Mare is still ridiculously self-centered and annoying, as well as even more arrogant. For someone who hates to be called "the Lightning girl," she sure calls herself that a lot, doesn't she? She also holds herself in extremely high esteem. 
 The good news is that the author has purposefully crafted her into this unsympathetic, unlikeable being ... I suppose to show how far she can go before she truly is unredeemable. The problem is that I just don't care what happens to her. In fact, I hope the Red Queen trilogy ends in Mare and Maven dying together. Wouldn't that be swell? 
 However, I do respect the author's skill and writing style and found the plot to be more engaging - though I kind of wish she had gone with the time travel alternate opening instead because I couldn't help but think, "Save the cheerleader, save the world." 
 And honestly, one star just for Cal's rousing and much needed speech on page 394. Because even after being scolded, Mare still continues on: "I cannot prove my love for him, or Kilorn, or my family. I cannot put such feelings into words, nor should I have to. So I don't." 
 Yeah... And she wonders why people don't like her. 
 Probably will end up reading the next installment, just to see what happens to the characters. And I'm hoping that since Maven will be featured more, we will get to see a more complex character, not just some evil King.