Grishaverse vs Red Queen (P2)

Book vs Book

If you haven't read the first part, here's the link- Grishaverse vs Red Queen P1

So we’ve talked about how weirdly similar Grishaverse and Red Queen are. We compared them based on some points but this post is going to really dive into not only the storyline but the mindsets and thought processes of the characters to prove just how creepily similar the two series are.

Starting off with the mindsets of Maven and the Darkling. Somehow the story ends with us feeling sorry for them. Both Maven and the Darkling claim to have a childhood which made it incapable for them to feel true love. In the end, it is mentioned that both the Darkling and Maven die satisfied, as they were killed by the person they thought they loved- Alina and Mare respectively. In both stories, the antagonist's love for the hero isn't real, it's more along the lines of possessiveness and jealousy- forcing others to love them, unable to understand that it doesn't work that way. It is also only fair to include that Alina and Mare hated the Darkling and Maven for their betrayal, yet somehow a part of them loved and felt sorry for the villains.

Moving on to the main characters themselves. Females, poor, normal life, BAM!- life threatening incident, magic powers revealed, takes it upon themselves to save the world- do I have to go on? Alina and Mare both say that they didn't want the responsibility, both start off hating what they turned out to be, then accept it. They both are mediocre with their powers- relying on those more powerful to do their job. You could go as far as to say that all they did was act as a known face to broadcast the rebellion created by other 'powerless' people.

Mal (Alina's best friend) was a brilliant hunter, while Kilorn (Mare's best friend) was great at fishing. Both of them are amazing with kids and have high morals and no ego- need I go on? It is getting harder and harder to believe this is a coincidence.

It is impossible to believe that two books could be so identical. Grishaverse was published in 2012, while Red Queen came out a couple years later in 2015. Does it mean anything? Maybe, maybe not. I'm not throwing any accusations, but if it is indeed a coincidence, Leigh Bardugo and Victoria Aveyard should meet- they are practically the same person.

Now for the most important part- which is better? Am I capable of deciding? Well- there is really nothing to compare considering they are the exact same, the tone, storyline, writing style- literally everything. If I had to choose one, I have to say Grishaverse- it came out first.