Author: Victoria Aveyard

Series: Red Queen

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 208

Cruel Crown is a novella published between the first and second book in the Red Queen series. It is comprised of two very different stories, that follow two women who were present and active in the Red/Silver world well before the time brought to us in Red Queen. The first story, Queen Song, tells the story of Cal’s mother, and King Tiberias’ first wife, Queen Coriane. This story is told through her journal entries, so we get to see the world through her eyes. It tells of her early struggles, her fears, and the birth of her new prince. The second story, Steel Scars, tells a very different story. It tells of Captain Farley’s life in the resistance, through the time that she comes upon Mare. This story is told from her POV and though coded transmission.

If you are a fan of Red Queen, you will find these two prequel stories very interesting. They take us a bit deeper in to the red/silver world, with a sort of “behind the scenes” look in to these two very different, but very strong, women. I loved being able to get a little bit of a back-story on Captain Farley’s time in the resistance before the original novel started, as she was a bit of a mystery. It was also incredibly interesting to read of Queen Coriane’s life, and her early struggles before she was crowned queen. I enjoyed the platforms in which these two stories were told, as well. It made them seem more real and fresh to me. If you liked Red Qeen, in encourage you to read this novella. You won’t regret it!