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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I’ve really enjoyed this series but this ending felt rushed. So much left unanswered! I genuinely thought I might’ve been missing pages. Very surprising, considering the author.
Definitely a little bummed about this. The beginning of this final book is SO good but the ending was extremely rushed and a big chunk of the book is just the first chapters of the previous three books? It left a lot to be desired.
Empty Smiles is a worthy conclusion to this series. There are creative callbacks to the previous books, there are upped stakes in multiple ways, there were also the moments that had been teased for books that finally happened here. It was creepier and more atmospheric than any book in the series for me. The characters all get their moment to shine and have wonderful interactions between each other. I loved it perhaps more than the other books in the series. It was the convergence of themes and plot threads and all that came before— and it was glorious.
The main complaint online that I have seen is that people wanted more. They wanted this book to be longer and the conclusion to be explained or some added falling action to help wrap the series up. I understand that feeling and would have liked to have gotten more as well, because the series was amazing and why would I not want more? Each book I devoured in a single sitting. Of course that feels much too short. But this book does wrap up everything neatly with a bow on top. There is the sufficient backstory and explanation for why all this happened with big hints to mythology with it. It all felt very Winternight Trilogy to me, and I loved it. Did I want more of that though? Yes. Did I want more folklore hints and more harkening to that throughout time or in other areas of the world? Yes. But most of all I just wanted a few more pages at the end to help me process everything that just happened. Just a bit more hand holding would have made me feel a bit better as I sorrowfully say goodbye to Small Spaces.
Whatever you are writing next Katherine Arden, I am here for it.
The main complaint online that I have seen is that people wanted more. They wanted this book to be longer and the conclusion to be explained or some added falling action to help wrap the series up. I understand that feeling and would have liked to have gotten more as well, because the series was amazing and why would I not want more? Each book I devoured in a single sitting. Of course that feels much too short. But this book does wrap up everything neatly with a bow on top. There is the sufficient backstory and explanation for why all this happened with big hints to mythology with it. It all felt very Winternight Trilogy to me, and I loved it. Did I want more of that though? Yes. Did I want more folklore hints and more harkening to that throughout time or in other areas of the world? Yes. But most of all I just wanted a few more pages at the end to help me process everything that just happened. Just a bit more hand holding would have made me feel a bit better as I sorrowfully say goodbye to Small Spaces.
Whatever you are writing next Katherine Arden, I am here for it.
I was really enjoying this book I thought it was going to be a solid end to the series but then we got to what I thought was going to be the climax and the book kind of just resolved. I thought there was going to be a reveal that this scene was just a trick or a dream but no it was the ending. So I am disappointed with the way the series wrapped up because it felt rushed and incomplete.
Ahoy there mateys! This was the last book in the quartet. I enjoyed parts of this book but feel that it did not live up to the previous three. I liked the creepy circus setting. I liked the creepy dolls. I loved that the kids talked to their parents and asked for help (even if it doesn't quite work out). There were several problems. The ending and solution to the puzzle felt rushed and didn't make a lot of sense. I wanted this to be Phil's book after what happened in book three. I mostly just felt like the copy I was reading had accidently left out 4 or 5 chapters. It was an odd feeling. Clowns are always creepy though. Arrrr!
Well the first 50% were actually not bad but then it started to fell rushed for a final installment. I feel like this should have been 50-100 pages longer.
I was thrilled to see that this final book in the series returned to its spooky roots, using a creepy carnival as its backdrop.
One of my favorite aspects of this series has always been the theme of friendship, and this installment continued to build on that strength. Ollie, Coco, and Brian each had their moments to shine throughout the story, while also navigating the complexities of their friendship amid the challenges they faced. I found each character to be distinct and enjoyable to read.
However, the book fell a bit short for me due to its brevity, which made the ending feel rushed. Given that this is the conclusion of a four-book series, I had hoped for a more impactful climax. While I’m unsure if some elements were intentionally left unresolved for a potential spin-off or continuation, it ultimately left me feeling a bit disappointed.
One of my favorite aspects of this series has always been the theme of friendship, and this installment continued to build on that strength. Ollie, Coco, and Brian each had their moments to shine throughout the story, while also navigating the complexities of their friendship amid the challenges they faced. I found each character to be distinct and enjoyable to read.
However, the book fell a bit short for me due to its brevity, which made the ending feel rushed. Given that this is the conclusion of a four-book series, I had hoped for a more impactful climax. While I’m unsure if some elements were intentionally left unresolved for a potential spin-off or continuation, it ultimately left me feeling a bit disappointed.
Loved the Small Spaces quartet. If you have a tween and want something creepy…this is the series for you!
Sooo disappointed with the ending. 95% of the story was very detailed, in depth, well thought out. The last 5% was like the author just gave up. Brian and Coco needed to find 3 keys and Ollie. Leading up to finding the 1st key was an actual event but finding Ollie(with the 1st key), finding the 2nd and 3rd keys, and them escaping was like a blip. Literally like 4 pages for all those events. Felt VERY rushed. I would have given it 4 stars but I just can't get over how poorly done the ending was.