rating: 4.5 
 read: 2.8.16 
 finished: 2.8.16 
 [random thoughts I attempted to make into a review. this is mainly my reactions though] 
 Do I recommend this book? For anyone who loves fantasy, fast paced, entertaining books with insane plot twists, definitely. 
 Would I read again? Probably. 
 Am I buying the sequel? As soon as possible. 
 link to the review on our blog: http://uponthepages.tumblr.com/tagged... 
 non-spoiler review! 
 I was hesitant to read this book because of what'd I initially heard. As you might know, the word was that this book way too hyped and turned out to be a disappointment. I understand why they'd say that, mainly if you'd read a lot of YA. But, I still believe it's an enjoyable book that you shouldn't turn away from because of some of it's usual aspects. Personally, I thought this book was incredibly entertaining and I fell in love with the variety of characters that Victoria Aveyard wrote. I do believe that there is more we could learn about their world and the magic that consists in it. I was slightly confused with the magic that the silvers hold but it's simple to understand the basics. Instantly, I fell in love with the main character Mare, who classifies as a red. I don't know exactly what it is, but she's pretty likable in my opinion. At the beginning of the book, she pickpockets for her family and is close to a boy, Kilorn. Now, I absolutely love the friendship in YA between a boy and girl and I especially loved their dynamic. In Mare's family, she believes she isn't the favorite because she is going to be sent off to war on her next birthday. Her sister, Gisa, has herself a job already and it's clear that Mare envies her. Until one day, Mare is caught pickpocketing a silver, a young man named Cal who has a good job himself and decides to help her out. I don't want to say too much so i'm going to end the non-spoiler part here. All I can say is that this book had me gasping at the end of almost every chapter and i'd recommend it to anyone. I can't wait to get ahold of Glass Sword!!! 
 SPOILER REVIEW 
 (view spoiler)[ 
 First of all, what in the world did I just get myself into? I'm totally not exaggerating when I say I gasped at this book over 20 times and most likely at the end of every chapter. I'm going to try to go as in depth as I can, so let's get this party started 
 First Friday is probably one of those things that people were thinking wasn't original, which it's not. But, that doesn't bother me. It's not that much of a big deal to the plot. It's just saying that the reds and the silvers don't get a long very well and the silvers are a higher social class than the rest. Speaking of these colors, WHAT? They're put into groups by the color of their blood? The silvers has silver blood if i'm correct and that's awesome. I really liked that idea in this novel, it was definitely interesting and more important than you realize throughout the book. Now, the main character, Mare, has a best friend she's known a long time, Kilhorn. I adore him in the saddest way, HE DIDN'T DESERVE THAT. But, the way he's interested in first Friday made me love him from the start. His parts in beginning chapters were precious. I should probably focus on the main character first. Ok, so Mare is special, that's generic but everything leading up to finding out what she could do was AMAZING. She starts off as a Red and lives in a poverty stricken town and steals things for her family. I found that part hilarious how she'd steal gifts for her family and friends aka this is when I started liking her. Her dad is ill and her sister has a job set for life (lol until Mare messes that up, *sips tea*). Mare doesn't have a job so she's going to have to be sent to war on her next birthday, like her brothers were. Also, Kilhorn, MY SWEET CHILD. Speaking of her brothers, that entire letter was adorable. Let's talk about my highlights because I'm just waiting until I can fangirl about all these plot twists and scenes that made me gasp. 
 Shade being in the scarlet guard. I definitely gasped as this scene. So, the scarlet guard is basically a group of people against the way silvers are seen in their society and they want it all to change. They clearly go about this in the wrong ways and end up looking like terrorists. 
 "Rise, red as the dawn." 
 GISA'S HAND. I cannot believe she'd go ahead and try to steal. Leave it to Mare, please. THOSE GUARDS HAD NO CHILL. r.i.p to her hand, I definitely gasped at this scene. But, is it really important? Oh, and Gisa lost her job but it's okay because Mare exists. 
 LISTEN, I SHIPPED MARE AND CAL AT FIRST. I was completely obsessed with him at first. He literally met Mare mid-stealing from his pockets and he let her get away with it. THEN, he got her a job. So, evidently, I shipped it. Even when she found out that he was the prince, and the things she had to go through meanwhile being the princess. He was kind of sketchy to me and he was turning into a jerk it felt, so then I started to love maven aka my DEATH. 
 Little lightening girl. Out of all things, I wasn't even expecting this. I thought I should have, but nope. I was completely shocked (definitely intended pun) when I read this scene. Who is this Evangeline bitch? Excuse the language, BUT WHY DID SHE HATE MARE SO MUCH. When she dueled Mare, I was just waiting for Mare to absolute obliterate her. JULIAN!!!!!!!!! I loved Julian and his power to make people do anything. I can't believe he wasn't a bigger character because of that power but I understand it, he could of been a threat. I loved those scenes where he and Mare trained and thought they needed a bigger classroom. Now before I get to the huge plot twists, I want to make a shout out to my baby Lucas who did not at all ever deserve to die. Why must you kill him off, Victoria? He was innocent. 
 PLOT TWISTS! 
 So as we know, Mare gets arranged to marry Maven. I'VE NEVER BEEN SO ANGRY ABOUT A CHARACTER BEFORE. I ACTUALLY SHIPPED IT, GUYS. I SHIPPED MARE AND MAVEN SO HARD. I never thought my heart would be broken so bad. I've been dying to talk about this scene and i'm trying to go in order but I can't handle it. This book made me so excited about reading, I was on edge the entire day. (I read this all in one day, guys. I had school too, how?) Maven was so SWEET and I should of been suspicious when he was completely ready to go against his family and brother so easily. I should of known it, but I didn't see it coming at all. Maven turned on her completely and was using her the entire time. Needless to say, I screamed. 
 THE KING IS DEAD! I saw this coming and it was the most obvious plot twist in the book. A lot of people saw this coming and I hate how they're so focused on it. Are we forgetting how Maven completely changed on her and now Cal is supporting Mare in a way? ARE WE? The king needed to die in order for the two sons, Cal and Maven, to fight for the throne. At this point, who even knows who deserves the throne. I just am dying to know what Maven is even going to do. I NEED GLASS SWORD. 
 THE EPILOGUE!!! ALAS, SHADE IS ALIVE. This plot twist made me so happy. As Jesse said, if we didn't see the character die, they're not dead. I physically cannot wait to see how Shade, Cal, and Mare all get together in the next book. Thankfully, I just now read it and it's released as of a few days ago. That epilogue is pure gold, I also screamed there too. (hide spoiler)] 
 As a conclusion, I truly think this book deserves more praise than it originally got. It was worth the hype on my end, but everyone has opinions! A good four and a half stars from me. 
 I'm aware this review didn't talk about every thing in the book, but it's my first and i'm still trying to see how I'll organize book reviews in the future. Be easy on me. Thanks!! B)