In Part 2 of our Red Queen series, Books Between Friends continues our discussion of Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, covering Chapters 8–14, where power is subtle, survival is strategic, and nothing is as simple as it seems.

After the shocking events of the Queenstrial, Mare Barrow is pulled into the heart of the Silver court—a world built on spectacle, control, and carefully crafted appearances. As she’s forced to learn new rules and play a role she never asked for, we unpack what it means to survive in a system designed to use her.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Mare’s loss of agency and growing role as a political pawn

• The dynamics and power plays of the Silver court

• Early impressions of Cal and Maven

• How performance, fear, and manipulation shape this world

• Why these chapters quietly escalate the stakes

This episode contains spoilers through Chapter 14 only and is perfect for readers following along or revisiting Red Queen with fresh eyes.

In our first episode of 2026, Books Between Friends is diving into Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard—and we’re officially entering a world divided by blood.

In this kickoff episode, we cover Red Queen Chapters 1–5, where we meet Mare Barrow, a girl living in a society split between Silvers with godlike powers and powerless Reds who exist to serve them. What starts as a familiar dystopian setup quickly turns into something… electrifying.

We break down the worldbuilding, the rigid class system, and that shocking early reveal that changes everything. Plus, we discuss first impressions of Mare as a protagonist, the political implications already bubbling beneath the surface, and whether Red Queen feels more dystopian, fantasy, or something in between.

Grab your bookmarks and join us as we begin our Red Queen journey—because this world wastes no time pulling you in.

Welcome to our final episode before the new year hits! When we talk about expansive world building, great magic systems, and complex and interesting characters, Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series most definitely hits the mark from our catalog of 2025. Join us for this Greatest Hits episode as we dive into Sanderson's world of political intrigue, incredible heist plots, and a badass magic system found in Mistborn: The Final Empire.