Broken Throne
Victoria Aveyard’s ground-breaking series, Red Queen, caught many YA lovers’ attention when the first book came out in 2015. Four years later, the last book in the journey of Mare, Cal, and the many others who sparked a revolution that changed their world forever is in readers’ hands.
Broken Throne is a short story collection with bonus material, including a genealogical history of Cal’s family and the history of how Norta (possibly) came to be. The genealogy was interesting, but what really captured by attention was the history scattered between each story. It’s written from Cal’s uncle, Julian’s, perspective and he weaves a captivating narrative throughout the collection. His theory of destructive climate change, mass extinction, migration, radiation, and other increased natural disasters led to the new world in this series. It was obviously done to show the possible path our world could follow if we don’t act to stop the climate crisis. It was well done and quite timely!
Two short stories were from a previous collection, but I’m glad they were included in this edition. Queen Song helped piece together who Cal’s mother, Coriane, really was and how manipulative Maven’s mother could be. Steel Scars was my least favourite of the two, but only because I loved Queen Song so much. I did like seeing a younger Captain Farley and how she came to meet Shade. It explained their relationship, since we didn’t see much of it in the series itself.
World Behind was a new short story set during the events of War Storm. Of the new short stories, this was my least favourite. I have nothing against the characters or the story itself – I love a good “princess runs from her abusive suitor and finds herself on a pirate ship” story as much as the next – but I found I didn’t have a vested interest in seeing the characters succeed, not like I do with Mare. However, I am glad Lyrisa did overcome her abuser and seems to be on her way to a better life.
I adored Iron Heart. I really hoped Aveyard would include a story about Evangeline. To see Evangeline step away from her family name, her title, and all she ever knew, and accept a life of peace and love with her true family was heart warming. It obviously wasn’t an easy journey for her and Aveyard left us wondering until the last minute if Evangeline would move forward, but I’m glad she did. There are a lot of scars Evangeline has and open wounds she still has to mend, but with the help of her brother and Elane and Wren, she’ll be able to do it. I have no doubt about that.
Fire Light stole the book for me. I have waited for a year to see what would become of Mare and Cal. This short story had my heart doing summersaults. Aveyard made a good decision in giving Mare and Cal space to heal, but I’m so glad the pair reunited. This couple went through so much in the span of four books. The pain won’t disappear now that they’re together, but like with Evangeline, they can work through it together. Mare and Cal are an unstoppable team and with their dedication, Norta and the rest of their world will become a better place because of it. The love story Aveyard wrote for Mare and Cal was authentic, turbulent, but overall, it was a love story that broke my heart and mended it at the same time. Hats off to Aveyard for that!
Fare Well was so short but so poignant and raw that it shook me to my core. I never liked Maven after the first book – for obvious reasons – but the torture his mother put him through gave me a better understanding to his character. This story did that as well. It was heartbreaking to know the boy he was before his mother began her picking was still there, but he couldn’t let him out. Not even for Cal to see so he could save him. Aveyard’s decision to leave the question of Maven’s possible cure/salvation was a good one. Many people wonder if people were beyond saving, if they could have done more to help. And it’s something no one can truly answer.
I am deeply satisfied with how Aveyard ended this series. I’ll always be a little sad to know it’s over, but I am truly happy she ended it this way. Please do yourself a favour and read this series. You won’t regret it!
Bonus: the font – and bonus material – is violet! My favourite colour. As if I didn’t need more reasons to love this book.
Broken Throne Rating: ★★★★★
Broken Throne is a short story collection with bonus material, including a genealogical history of Cal’s family and the history of how Norta (possibly) came to be. The genealogy was interesting, but what really captured by attention was the history scattered between each story. It’s written from Cal’s uncle, Julian’s, perspective and he weaves a captivating narrative throughout the collection. His theory of destructive climate change, mass extinction, migration, radiation, and other increased natural disasters led to the new world in this series. It was obviously done to show the possible path our world could follow if we don’t act to stop the climate crisis. It was well done and quite timely!
Two short stories were from a previous collection, but I’m glad they were included in this edition. Queen Song helped piece together who Cal’s mother, Coriane, really was and how manipulative Maven’s mother could be. Steel Scars was my least favourite of the two, but only because I loved Queen Song so much. I did like seeing a younger Captain Farley and how she came to meet Shade. It explained their relationship, since we didn’t see much of it in the series itself.
World Behind was a new short story set during the events of War Storm. Of the new short stories, this was my least favourite. I have nothing against the characters or the story itself – I love a good “princess runs from her abusive suitor and finds herself on a pirate ship” story as much as the next – but I found I didn’t have a vested interest in seeing the characters succeed, not like I do with Mare. However, I am glad Lyrisa did overcome her abuser and seems to be on her way to a better life.
I adored Iron Heart. I really hoped Aveyard would include a story about Evangeline. To see Evangeline step away from her family name, her title, and all she ever knew, and accept a life of peace and love with her true family was heart warming. It obviously wasn’t an easy journey for her and Aveyard left us wondering until the last minute if Evangeline would move forward, but I’m glad she did. There are a lot of scars Evangeline has and open wounds she still has to mend, but with the help of her brother and Elane and Wren, she’ll be able to do it. I have no doubt about that.
Fire Light stole the book for me. I have waited for a year to see what would become of Mare and Cal. This short story had my heart doing summersaults. Aveyard made a good decision in giving Mare and Cal space to heal, but I’m so glad the pair reunited. This couple went through so much in the span of four books. The pain won’t disappear now that they’re together, but like with Evangeline, they can work through it together. Mare and Cal are an unstoppable team and with their dedication, Norta and the rest of their world will become a better place because of it. The love story Aveyard wrote for Mare and Cal was authentic, turbulent, but overall, it was a love story that broke my heart and mended it at the same time. Hats off to Aveyard for that!
Fare Well was so short but so poignant and raw that it shook me to my core. I never liked Maven after the first book – for obvious reasons – but the torture his mother put him through gave me a better understanding to his character. This story did that as well. It was heartbreaking to know the boy he was before his mother began her picking was still there, but he couldn’t let him out. Not even for Cal to see so he could save him. Aveyard’s decision to leave the question of Maven’s possible cure/salvation was a good one. Many people wonder if people were beyond saving, if they could have done more to help. And it’s something no one can truly answer.
I am deeply satisfied with how Aveyard ended this series. I’ll always be a little sad to know it’s over, but I am truly happy she ended it this way. Please do yourself a favour and read this series. You won’t regret it!
Bonus: the font – and bonus material – is violet! My favourite colour. As if I didn’t need more reasons to love this book.
Broken Throne Rating: ★★★★★