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mbenzz's review against another edition
2.0
This is why I usually avoid Trilogies. It happened with the Hunger Games, and it happened again here. I really enjoyed the first two books in this series. This one? Not so much. I'm left with so many unanswered questions, and one really BIG one (that I can't ask here without giving away a part of the ending). I guess I can say...How did Silyen doing what he did at the end make what happened happen?
How did he alone control....nope. Can't finish that question, either. "Spoilers"
And Luke? I find it VERY out-of-character and hard to believe that he would have done what he did at the very end of the book. Especially considering the he had just spent three books so concerned about his family. All he wanted was to know his family was safe and to be reunited with them, then he up and does THAT? Abi, Daisy and his mother would be absolutely crushed! I mean, WE know what happened and where he went, but THEY don't!!
I'm giving this 2 stars because, from a political standpoint, this book delivered. For the most part.
I feel like many of the scenes and conflict were just recycled from the second book, but the overall outcome, as far as where the country is headed, was satisfactory.
The majority of this book is Abi, Luke, Bouda and Silyens story. All I really cared about was Luke and Silyen, as their part of the book was FAR more interesting. Abi and Bouda's felt like nothing new. Abi running around in hiding trying to be part of the resistance and planning, and Bouda fighting for the power she feels she deserves. I feel like Gavar was so far on the back burner of this story that when he had is crazy shinning moment towards the end, I was kind of like, "Eh."
I don't know. Overall, this ending was (for me at least) a let-down. I feel like so much was done to bring change, and so many people lost their lives, and for what? An ending with no definitive resolution?
But the worst part of all for me was Luke. That ending went against everything he fought for and believed in. It's like he didn't even care what happened in the 'real' world and just ran away from every one and every thing for such selfish reasons.
Nope. Not buying it.
In the end, I don't discourage anyone from reading this. If you've read the first two, then of COURSE you'll read this one, but everyone is different. You may love it, you may hate it, but you do need to read it either way.
How did he alone control....nope. Can't finish that question, either. "Spoilers"
And Luke? I find it VERY out-of-character and hard to believe that he would have done what he did at the very end of the book. Especially considering the he had just spent three books so concerned about his family. All he wanted was to know his family was safe and to be reunited with them, then he up and does THAT? Abi, Daisy and his mother would be absolutely crushed! I mean, WE know what happened and where he went, but THEY don't!!
I'm giving this 2 stars because, from a political standpoint, this book delivered. For the most part.
I feel like many of the scenes and conflict were just recycled from the second book, but the overall outcome, as far as where the country is headed, was satisfactory.
The majority of this book is Abi, Luke, Bouda and Silyens story. All I really cared about was Luke and Silyen, as their part of the book was FAR more interesting. Abi and Bouda's felt like nothing new. Abi running around in hiding trying to be part of the resistance and planning, and Bouda fighting for the power she feels she deserves. I feel like Gavar was so far on the back burner of this story that when he had is crazy shinning moment towards the end, I was kind of like, "Eh."
I don't know. Overall, this ending was (for me at least) a let-down. I feel like so much was done to bring change, and so many people lost their lives, and for what? An ending with no definitive resolution?
But the worst part of all for me was Luke. That ending went against everything he fought for and believed in. It's like he didn't even care what happened in the 'real' world and just ran away from every one and every thing for such selfish reasons.
Nope. Not buying it.
In the end, I don't discourage anyone from reading this. If you've read the first two, then of COURSE you'll read this one, but everyone is different. You may love it, you may hate it, but you do need to read it either way.
fantasticalsam's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.5
vaporization's review against another edition
3.0
This book fucked me up when I read it and I still don't really know what happened.
bear_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
Bright Ruin is the thrilling conclusion in the Dark Gifts trilogy by Vic James and it did not disappoint. Honestly, I loved this series from beginning to end.
The premise of the series is that some people known as Equals have magical abilities or 'Skill'. They (naturally) are the ruling class over everyone that does not have abilities. Commoners are expected to endure ten years of servitude known as slavedays. The Hadleys are a family going into their slavedays at the start of the series. Their lives soon become intertwined with those of the Jardine family, the most powerful and elite of all Equals in England.
