I used to think there was only the divide, Silver and Red, rich and poor, kings and slaves. But there’s much more in between, things I don’t understand, and I’m right in the middle of it. I grew up wondering if I’d have food for supper; now I’m standing in a palace about to be eaten alive.

I…fail to see how that’s not still a binary divide.

Red in the head, Silver in the heart sticks with me, guiding my motions. My eyes stay wide, taking in the grand palace both Mare and Mareena had never dreamed of, but my mouth presses into a firm line. Mareena is impressed, but she keeps her emotions in check. She is cold and unfeeling.

So is this what everyone is carrying on about, the idea that Mare’s “Silver blood” would make her “naturally” more inclined to behave like them? Then wouldn’t that imply that she was haughty and snooty while still living in a hovel, too? And why would anyone assume that, since we’ve clearly seen a variety in the actual Silvers (Lucas, and Cal to an extent)? Sure, Lucas is considered a bit odd for being so gregarious, but no one accuses him of being part Red so that seems to be just more of a social oddity than a “you definitely can’t do this,” and Mare is about the definition of social oddity right now.

This is such a weird bit of manufactured drama in a scenario that doesn’t need manufactured drama. It was fine being “omg the kind and queen are going to kill me once the masses are placated” or “wah, I miss my family.” Or, if they had bothered to properly hostage-ize her family, she could whine about that. But this? Why?

Add to that, the only times we’ve really seen the Silvers so far is when they’re in ceremony, so saying “they’re all cold and unfeeling” in that context is rather bogus. I mean, it makes sense for Mare to think that, I just don’t believe this book will change that statement later so I’m complaining about it now.

King Tiberias and Elara stand on a raised surface a few feet higher than the floor, facing the crowd of their subjects. They never miss an opportunity to lord over the others. Either they’re very vain or very aware. To look powerful is to be powerful.

If you understand that last concept, why do you bother with the rest of it? Of course a king is going to flaunt his power whenever possible; an absolute monarchy is a very delicate system that is dependent on everyone else saying “yeah, I guess I’ll allow this to continue.” All it takes is one family to think an uprising might be a good idea and suddenly you’ve got a bad case of civil war. Psychological methods like ‘no one can be physically higher than the king’ are both very common and very effective. I really wish authors would stop ignoring this fact.

Everyone is gathered in the ballroom…I guess to hear the results of the Queenstrial (although it just occurs to me that this hasn’t actually been told to us yet) but first the king goes on this big whole song and dance, explaining Mare’s “backstory” and introducing her to the crowd of noble houses.

Oh, and Evangeline is there to be the typical Mean Girl who hates the main character for no fathomable reason. I guess falling into the middle of her demolition demonstration might count, but all the glaring from Eva still seems excessive.

Then there’s a little formal betrothal between Mare and Maven, which frankly is kind of boring because it’s been like three chapters now of rehashing the same information. Did we really need this much?

[The queen] smiles softly, just for [Maven]. Even Silvers love their children. But she turns cold again as Cal stands, her smile disappearing in a heartbeat.

God, everything about this woman is so stereotypically evil queen. Is there a single evil woman trope you’re not going to use, book? She might as well try out for the role of Cinderella’s stepmother.

Then there’s a little ceremony where Evangeline officially wins the Queenstrial and gets betrothed to Cal. She takes a seat with the rest of the royal family next to Mare, where she grabs her arm hard enough to bruise and threatens to kill her if Mare “gets in the way.”

Just what, exactly, is she afraid Mare is going to do???

Also, this means that, going forward, we have three consistent female characters: our poor, put-upon heroine and the vicious mean girls who hate her instantly and without reason or nuance or literally any other character trait.

Wow, how original.

What even is going on with these two? The queen I can kind of get; she knows Mare is a Red and there’s all that prejudice going on. But what the fuck is with Evangeline? It’s so random and so intense, I have a hard time believing it’s there for anything other than tropiness.

The king keeps talking, giving what sounds like a standard ‘rousing’ speech, and mentions the Red Guard but calls them piddling.

Small and insignificant . Then why do they need me? Why use me, if the Scarlet Guard is nothing to them? The king is a liar. But what he’s trying to hide, I’m still not sure. It could be the Guard’s strength. It could be me.

…how can you understand the point of the raised seating, but also honestly expect the king to say “ooooo, I’m scared of this group!” Also…do we have any proof that the Red Guard is a threat? They set off one bomb, okay, do they have any staying power? Will they be able to evade the law enforcement focus they’re about to get? Are they organized enough to do more than rabble-rouse? We don’t know! But I bet the king knows more than we do.

Mare sulk/bitters her way through the following feast, and I do really like her attitude through all this. She’s got a nice mix of fear and resentment going on, never too cowed by all the finery around her or the threats being leveled at her. She and Maven end up making some polite small talk and he apologizes for being stiff earlier and talks about how he always thought he’d get to pick his own bride, rather than have one forced on him, since he’s not the heir. Mare gets mad at him for acting like a martyr for having one choice taken away.

“You live in a palace, you have strength, you have power. You wouldn’t know hardship if it kicked you in the teeth, and believe me, it does that a lot. So excuse me if I don’t feel sorry for either of you.”

You tell him, Mare! Also, maybe lay off the champagne. She’s a little tipsy at this point.

Maven agrees with her, but still acts like a Poor Little Rich Boy. Alas, Mare starts to pity him a bit for it. Sigh.