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beeboisourgod's review against another edition
4.0
I still don't enjoy reading descriptions of sex, so maybe choosing an author best know for paranormal romance as one of my favourite writers was not the smartest move on my part, but I love Kelley Armstrong's writing style, storytelling and especially character building so much that for her and probably her only at this point, I'm willing to gloss it over and excuse it. (Hey, some people love it and that's great, but those particular scenes are just not my cup of tea) I will say, however, that at least those scenes were with the right guy at long last; it only took Gabriel 5 whole books to get his act together but it was worth it.
Anyway, overall this was as always an enjoyable enough read. My love for Gabriel stands, (good choice, Liv, good choice), and the two dryads Helia and Alexios were a cute, fun (and probably my favourite) addition to the cast, but I can't help but feel that for a grand finale, it was somehow lacking. That could be due to the fact that I set it aside for a couple weeks but I don't know. There just seemed to be all this buildup for a terribly short battle and rather predictable ending, yet one where not everything I hoped would happen happened, you know? I think a large part of the disconnect comes from the fact that a majority of the action, not just in this book but in all of them, actually takes place outside of Cainsville. Because I love Cainsville and the concept behind it, I think it has A LOT of potential, but half the time they're in abandoned buildings over here or the city over here or the forest over here and so that potential is not used to its fullest. If ever there was more released on the town though, I would so read it because the lore and history is fascinating.
I'm also really not a fan of how they handled the reveal about what really happened between Patrick and Seanna before Gabriel was born.
But moving on, last thoughts: good book, about another 3.5 stars I'd say, good characters, okay ending for the series, though I feel like we could have tied up a few more loose ends; Gabriel, my beloved *sighs*; I actually don't really have much to say, it was fairly clear where most of this story was going even though at times it had quite a few muddled elements mixed in there *Cough* MK-Ultra *cough*, I mean there were some surprises but they kind of came out of left field so, I'll leave it at that. But I'm happy to have read the series anyway. It was certainly different from anything else I've read and I'd like to find more like it in the future.
Anyway, overall this was as always an enjoyable enough read. My love for Gabriel stands, (good choice, Liv, good choice), and the two dryads Helia and Alexios were a cute, fun (and probably my favourite) addition to the cast
Spoiler
until they killed them! *sobs*Spoiler
The most prominent being that she never got to see her father outside of prison... I thought they would've ended with his actual release, not just the appeal. But also the fact that seeing as Olivia did exactly what the fae didn't want her to do this whole time, splitting her power between the Tylweth Teg and the Cwn Anwn, she didn't even necessarily solve the dilemma of the "choice" at all, erasing the urgency as if it was that easy with no clever loop hole or anything, just like yup splitting power, you're on your own. Also, gonna level with you and say I barely remembered who Imogen was so the reveal was like oh ho ho she's the sluagh all along and I'm like wait, who is she?.I'm also really not a fan of how they handled the reveal about what really happened between Patrick and Seanna before Gabriel was born.
Spoiler
Practically victim blaming him after they discover that he was like drugged and raped, not cool, honestly what the heckBut moving on, last thoughts: good book, about another 3.5 stars I'd say, good characters, okay ending for the series, though I feel like we could have tied up a few more loose ends; Gabriel, my beloved *sighs*; I actually don't really have much to say, it was fairly clear where most of this story was going even though at times it had quite a few muddled elements mixed in there *Cough* MK-Ultra *cough*, I mean there were some surprises but they kind of came out of left field so, I'll leave it at that.
Spoiler
Walter's betrayal and Ida defeating the sluagh mainly, I guess Imogen too because like I said I barely recalled who she was. Though Todd having actually killed someone was a good twist.sonni89's review against another edition
3.0
I have been waffling on this rating for a couple of days now, and I'm still not sure this is right.
I enjoyed this book. It entertained me, there were aspects to it that were fantastic (a lot of the Olivia/Gabriel relationship, and Helia and Alexios, for example).