We mostly see the point of view of Luke and Abi Hadley, the Jardine brothers and Bouda Matravers; an Equal woman with her sights set on having the Jardine position of power. Each character is well written, each point of view is distinctive. The character development was on point while still keeping you guessing as to everyone's motives.
Luke and Abi get thrust right into the ugly reality they had been sheltered from their whole lives and eventually follow their own paths through the uprising of commoners and sympathetic Equals. Their world is well written and mirrors our reality so well you have no trouble believing it could really happen. It's a dark and bloody series in which no one is safe.
In this finale, everything comes to a head and without giving anything away, I'd say it ends the only way it should. My only misgiving? I needed more Luke and Silyen! Now, I'm not saying there wasn't enough of them or I didn't like how things ended as far as they're concerned. I loved that. I just want more of them now. Please let there be another series with them! Silyen was the best character and I know I'm not alone in that opinion.
I recommend this series to anyone who likes dark fantasy, political intrigue, well written characters. I'm sad that it's over but I look forward to more from this author. I'd give it more than five stars if I could.
The premise of the series is that some people known as Equals have magical abilities or 'Skill'. They (naturally) are the ruling class over everyone that does not have abilities. Commoners are expected to endure ten years of servitude known as slavedays. The Hadleys are a family going into their slavedays at the start of the series. Their lives soon become intertwined with those of the Jardine family, the most powerful and elite of all Equals in England.
We mostly see the point of view of Luke and Abi Hadley, the Jardine brothers and Bouda Matravers; an Equal woman with her sights set on having the Jardine position of power. Each character is well written, each point of view is distinctive. The character development was on point while still keeping you guessing as to everyone's motives.
Luke and Abi get thrust right into the ugly reality they had been sheltered from their whole lives and eventually follow their own paths through the uprising of commoners and sympathetic Equals. Their world is well written and mirrors our reality so well you have no trouble believing it could really happen. It's a dark and bloody series in which no one is safe.
In this finale, everything comes to a head and without giving anything away, I'd say it ends the only way it should. My only misgiving? I needed more Luke and Silyen! Now, I'm not saying there wasn't enough of them or I didn't like how things ended as far as they're concerned. I loved that. I just want more of them now. Please let there be another series with them! Silyen was the best character and I know I'm not alone in that opinion.
I recommend this series to anyone who likes dark fantasy, political intrigue, well written characters. I'm sad that it's over but I look forward to more from this author. I'd give it more than five stars if I could.
gatun's review against another edition
5.0
Gilded Cage, Tarnished City, Bright Ruin. The Dark Gifts Series. Author Victoria James has created a trilogy that will be counted among the classics. I loved all three books. There was never a slow spot or a dip in the action. All three books were at full throttle from the first page to the last.
I do not want to spoil the series ending for anyone who has not read it yet. (A piece of advice? Read the series.) The characters who the reader has come to care for continuing their stories. Each storyline builds to a stunning conclusion. I never even imagined the events at the end of The Dark Gifts trilogy.
As with the first two books, I purchased print copies as well as audiobooks. In the future, the print books are going to be passed on to a young person so I can share my love of the series with a new generation.
In the Audible version, Avita Jay does a great job narrating. The entire series has benefited from her talent. Male and female, upper class and working class, calm or raging, Jay handles all of it with perfection.
NetGalley provided a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I do not want to spoil the series ending for anyone who has not read it yet. (A piece of advice? Read the series.) The characters who the reader has come to care for continuing their stories. Each storyline builds to a stunning conclusion. I never even imagined the events at the end of The Dark Gifts trilogy.
As with the first two books, I purchased print copies as well as audiobooks. In the future, the print books are going to be passed on to a young person so I can share my love of the series with a new generation.
In the Audible version, Avita Jay does a great job narrating. The entire series has benefited from her talent. Male and female, upper class and working class, calm or raging, Jay handles all of it with perfection.
