Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Mare's paranoia and hurt over Maven's betrayal in Red Queen threaten to turn her as dark as her enemies as she rushes to recruit others who have red blood and powers before Maven can find and kill them. Characterization and emotional consistency are sacrificed to move the plot, but readers wanting drama, action, and a strong emotional hook will still appreciate this second volume. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Reborn as the infamous "lightning girl," Mare struggles to build an army of newbloods to face the murderous new king. After narrowly escaping the burning city of Naercey, Mare and her friends make their way to a secluded island where her family and the Scarlet Guard lie low. Bruised and beaten, Mare quickly realizes she can't trust anyone, not even her closest friendsmaybe not even family. But Mare has a plan: she's going to track down the rest of the newbloodsReds with unknown powers that rival the strongest Silvers'and build an army. She sets out with those closest to her, including Cal, the now disgraced prince. Feeling incredibly alone, she can't help but gravitate toward him; they share an ache for the person they both believed Maven to be before he became a treacherous king. As her conviction rises, so does the body count, and it isn't long before Mare becomes eerily like the killer she's trying so hard to destroy. Though her friends are disturbed by what she's become, not even they can stop her now. Her quest is fraught with trials and bloodshed, but the action lags; the traps begin to feel too familiar, and the first-person, present-tense narration spares no detail. Tragedy seems to be a certainty before the end, but the spectacle still packs a surprising punch. This too-long heroine's journey requires that the next volume provide sufficient fireworks to keep readers invested in the planned four-book series. (Fantasy. 13 up) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.