But.
The ending was a cop-out. Olivia made a choice and that is not acknowledged in the slightest. The only way she wouldn't have made a choice is if they had gone full triad, which is what should have happened and was really the only way to solve this (not just because I wanted it, which I did, but because the author told us REPEATEDLY throughout the five books that Olivia cannot choose and all three of them are doomed when she does). If Armstrong wasn't committed to making a poly arrangement happen, SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAMMERED DOWN ON THAT POINT.
And that will forever be frustrating to me and leave a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. Which is sad, because overall I really liked this series a lot.
I enjoyed this book. It entertained me, there were aspects to it that were fantastic (a lot of the Olivia/Gabriel relationship, and Helia and Alexios, for example).
But.
The ending was a cop-out. Olivia made a choice and that is not acknowledged in the slightest. The only way she wouldn't have made a choice is if they had gone full triad, which is what should have happened and was really the only way to solve this (not just because I wanted it, which I did, but because the author told us REPEATEDLY throughout the five books that Olivia cannot choose and all three of them are doomed when she does). If Armstrong wasn't committed to making a poly arrangement happen, SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAMMERED DOWN ON THAT POINT.
And that will forever be frustrating to me and leave a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. Which is sad, because overall I really liked this series a lot.
jschwe's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good conclusion, but I have to admit that by the time I got to this book, I sort of had stopped being invested in the series. I read this to know how it ended, but I didn't care a whole lot how it went. That being said, a couple parts of this book were better than I expected; but the main storyline played out pretty predictably and I found myself skimming at parts, because I knew what was happening and it felt a bit drawn out.
daredeviling's review against another edition
4.0
This book left me a little unsatisfied, but overall on the whole, I would say that it was enjoyable and a good conclusion to the series (even though now I'm sad that there aren't going to be any more books). I was glad that Olivia and Gabriel finally had their chance at a relationship, even if I was rooting for an OT3 situation, but their friendship with Ricky and their determination not to let anything get in between their friendship was really sweet, and actually a nice change from love triangle where someone loses. You don't really get the feeling that Ricky lost, especially since he and Olivia were basically as close as they were before. I also liked that Olivia chooses to live with one group of fae while riding with their other, especially because they kept emphasizing before that it's when she chooses that disaster strikes. She learned from those past mistakes and didn't repeat them. Really, the characters were what made this series, and I really loved all of them from beginning to end (especially Gabriel!)
Finding about the slaugh manipulating all the players from the beginning was cool, but tbh, if they're going to build up to something like that, I wish that there had been mention of it in the other books. Like, not even in detail, but I wish it'd been included here and there so it didn't feel like it just popped up in the end to become this big deal (kind of like how I wish we'd found out about the Deathly Hallows in the HP series earlier on). Still, it's probably more of a personal preference kind of thing, and overall, the book was enjoyable regardless.
Finding about the slaugh manipulating all the players from the beginning was cool, but tbh, if they're going to build up to something like that, I wish that there had been mention of it in the other books. Like, not even in detail, but I wish it'd been included here and there so it didn't feel like it just popped up in the end to become this big deal (kind of like how I wish we'd found out about the Deathly Hallows in the HP series earlier on). Still, it's probably more of a personal preference kind of thing, and overall, the book was enjoyable regardless.
nodaybutoday05's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't expect to love this series as much as I did, but I'm glad I got hooked. It was so good! Might be personal bookshelf worthy at some point in the future!
mmmbakes's review against another edition
3.0
I need to know how many times Gabriel made coffee throughout this series.
merny88's review against another edition
4.0
2022 Review: I was going to mention how annoying that chapter where they hang out with Pamela in Cainsville was because they're all being nice to Pamela and treating her like a normal human, but I guess the review from 2017 covers that base. Also, this is definitely the only book where I am barely annoyed by Ricky's presence.