NetGalley provided a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
lostinagoodbook's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
I was really looking forward to this last part of the Dark Gifts series. The book was good, but I did not like it as much as the beginning of the series. Looking back at my review for the first book, Gilded Cage I am reminded of what I liked about the first book, the character Silyen. I found him fascinating in a weird messed up way. He seems a sociopath, destructive and complicated. I was completely unsure of who this guy really was. A good guy with bad tendencies. A bad guy with a charming side?
In Bright Ruin, I still find him the most interesting thing about the story. Unfortunately, this is not a book about Silyen. He’s a main character but he is not the main focus. So when the story moves away from him and into the other side of the plot I started to lose interest. There is also a tie between him and the past that I found a little shoehorned in. It came pretty much out of nowhere and while it wasn’t bad, I wish it had been dealt with more fully. In other words, I wanted a Silyen series and this wasn’t it. It’s a good series, but I felt like it was strong in some parts and weaker in others. I’m glad I did read it though. I’d have felt odd not finishing the story and seeing what happens in the end.
Song for this book: Gaston – Beauty and the Beast (I can’t help it, Gavar Jardin reminded me of Gaston so much! ha!)
I was really looking forward to this last part of the Dark Gifts series. The book was good, but I did not like it as much as the beginning of the series. Looking back at my review for the first book, Gilded Cage I am reminded of what I liked about the first book, the character Silyen. I found him fascinating in a weird messed up way. He seems a sociopath, destructive and complicated. I was completely unsure of who this guy really was. A good guy with bad tendencies. A bad guy with a charming side?
In Bright Ruin, I still find him the most interesting thing about the story. Unfortunately, this is not a book about Silyen. He’s a main character but he is not the main focus. So when the story moves away from him and into the other side of the plot I started to lose interest. There is also a tie between him and the past that I found a little shoehorned in. It came pretty much out of nowhere and while it wasn’t bad, I wish it had been dealt with more fully. In other words, I wanted a Silyen series and this wasn’t it. It’s a good series, but I felt like it was strong in some parts and weaker in others. I’m glad I did read it though. I’d have felt odd not finishing the story and seeing what happens in the end.
Song for this book: Gaston – Beauty and the Beast (I can’t help it, Gavar Jardin reminded me of Gaston so much! ha!)
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
4.0
After the Blood Fair, Luke is fleeing the capital with Silyen and Abi is hiding out with Gavar, Daisy and Libby. The fates of the Hadleys and Jardines are forever entangled and the future of Britain, for better or worse, is in their hands. Will the privileged Equals squash the rebellion for good or can a compromise be made? Will enough bad people die so the sort-of-good people can be left in charge?
Things are escalating. The fact that the official hashtag was #dontkillmyfave gives you a hint of how brutal this series can be, with plenty of surprising deaths. If you've been wondering why the Skilled weren't in charge of Britain all along, you will find answers too.
I loved the trio of Silyen, Luke and Dog in this final instalment. Silyen's character arc across the trilogy is fantastic. You start off thinking he's cruel and only interested in experiments with Skill, and slowly you find out he's been trying to get the bottom of something he did by accident as a child. He doesn't have much time for the political manoeuvrings of his family, and he shows kindness that I think was more than just convenience, although he always has that excuse.
I wasn't that keen on Luke at the start but his relationship with Silyen is one of the high points of the final book. The flirting, the denial, the looks. I think the very end is left open to interpretation but I know what I have decided.
Even Dog turns out to be not that bad, he reminds me a little of Game of Throne's The Hound, which might be the inspiration. Gavar's forced by his family to infiltrate the resistance, and you never quite know where his loyalties lie, except for his love for his baseborn daughter who he so desperately wants to protect from his toxic family.
The villains are suitably villainous. Whittam is just horrible and it explains a lot what is revealed about him at the end. It also explains some things about other characters which might otherwise be unforgivable. You find out how nasty and petty Corvan really is (beyond the torture that is). Bouda is never good but she does sometimes seem the best of a bad bunch, like she might just be open to reform if Whittam is removed from her path.
