In Victoria Aveyard’s debut novel, “Red Queen,” we meet Mare Barrow, a red-blooded teenager who lives in a society divided according to the color of their blood. Those with silver blood running through their veins, the Silvers, rule society because they are also endowed with superhuman powers, while the powerless Reds are relegated to serve the ruling class as servants or soldiers.

 

Mare is faced with a bleak future of servitude and poverty, but a freak accident at the palace upsets the balance between the Silvers and Reds when she is discovered to possess an incredible power that the Silvers have never seen before. She is then passed off as a Silver in order to keep the truth from the downtrodden Reds, and she becomes a pawn in court as someone attempts to unseat the current king.

 

The series is being described as a cross between “Divergent” and “Game of Thrones” (with a little “X-Men” thrown into the mix), and Aveyard sold the rights to the three-book deal and the film rights simultaneously. It’s not surprising once you read “Red Queen,” it’s a book that you won’t put down until you’re done.

 

If you happen to come across it only now, you’re in luck because the second book in the series, “Glass Sword,” will be out on February 9 (there are also two short story prequels in between the two entitled “Cruel Crown,” out now).

 

Fans of the series will be thrilled to know that National Book Store will be bringing Victoria Aveyard to Manila and Cebu for a two-day book signing event. The events will be on March 5 (Cebu) and March 6 (Manila).

 

Follow National Book Store on Instagram/Twitter (@nbsalert) to receive updates about this event and check out the hashtag #VictoriaAveyardinPH to know more. “Red Queen” and “Cruel Crown” are available at National Book Store branches, while “Glass Sword” will be on sale beginning February 9. Order online at www.nationalbookstore.com or reserve your copies by calling the NBS hotline at 8888-NBS (627).