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a_cera_t0ps's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was kind of hard to read, especially compared to the others in the series. I'm conflicted on how I should review this book. On one hand, it had it's moments, and those moments were strong, but there was so much going on, and it felt like too many threads were being waved all at once. The pacing was a little funky because of that, and now instead of our 2-3 main characters, we had like 8 different perspectives and 3 different new forms of the journal entries. There was so much that this book did, and I feel like it had plenty of really, really good ideas, but there were just too many. I understand that each part of the story was connected to each other, but what it added was outweighed by how it started to stop working. The entire book is so plot driven that it accidentally sacrifices the characters. There are some wonderful moments, but all of the relationships introduced and/or created barely have any time to develop.
A big thing about this book was the pacing. The ending is built up to for the entirety of this book, yet it is crammed in with no proper send off. The last 100 pages holds the primary narrative. It feels like the author got carried away with the in-between scenes that he lost focus of the primary plot. Brief character exploration scenes and years worth exposition goes from being subservient to the story to becoming 93% of the text.
I know that Neal Shusterman is a wonderful author, and I can even see his excellence in this book as well. There are scenes and ideas that hit so hard, that deserve to be published and read, but there was just too much book for one book here. As the 3rd novel in a series, it's odd to me that it felt like the season of a TV show right before it's taken off the air, especially considering that, even though this book is the official finale, there was a spin-off book.
The reason I say I'm conflicted is because I enjoyed this book. But I was also weary and disappointed. I've read worse books than this and not minded, but the reason this one is so hard is because I see how it was imperfect and yet simultaneously almost perfect.
I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea and think that thid book sucked, or that Neal Shusterman is a bad or iffy writer. I think, to a certain degree, the panic and overwhelming nature that is portrayed in the story makes it as good as it is. I'm really just. .. well, conflicted.
A big thing about this book was the pacing. The ending is built up to for the entirety of this book, yet it is crammed in with no proper send off. The last 100 pages holds the primary narrative. It feels like the author got carried away with the in-between scenes that he lost focus of the primary plot. Brief character exploration scenes and years worth exposition goes from being subservient to the story to becoming 93% of the text.
I know that Neal Shusterman is a wonderful author, and I can even see his excellence in this book as well. There are scenes and ideas that hit so hard, that deserve to be published and read, but there was just too much book for one book here. As the 3rd novel in a series, it's odd to me that it felt like the season of a TV show right before it's taken off the air, especially considering that, even though this book is the official finale, there was a spin-off book.
The reason I say I'm conflicted is because I enjoyed this book. But I was also weary and disappointed. I've read worse books than this and not minded, but the reason this one is so hard is because I see how it was imperfect and yet simultaneously almost perfect.
I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea and think that thid book sucked, or that Neal Shusterman is a bad or iffy writer. I think, to a certain degree, the panic and overwhelming nature that is portrayed in the story makes it as good as it is. I'm really just. .. well, conflicted.
Content Warnings
Minor: Genocide, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Gore, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, War, Xenophobia, Grief, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Death, and Gaslighting
hales_1243's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Torture, Grief, Homophobia, Blood, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Transphobia, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Child death, Kidnapping, Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Cancer, Abandonment, Gun violence, and Vomit
Mention of plane crashes.cerilouisereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Body horror, Violence, Genocide, and Fire/Fire injury
headinthepages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I adore this series. This book rounded things off enough to feel satisfying, yet left me wanting more. I could have kept reading this book way past it’s ending.
I think Shusterman has created something genuinely brilliant, with characters you really root for, a plot that keeps you engaging and magnificent, thoughtful world building.
I honestly absolutely LOVED my time with these books and the audio narration my Tremblay was fantastic throughout!
I think Shusterman has created something genuinely brilliant, with characters you really root for, a plot that keeps you engaging and magnificent, thoughtful world building.
I honestly absolutely LOVED my time with these books and the audio narration my Tremblay was fantastic throughout!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Racism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Body horror, Grief, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Cancer, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Violence, and War
dariusmortee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A very complicated, well written story.
I didn’t give this one 5 stars because I did think the first part of the book could’ve been written quicker. It kinda dragged until half way and then it picked up. I will for sure recommend this book and series to people!
