Boredom Can Be a Very Sharp Sword

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

If I am a sword, I am a sword made of glass, and I feel myself beginning to shatter.

Honestly, I would have enjoyed this book if it had been less than 440 pages. 300 pages would’ve sufficed. A lot of things do happen in each chapter, but they aren’t necessarily interesting. Glass Sword is a long journey of a book about Mare finding and recruiting empowered Reds, otherwise known as “newbloods.” There’s also a bunch of drama involving Mare’s identity crisis and her complicated relationship with Cal. A bunch of new characters is also introduced. Some are actually relevant, while most are just plot devices that can be killed off whenever.

Mare was alienated from herself throughout the novel, and I was like, “I feel ya, Mare. I really do.” She made me roll my eyes a lot, especially when she verbally or mentally affirmed her own superiority over her peers. Her attitude toward Kilorn was soooooooo frustrating. I found it hard to believe they were childhood friends because she usually treated him like trash and literally called him “nothing” and “useless.” She treated Cal in almost the same manner, drawing him close and then suddenly pushing him away. Seriously, make up your mind, girl! The Mare or Mareena of Red Queen was likable at best, but the Mare of Glass Sword was tolerable at best. Her character regression only made the pacing of the book so much slower. If I had it in my conscience to DNF books, I would’ve abandoned this one a long time ago.

To be fair, I liked the gripping and well-written fighting scenes because they were quite reminiscent of my favorite Marvel movies. It was fun to read about the clash of a variety of superpowers. My favorite new characters were Nanny (the affable shapeshifter), Ada (the girl with a photographic memory), and Gareth (the man who could control gravity). I’m sure that more characters will be introduced in King’s Cage, which I plan to pick up as soon as possible.

And can I talk about that heartbreaking plot twist near the end? Why the heck did Shade have to die?!!!!!! AJSHGDJASHDGASJASGDANSDV. I had a hunch that Victoria Aveyard would write him off, but I was bombed nonetheless. This might sound mean, but I kinda wish Farley or Kilorn would take Shade’s place. He was nothing but a dear brother to Mare! Huhuhuhuhu. Oh well, it just goes to show how we can’t always get what we want, and fiction is not an exception. :p

Finally, what’s up with Maven’s obsession with Mare? I really don’t get it. So it’s all about control and all that jazz? In retrospect, this book should’ve also been told from Maven’s point of view. The ending was kinda confusing because I couldn’t fathom how Maven and his cohorts appeared out of nowhere and bombarded Mare’s aircraft. Did the seer Jon have anything to do with it? Hmm…why didn’t I think of him earlier? Hahahaha. The heck, the answers to my questions are unfolding as I write this review. That old man is such a traitor! Gah, since “anyone can betray anyone” in the Red Queen Universe, why in the world am I surprised? xD

All in all, even though I did not love Glass Sword because of the dragging plot and annoying heroine, I am still invested in the series. I wanna see Mare and Cal overthrow Maven, establish an egalitarian society, and live happily ever after. But who am I kiddin’? I’m sure that Victoria Aveyard has other plans in mind. LOL.