Actual rating: probably more of a 3.5 but rounded up to a 4 because holy addictive 
 I can definitely see all the elements of other fantasy stories that people have pointed out in their own reviews. There are scenes and events and characters that I've read time and time again but during Red Queen I didn't have a problem with them. The writing has such an addictive, fast-paced quality and I zoomed right through this first book. 
 Overall, don't expect anything new or revolutionary for a fantasy, but the crack factor is next level.