Inside the Scarlet Guard meet up at YALLFest! Win a signed ARC of Glass Sword!
Alright! I was one of the first 50 people to officially be sworn in as a part of the Scarlet Guard at the meet up at YALLFest last weekend! Want to know what happened? Do you want to take home your very own SIGNED ARC of Glass Sword months before it’s released? Then read on!
If you’re not familiar with the Scarlet Guard, then you probably haven’t read Victoria Aveyard’s debut novel Red Queen. In this world, humans are divided into two groups according to the color of their blood: red or silver. Reds are normal humans while Silvers have extra abilities that range from telekinesis, controlling fire, reading minds, etc.. With their gifts, Silvers rule the lands while the Reds are forced into more menial jobs or into the army. Mare Barrows is a Red trying to help her best friend avoid being drafted when she has her first brush with the Scarlet Guard, a rebellious group of Reds who seek to end the Silver’s oppression.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg on what happens…go check out the book if you haven’t read it yet!
At YALLFest, one the largest YA book festivals, The Scarlet Guard Meet Up was one of the most anticipated events. Fans of the Red Queen had to sign up on line to join the Scarlet Guard and then be one of the first 50 people at the Epic Reads booth on Saturday morning to grab a ticket. The line started early so only the dedicated got in.
There weren’t a lot of details on what was going to happen, other than attendees would receive one of the most coveted ARCs of YALLFest – a copy of Glass Sword! We gathered around the tempting table of goodies…
… and had a nice, intimate chat with Victoria as she welcomed us to the Scarlet Guard: “You are the first members of the Scarlet Guard which means you are fighting for equality and some really great books (laughs). I’m really excited and nervous for you to read the Glass Sword since I’m trying to repeat a little of the magic of Red Queen. Hopefully, you like it. Fingers crossed. Don’t attack me when you get to the end of the book.” Cue groans from the audience.
Victoria did a quick Q&A and answered questions about the books and herself. Here are some highlights [SPOILERS AHEAD FOR RED QUEEN]:
“The [Maven] twist was in the very, very first outline of the book. That was one of the things that made me want to write it. When it was really hard to write Red Queen and I thought it was terrible, that was the one surprise. I want to get to this scene. I want to get to this part where everything goes Dutch angles and we can go ‘Oh my God!’”
For those that wonder if the Barrows are a family of supers, Victoria answers: “Her parents do not have any abilities. No one else in their family has any abilities.”
“I always knew Red Queen would be a series because I’m a greedy writer and when I’m reading books I want more from them. So when I was writing Red Queen I knew I would write more, but I just didn’t think I would get the opportunity. Thankfully I did. So moving into Glass Sword was like a different challenge. You’re working with characters you already know and the readers already know. You want to not just match what the first book was, but you want to elevate it. I’m very glad that there were some powers that I held back on in the first book. There are some really fun new characters.”
“[While writing Red Queen] I didn’t know where I wanted it [the series] to end. I had no idea where the ending would be until I was in the middle of writing the second book. Now I know where I’m writing to. So that’s why, when I was outlining the third book, which I’m doing now, I realized I can’t get there in this one book so that’s why it’s going to be four.”
Victoria’s not sure if there will be more short stories since her focus is getting the main series done. She has a title for book three, but she’s not saying anything yet! The Scarlet Guard will be the first to know when the time comes.
On who she would cast in a movie adaption of Red Queen, she says, “I’ve kind of started answering this questions. My two favorites for Mare (the others, I’m not quite sure), I like Lindsey Morgan and Malese Jow.”
If she could chose a superpower from the powers we’ve seen so far, Victoria would “be a Whisperer because that’s the best defensive mechanism. It’s also a pain in the ass because I don’t want to listen to everybody’s thoughts so it’s a catch-22. If I could have any superpower then I would totally go for time travel. I’m a history nerd and I would grab popcorn and go around and see what really happened.”
