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Cruel Crown
Escrito por Victoria Aveyard
Narrado por Andi Arndt, Jayne Entwistle e Amanda Dolan
Ações de livro
Comece a ouvirDescrição
The #1 New York Times bestselling series!
Discover the truth of Norta's bloody past in this paperback bind-up of two novella-length prequels to #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen series.
Queen Song:
Queen Coriane, first wife of King Tiberias, keeps a secret diary—how else can she ensure that no one at the palace will use her thoughts against her? Coriane recounts her heady courtship with the crown prince, the birth of a new prince, Cal, and the potentially deadly challenges that lay ahead for her in royal life.
Steel Scars:
Captain Farley exchanges coded transmissions with the resistance as she travels the land recruiting black market traders, smugglers, and extremists for her first attempt at an attack on the capital. She was raised to be strong, but planting the seeds of rebellion in Norta is a tougher job than expected—until she stumbles upon a connection that may prove to be the key to the entire operation: Mare Barrow.
And don't miss War Storm, the thrilling final book in the bestselling Red Queen series!
Ações de livro
Comece a ouvirDados do livro
Cruel Crown
Escrito por Victoria Aveyard
Narrado por Andi Arndt, Jayne Entwistle e Amanda Dolan
Descrição
The #1 New York Times bestselling series!
Discover the truth of Norta's bloody past in this paperback bind-up of two novella-length prequels to #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen series.
Queen Song:
Queen Coriane, first wife of King Tiberias, keeps a secret diary—how else can she ensure that no one at the palace will use her thoughts against her? Coriane recounts her heady courtship with the crown prince, the birth of a new prince, Cal, and the potentially deadly challenges that lay ahead for her in royal life.
Steel Scars:
Captain Farley exchanges coded transmissions with the resistance as she travels the land recruiting black market traders, smugglers, and extremists for her first attempt at an attack on the capital. She was raised to be strong, but planting the seeds of rebellion in Norta is a tougher job than expected—until she stumbles upon a connection that may prove to be the key to the entire operation: Mare Barrow.
And don't miss War Storm, the thrilling final book in the bestselling Red Queen series!
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Avaliações
This book contained two well done novellas set in the Red Queen world. The first novella takes place before Red Queen and the second takes place at the same time as Red Queen. Both were well written and engaging. The first novella is set in the past and is the diary of Queen Coriane, the first wife of King Tiberius. As events progress Queen Coriane becomes paranoid that her thoughts are being used against her by a rival at court. This novella very melancholy and depressing, but still very engaging and sweet. It gives some good background about Cal’s parents, but was a pretty short read.The second novella is much longer and explains in more detail the actions of the Scarlet Guard. This one follows Diana Farley as she strives to plant seeds of dissension in Norta and spark a rebellion there. We watch as she discovers Mare Barrow and starts to formulate ideas about how to overthrow the Silvers. I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first one, the characters were interesting and there was a lot of action.Overall both novellas were well written and easy to read. I would recommend if you are a fan of the series. I also thought it was a good way to ease back into this world in preparation for reading Glass Sword.
Rating: 4Not sure I understand the significance of these stories when looking at the first book. They seemed unnecessary and a little confusing. I'll still read the next book in the series after I re-read Red Queen.
Rating: 3Queen Song - 3 out of 5Steel Scars - 1 out of 5First off, I'd just like to say that I'm not sure when the best point to read this stories are. Queen Song certainly needs to be read after Red Queen, as it wouldn't make sense if you weren't already familiar with the characters. While Steel Scars is also technically a prequel to Red Queen, I actually think it's best read after Glass Sword as there are a couple of things that are mentioned in Steel Scars which are mild spoilers for reveals in the second book.Of the two stories, Queen Song was by far my favourite. It tells the story of Cal's mother, showing her relationship with various significant characters from Red Queen (Julian, Tibe, Sara and Elara) from her mid-teens to her death. While the story is very short and feels a little rushed in places, I did find it captivating. Coriane is a very complex character and it was interesting to see how events played out from her perspective as it emphasized her increasing paranoia and depression.My only real problem with Queen Song was its ending. While Coriane seemed to be gaining strength, the last few pages she suddenly loses this growth. While this was inevitable (as everyone who has read Red Queen well knows), it still felt very abrupt. The story didn't really explain everything that happened very well, such as how Elara resisted Coriane's powers.I was far less enamoured by Steel Scars. While the short story was far longer than Queen Song, it didn't seem to have any substance. There is little action and we learn nothing new about Farley or the Scarlet Guard. The story is also frequently broken by military commands which are very difficult to understand, making the short story particularly hard to read. The story also ignored some of the set up from Red Queen. Farley is a Lakelander and visually different to the people of Norta. How is it that she blends in with the Reds at the Stilts so well?The character of Farley seemed very different to how she appeared in the main series, far less sure of herself and much younger than I imagined her to be. The novel also introduced a whole bunch of secondary characters who were largely unimportant. Most were killed off page before they could even say a word. This was particularly disappointing with regards to the lesbian couple. Aveyard spent the best part of three pages introducing Indy and talking about her relationship with a fellow guard, only to have her ignobly killed off in one of the military commands straight after.All in all, if you're a huge fan of the series I'd recommend these stories. However, they're not accessible to people who haven't read Red Queen and don't really offer any new information so reading them is not necessary to fully appreciate the stories.
