4.2 AVERAGE

ranialg's review

5.0
adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

 
I truly enjoy discovering new series and The Curse of Ophelia is answering all the ticks on my romantasy checklist. 

The Trials of Ophelia is the third book in the series and I’m done!! The amazing world building throughout the series, the wonderful characters and the plot!! Platania starts every book with a pronunciation guide, and by the time we get to book three, some names are in the past. For those that are still hanging on, they have an amazing adventure ahead of them! Mainly character driven, this book continues in a high level of action and discovery – you will not be able to put it down!! Of course book 4 is now much needed! I’m hooked!! 

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Highly highly recommend!

mlea1d's review

4.0
adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Hey there, tea lovers and book journeyers,

So, grab your favorite mug and let's steep ourselves in the tale of 'The Trials of Ophelia,' the grand finale of 'The Curse of Ophelia' series. Picture this: I'm tucked in the most comfiest armchair of our imaginary tea shop and bookstore combo, with a steaming pot of Oolong—a tea known for its complex layers and lingering finish—by my side, mirroring the depth of Nicole Platania's storytelling.

Spoilers? None here, my friend..at least not yet and with tons of warnings. Imagine if I told you the ending of "The Empire Strikes Back" before you got to experience the shock of Vader's true reveal. Like seriously?! We wouldn't want that! Instead, Iet me be like Gandalf guiding you, sans spoilers, into Middle Earth, or better yet, into Ophelia’s world, without unveiling what's behind the curtain too soon.

I was bestowed the honor of an ARC copy—it's like finding a real golden ticket in my Wonka bar—I leaped into Platania's realm with the eagerness and excitement of a Hobbit and their second breakfast. This isn't just any review. No, it's akin to sharing the lore of a cosmic issue found in the back of a forgotten drawer, infused with notes of nerdom and echoes of fangirl enthusiasm.

However, before I was able to venture into "The Trials of Ophelia", after I visited its predecessors...as this was a new journey, I needed all of the necessary information to make my book quest a successes. Think of it like you need to rewatch "The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers," ensuring not a detail was missed before the final act. This reading journey? It was a marathon within a sprint; arms racing, heart pacing, as if I was hunting down those that took Merry and Pip!

Plunging into the heart of this tale, it's an orchestra and songs mixed with emotion and adventure, striking harmonies sweet and sad, enveloped in the musings and bursts of hope, and love. It's as though Athena herself penned a quest...well in this case...it's the the angel wannabes (it's what I say...and insert eye-roll), with all the camaraderie of the fellowship, even as they part ways, ensuring every page turned was as exhilarating as navigating through the Labyrinth with Sarah, minus the Bog of Eternal Stench.

For those of you teetering on the edge of anticipation since book two's cliffhangers and questions... 'The Trials of Ophelia' beams like the the one we saw (well read) in the "shards"—it's a beacon that delivers a promise..... I'll circle back with a magnifying glass and a detective's cap for a semi spoiler-free, in-depth review once our beloved book community has had a chance to devour every word.

I'm over the moon...for the chance to preview 'The Trials of Ophelia.' Sharing these initial musings with you all, is like the clinking teacups in a toast to the adventures that await.

Here's to the tales that make our hearts race, to the peace found in pages, and to the teas that accompany us on these journeys.

May your teacup always be full, your tea in your teapot the right temperature, your TBR list endless, and with multiple book journeys

rwolly's review

4.25
adventurous mysterious tense 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: No
nelliereadsalot's profile picture

nelliereadsalot's review

4.0

Book 3 starts up shortly after 2 as they try to deal with all the problems they discovered in book 2. Luckily, some are resolved sooner rather than later.

I went into this book, really only wanting one thing: Can we throw Mali a bone and let him be happy? Poor guy has been through it. I think we are headed that way, plus way more magical drama!

At the end, we wrap up some issues just to be dropped into a few new ones. Things we thought we understood, we really didn't, and Tolek and Ophelia realize they have an extra issue that ties them together in an expected way. I am very curious to see how all the things will pan out.

Thanks to Nicole for an eARC of this book for an honest review. 

currin_nelson's review

4.0

The reason this line stood out to be so much is because I think it captures the feel of the entire series. There are so many small acts and moments that build upon each other to form the relationships, the trust, the betrayals and the conquests.

The best comparison I can make for this series right now is Throne of Glass. The way the story is unfolding is so meticulous. The characters growth comes through experience, self-awareness and challenges from others. The group dynamics are forged through trauma, childhood, friendship and empathy and the goal for a better future.

Another way I have tried to describe this series to others is, it is mature. The thought processes, outlets, skills they learn and share with each are so well informed to be true mental health representation. Now that doesn’t mean the characters don’t make mistakes, because they do!! But their growth and struggles back from those mistakes are admirable and authentic.

Overall, I definitely recommend this series and am verrrry interested in the rest of the story!!

“And for the first time, I considered: perhaps all the myths were alive.”

I had the honor to be an ARC reader for Nicole Platania’s third installment of the Ophelia series. It was a privilege to read this work.

For readers who appreciate quality sentence-level writing, high stakes, constant action, and solid character development in their fantasy novels, I recommend this for you.

I was intrigued from start to finish, and I look forward to reading the upcoming novella in September.
fixationrealm's profile picture

fixationrealm's review

5.0

THIS. BOOK. WAS. FANTASTIC. I mean truly. This series is wonderful and needs so much more recognition. 

Book 1 was amazing, book 2 was also amazing but book 3 combined with the first 2? I don’t even have a word for it.

If you check out my other reviews you’ll see that I mentioned there being a slower pace in books 1 and 2. Book 3 picked up a little more and I LIVED FOR IT. 

After each book there was still confusion and questions needing answers (in a good way) which in turn creates a sense of longing for another book and that right there? GREAT WRITING. PURE GIFTED TALENT FROM THE ANGELS THEMSELVES IF YOU WILL. 

The writing is so beautiful. I’ll never shut up about that. Truly. I won’t. I don’t know what type of brain Nicole has but she can WRITE HER ASS OFF. I mean, wow. 

Also, If I thought I loved the characters before… this book made me love them so much I’ll never forget them even long after the series is complete. 

The quest portion of this series so far has also been everything. I love me a good quest. I love that even this book left me with things I need answers to because I am now dying for the rest of the books Nicole has planned. 

To my fantasy readers: read this. Thank you.
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savs_lit_endeavors's review

4.5
adventurous emotional medium-paced