I don't really know what I'm feeling right now. I'm riding the fence between 2 and 3 stars and I guess I'll figure it out by the end of my review and rant. 
 A couple things annoyed me about this book. First, there were way too many freaking dudes in love with her. She went from loving Cal to hating him to loving Maven to hating him to loving Cal. Or was it Kilorn? No wait, Kilorn loved her. Cal loved her too but then was going to punish her for being in the rebellion. Maven loved her then hated her then loved her again too. Then tried to have her killed because he hated her. 
 Do you see my frustration?! 
 I was going to mention that it had a very strong vibe that screamed The Selection but apparently that was a selling point for the book. Nevermind. 
 So annoying things aside, I actually enjoyed the story. I love fantasy/dystopian/YA books. I actually enjoy them very much and Red Queen had an amazing story to tell. I absolutely loved the powers and the rebellion, the wars and controversy inside the royal family. As a romance junkie it pains me to admit this... But the romance kind of killed it for me. All the back and forth drove me nuts. 
 It wasn't until about 80% that I started getting sucked in. I started reading this earlier this year, I honestly can't even remember when-but knew I wanted to finish it. So I started back at it today and then once I got toward the end, it was like a match was lit. I was rooting for Maven the entire time because, hello, I freaking love the misunderstood, dark and dangerous. (I won't lie, I knew he was evil going in thanks to a friend :) and I was stoked.) 
 So all of a sudden Mare became this amazing heroine and Maven broke my freaking heart. I actually didn't know his betrayal would be that deep and it crushed me. I still could care less about Cal but I hope there is potential for him. I want to see him join the rebellion but I want to see Mare back beside Maven. 
 Well I guess this is more rant than review. Sorry... 
 I'll leave you with my favorite highlights. 
 "Their Silver war is being paid for in Red blood." Mare 
 "Cal betrayed me, and I betrayed him. And you betrayed us both, in a thousand different ways." The words are heavy as stone but right. So right. "I choose no one." Mare 
 "In the stories, the old fairy tales, a hero comes. But all my heroes are gone or dead. No one is coming for me." Mare 
 "It was supposed to protect them, but it is electric, it is lightning, it is mine, and the shield protects me now." Mare