Book Thoughts: King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard

““He caught me back then, ensnaring me in a prince’s trap. Now I’m in a king’s cage. But so is he. My chains are Silent Stone. His is the crown.””

After the stunning ending of Glass Sword, Aveyard is at it again. Mare is caught in Maven's trap, unable to have any contact with the outside world, trapped, and struggling to come to terms with the loss of her loved ones. She is broken in a way she has never been before.

The book explores different characters' perspectives: Mare, Evangeline, and Cameron, who is a new addition from Glass Sword. As a reader, you see so many new aspects of these characters, each of them with a storyline that I never had previously even imagined.

To be frank, this book was a great set up. It is very clearly meant as a stepping stone for the next book, for what I can only hope to be an epic conclusion. I enjoyed the entire read, and one of my favorite things about Aveyard is that she doesn't make the 'good' people inherently good, or that 'bad' people inherently bad.

Mare isn't always likeable, and I love that. Female protagonists shouldn't have to always fit in this neat little box, gentle and smiling, and yet somehow still be ruthless enough to lead a revolution. Aveyard really explores the concept of nature vs. nurture - something that Mare grapples with the whole book. Is Maven truly evil? Is he a monster, or he is he a product of his mother? How much of Cal's upbringing affects him - is he truly a prince and a soldier, through and through?

However, King's Cage is not as fast-paced as its predecessors. It delves deeply into character's minds, which I truly enjoyed, but it wasn't until I turned to the last page that I realized that plot-wise, not much had happened. 

That being said, I cannot wait for the sequel, and need to know what happens next. And if you like heart-shattering endings, pick up this book: you're in for a treat.

Rating: 4/5

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: February 7, 2017