Of course she would have a tough time choosing where she would go: “I love the Crusades (the third if we’re getting technical). I love ancient history, especially ancient Egyptian. I’m a big fan of American history, Revolutionary history, the Civil War history, WWI, WWII, Tudor history…I’m just going to keep going. My dad’s a history teacher if you can’t tell.”
She also talked about her fandoms: “I’m a huge Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire fan. I post on the reddits. I’m a big fan of Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. I am so psyched out for the next Star Wars movie. I’m going to go dark. You will not hear from me for the two days around that because I don’t want to know anything and I don’t want anyone to spoil me and I know people will. (And I will hunt you!) I’m a big fan of TV, shows that are on right now. I’m a big fan of Arrow. I was a big fan of Gossip Girl back in the day, too.”
Since November is NaMoWriMo, she had some advice for writers: “I’ll give you the best advice I ever got: get to the ending, just write to the end. Because, I guarantee you, whatever problem you run into, by the time you get to the end of it, you will have figured it out how to fix it. Even if you have to, write ‘this happens’ and then jump to the next place where you know where you’re going. In terms of writing fantasy, if you can get your audience to believe one unbelievable thing, everything else must build off of that. In terms of Red Queen, the one unbelievable thing is that some humans have evolved to have superpowers and then everything else has to make sense in terms of that world.”
After that, we all received the Scarlet Guard bandannas, foam swords and, of course, the ARC for Glass Sword! Victoria laughingly knighted the guy who was first in line for the tickets this morning since he was up well before the sun.
Victoria was kind enough to sign them as well! After being in large crowds and fast moving lines, it was nice to have a quality moment at YALLFest.
Before the event was over, Epic Reads gave us a few extra bandannas so we could recruit folks into the Scarlet Guard. I found a pair of forlorn locals who had a rough day with the long lines at YALLFest and they missed out on the meet up. Luckily, I recruited them so my bandannas found a good home!
But I still have one more to give out!
Who wants to take home a Scarlet Guard bandanna? Who wants to take home an ARC of Glass Sword? A SIGNED ARC for Glass Sword? Yes, I’m giving mine away!
I was lucky enough to grab one at New York Comic Con so I will be giving away this highly coveted ARC. Now to be sure it doesn’t go to someone who will just put this up for sale, you’ll need to fill out the rafflecopter with some easy tasks:
- Join the Scarlet Guard at www.redqueenbooks.com
- Do the normal social media things and tweet daily for additional entries if you like
- Comment below on whether you’re Team Cal, Team Maven, Team Kilorn or Team Mare (aka she doesn’t need a guy) and WHY. It’s very important to tell me why you’re making your choice.
This is open to US residents only (sorry folks!) and ends December 4th.
Rise, red as the dawn!
Want to know what else happened at YALLFest? What more signed stuff, ARCs and swag? Check back for my YALLFest recap because I have a few more giveaways planned.
Stay tuned!
Comment below or email me at Erica@MikeTheFanboy.com
For more adventures, follow me on twitter: @Cambear
About The Author
The Lovely Erica
I'm a geek girl, TV watcher, avid book reader, TV/movie extra, foodie, avid pop culture con goer and so much more... Find me on Twitter (@Cambear) or email me at Erica@mikethefanboy.com
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I’d say none of those I guess? Maybe Team Mare? I’m not so focused on the romance of the story as I am on Mare’s story and how she’s going to fight the system in these books! GIRL POWER!!
I am super pumped for this book. I am in the email Scarlet Guard. 🙂
Team Cal, but that could always change later in the series
I’m think I’m on Team Maven because I want to see that he has some good in him and that Mare can pull it out, even though she’ll have to work for it.
Team Cal. but I struggled when he wouldn’t help her cause. Deep down he cares I think (I hope!)
