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west_witch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bin_chicken's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
authorizzamalik's review against another edition
3.0
As much as I love this series, this book was a disappointment in many ways.
Before getting into that, I will say I absolutely enjoyed the story building. It had me hooked up until Cas and Poppy reunited. I loved the connections made to A Shadow in the Ember, I felt like I was let into a secret no one else knew about (AKA everyone in the book), but I loved connecting the dots and realizing things that weren’t revealed in ASITE.
It was a great start, okay, I liked it BUT… Now don’t come for me this is my opinion.
I love Casteel and Poppy so much and have been waiting for this book for a really long time. What I despised was the long separation between them, and I know people say that it’s to get the story going and to really understand what’s going on other than with them. But it was too long of a separation.
Also, and I know most people wanted The Joining, I did too. What I didn’t like about it is the fact that Casteel says, “I love you” “And you love Kieran.” (Page 502). NOW LOOK, I love Kieran too, I would die for that man, but there’s a difference between admiration for someone who’s been there for you and took care of you the way your husband would—and love.
To me, it feels like Poppy’s love is divided between Casteel and Kieran when Casteel’s love is all for her. Maybe I’m the only who feels this way but it was definitely a turn off for me and I felt really repelled from the romance afterwards.
However, Kolis? He terrified me in ASITE and now he’s going to make an appearance in FBAA like? IM SCARED. I’m still going to read the series because I’m ✨committed✨ but not for Poppy and Casteel anymore.
Before getting into that, I will say I absolutely enjoyed the story building. It had me hooked up until Cas and Poppy reunited. I loved the connections made to A Shadow in the Ember, I felt like I was let into a secret no one else knew about (AKA everyone in the book), but I loved connecting the dots and realizing things that weren’t revealed in ASITE.
It was a great start, okay, I liked it BUT… Now don’t come for me this is my opinion.
I love Casteel and Poppy so much and have been waiting for this book for a really long time. What I despised was the long separation between them, and I know people say that it’s to get the story going and to really understand what’s going on other than with them. But it was too long of a separation.
Also, and I know most people wanted The Joining, I did too. What I didn’t like about it is the fact that Casteel says, “I love you” “And you love Kieran.” (Page 502). NOW LOOK, I love Kieran too, I would die for that man, but there’s a difference between admiration for someone who’s been there for you and took care of you the way your husband would—and love.
To me, it feels like Poppy’s love is divided between Casteel and Kieran when Casteel’s love is all for her. Maybe I’m the only who feels this way but it was definitely a turn off for me and I felt really repelled from the romance afterwards.
However, Kolis? He terrified me in ASITE and now he’s going to make an appearance in FBAA like? IM SCARED. I’m still going to read the series because I’m ✨committed✨ but not for Poppy and Casteel anymore.
bramblejam96's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t understand the hate for this book. I thought it was consistent with the other books- absolutely LOVED some of the scenes with casteel and Kieran! Not my favourite book out of the bunch but it was still great.
lexi_reads_00's review against another edition
5.0
That was unexpected..
First, let me start this by saying I loved this so much!
Second, YOU DIDN’T HAAVE TO DO THAT IN CHAPTER 48!!!! I cried like a baby..
Third, that was intense. Absolutely and utterly intense. It keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It portrays the absolute strength of a woman. The rage that can come. And the true love that we all yearn for. And bringing Kieran into it in some way just made it all the better. Yes it may not be the same, but it is something. The love she has for all those she cares about, not just Casteel, the rage that comes out when they are harmed is unmatched.
And that plot.. I didn’t see half of that coming and what I did, still hit different. She’s a WHAT!? She will be WHAT!? It’s just WHAT!??? I have so many questions, but also a lot have been answered.
First, let me start this by saying I loved this so much!
Second, YOU DIDN’T HAAVE TO DO THAT IN CHAPTER 48!!!! I cried like a baby..
Third, that was intense. Absolutely and utterly intense. It keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It portrays the absolute strength of a woman. The rage that can come. And the true love that we all yearn for. And bringing Kieran into it in some way just made it all the better. Yes it may not be the same, but it is something. The love she has for all those she cares about, not just Casteel, the rage that comes out when they are harmed is unmatched.
And that plot.. I didn’t see half of that coming and what I did, still hit different. She’s a WHAT!? She will be WHAT!? It’s just WHAT!??? I have so many questions, but also a lot have been answered.
katmcug's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
olivias_books4154's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
bpetit86's review against another edition
5.0
Devoured this book. JLA did a much better job with pacing than the last one. Loved the addition of Cas POV chapters. The tie in with Shadow and the Ember was great. Strongly recommend reading that first. Reaver in the house!
Some people owe JLA an apology for some of those reviews. Nonsense. I enjoyed the whole book. Kept thinking when and I’m going to get to the reason why people are foaming at the mouth mad? I couldn’t wait to read the reviews afterwards cuz I was confused. Like, y’all mad that something happened she hinted at since book 2? Wasn’t subtle foreshadowing at all. They scream that it was so out of place for the direction of the series but then simultaneously accuse her of fan service. Like which is it? I’m binge reading these and it’s all fresh in mind and no one broke character and nothing veered off track.
Spoilers below
The joining literally devolves into the least descriptive
Some people owe JLA an apology for some of those reviews. Nonsense. I enjoyed the whole book. Kept thinking when and I’m going to get to the reason why people are foaming at the mouth mad? I couldn’t wait to read the reviews afterwards cuz I was confused. Like, y’all mad that something happened she hinted at since book 2? Wasn’t subtle foreshadowing at all. They scream that it was so out of place for the direction of the series but then simultaneously accuse her of fan service. Like which is it? I’m binge reading these and it’s all fresh in mind and no one broke character and nothing veered off track.
Spoilers below
The joining literally devolves into the least descriptive
alinaaurora's review against another edition
2.0
How many times can the characters be journeying through the woods to get from one place to another this has literally been the last 4 books! And I swear if casteel says honeydew or princess one more time I'm going to side with the ascended i would literally rather turn into one of those vampire zombie things at this point. Also the addition of Kieran as a love interest is really weird to me.
katherine_1995's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75