Victoria Aveyard Bids Farewell to the "Red Queen" Series

Posted by Marie on May 4, 2018
Victoria Aveyard is a multiple Goodreads Choice Award nominee and the author of The New York Times-bestselling young adult fantasy series Red Queen. This month, she'll be releasing War Storm, the series' fourth and final installment. Here, Aveyard bids a heartfelt farewell to the series' fierce heroine, Mare Barrow, and gives longtime fans reading recommendations for the inevitable book hangover to come.



It’s odd to count the days, the months, and eventually years to realize exactly how long I’ve spent in the world of Red Queen—and in the head of Mare Barrow. She started as an image, a flash in my mind during my senior year of college. In the late spring of 2012, I saw a girl in an arena, about to be executed. I didn’t know what she did to get there or why she was about to be killed. I only know that instead of dying, she electrocuted her executioner. I was intrigued. I wanted to know more.

The rest of Red Queen sprouted from this thought. I asked questions: Who was this girl? How could she exist? What kind of world needed to exist around her for this to be possible? Questions bloomed from questions, and pieces slowly locked into place. A story grew, and now, six years later, that story has ended. Mare Barrow is finished with me, and I am finished with her.

I would be lying if I said I’m not excited to move on to new worlds, new characters, and new stories. That’s a natural impulse for any writer, no matter the work. Even so, it’s always difficult to leave behind the familiar. I’ve been writing in Mare’s head for so many years, blending pieces of me with pieces of her. I’ll never say she’s easy to write, but I will absolutely miss writing a character I know so well that they can take over, so to speak.

And it’s true, with Mare I’ve had the strange and weird experience of having a character take over the writing, saying things and making choices I never planned for, even if my fingers are typing the words. So far, it happens with Mare more than any other character. I think I’ve given her the send-off she would want, because I know if I hadn’t, she would certainly have stopped me from doing it. I can only hope I’m able to find new characters who speak to me as clearly as she does.







I’ll also say to my readers, please do not read anything into this “farewell” to Mare and to Red Queen. I’m trying to do this without any kind of spoilers for the end of the series, and hopefully I’ve succeeded. So to anyone grooming this for clues: You're out of luck, my dears.

I do have some tips in case you’re struggling to move on after Red Queen. Personally, anytime I finish reading a fantasy series I love, I find myself starving for more. I think I still have a book hangover from Harry Potter, if we’re being totally honest.

As for young adult fantasy, I almost don’t want to give recommendations because I don’t want to induce more hangovers! But I do want the rest of you to suffer with me as we wait for sequels.

So without further ado, some of my favorites from the past few years: I’ve ranted and raved about how much I love The Cruel Prince by Holly Black. The ranting and raving will continue until I get my hands on the sequel, The Wicked King. I’m also enamored of the Witchland series by Susan Dennard. The world-building in these books is staggering, and I love a series rooted in a female friendship that I actually believe. And, of course, I will continue to recommend An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir until the end of time.

These books are downright gripping, from characters to world to plot. They’re brutal and beautiful in equal measure. I also cannot wait for the next installment in the Grishaverse series, starring none other than one of my favorite characters, Nikolai Lantsov. Leigh Bardugo, if you’re reading this, I’m coming to steal King of Scars out of your brain. Inception-style.

That’s it for me, and thank you so much for joining me on this journey! I hope everyone enjoys War Storm and the end of Red Queen!


Comments Showing 1-50 of 92 (92 new)


message 1: by Isabel (new)

Isabel I discovered this series last year. And I loved it! So I haven't read King's Cage. I thought that was a trilogy, so I was postponing my reading, in fear of an end. But now I need to read no matter the cost!


message 2: by Patrick (new)

Patrick The link provided doesn't go to Red Queen. It goes to Then She Was Gone.


Scarlett✨17™ It's so sad to say goodbye!!! I didn't care much for Mare though...Maven will always be my favorite.


Red_Queen_Lover YES!! WOOH CAN'T WAIT THIS PRECIOUS THING!


message 5: by Kenzie (new)

Kenzie Franklin I started the Red Queen series last year and I fell in love. It's so sad to see it come to an end this month. I'm not ready for this goodbye.

I'm going to miss Maven and Evangeline the most since they are my favorite characters. I'm both scared and excited to see how their stories will end.


message 6: by Gabi (new)

Gabi "Bids Farewell"!??! NOOOOOOO I am not ready to bid farewell!!!!


message 7: by Michelle (new)

Michelle I have only read the first one. I need to catch up/


message 8: by Ceira (new)

Ceira This makes me so sad, I love this series so much, it is brilliant. Victoria Aveyard's books will forever be auto-buy books for me!!!


message 9: by [deleted user] (new)

I CANNOT WAIT ANY LONGER FOR THIS BOOK!!! SO EXCITED!


message 10: by Roxana (new)

Roxana Watch me cry when I finish this book. Why is life so unfair!?!?!?!


message 11: by Red_Queen_Lover (new)

Red_Queen_Lover Roxana wrote: "Watch me cry when I finish this book. Why is life so unfair!?!?!?!"

Ikr!!!


message 12: by sally!! (new)

sally!!


message 13: by Carla (new)

Carla Defenitely check out the Frostblood trilogy by Elly Blake if you're looking for something similar to Red Queen!


message 14: by Grace (new)

Grace Awwwww farewell I will always 💌 red queen 🎈💗💗💖💗💖💗💖💗


 pagesandteastains I've been with this series ever since the release week of Red Queen. And I've grown to love these books so much, I can't wait to read this book! But I'm definitely sad to see this series end.


message 16: by Divine (new)

Divine I've started reading Red Queen ever since its publication and had religiously counted the days for the next installment. Red Queen was my personal find and even without reading buddies (which I used to have) I still followed it while entering college at the same time. This last installment would be a very emotional and sentimental read for me because it was my companion at the beginning of "adulting" in college. Thank you so much Aveyard for this world AND FOR MATERIALIZING THE EVER MAGNIFICENT MAVEN.


message 17: by Ana Beatriz (new)

Ana Beatriz Penazzi IM JUST SO EXCITED!!!


message 18: by Casey (new)

Casey I'm so sad that this series is ending but also happy that the new book is coming out but also frustrated that I have to wait ten whole days and asdderfrgrytyhujytrgrteyt5yyuio9u87

Also #TeamMaven


message 19: by Keva (new)

Keva I’ve been eagerly and not so patiently waiting for this last book!!


message 20: by dijah (new)

dijah What a lovely, lovely ride Red Queen has been! Sad to say farewell to the series, but alas all good things must come to an end. I’m beyond grateful to Aveyard for bringing this exquisite story with its unique band of characters into the world.


message 21: by William (new)

William Dickie My order is in....can't wait


message 22: by Kat (new)

Kat Thank you for this series! I appreciate your dedication to the story and characters. Plus, I appreciate knowing that you knew when the series was ready to come to an end!


marie ♡⁎⁺˳✧ So excited for War Storm release but at the same time, I don't want it to end. 😭 Guess I'll be replaying this Mare x Cal playlist until May 15th. Team MareCal forever! 😂


message 24: by Poulett | Book Lovers Always (last edited May 06, 2018 09:16PM) (new)

Poulett | Book Lovers Always I found out about this series at the end of 2014 searching the web for something about realms to read, and well, Red Queen appeared and do not hesitate to point it out for future readings, and if I remember correctly, it would be a trilogy, but War Storm is a reality, and since then I have waited for each book with much desperation - it was hard to say goodbye- but the good thing is that we'll have movies, and every book has been fantastic, and I'm damn anxious for War Storm.


message 25: by iana! (new)

iana! I'm proud to say that I've been here since the start and I'll still be here until the end. I'm going to cry now. Thanks, Queen Victoria Aveyard, for breaking my heart into tiny pieces to the point of no return.


message 26: by Juan (new)

Juan Paul Agelo The book was actually suggested to me by a cousin of mine. At first, I only opened the book out of curiousness and then later on, before I even knew it, I became addicted with the story. After the first book, I immediately ran off to the bookstore and bought the second installment(glass sword). I became even more addicted. The moment I was finished with the second book, I checked the internet about the next installment and found out that It won't be released...at least not until the following year. I waited and waited and waited for it until finally it was available online...I ended up being one of the 50 first buyers of the book within our country. Then you can get what happened next....read...read...read....and read.END......To be honest I was a little disappointed with the ending(Not because its not good or anything but the later.) The novel is, for me, IS SPECTACULAR.(by the way I am very disappointed with Cal at the moment).....With the twist that happened at the end of King's Cage, I will definitely buy the last installment.


message 27: by Tanisha (new)

Tanisha I am so sad it’s going to be the end. Red Queen is the book that got me into reading, it was Mare and her story that made me realize I love reading. So thank you Victoria because reading is my favorite hobby now and am also getting my kids into reading more as well so thank you. I can’t wait to see what else you have in store for us


message 28: by Mikaela (new)

Mikaela Garcia The RED QUEEN serie is one of the best book serie I ever read and I thing I'm gonna crie when I finish War Storm


message 29: by [deleted user] (new)

I discovered this series after it hit shelves in the B&N for the first time. The cover got my attention but Kilorn and Mare kept it. I got my daughter also hooked on the series with me and we’ve shared our thoughts about each book together. We are both Team Cal. And did both have broken hearts over Maven. But getting into this series was a total win for me. I fell in love with not only the story but so many characters. My favorite scene will always be when Cal and Mare are standing in the arena and he looks as her and starts tapping his foot and humming “their song” that scene melts me to this day ( No fire pun entended) I’m also so glad I got to meet Victoria and have my copies signed two years ago. She is one of the top inspirational authors for a new author as myself. I’ve learned a lot from her about character development and world building. For that I am truly grateful! But being able to enjoy the Red Queen world with so many others in the fandom was a special blessing in itself. We’ve finally come to the end and it’s so bitter sweet. But what an end it shall be! And we can always pick up our books and be in that world again whenever we want. But even better.... we’re getting a major motion picture soon which will bring Mare, Kilorn, Cal, Maven and the rest of the RQ world to life for us!
I can’t wait for 5/15/18. Rise Red As The Dawn!


message 30: by Anna (new)

Anna M I'm willing to do a full, thorough review of the new book for free if send a copy! Much appreciated.


message 31: by Danielle (new)

Danielle Flores Oops I'm already crying. Thank you so much Victoria aveyard for this amazing journey ❤️


message 32: by [deleted user] (new)

I’m not sure I can wait...


Holly Ann🦋 You are the reason I started to read again!❤️Thank you so much for your talent and your amazing books, Mare will be missed.

Until next time! X


message 34: by CARRIS (new)

CARRIS Victoria, I can’t wait to see where your writing career takes you next. I’ll be at Waterstones for opening next week to collect my book and like last time, I’ll be at the front of the queue to meet you on June 6th. I hope this book brings you success and I can’t wait to see what comes next!


message 35: by Sarah (new)

Sarah Knitter My friends were all reading the series and I felt left out. I have a passion for reading. When my library got the first book,Red Queen, I read it in about a week and a half. When my library got the second book, it was read in about two weeks. When I received the third book form the high school(I am in eighth grade), I read it in 5 days. Now I am waiting to get the fourth book from my public library. Love the series, thank you!!!


message 36: by Josie (new)

Josie Kraemer I’m not ready to say goodbye to Mare, Cal, and Evangeline (and more).


message 37: by Angela (new)

Angela Victoria, thank you for taking a chance on us readers and not giving up on this series. This will always be one of my favorite series, for it sparked my love for reading. Although I will definitely miss it, it would be impossible for me to forget it! I can’t wait to read War Storm!!!! I have been counting down the days ever since I finished Kings Cage!! And I can’t wait to see what other worlds you create!!!!


message 38: by Wendy (new)

Wendy Lopez I discovered this series two years ago and fell in love. Knowing that its coming to an end breaks my heart, but every book has to come to an end. Waiting for this book was the hardest thing to do. the "Red Queen" series is one of the best series i have read so far and im glad to call this series my addiction.


message 39: by carlota (new)

carlota Oh... I think I'm going to cry. I'm so sad because of the end of the series... Red Queen, Glass Sword and King's Cage are my favourite books, and I'm really scared the end of War Storm. I hope it finishes well for everybody.


message 40: by mar.tanfan (new)

mar.tanfan OMG. I can’t wait this book. so EXCİTED. and I will cry when i finish that serie!!


message 41: by Grace (new)

Grace Olson But I don’t want it to be over. I want it to last forever


message 42: by Jalynn (new)

Jalynn No! It can’t be ending!! I have a feeling I’m going to cry at the end of War Storm...


message 43: by Nayeli (new)

Nayeli I'd be lying if I said I would not miss Mare Barrow, it feels like we've all had a little Mare in us at some point.
No doubt it has been a character beyond any other, proving that a woman can be as warrior as she wants.

Thank you Victoria for this wonderful series that makes you want to read and read one and a thousand times more to transport us to Norta and beyond!!!


message 44: by A (new)

A OMG. It's so hard to think that the story of Mare Barrow ends here. I'm so glad for these books. 💕⚡👑


message 45: by Andrea (new)

Andrea This is such a good series! Sad to see it come to a close, but cannot wait for any more work Aveyard might have in stock! ❤


message 46: by Rida (new)

Rida It's so sad to think the series is going to end soon! I fell in love with this series the moment I read it ♥, and I have been counting the days to the War Storm release. Needless to say, my friends (the ones who haven't read the series) all think I'm crazy, but that's NOT MY PROBLEM!


message 47: by November (new)

November This has been one of my favorite book series, and I can't wait for War Storm. I got the first book back when it first came out and have told my husband that for valentines day (thats around the time book would come out) all I wanted was the next installment of this series. This year I have asked that it be my belated Mother's day gift. I have reread the books everytime the new one would come out, it's hard knowing that War Storm is the last but I hope that it will give us a good ending that the Mare deserves.
I look forward to all the books that Victoria Aveyard will come up with in the future, she has a true fan here. Lightning Girl will forever live on in my heart and bookshelf :)


message 48: by Angela (new)

Angela I have read these books multiple times, every time a new one came out i would read each book over and then read the new release. So at the moment i am on book 2 and by the time War Storm is released I will have to find something to fill the hole in my heart, I am going to miss the rereading of the books ritual every year, I do not want to find a New series to obsess over, But kudos to Victoria Aveyard, I have never thought that i would obsess so much over another book since Twilight and The hunger games. This series definitely kicked out all my top books I have read, and at my age I have read a lot of books, So Thank you for allowing Mare's Voice become yours for some many years.. Keep up the work, i cant wait to see what else you have lined up. I will definitely be a fan for a very long time to come, I will never be able to let this series rest.


message 49: by Miranda (new)

Miranda G I can’t wait to read the book! I am counting down the days until the 15th. My mom WILL take me to Barnes and Noble on the 15th (She said maybe). I am looking forward to the day. Mrs. Aveyard thank you so much for coming out with another book. Ever since reading the last book I have been going through an internal WAR in my mind about what will happen next! Looking forward to reading it. Love your story. Thanks for sharing!


message 50: by Madeleine (new)

Madeleine I can't believe it's almost over!! I'm so sad!! I can't wait for this book but I just know I'm going to find myself in a pool of my own tears! I mean considering I've cried in every single book so far for some reason or another, I just know that this one is going to break my heart. Thank you Victoria Aveyard, I'm going to miss Mare and everyone so much but I just can't wait to see other novels you have lined up for us!!!


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