Definitely Team Mare! She’s got enough problems to deal with without all these boys driving her crazy. Toss them into the arena, I say! Mare’s got a rebellion to join
Honestly I’m probably team maven because I love villains and maven is like my favorite character in red queen!
Totally team Mare!! Whatever that chica wants for herself is good! 🙂
I don’t know at this point so probably team Mare. I can’t tell who to trust at this point but I’d like to believe in Maven and Cal both.
Definitely Team Mare! Females for the win!
Although I don’t think Mare NEEDS a man – Totally Team Cal. I feel like he compliments her very well and I felt chemistry between them. I hope if they end up together that it is a slow built connection and not Insta-Love… So over the insta-love.
Team Mare! She’s legit all on her own and she understands that she is too trusting. She needs to focus of identifying and finding herself and is more powerful than any man can make her.
Team Kilorn since he was the first guy introduced but towards the end I became Team Cal!
Team Mare, she doesn’t need a man to define her.
HERE IS THE THING ABOUT RED QUEEN:
It has freaking amazing characters…. Victoria did an amazing job (obviously).
So when you ask me what team I’m on… (Team Mare, Team Maven, Team Cal) it’s pretty tough for me to decide.
Honestly Mare is a badass. She could probably rule the world if she wanted to. She’s a Red with Silver powers for crying out loud! I DON’T BELIEVE SHE NEEDS A MAN TO BE FIERCE. Even if that man happens to be a handsome prince.
But here is my dilemma: Cal is boyfriend goals… obviously I want him to end up with Mare. He’s perfect for her. When they were dancing…. everyone could see they had something.
I loved Maven in the beginning of the story. He always looked out for Mare and was so sweet. But now (for obvious reasons) he is out of the question.
However Victoria decides to write Mare’s love life, (or not so love life) I will be more than happy because it is apart of one of my favorite series.
Thank you Mike for this awesome opportunity!
Congrats to the lucky persona who gets the ARC! Treat it well! 🙂
Xx -Melany (@readingrapunzel -twitter)
Team Cal. I liked him since he first helped Mare. Even if it got her into a world of trouble!
Team Kilorn! Out of all the boys, he was my favorite. One, because him and Mare grew up together, and two, he’s very brave to defy the Silver’s, and he’s loyal to a fault. That’s the kind of friend I’d want to have at my back!
im actually new to the series.
I think I’m probably Team Mare, leaning towards Team Cal (as in, I’d like it if she didn’t end up with a romantic interest, but if I had to pick one of the guys, it would be Cal). It’s such a good series!
Wow, just realized I forgot to explain why. I’m sorry. Team Mare because I think she is strong and independent and, in a time like this, needs to focus on herself and keeping a clear head. Team Cal because they compliment each other well, there’s chemistry, and he seemed to genuinely care about her.
I’m definitely team Cal! He’s very sweet and caring but very loyal to his crown and he just wants to do what he thinks is best ( even though it might not be the best choice ) but I feel he wants his father to be proud of him.
I’m Team Mare for sure, (way to go independence, she’s strong on her own without someone else to define her).
Victoria was one of the only signings I didn’t get to at YALLFest…would’ve loved to have done this but was in that huge ass line for Veronica, lol…. didn’t end up getting my Red Queen copy signed either!! So nice to meet you Erica!
haven’t read any yet so no idea about teams
THIS IS SO EASY!! Team Mare forever.
Team Cal because he’s been my favorite character since the beginning. He cares about his people.
I’m Team Mare. I definitely have a boy that I’d like her to end up with, but I’m more interested in where her story ends up regardless of the boys.
Team Mare! She’s strong and independent and badass all on her own, and doesn’t need a man to tell her what to do. I am interested in learning who Victoria picks for her in the next books, though!
Definitely team Cal, I love him as a character just because there was so much to him that we didn’t get to see. Also, I like my heroes broken, because they learn some serious stuff about themselves along the way, and even about the world around them. I’m super excited to see what happens to his character and everyone else in the book.