2017 Review: Fuck Pamela though, she's still the worst.
2017 Review: Fuck Pamela though, she's still the worst.
kba76's review against another edition
3.0
A fitting finale to the series, but it keeps us hanging on right until the end to get some of our answers.
With Ricky stepping aside, there is a part of Liv that misses him though she remains focused on the work she has to do for Gabe. These two edge round each other, seeming destined to be together but reluctant to take that step.
This time round the trio realise they’re dealing with a darkness much bigger than that they feared.
There’s more fae stuff, a lot of relationship stuff, a few dangerous moments...and, just when it all starts to seem too much, a rather sneaky resolution.
With Ricky stepping aside, there is a part of Liv that misses him though she remains focused on the work she has to do for Gabe. These two edge round each other, seeming destined to be together but reluctant to take that step.
This time round the trio realise they’re dealing with a darkness much bigger than that they feared.
There’s more fae stuff, a lot of relationship stuff, a few dangerous moments...and, just when it all starts to seem too much, a rather sneaky resolution.
blurryreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
leelah's review against another edition
4.0
This book in a gif:
Seriously, every little thing was wrapped up and addressed and dealt with.
But to make it more detailed:
- I know that blurb makes it look like that is THE story, but the final book in Cainsville series confirmed what I was always felt about these characters: once you take out the whole love triangle out of the equation, they are actually pretty cool and likable and have more interesting and more important things to do.
So, the whole choice thing. Armstrong heavily touched this in previous book, but Olivia, Gabriel and Ricky are simply knowing and respecting each other well enough not to make the fact they are living embodiment of greatest love triangle in fae world decide what will they do and become the most prevalent thing in their lives. So, I liked how she decided to ditch this thing and make her main trio of characters adult about it even if centuries-old fae in Cainsvile and Cŵn Annwn aren't. Hence, I wasn't surprised how Armstrong wrapped up this thing because she stayed true to characters she's written- when I finished I thought it's exactly what Olivia I got to know through series would do. But I liked it for it also provided ( in my opinion) a very fitting end- one where fae need to evolve.
-I guess you noticed how I didn't mention the choice Liv has to make because she is Matilda reborn in connection to romance development. Well, that's because Olivia's decisions in that department were never written to be anything BUT hers and the result of how she felt in that particular time of her life. And it was that way with any of the men she was involved in: even James, when she was just high society girl at the beginning of the first book. Her attraction to Ricky, and then Gabriel felt organic and believable. And you know what? She didn't have any doubts about the man she wants to be with in this book either. Stupefying the whole thing about three of them being Matilda, Arawn and Gwynn reborn and equaling it to love triangle where she has to choose one of them because she is Matilda and they are Arawn and Gwynn is the worst fucking thing Armstrong could have gone with. So, thank god for that.
-Which leads me to Gabriel. I think he is the most interesting character in series. Just the way KA decided to introduce him to reader- as this skeevy lawyer who wants money- who thought reading that scene that this is the guy I will care the most about and want to see him happy? This slow de-layering of a very complicated character who says more between sentences and his journey to the man who is still complicated and often misunderstood, but, finally, in peace with himself and rest of the world was great. Gabriel is just awesome.
- Like I mentioned, the book is actually not all about Matilda's choice or Liv's love life. Our main characters figured out fae were directing them in various situations (and their reasons behind it), they figured out the mystery of killing spree Liv's real parents committed (and their reasons behind it), but that's not the whole story. Every major player in this thing was manipulated into bargain by someone much darker and sinister and these pesky fae and Wild Hunt are studying Liv's sleeping arrangements so meticulously to figure out if she chose their champion, they don't even see the real trouble and bad guy closing in on them. Armstrong incorporated another fine part of Celtic folklore into story introducing the sluagh, which worked because 1)their usual depiction is scary and Armstrong took that and just went creepier with it and 2)because of what they are it plays in interesting ways with Liv's premonition powers and ability to see dead people.
