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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
The books in this series are some of the most enjoyable that I have ever read. The characters are likable and interesting. The series is immersive, and perfectly balanced with light-heartedness and suspense. Sometimes I would laugh out loud at something that one of the characters said, or gasp when something was reveled, or practically growl when a villain did something evil.
I wish that there was more of this series in Lakeside so that I could read more about the characters (like Tess and Henry and Vlad). I'm going to read the World of the Others series and hope that I fall in love with the characters like I did with this.
I wish that there was more of this series in Lakeside so that I could read more about the characters (like Tess and Henry and Vlad). I'm going to read the World of the Others series and hope that I fall in love with the characters like I did with this.
Actual Rating: 4.5/5
As the hopeless romantic that I am I wished the romance between Simon and Meg was expanded on more. Like I'm craving a separate novella explaining the awkwardness of being together as mates xD! Officially in book mourning right now. Another issue that I had was I felt there were big chunks where I felt the book slow down a lot. Towards the end things really picked up and I felt energized to read again! Finished the last section in one sitting. I'm gonna miss the Lakeside family :'( I really hope we get to see more of Simon and Meg too. PLEEEEEEAAAASSSEEE
Final Thoughts: READ/Pass
As the hopeless romantic that I am I wished the romance between Simon and Meg was expanded on more. Like I'm craving a separate novella explaining the awkwardness of being together as mates xD! Officially in book mourning right now. Another issue that I had was I felt there were big chunks where I felt the book slow down a lot. Towards the end things really picked up and I felt energized to read again! Finished the last section in one sitting. I'm gonna miss the Lakeside family :'( I really hope we get to see more of Simon and Meg too. PLEEEEEEAAAASSSEEE
Final Thoughts: READ/Pass
I am sad to see this series end, I just started to enjoy it! I did have a rocky start with this series and had given up because I found Meg So annoying. But I waited 2,5 years, gave in and read book 2, and slowly it got better and I loved book 4.
So I went into this one rooting for Meg and Simon. I now liked this world and these people (even though so many more humans should die! They never change!!! Die die!)
I was surprised how much of it was focused on just the interactions between Cyrus and the courtyard. That motherf should burn! I hated him with a passion. I wanted him to get thrown out to get his flesh torn from his bones. You do not mess with my people man! But Elders are there watching. Everyone is trying to keep the fragile peace. If one thing go wrong, then what hope does humankind have in this world? And you knew it would get worse and worse and worse. And it does. I kept rushing to the end to see what happened.
I am happy with the ending. It felt like a new start. But I am sad to see this series ending. And yes yes I have seen more is coming but that is about other people, and mystery and it does not sound as good. Well that is just cos I like this series now.
So I went into this one rooting for Meg and Simon. I now liked this world and these people (even though so many more humans should die! They never change!!! Die die!)
I was surprised how much of it was focused on just the interactions between Cyrus and the courtyard. That motherf should burn! I hated him with a passion. I wanted him to get thrown out to get his flesh torn from his bones. You do not mess with my people man! But Elders are there watching. Everyone is trying to keep the fragile peace. If one thing go wrong, then what hope does humankind have in this world? And you knew it would get worse and worse and worse. And it does. I kept rushing to the end to see what happened.
I am happy with the ending. It felt like a new start. But I am sad to see this series ending. And yes yes I have seen more is coming but that is about other people, and mystery and it does not sound as good. Well that is just cos I like this series now.
I wish the book focused more on Simon and Meg's love story.
Well...this was a bit disappointing.
I felt like a good chunk of this book was spent reminding everyone what had happened in the previous installments. Then another good chunk of the book was spent telling the reader how "bad" Cyrus was while several pages were used in bemoaning the horrible and near catastrophic trouble that Cyrus surely was going to cause. There was a lot of verbal hand-wringing, some homespun folksy wisdom, a few cliches, and a bit of tying up of small plot odds and ends. Then, finally, at the end something actually happens and then...the book is over.