What an ending! I wasn't expecting, to be honest I had no idea how this would be resolved but I think it's the only way it could have worked. At least to leave us happy that change had happened. There were gasps a plenty on the journey and I'd thoroughly recommend this trilogy to anyone a bit bored of the usual urban fantasy fare.
Things are escalating. The fact that the official hashtag was #dontkillmyfave gives you a hint of how brutal this series can be, with plenty of surprising deaths. If you've been wondering why the Skilled weren't in charge of Britain all along, you will find answers too.
I loved the trio of Silyen, Luke and Dog in this final instalment. Silyen's character arc across the trilogy is fantastic. You start off thinking he's cruel and only interested in experiments with Skill, and slowly you find out he's been trying to get the bottom of something he did by accident as a child. He doesn't have much time for the political manoeuvrings of his family, and he shows kindness that I think was more than just convenience, although he always has that excuse.
I wasn't that keen on Luke at the start but his relationship with Silyen is one of the high points of the final book. The flirting, the denial, the looks. I think the very end is left open to interpretation but I know what I have decided.
Even Dog turns out to be not that bad, he reminds me a little of Game of Throne's The Hound, which might be the inspiration. Gavar's forced by his family to infiltrate the resistance, and you never quite know where his loyalties lie, except for his love for his baseborn daughter who he so desperately wants to protect from his toxic family.
The villains are suitably villainous. Whittam is just horrible and it explains a lot what is revealed about him at the end. It also explains some things about other characters which might otherwise be unforgivable. You find out how nasty and petty Corvan really is (beyond the torture that is). Bouda is never good but she does sometimes seem the best of a bad bunch, like she might just be open to reform if Whittam is removed from her path.
What an ending! I wasn't expecting, to be honest I had no idea how this would be resolved but I think it's the only way it could have worked. At least to leave us happy that change had happened. There were gasps a plenty on the journey and I'd thoroughly recommend this trilogy to anyone a bit bored of the usual urban fantasy fare.
chrissylue's review against another edition
5.0
I went into this third book just trying to finish the series. Boy am I GLAD I did! If you are on the fence; do it! I loved the ending!!!
amethystbookwyrm's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for giving me this book to review.
Bright Ruin is the really good final book of the Dark Gifts trilogy. It has lots of twists and I would not have expected half of the things that happened in this series when I started reading Gilded Cage. This book has politics, action and a small amount of romance. One thing I have always liked about this series is that the POVs are not only from the non-skilled people but also from the equals, even those who believe that slavery should not abolished. This shows how layered and complex the characters are.
Abi is hardened and emotionally scarred by the events of the last book which has left her with tough decisions to make. I loved the banter between Luke and Silyen which added so much in this book. Luke is still all heart and wants to help and protect people, while Silyen is amoral and enigmatic but we get to see his humour and flirty side.
I liked that the ending was not too neat and that some people did not get the fate that they deserve. While I liked the ending, there was so much more left to discover that I hope we get more books from this world, especially following a couple of characters whose story I don’t feel has finished. I would recommend Bright Ruin to fans of the first two books of this series Gilded Cage and Tarnished City.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
Bright Ruin is the really good final book of the Dark Gifts trilogy. It has lots of twists and I would not have expected half of the things that happened in this series when I started reading Gilded Cage. This book has politics, action and a small amount of romance. One thing I have always liked about this series is that the POVs are not only from the non-skilled people but also from the equals, even those who believe that slavery should not abolished. This shows how layered and complex the characters are.
Abi is hardened and emotionally scarred by the events of the last book which has left her with tough decisions to make. I loved the banter between Luke and Silyen which added so much in this book. Luke is still all heart and wants to help and protect people, while Silyen is amoral and enigmatic but we get to see his humour and flirty side.
I liked that the ending was not too neat and that some people did not get the fate that they deserve. While I liked the ending, there was so much more left to discover that I hope we get more books from this world, especially following a couple of characters whose story I don’t feel has finished. I would recommend Bright Ruin to fans of the first two books of this series Gilded Cage and Tarnished City.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm