Red Queen

Cal is the crown prince, and like Mare, he feels out-of-place among others. His eyes “glint red-gold, the color of warmth” (44) and represent both his compassionate personality and his support for Reds. Unlike many other Silvers, Cal does not consider himself superior. His willingness to work in a Red tavern and to put himself on the front line of the war alongside Reds show he values all life equally. Cal struggles to consider options that aren’t obvious. He makes the best decisions he can, but those decisions are limited by what is before him and don’t extend to possibilities that feel unrealistic, such as a world where Reds and Silvers are equal. Maven’s betrayal changes Cal, making him realize events he never fathomed can become his reality. Cal has good intentions throughout the book which Mare often mistakes for unwillingness to help. In truth, Cal feels pressured to always do the right thing, which keeps him from considering anything that feels uncertain.

Maven is Cal’s younger half-brother and is eventually revealed to be the ultimate antagonist of Red Queen. Where Cal’s eyes are a window into who he really is, Maven has “eyes like clear water” (86) that help cover up his deception. Mare’s comparison of Maven’s eyes to something transparent is ironic because she doesn’t see through Maven’s lies until it’s too late.

Maven and Mare are mirrors. While Mare feels like she’s second to Gisa, Maven feels like he’s in Cal’s shadow, which leads to his betrayal. Maven wants to be noticed and given respect, and he’s willing to do anything to be seen. Unlike Mare, Maven doesn’t find his own worth by the end of the book. He removes barriers to being in control, not realizing that eliminating his father and Cal won’t change how he feels about himself.

Queen Elara is Cal’s stepmother and Maven’s mother. With her sharp smile and harsh beauty, she looks to Mare like “a wild, predatory cat” (60). Her behavior matches this description. Elara killed Cal’s mother (the former queen) to secure a place at the king’s side, and she has always resented the king and Cal. She wants the king to treat Maven with the same respect he treats Cal, and her anger at the inequality he shows Maven motivates her betrayal. Queen Elara’s power is mind control, but it has limits. She can manipulate people to do her bidding, up to and including having Cal kill his father, but she can’t force people to think the way she wants them to.

Evangeline is Cal’s betrothed and a member of house Samos, one of the most powerful Silver families. Her upbringing has taught her that she’s important and strong, and she acts like “she’s totally convinced of her own magnificence” (69). Evangeline represents the cutthroat nature of Silver society. She will do whatever it takes to prove herself and get ahead of those around her, which is both a byproduct of having godlike power and a cover. Through threatening Mare and defying Cal, Evangeline reveals her insecurity and fear at being ousted from her position of power at Cal’s side. Her fear ends up being ironic when Cal is sentenced to death and then escapes, ensuring Evangeline’s claim to the throne is lost.

Mare describes Kilorn as “my only real friend” (3), which influences his role in the book. Kilorn is a potential love interest for Mare (in addition to Cal and Maven), and he represents the way things are and the life Mare knows. Kilorn is the security of tomorrow, even in Red life where tomorrow is bleak. When Kilorn joins the Scarlet Guard, he starts to distance himself from Mare and become a face of absolute change that now symbolizes a world where Silvers suffer while Reds reign supreme. As a result, Mare’s attitude toward him changes. He’ll always be the boy she rescued and tries to protect, but he’s becoming someone she isn’t sure she agrees with.

Farley is one of the leaders of the Scarlet Guard and has “the air of an old warrior” (23). She symbolizes rapid change. The Scarlet Guard aims to topple Silvers through violence and terror, much like how the Silvers have kept the Reds in submission. The weaknesses within the Silver world (pride and a lack of understanding) are the same flaws in Farley’s offense. She sees things only from the Red perspective and doesn’t understand how precarious the Silver hold on political power really is. It is likely Farley’s tactics could win but not last because a Red rule would ultimately fall to the same flaws that the Silvers possess.

Julian is Cal’s uncle and the brother of the deceased queen. Julian is Mare’s mentor and advocates for slow change. He foils Farley and the Guard. Where the Guard wants instant results, Julian understands that gradual change will be easier for society to understand and accept. The juxtaposition of his outlook to the Guard’s forces Mare to question the right path and which actions to take. The failed coup represents how Julian is right. Sudden change was too much for Cal to accept, which forced him into a quick decision that wound up being near-fatal. Julian goes into hiding at the end of the book, and it is possible he will not return alive.