Broken Throne is a collection of five stories as well as journal entries and maps. These stories span the Red Queen series, providing a glimpse of what happened before Mare Barrow's birth and what followed the conclusion of War Storm. It fills in many of the gaps not discussed in the series, and provides a satisfying conclusion for many of the characters.
In Queen Song, Cal discovers a diary his mother kept. Coriane chronicles growing up from being a minor noble in a distant house to catching the eye of Tiberius and eventually ascending the throne as Queen of Norta. Minor characters such as Julian and Sara make an appearance, and Coriane's love for her son is clear. Elara's duplicity comes through as well as she schemes to take Coriane's place.
In Queen Song, Cal discovers a diary his mother kept. Coriane chronicles growing up from being a minor noble in a distant house to catching the eye of Tiberius and eventually ascending the throne as Queen of Norta. Minor characters such as Julian and Sara make an appearance, and Coriane's love for her son is clear. Elara's duplicity comes through as well as she schemes to take Coriane's place.
In Steel Scars, Farley journeys through the structures of the Scarlet Guard and mounts a secret mission to Norta. There she connects with Red soldiers in the Norta army, and meets Shade, Mare's brother (and future father of her child). Her efforts at organizing the Reds to overthrow Silver authority eventually lead to War Storm and the destruction of Norta as a silver kingdom.
In World Behind, red-blooded captain Ashe runs a keelboat on the mighty river. He picks up a Silver for safe passage, but when she turns out to be Lyrisa, a princess running away from a marriage with a creepy Silver noble, things heat up. Chased by her husband-to-be and his men-at-arms, Ashe and Lyrisa must work together to avoid certain death.
Iron Heart presents the conclusion of Evangeline and Elane's story, from the end of the War to Evangeline's abdication to any claims to the throne of the Kingdom of the Rift, so that she can become a plain citizen of Monfort. The two girls' relationship is fraught with danger as they navigate a new world in which their abilities are praised, but their former birthrights mark them as suspicious. In the end, they successfully escape the emotional reach of their respective parents, and are able to openly live together.
In Fire Light, Mare and Cal are finally reunited following the end of the war in Norta. War Storm had left their relationship on the precipice, but two months out in the wilderness helps Mare realize that she does in fact love Cal, while the former King of Norta has successfully abandoned his heritage and has entered service with Monfort. What began four books ago when Cal first met Mare in the Stilts reaches a satisfying and realistic ending.
Finally, in Fare Well, Maven reflects on his life as he is about to be executed, and the consequences that his execution has on Cal.
Fans of the Red Queen series will appreciate these extra tales and details, which provide one more opportunity to spend time with beloved characters.
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