I think I am ultimately team Mare because I believe she does not need a man. She is a very strong, sassy, and independent and doesn’t need a guy. If I had to pick between the guys though I think I would be team Maven. I like all the characters but I tend to favor the bad guys
Team Mare! Through everything, she remained strong and independent. She is a true inspiration for everyone!
Choosing a team is hard for me! I know I’m not Killorn because I’m tired of the childhood friend romance thing. My first read through I flipped between Cal and Maven and ended up Team Cal but.. I’m re-reading now and kinda want Team Maven. He’s crazy but I have a feeling it’s his mother manipulating him mentally for years that’s done it to him. I want him to redeem himself!
I’m pretty open to any outcome team-wise at the moment but I’m sure that’ll change as the series goes on!
Im all for Team Mare, but Im also inclined for Team Cal because I do believe they compliment each other spectacularly. But Team Mare all the way because Mare is like an amazing role model for any woman out there! You don’t need a man to be a hero. You don’t need anyone to come and save you when you are capable of doing it. TEAM MARE!
I’m a huge Maven fan. I feel like the underdog never gets to win in books and the girl always goes for the handsome prince. Cal is okay and everything, but I honestly just don’t like him that much. Maybe that’s just me! I think it’d be so cool if for once, the girl went for the bad guy, or just the underdog in general. And I don’t think Maven is totally bad. I think he’s just depressed, and I think his mother talked him into the whole ordeal. I mean, imagine being overshadowed your whole life?
This is so hard for me to choose because I can’t figure out what team I’m on. The first half of the book I was Team Cal then I somehow (without realizing it) was Team Maven and then at the end of the book Maven tore my heart to pieces and at the end I was Team Cal again. Right now, I would like to see Maven be restored. So… I guess I’m still Team Cal? With a little hoping of Team Maven. HAHA.
Thanks for the giveaway!!
gah – totally Team Mare right now. I don’t know that I’m rooting for the boys at this point and Mare is kickass so I’m definitely on her side!
Thank you for the fabulous giveaway!
Team Cal because, godness, this child deserve it.
I’m team maven actually because even though maven is a little corrupt and evil as we all know he still cares for mare and he truly does love her, she even says that she can still see a part of the old him in the end. I just loved the way the interacted throughout the whole book.
Hmmmm that’s a hard one , mid book I was team Maven and then everything happed and Cal seems to be angry at her and everything that happened but I believe in the second book Cal will have a change of hear and he and Mare will fix they friendship while fighting with the scarlet guard. So team Cal, he deserves something good and I think Mare makes him be better.
I’m definitely all over the place with this one. Most of book 1 I was rooting for Maven/Mare because god, they were soooo cute, and you could see that he genuinely put himself out there with her, but deep down I knew his betrayal was to be expected. For the beginning of RQ, I was all for Kilorn, just because of my weakness for best friend relationships, but right now, I’m all Team Mare– the boys need to get themselves together. Cal seems like he and Mare have been through too much to be anything other than really close friends, and I think Mare platonic-zoned Kilorn, and Maven is just out of the question at this point. I think I’m still vying for a sudden realization on Maven’s part, and have him swap sides or something. But, again, totally team Mare now. She doesn’t need a man 😛
Team Mare, just like I was team Katniss lol. All about badass independent women like them
Aw I was so bummed when I couldn’t make it to the YALLFest. Was really looking forward to it…
I am definitely Team Mare. Maven betrayed her. Kilorn is just not right for Mare. Cal isn’t right for her either. And anyways, Mare doesn’t need a guy. (Though, Cal may be redeemable. If he grovels and pleads and begs. A lot.)
I’m team Mare!! She’s badass!
Definitely Team Mare! Girl power, man. I love the heroine in the story. Thank you for this amazing chance! 🙂
I think I would be team Maven because I like to side with the evil person and his plan was really genius
TEAM CAL! though always team Mare cause she doesn’t NEED a guy…it’s a nice extra she gets 😉
Team Cal !!!! All the waaay!!!
