2.5*

I rarely like short story collections, even with series that I enjoy.

"I weigh the choice in my heart, each side heavy and impossible. For one terrifying moment, I don’t know what to do."

I cried.

I cannot lie, I shed a tear or two at the end of the book. I had no idea how much I needed a Maven closure until those few pages at the end of the book. Somehow, Maven grew on me and albeit I have had problems with the writing of his character (and subsequently the story), I feel as if the extra story here was the best thing I have read about him and in general, this might have been the best book out of them all.

"I was also extremely partial to some illustrated books detailing the exploits of a crime-fighting, angst-ridden bat person."

Starting from the start, this book includes various folklore tidbits and various side stories; Queen Song and Steel Scars which were previously published and a few new ones. I was really interested in the history bits, especially because the main series gave such little attention to the past, because of lacking information, but it always gave me the idea that the Calamities had something to do with our own world and I am glad I was on point. After everything that we went through with this franchise, it felt nice to just see Julian talk about our times and monuments and magazines and names.

Moving on, the first original story World Behind was pretty much a cliche story and probably too much for its short length. You have the usual Red vs Silver stereotypes, but it takes only a little while to break them down, whilst the world around them is still so divided. Too forced of a good feeling, but a nice story nonetheless.

However, the winning point of this is once again Evangeline's story. I was waiting for it so much, because her development has been tremendous and seeing her balance between her annoying self and the goals/fears she has is satisfying to watch. And the one thing I was complaining about in [b:War Storm|27188596|War Storm (Red Queen, #4)|Victoria Aveyard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1510773212l/27188596._SY75_.jpg|47224720] which was Elane being boring and nonexistent, even that was fixed in this story as she finally gets her own time on stage and grows a personality other than a lazy person posing on couches and beds. I truly wish Evangeline got her own book, but let's not ruin a good thing going.

Mare's and Cal's story was long-awaited and probably more realistic than other meetings they had in other books, at least emotional-wise, but the one thing that did annoy me (same as in Evangeline's story) is that sexual attraction is so abrupt in the narration. Like, guys, just focus on the matter at hand, pleaaaase. I digress.

Fare Well

Last but not least, the last part of the book was an unexpected stab to my heart. It shouldn't have been, but it was. I was never too attached to the story, but somehow the ending just really made me feel it and I'm glad that at least in the end, I got my 2 favorite characters sorted out, Evangeline and Maven (despite his lost writing potential).

Thus... Farewell, Red Queen.

Merged review:

"I weigh the choice in my heart, each side heavy and impossible. For one terrifying moment, I don’t know what to do."

I cried.

I cannot lie, I shed a tear or two at the end of the book. I had no idea how much I needed a Maven closure until those few pages at the end of the book. Somehow, Maven grew on me and albeit I have had problems with the writing of his character (and subsequently the story), I feel as if the extra story here was the best thing I have read about him and in general, this might have been the best book out of them all.

"I was also extremely partial to some illustrated books detailing the exploits of a crime-fighting, angst-ridden bat person."

Starting from the start, this book includes various folklore tidbits and various side stories; Queen Song and Steel Scars which were previously published and a few new ones. I was really interested in the history bits, especially because the main series gave such little attention to the past, because of lacking information, but it always gave me the idea that the Calamities had something to do with our own world and I am glad I was on point. After everything that we went through with this franchise, it felt nice to just see Julian talk about our times and monuments and magazines and names.

Moving on, the first original story World Behind was pretty much a cliche story and probably too much for its short length. You have the usual Red vs Silver stereotypes, but it takes only a little while to break them down, whilst the world around them is still so divided. Too forced of a good feeling, but a nice story nonetheless.

However, the winning point of this is once again Evangeline's story. I was waiting for it so much, because her development has been tremendous and seeing her balance between her annoying self and the goals/fears she has is satisfying to watch. And the one thing I was complaining about in [b:War Storm|27188596|War Storm (Red Queen, #4)|Victoria Aveyard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1510773212l/27188596._SY75_.jpg|47224720] which was Elane being boring and nonexistent, even that was fixed in this story as she finally gets her own time on stage and grows a personality other than a lazy person posing on couches and beds. I truly wish Evangeline got her own book, but let's not ruin a good thing going.

Mare's and Cal's story was long-awaited and probably more realistic than other meetings they had in other books, at least emotional-wise, but the one thing that did annoy me (same as in Evangeline's story) is that sexual attraction is so abrupt in the narration. Like, guys, just focus on the matter at hand, pleaaaase. I digress.

Fare Well

Last but not least, the last part of the book was an unexpected stab to my heart. It shouldn't have been, but it was. I was never too attached to the story, but somehow the ending just really made me feel it and I'm glad that at least in the end, I got my 2 favorite characters sorted out, Evangeline and Maven (despite his lost writing potential).

Thus... Farewell, Red Queen.

For a moment he is a second sun, beaming warmth all over me. It breaks and re-forms my heart.

This just wraps up nicely, everyone gets the ending we hoped for (well at least I hoped for) and we get introduced to new character (World Behind) or I didn't pay much attention to them before (Which would surprise me)

The first half of the book I had to skip as I've already read those novellas from Cruel Crown, I wish there was a short story of Maven and Thomas but alas there is not

Novellas:
Queen's Song - Chapters 3-8 (1hr 42min 65sec)
Steel Scar - Chapters 10-12 (2hr 45min 55sec)
World Behind - Chapters 14-20 (2hr 1min 7sec)
Iron Heart - Chapters 22-27 (2hr 11min 7sec)
Fire Light - Chapters 28-33 (3hr 15min 2sec)
Farewell - Chapters 34-37 (38min 68sec)

Bestes Geburstagsbuch.