Red Queen

Mare is the protagonist and narrator of Red Queen. Her brown hair has gray showing at its ends, which is common among Reds due to their harsh lifestyle. While many Reds trim off their gray hair, Mare refuses to cut hers because she likes the reminder that “even my hair knows life shouldn’t be this way” (14). Mare’s hair represents her rebellious nature. She chooses not to accept Red existence for what it is even before she is among the Silvers. Her willingness to pay a sum of money she doesn’t have for a chance at a better life shows she’ll do anything for those she cares about and for justice.

Throughout the book, Mare struggles with her identity and the conflicting pieces of her personality. Among the Reds, she steals from those who have just as little or even less than her family, which suggests she puts her own needs above those of others. As she integrates into Silver society, however, Mare constantly seeks ways to help the Reds, even if it means putting her life in even greater danger. Mare is neither truly Red nor Silver, which causes her to question herself. While her blood runs red, her powers give her an advantage against the Silvers, and unlike Silvers, she can generate power without an outside source, making her something new altogether.