Rating: 2That awkward moment when the novellas are better then the actual series. Maybe Aveyard should switch to short stories.
Rating: 3I thought that the first story, "Queen Song", was really good. It gave an honest portrayal about someone experiencing fear and harassment -- and how our minds can play tricks on us. "Steel Scars" was interesting; it gave an interesting background regarding Farley and Shade and how much Shade cares for Mare. Quite a nice tidbit before reading the second book in the series.
Rating: 3Summary: Cruel Crown is a collection of two short stories/novellas that are prequels to the events of Red Queen. (It also includes a rather lengthy "preview" of Glass Sword, but I basically never read preview chapters - just give me the real book already!) "Queen Song" is a story from Corianne's point of view, of growing up with her brother Julian and her best friend Sara, and how this young girl from a relatively minor Silver house caught the eye of the king... and the consequences of that to her, and to the kingdom. "Steel Scars" is from Farley's point of view, and gives us an insider look at the Red Dawn rebellion immediately prior to (and during the first part of) Red Queen.Review: Of the two stories, I found "Queen Song" the more interesting. Corianne is never seen in the main series books, only talked about, so it was interesting to "meet" her in person, and to see what she was like before she was royal. It didn't necessarily answer many questions about the main series (I guess you don't want to put critical details in a short story that maybe not everyone will read), but as a character portrait, it was pretty effective. (It did clear up some of the geography of Red Queen for me, though - there are enough new place names given that it is clearly happening in some kind of post-apocalyptic North America.) However, the critical plot points, the things that were most closely connected to the main plot, all happened pretty quickly at the end, and didn't have enough detail to be really satisfactory. Also, the whole conceit is that this story is written in a journal, but how did years' worth of writing all of this fit in one journal she got when she was 15?"Steel Scars" paints readers a better picture of Farley's character, and gives some insight into what's driving her, and what she's given up, and what she's become in service of the rebellion. Again, it was interesting, but I don't feel like it gained me a lot of new information that I didn't already know (or couldn't have surmised). It also didn't work as well in audiobook format; partly this was due to a lot of it being military memos back and forth, with all of the heading and code names being read out each time, so it was harder to keep track of the story, and harder to go back and check who was writing to who each time. But it was also because I was very distracted by the narrator's accent. Amanda Dolan, who reads the audiobooks of the main series, reads Farley with what I think is supposed to be an New Zealand accent, for no clear reason that I can determine. In those books, it's a little strange when I stop to think about it, but it doesn't really bother me. So I guess it's consistent that the narrator for this story, which is primarily in Farley's voice, should also have a heavy accent (although not the same; more plummy British), but since this story makes it clear that Farley is not from Britain or New Zealand, I found it really distracting. 3.5 out of 5 stars.Recommendation: These stories are likely primarily going to be of interest to those that have already read (and enjoyed) Red Queen - I don't know if the worldbuilding is involved enough to allow these stories to stand on their own, and you'd be missing most of the important stuff anyways.
Rating: 4FAIR WARNING TO THOSE SEEKING TO KNOW IF THEY SHOULD READ THIS BEFORE RED QUEEN I SAY NOPE NOPE NOPE....You know, I would've liked Red Queen if it were about Farley and Shade a lot more...but then that would defeat the purpose of the book wouldn't it?As far as your standard novella goes this was kind of long, or maybe it relied so much on us knowing that we already familiar with the characters to bother mentioning a little reminder here and there that it made it seem so long. I got bored of doubling back after a bit and just rolled with it. I finally understood Shade's power and know see how there were some x-men comparisons because Mare is a terrible Storm and Shade makes for a charming Nightcrawler...that sounds funny when I read it out loudThe original Queen of Norta was a quite drab and boring. Now it makes sense Cal would fall for someone as boring and dreary as Mare. It was a nice touch though getting to see pre-queen Elara it was creepily cool but it just made her seem more of a bitter sorority girl that didn't get to be picked as house president even though she's a legacy.I didn't like these novellas much and they made me even less excited for the next book.
Rating: 2For me, personally, Steel Scars blew Queen Song out of the water, but I always liked Farley better and squealed with delight when I heard she was getting her own novella. Both are very good, compelling, well-written stories that add a lot to the overall universe. This is a quick read and definitely worth it! I really, really enjoyed it. 5 out of 5 stars. I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Red Queen and Glass Sword.