Team Maven. What can I say? I love a bad boy.
Team Mare! It’s SO nice to have a MC without a love interest
Definitely Team Mare! She has been a strong, independent character from the beginning! And I absolutely love that about her! If I had to pic I one of the guys, I would go with Cal. He has a heart and It was apparent from when they met. He got a job for Mare that would have kept her from the dangerous inscription as well helped her to support her family after Gisa’s hand was shattered helping Mare try to pay for Kilorn to be smuggled out to get out of Inscription after his master died. I think there is hope for both Cal and Maven. Call me an optimist but I really do. But which one would Mare be with? Defintely Cal! I love a bad boy(Maven) just as much as the next girl but I see more chemistry between Cal and Mare.
Thank you so very much for hosting this amazing giveaway! It would make my book dreams(the best kind!) come true if I won! I’ve never wanted a book so badly! I would scream and cry! Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Team Maven. He’s my favorite out of them all!
I’m Team Cal because I love his personality, he’s strong , kind, courageous and honorable. He’d do the best for his kingdom even if it might break his heart, but he’s a good guy.
Team Cal all the way. Cal’s the person who befriends Mare in the beginning of the book, and Maven’s friendship (or even love) is fake, a preparation for his evil act. I think it’ll be cool to have the future king as Cal and the future queen as Mare. It’ll be a cool ending to have the silver and red bond with their king and queen both silver and red. 😀 hahahahahaha And most importantly, Cal is just so hot <3
Team Cal all the way!!
Definitely team Mare! Everyone makes mistakes and I know she’s going to turn it around!
I’m Team Cal! I feel that they are destined to be together ever since they met in The Stilts. They also have this connection that you can’t deny!
I am so Team Cal! She’s strong and independent enough that she doesn’t need anyone if she doesn’t want to, but Cal brings out the best qualities in her. Whether it be in spite of him or because he knows it’s what she needs at the time. They’re too good for each other to not end up together, in my opinion. They’re exactly what the other needs.
Team Cal! They need to get together! The scene when he teaches her how to dance is life goals!
Team Mare! She has so much to learn about herself & her powers she doesn’t need/have time a guy!
Definitely Team Cal! He was my favorite character and I hated that his entire world came crashing down and was destroyed at the end. I’m eager to see how he’s doing in Glass Sword!
CAL ALL THE WAY KQPFKWJFLALDKV. I actually had chest pains in some of the parts with him it was difficult to breathe. I want CAL and mare to get their payback on MAVEN together :))
I haven’t had a chance to read this yet, but I want too!
I’ve been wanting to enter this giveaway ever since I saw it floating around Twitter but I could never get past the comment/pick a “Team” part. I’m still so conflicted on who I want Mare to be with, I’m all for Team Mare because I know she doesn’t need a man to be a strong and kick-ass heroine, but I also kind of want her to be with someone. I was all for Team Maven the whole book, until that brutal scene (you know what I’m talking about) when Maven did the unthinkable, out of nowhere!!!!!! I’m not Team Maven anymore but I’m not 100% Team Cal or Kilorn either. Ahhhh!!! Maven and Kilorn have both done/said things that I didn’t really like but I think both could possibly be good for Mare. I guess I’m Team Mare for now, but after Glass Sword who knows?! I’m sure there will be another stab to my heart (like there was in Red Queen) in Glass Sword that will make me reconsider.
I’m Team Mare and Team Cal. Mare CAN do whatever she wants and doesn’t need anyone there to help her, but I ship her and Cal too hard to not be both! Besides, Cal is the one who teaches her how to dance AND gets her the job at the palace.
Team Mare because she doesn’t need a guy to be freaking awesome!
Thanks for this blog post and adding some of q&a questions. And I was the guy who was first in line got there at 4:30 am