So, to me the novel is a lot of talk, but not a lot of action. The characters felt exceptionally flat and static- especially Cyrus, whom I found ridiculously stupid despite how "bad" the author tried to paint him. Stupidity doesn't make for great villains, so for me the entire novel was a bit of a waste. Very little was accomplished for the size of this book. Hopefully it is not the end of the series, because if this is the final installment, the whole thing is going to end on a low note and that is sad, because I have loved the other books so much.
2022 update
I still marvel at Cyrus's stupidity. I wish the fourth installment in this series would have been the final one, with a larger epilogue showcasing Meg and Simon's changing relationship. This novel just feels unnecessary and wasteful. Or maybe, have it as a epilogue type novella and leave out much of the repetitive philosophizing.
I felt like a good chunk of this book was spent reminding everyone what had happened in the previous installments. Then another good chunk of the book was spent telling the reader how "bad" Cyrus was while several pages were used in bemoaning the horrible and near catastrophic trouble that Cyrus surely was going to cause. There was a lot of verbal hand-wringing, some homespun folksy wisdom, a few cliches, and a bit of tying up of small plot odds and ends. Then, finally, at the end something actually happens and then...the book is over.
So, to me the novel is a lot of talk, but not a lot of action. The characters felt exceptionally flat and static- especially Cyrus, whom I found ridiculously stupid despite how "bad" the author tried to paint him. Stupidity doesn't make for great villains, so for me the entire novel was a bit of a waste. Very little was accomplished for the size of this book. Hopefully it is not the end of the series, because if this is the final installment, the whole thing is going to end on a low note and that is sad, because I have loved the other books so much.
2022 update
I still marvel at Cyrus's stupidity. I wish the fourth installment in this series would have been the final one, with a larger epilogue showcasing Meg and Simon's changing relationship. This novel just feels unnecessary and wasteful. Or maybe, have it as a epilogue type novella and leave out much of the repetitive philosophizing.
dark
informative
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
First Read: 10/17
“You think I don’t understand what happened here, and why? Trying takes courage. How many of you got it right the first time?”
This installment really gets into the human side of the story. We've been so wrapped up in Meg's story that everyone that's not "Other" seemed very background. Until now.
Just when I think this series is going to taper off like so many do, something new and different happens. This was an excellent book. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves satisfying stories that aren't like anything else.
Re-Read: 1/22
Vlad stared at Simon. "Meg told the Elders they were..."
"Bad puppies," Simon finished. "Yeah."
This is the last Meg-centric book...so far. From here we move on to the cities in the outskirts of Thaisia. It's a heart-pounding one. Lt. Montgomery's scheming brother (that Cyrus) shows up and things get wacky from there. The others have basically taken the world back and the remaining humans are trying to figure out how to work with them to survive.
The world has expanded and now we're jumping between several connected settlements on the continent. Everyone has ties now. Humans, Others, Cassandra Sangue (blood prophets). We are following the towns of Bennet/Prairie Gold, Sweetwater and Ferry's Landing.
I'm so thrilled that she's still writing this series!!!
“You think I don’t understand what happened here, and why? Trying takes courage. How many of you got it right the first time?”
This installment really gets into the human side of the story. We've been so wrapped up in Meg's story that everyone that's not "Other" seemed very background. Until now.
Just when I think this series is going to taper off like so many do, something new and different happens. This was an excellent book. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves satisfying stories that aren't like anything else.
Re-Read: 1/22
Vlad stared at Simon. "Meg told the Elders they were..."
"Bad puppies," Simon finished. "Yeah."
This is the last Meg-centric book...so far. From here we move on to the cities in the outskirts of Thaisia. It's a heart-pounding one. Lt. Montgomery's scheming brother (that Cyrus) shows up and things get wacky from there. The others have basically taken the world back and the remaining humans are trying to figure out how to work with them to survive.
The world has expanded and now we're jumping between several connected settlements on the continent. Everyone has ties now. Humans, Others, Cassandra Sangue (blood prophets). We are following the towns of Bennet/Prairie Gold, Sweetwater and Ferry's Landing.
I'm so thrilled that she's still writing this series!!!
I did enjoy this but the ending felt a bit abrupt