-but like I said wrapping up is the theme- we have both Olivia and Gabriel resolving complicated relationship with their parents. This book opens up with the appearance of Gabriel's, believed to be dead, mother and she is really something. (0_0)
-We also see dryads and they are fun.
-I chucked the star off because I think book would benefit from cutting a few scenes off. For example, scene where Rose is musing about past proved to be unnecessary when KA didn't elaborate on that or make something of it later.
All in all, I liked how this series ended up and I also liked the fact it ended up instead of making it longer.
Farewell, Cainsville. It was fun! :)
Seriously, every little thing was wrapped up and addressed and dealt with.
But to make it more detailed:
- I know that blurb makes it look like that is THE story, but the final book in Cainsville series confirmed what I was always felt about these characters: once you take out the whole love triangle out of the equation, they are actually pretty cool and likable and have more interesting and more important things to do.
So, the whole choice thing. Armstrong heavily touched this in previous book, but Olivia, Gabriel and Ricky are simply knowing and respecting each other well enough not to make the fact they are living embodiment of greatest love triangle in fae world decide what will they do and become the most prevalent thing in their lives. So, I liked how she decided to ditch this thing and make her main trio of characters adult about it even if centuries-old fae in Cainsvile and Cŵn Annwn aren't. Hence, I wasn't surprised how Armstrong wrapped up this thing because she stayed true to characters she's written- when I finished I thought it's exactly what Olivia I got to know through series would do. But I liked it for it also provided ( in my opinion) a very fitting end- one where fae need to evolve.
-I guess you noticed how I didn't mention the choice Liv has to make because she is Matilda reborn in connection to romance development. Well, that's because Olivia's decisions in that department were never written to be anything BUT hers and the result of how she felt in that particular time of her life. And it was that way with any of the men she was involved in: even James, when she was just high society girl at the beginning of the first book. Her attraction to Ricky, and then Gabriel felt organic and believable. And you know what? She didn't have any doubts about the man she wants to be with in this book either.
Spoiler
Ironic, since we find out original Matilda always knew which man she loves as well.-Which leads me to Gabriel. I think he is the most interesting character in series. Just the way KA decided to introduce him to reader- as this skeevy lawyer who wants money- who thought reading that scene that this is the guy I will care the most about and want to see him happy? This slow de-layering of a very complicated character who says more between sentences and his journey to the man who is still complicated and often misunderstood, but, finally, in peace with himself and rest of the world was great. Gabriel is just awesome.
Spoiler
And Liv and him work as a couple, but then, I didn't expect anything else since they understood each other better than anyone else in series.- Like I mentioned, the book is actually not all about Matilda's choice or Liv's love life. Our main characters figured out fae were directing them in various situations (and their reasons behind it), they figured out the mystery of killing spree Liv's real parents committed (and their reasons behind it), but that's not the whole story. Every major player in this thing was manipulated into bargain by someone much darker and sinister and these pesky fae and Wild Hunt are studying Liv's sleeping arrangements so meticulously to figure out if she chose their champion, they don't even see the real trouble and bad guy closing in on them. Armstrong incorporated another fine part of Celtic folklore into story introducing the sluagh, which worked because 1)their usual depiction is scary and Armstrong took that and just went creepier with it and 2)because of what they are it plays in interesting ways with Liv's premonition powers and ability to see dead people.
-but like I said wrapping up is the theme- we have both Olivia and Gabriel resolving complicated relationship with their parents. This book opens up with the appearance of Gabriel's, believed to be dead, mother and she is really something. (0_0)
-We also see dryads and they are fun.
-I chucked the star off because I think book would benefit from cutting a few scenes off. For example, scene where Rose is musing about past proved to be unnecessary when KA didn't elaborate on that or make something of it later.
All in all, I liked how this series ended up and I also liked the fact it ended up instead of making it longer.
Farewell, Cainsville. It was fun! :)