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First of all, please keep things positive. I've seen just how extreme hate the RQ series gets sometimes, (and truth to be told, I hated Glass Sword as well), but please bear with me for a few minutes, yes?

Okay, with that out of the way, here we go.

I felt King's Cage was the best entry of the RQ series so far. I mean, not best out of 2017 or YA books, but best of the RQ bunch.
After the disaster that was Glass Sword, I expected a HUGE comeback from VA, as I thought she probably had considered given the harsh reviews on RQ and GS.... and she did.

The multiple POVs worked. It just...worked. It felt refreshing to be on Cameron and (view spoiler)[Evangeline's (hide spoiler)] perspective, especially since the last time I saw Mare, (let's be honest) she was kind of a condescending, self-righteous, stuck-up prick. Now I know why Cameron acted the way she did, and for *spoiler POV* as well without being out of character. Cameron grew up (satisfying character development), and Mare, MARE, of all people also grew up (maybe all that misfortune finally did her some good) despite retaining some of her annoying qualities. I'm glad it finally happened. Of course, I was shocked when I found out about the F/F relationship, because I totally did not see it coming from that character. I thought it was someone else. Who, I will not say (You got me, Aveyard. You got me there real good). But still, I would have liked for that plot point to be foreshadowed in the previous books (did not happen), for that came a bit too sudden.

The battle between Mare and Maven was so creepy (mostly on Maven's part) for they play so intensely with the other's head. Mare knew the only way she and the Scarlet Guard would survive was to screw with Maven's mind (by using his obsession for her, of course), but Maven? He knows, and he does the same. THE CHILLS I GOT FROM READING THAT CAT AND MOUSE GAME WAS REAL.

MAVEN IS HANDS-DOWN CREEPY. Best Villain so far in Feb 2017.

I am IMMENSELY GLAD Cameron got to call people in the Scarlet Guard out for their shortcomings (Cal, especially you). How many more people should die because of their silly problems?

As indicated by the cover progression, the story does get darker. Things are escalated into a higher level, involving other countries as well (we might as well have an entirely global warfare in the final book). One thing I was happy with is the appearance of Montfort's central figures and newbloods, for they showed us yet again by showing how Mare's just the same as the others in Scarlet Guard fighting for the same cause.

(I don't know why, but I just love it when Mare has a humbling experience, regardless of it being from her allies or enemies. I think something dangerous has awakened deep inside *nervous laugh*)

*cough cough*

Moving on.

Aveyard's strength lies in plot twists and occasional red herrings. But most of all, ACTION SCENES. Chapter 18-9 and Chapter 28 were the best parts of the book. Sadly, the action/climax was cut short with the anticlimactic Chapter 29. I would have liked to see it draw out in full-scale.

Loved how this book also addresses the darker nature of humans (this was in Chapter 29 and Epilogue), how it sometimes get the better of us, even for the (seemingly) best of us.

Now for the major cons.

1. The book started to feel a lot like Game of Thrones to me, which I don't mind on a mild basis, but it got too much. Everything was full of plotting, scheming, hidden agendas. Even the Epilogue (although the dark direction the final lines took gave me great chills as well). Maybe it was central to the plot as well, but it made me feel I was reading a rehash of Game of Thrones instead of Red Queen (specifically King's Cage).
Aren't we all glad she got rid of that "Anyone can betray anyone" speech?
Oh well, the plot started to take it to heart anyways.

2. For goodness' sakes Mare STILL needs saving! Let's leave it at that, for I do not have any more words to vent my frustration for this situation.

3. Too little Lakelander exposure. We only get snippets of their characters (only one major character) and motivation.

4. Plot was too slow during the first half.

5. The F/F relationship felt too forced, too sudden. Super annoyed by (view spoiler)[Evangeline (hide spoiler)] keeping relying on others to save their love. Love how Aveyard addresses the intolerance in court implied in Queen Song though. But still, overall, (view spoiler)[Evangeline's (hide spoiler)] final few chapters were the weakest in the book in characterisation.

6. Cal/Mare. Cheesy, still felt that insta-love vibe (which wasn't good), and frankly, I'm glad it wound up the way it did in the Epilogue.

Anyways, a huge improvement on Aveyard's part. For that, I'll salute her. Despite her improvements, however, she still has to work on several aspects of her writing. I do hope the final book will be able to top King's Cage.

That will be all.

P.S. I'm totally rooting for Montfort (those clever little b@#$%**s). They've certainly got their endgame in mind, and their means also covered. Hands out most reasonable (and calculating) faction in the series.