Rating: 5Two stories and a sneak peek into Glass Sword make up this in-between-the-series novella. The first story, "Queen Song," is about Coriane, Cal's mother whose death is mentioned in Red Queen. We see her as a teen, meeting Tiberias, and writing in her diary, given to her by her beloved brother Julian. The second, "Steel Scars," tells of the mission undertaken by Scarlet Guard operative Captain Farley who travels to Norta and dreams of overthrowing Silver oppressors.I have a tough time with short stories and novellas fit into the series I'm reading, and these stories were only so-so for me. Part of it, I'm sure, is that I couldn't quite remember enough details to remember who some of these people were and what they're significance was in the story. In both cases, I felt like the potential story was a lot longer instead of being narrowly focused enough to make a really good short story. I'm not sorry I read them, but I won't go out of my way to recommend it either.
Rating: 3Two interesting back-stories to read before moving on to the second book in this series.
Rating: 3The first tale of the novella really took my interest. The later was necessary , but somewhat lagging.
Rating: 4Thought it was the third in the series when I ordered it but it was kind of a prequel. Interesting anyway but I was impatient for another epic (no sleep) novel.
Rating: 4Honestly, I was really hoping for more with this book. I instantly fell in love with the Red Queen series and just had to know the stories behind Farley and Coriane... But, I did not love this book. I wanted to love it, it just was real disappointment for me. The Red Queen series is so amazing, so I had fairly high expectations from this.Queen Song was just not at all what I was hoping for. I was dying to know more about Coriane, and I just wanted more than what this gave me. It felt rushed. Kind of like it was just put out there just to have it available. I felt almost no connection to Coriane at all. I feel like just a little more detail was needed about her. I wanted to get to know her and it just really told me nothing. The events all happened so fast and she was dead before I could even tell if liked her. I would have rather had it focus in just her time after her marriage to Tibe than what came before.Steel Scars was good, though. I really love Farley and i just loved having more insight into who she is and how she came to find Mare. I also thoroughly enjoyed the relationship with Shade that develops in this novella. I love having more background on how they met and how much of a connection they had. However, some of Farley's story felt forced. I know she is a very strong character, but this almost made it seem like she is invincible. I do, however, recommend this book. It is definitely not the best part of the series at all, but it is still an interesting read.
Rating: 3Would've loved to have it a little longer. Loved the lengthy preview of the 2nd book at the end! Missed listening to Amanda Dolan's voice as Mare in the audiobook. She always reads so beautifully.
Rating: 4
I loved Queen Song! Steel Scars was okay but it was cool to see how Farley and Shade met.
Rating: 4http://accentinclusive.com/ This is a good website to learn English Accents.
Rating: 5If you are reading this series this is an absolute MUST read. This is a novella short that features Queen Song and Steel Scars as well as a short preview to Glass Sword. I have already read Glass Sword and I'm glad I did. I 100% recommend anyone who has an interest in the series that they need to read this. For me, it is all about Queen Song. This whole part is about Cal's mother from her perspective. This part was like reading a tragic horror story that you know the end too but it is still a great read to see it unfold. To know what Coriane was thinking during her whole ordeal, from meeting the boy who will be her husband, to being a pregnant queen and feeling lost and depressed. I think it is really important to see this side because you can see how Cal has parts of his mother there too.
(Slight spoiler) The Steel Scars section was about our favorite Scarlet Guard member, Captain Diana Farley, code name Lamb. It is also really good to see this side of the world too. You see a young girl who is given her first true task being a commander and gets to leave her father's side. It is her first time doing a solo mission and what that grows into becoming. It becomes the beginning of the whole revolution. Reading this after Glass Sword really helped me understand why she reacted the way she did at the end. Instead of knowing her skill level and prior circumstances. In Red Queen and Glass Sword, you always get the impression she is this amazing spy who has been doing this cloak and dagger for a long time. I loved reading it in this order.
Rating: 5(Slight spoiler) The Steel Scars section was about our favorite Scarlet Guard member, Captain Diana Farley, code name Lamb. It is also really good to see this side of the world too. You see a young girl who is given her first true task being a commander and gets to leave her father's side. It is her first time doing a solo mission and what that grows into becoming. It becomes the beginning of the whole revolution. Reading this after Glass Sword really helped me understand why she reacted the way she did at the end. Instead of knowing her skill level and prior circumstances. In Red Queen and Glass Sword, you always get the impression she is this amazing spy who has been doing this cloak and dagger for a long time. I loved reading it in this order.
There's a surprising amount of substance here, to an extent rarely found in these additional little novellas released as part of major book series. We get some serious background and insight into the minds of two secondary characters, and get to know them a bit better, lending a better understanding of the story arc as a whole.
Rating: 4This compendium is a side trek into the lives of two side characters to the series. While it does let us know more about the backgrounds of these characters, and is interesting. It's really only a tidbit.
Rating: 3That awkward moment when the novellas are better then the actual series. Maybe Aveyard should switch to short stories.
Rating: 3The first tale of the novella really took my interest. The later was necessary , but somewhat lagging.
Rating: 4Queen Song: I like this story. I found it interesting. For me, this one added to the overall story.
Steel Scars: This one is boring. Just war tactics and nothing else. redacted redacted redacted.
Rating: 3Steel Scars: This one is boring. Just war tactics and nothing else. redacted redacted redacted.