I didn’t give this one 5 stars because I did think the first part of the book could’ve been written quicker. It kinda dragged until half way and then it picked up. I will for sure recommend this book and series to people!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Body horror, Abandonment, Blood, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
bill369's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is the last book from the Scythe series and it is a good one.
The story is finished, therefore my opinion of the characters has changed. I still like Scythe Anastasia and she's my favourite character throughout the series, however in this book I've got a new favourite character and that is Sister Astrid. You see she got it all. She's kind, smart and her faith makes her stand out. I truly enjoyed her character and I love how she tried to make Toll a bigger believer. I truly hope she found happiness and that she will be forever remembered as Mother Astrid.
Since it's a sequel the theme is the same, however, there is room to discuss Toll and Tonism. I am pleased with how the author used Tonism to his advantage and that it wasn't just some random detail about the world, that he created. I believe it is detailed and I appreciate the space it has gotten in the book. Thanks to this we are able to see this „better“ world from many perspectives and I always love to see that. Toll himself is quite likeable and in my opinion, Thunder truly chose the best guy they could find. In the matter of faith part, which is a big deal, especially in this book, I am content. I don't wish for more insight, because I feel I know more than enough and that makes me happy since I don't like not knowing stuff.
My favourite lines are from the last page of the story, page 541. They are between Rowan and Citra, the reason why I chose them is simple. They represent a special, charming moment that is to be remembered. The lines are:“Hey,” she says back, her voice gravelly and rough. “Weren’t we just… running?
Yes, there was something going on, and we were running….”
His smile broadens. Tears fill his eyes. They drop slowly, as if gravity itself has
become less adamant, less demanding.
“When was that?” Citra asks.
“Only a moment ago,” Rowan tells her. “Only a moment ago.”
The ending was well written. From what I've read it seems like everyone had a happy ending in their own way and that makes me feel accomplished. I am glad it ended like this, I can't imagine a better ending.
This is a fantastic book, however, it just isn't a five star. I didn't cry and it all felt more relaxing than tense and I hoped for some tense situations. It's a great book and series, this book in particular is just not a five star.
Also, I would like to add a link to Arc of Scythe fandom Wikipedia, since I think it sums it all up well.
https://arc-of-a-scythe.fandom.com/wiki/Arc_of_a_Scythe_Wiki
The story is finished, therefore my opinion of the characters has changed. I still like Scythe Anastasia and she's my favourite character throughout the series, however in this book I've got a new favourite character and that is Sister Astrid. You see she got it all. She's kind, smart and her faith makes her stand out. I truly enjoyed her character and I love how she tried to make Toll a bigger believer. I truly hope she found happiness and that she will be forever remembered as Mother Astrid.
Since it's a sequel the theme is the same, however, there is room to discuss Toll and Tonism. I am pleased with how the author used Tonism to his advantage and that it wasn't just some random detail about the world, that he created. I believe it is detailed and I appreciate the space it has gotten in the book. Thanks to this we are able to see this „better“ world from many perspectives and I always love to see that. Toll himself is quite likeable and in my opinion, Thunder truly chose the best guy they could find. In the matter of faith part, which is a big deal, especially in this book, I am content. I don't wish for more insight, because I feel I know more than enough and that makes me happy since I don't like not knowing stuff.
My favourite lines are from the last page of the story, page 541. They are between Rowan and Citra, the reason why I chose them is simple. They represent a special, charming moment that is to be remembered. The lines are:
Yes, there was something going on, and we were running….”
His smile broadens. Tears fill his eyes. They drop slowly, as if gravity itself has
become less adamant, less demanding.
“When was that?” Citra asks.
“Only a moment ago,” Rowan tells her. “Only a moment ago.”
The ending was well written. From what I've read it seems like everyone had a happy ending in their own way and that makes me feel accomplished. I am glad it ended like this, I can't imagine a better ending.
This is a fantastic book, however, it just isn't a five star. I didn't cry and it all felt more relaxing than tense and I hoped for some tense situations. It's a great book and series, this book in particular is just not a five star.
Also, I would like to add a link to Arc of Scythe fandom Wikipedia, since I think it sums it all up well.
https://arc-of-a-scythe.fandom.com/wiki/Arc_of_a_Scythe_Wiki
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment, Body horror, and Torture
truffletree's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Murder, and Genocide
Moderate: Body horror and Cursing
Minor: Suicide
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