at first, and then she finds out they'll be sharing a room.
She quickly realizes she's not that awful, and shortly after moving into their new house, Donja goes out to an exclusive club with Makayla and her partner. Torin Mancini, one of the investigators, knows more about the terrible killings of young women in Sault Ste. Marie than he can reveal. He is pulled to Donja in a manner he hasn't been in a long, long time the instant he sees her.
This is a unique take on the traditional vampire mythos. Iridescents are similar to vampires in that they require blood to survive, but they can be seen in the daylight and are not killed by garlic or silver. The Iridescents from this region of North America also had a thirst for Chippewa blood, which added a wonderful cultural diversity to the narrative. Donja's age concerned me at first, but as the tale progressed and the background of Donja's family became clearer, I found it less unsettling. Donja's mother's reaction to her behaviour was likewise extremely realistic.
Donja and Torin's instalove, on the other hand, did not work for me. When there is a lot of meaningful connection between the two of them, I can suspend my skepticism about a couple being together quickly. Donja's interaction with Makayla was more significant in a shorter time than Donja's connection with Torin. The Iridescents are a male-dominated society, and women appear to be of little value other than to give blood and kids.
The plot is packed with action, dramatic battles, and unexpected twists. The plot's unravelling kept me reading and engaged. The romance was my least favourite aspect, but there was plenty more to keep me engaged.
The novel was nicely written from my perspective, therefore I gave it 3 out of 4 stars. I would strongly advise these teenagers who are seeking a nice and acceptable book to read. So many teen books these days aren't all that wonderful, but Red Queen was properly rated in its review. There was some violence, but it wasn't graphic or upsetting. Swearing was utilized more frequently than the common sense media review suggested. Overall, this book was a great read!
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Chasing The Red Queen
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Today I'm going to be reviewing Karen Glista's novel CHASING THE RED QUEEN. This is a fast-paced, spooky, action-adventure novel with some elements I enjoyed and some I didn't. Donja Bellanger is a depressed goth girl approaching her 18th birthday, and things aren't going well for her. Her mother is remarrying, and while her soon-to-be stepfather appears to be kind enough, they will be relocating far away from her childhood home to a new home in Sault Ste. Marie. She does not want to leave her closest friend, and she is still upset over her boyfriend's cheating on her. Makayla, her new stepsister, doesn't seem to like her at first, and then she finds out they'll be sharing a room.
She quickly realizes she's not that awful, and shortly after moving into their new house, Donja goes out to an exclusive club with Makayla and her partner. Torin Mancini, one of the investigators, knows more about the terrible killings of young women in Sault Ste. Marie than he can reveal. He is pulled to Donja in a manner he hasn't been in a long, long time the instant he sees her.
This is a unique take on the traditional vampire mythos. Iridescents are similar to vampires in that they require blood to survive, but they can be seen in the daylight and are not killed by garlic or silver. The Iridescents from this region of North America also had a thirst for Chippewa blood, which added a wonderful cultural diversity to the narrative. Donja's age concerned me at first, but as the tale progressed and the background of Donja's family became clearer, I found it less unsettling. Donja's mother's reaction to her behaviour was likewise extremely realistic.
Donja and Torin's instalove, on the other hand, did not work for me. When there is a lot of meaningful connection between the two of them, I can suspend my skepticism about a couple being together quickly. Donja's interaction with Makayla was more significant in a shorter time than Donja's connection with Torin. The Iridescents are a male-dominated society, and women appear to be of little value other than to give blood and kids.
The plot is packed with action, dramatic battles, and unexpected twists. The plot's unravelling kept me reading and engaged. The romance was my least favourite aspect, but there was plenty more to keep me engaged.
The novel was nicely written from my perspective, therefore I gave it 3 out of 4 stars. I would strongly advise these teenagers who are seeking a nice and acceptable book to read. So many teen books these days aren't all that wonderful, but Red Queen was properly rated in its review. There was some violence, but it wasn't graphic or upsetting. Swearing was utilized more frequently than the common sense media review suggested. Overall, this book was a great read!
******
Chasing The Red Queen
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Chasing The Red Queen by Karen Glista
