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4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Probably the best of the series. I'm so glad I pushed through Book 1 (Cinder) and made it through all the way to this one. I had not expected to be so attached to these characters until I realized how much I yearned for their safety, happiness, and companionship again. I love a good found family and this is probably one of the best universes that I have read where I can honestly differentiate every single character and know who they are, what they contribute to the team, and how lacking the story could be without them.
This was a longggg read compared to others in the series. Filled with horrible villains, even worse details coming to light, societal crises only furthering during the battles and wars solely because of dictatorship and selfish psychotic rulers. But that's not all that we had. We had Winter. We see how the main team moves whether or not they stay together. The story is full of twists and turns that had me hoping for the best, but knowing the worst is yet to come.
I'm honestly so glad that Winter was introduced into this story and universe because she really deserved so much joy. She saved both Scarlet and Cress and I am so grateful for her and the small powers she held. To experience this story for the first time was such a gift and I absolutely loved it.
The characters had more to them than their original personalities and the growth from their adventures and experiences were evident, I still wished some of them weren't so single-minded (Jacin and Wolf), but I can't expect the hunter and the predator to be more than decent human beings when they weren't even that in the original fairytales anyway. I honestly loved Thorne and Cress the most. I have to say also, that Cinder, despite being the main character, was so difficult to like. She just acted so stupidly in so many situations and then would flip and act as if she was some infallible weapon of justice. It was very YA. I hated when her part of the story started to be told in some cases because the drama/theatrics/near death situations wouldn't have happened if she didn't just act with tact and two more braincells than nothing. Despite this, I still feel very content about the ending. I love when the story circles back to previous details, books, and subplots; and the ending of Winter closed many loops. I felt very bittersweet saying good bye to these characters I grew to love, but knowing that the story ended the way that it did made me feel at peace.
I don't always like the way some books end, whether or not they were what I wanted or not, this was one of the few stories that did not fall flat, but rather gave me more than I expected and left me feeling glad that I read this. I feel a sense of nostalgia and joy when I think of these characters and the world they live in now. I can't help but love them.
Also, the performance of Rebecca Soler in this last Book was absolutely breathtaking and beautifully done. Some scenes were even more impactful and emotional because of the way she delivered her lines. I loved the way she could change her voice depending on the character she was narrating. It was such an experience and a joy to listen to her bring the words to life.
I highly recommend this book and think it's one of my top favorite books of the year!
This was a longggg read compared to others in the series. Filled with horrible villains, even worse details coming to light, societal crises only furthering during the battles and wars solely because of dictatorship and selfish psychotic rulers. But that's not all that we had. We had Winter. We see how the main team moves whether or not they stay together. The story is full of twists and turns that had me hoping for the best, but knowing the worst is yet to come.
I'm honestly so glad that Winter was introduced into this story and universe because she really deserved so much joy. She saved both Scarlet and Cress and I am so grateful for her and the small powers she held. To experience this story for the first time was such a gift and I absolutely loved it.
The characters had more to them than their original personalities and the growth from their adventures and experiences were evident, I still wished some of them weren't so single-minded (Jacin and Wolf), but I can't expect the hunter and the predator to be more than decent human beings when they weren't even that in the original fairytales anyway. I honestly loved Thorne and Cress the most. I have to say also, that Cinder, despite being the main character, was so difficult to like. She just acted so stupidly in so many situations and then would flip and act as if she was some infallible weapon of justice. It was very YA. I hated when her part of the story started to be told in some cases because the drama/theatrics/near death situations wouldn't have happened if she didn't just act with tact and two more braincells than nothing. Despite this, I still feel very content about the ending. I love when the story circles back to previous details, books, and subplots; and the ending of Winter closed many loops. I felt very bittersweet saying good bye to these characters I grew to love, but knowing that the story ended the way that it did made me feel at peace.
I don't always like the way some books end, whether or not they were what I wanted or not, this was one of the few stories that did not fall flat, but rather gave me more than I expected and left me feeling glad that I read this. I feel a sense of nostalgia and joy when I think of these characters and the world they live in now. I can't help but love them.
Also, the performance of Rebecca Soler in this last Book was absolutely breathtaking and beautifully done. Some scenes were even more impactful and emotional because of the way she delivered her lines. I loved the way she could change her voice depending on the character she was narrating. It was such an experience and a joy to listen to her bring the words to life.
I highly recommend this book and think it's one of my top favorite books of the year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, War, Classism
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
IM FREEEEE
lol ok i’m just kidding (somewhat)
anyway here’s my rant
i already said what i had to say about this series in my other review for cress’ book. not much to add but i guess i’ll try:
marissa does not seem to understand how to write romance (no hate just my opinion) most of the relationships in the series don’t have development—it’s just characters ending up liking each other. majority of the ships just felt forced.
and if you read my “review” for cress then you already know how i feel about the huge lack of queer characters. (yeah yeah i get that it’s her book so she can include what she wants but she’s lowkey giving me j.k. rowling vibes by stating AFTER the series that a SIDE character is gay. like girl idgaf now, you’re just doing this to get people off your back. you don’t actually care.)
the final fight in the book was probably its strongest element. i appreciated the use of levana’s power and insight to her character. i wish we could’ve gotten more of that before the final book—since before i really felt nothing for her character. no hatred. no love. nothing at all. sure she does some messed up things but because there was a lack of backstory and insight to her character i didn’t feel much towards her. she deserved better writing, it would’ve made this series much more impactful—but hey maybe that’s just me.
overall i did rate this one four stars because you know what? despite my complaints and the little voice in my head that screams for me to give it less i actually didn’t hate this series. and i made the choice after each one to continue reading—so i must’ve enjoyed it in a way, right?
it has…many…many flaws.
but i realize that…that’s just gonna happen. like in any book.
very rarely do i find a book series that i could say “this was perfect.” it can be REALLY GOOD. but i don’t think i can say (often) that a book was perfect through and through.
i understand the hype for this series but i hugely agree with the hate as well.
i think it was worth giving a chance. not the worst retelling i’ve ever seen/read. not by a long shot.
lol ok i’m just kidding (somewhat)
anyway here’s my rant
i already said what i had to say about this series in my other review for cress’ book. not much to add but i guess i’ll try:
marissa does not seem to understand how to write romance (no hate just my opinion) most of the relationships in the series don’t have development—it’s just characters ending up liking each other. majority of the ships just felt forced.
and if you read my “review” for cress then you already know how i feel about the huge lack of queer characters. (yeah yeah i get that it’s her book so she can include what she wants but she’s lowkey giving me j.k. rowling vibes by stating AFTER the series that a SIDE character is gay. like girl idgaf now, you’re just doing this to get people off your back. you don’t actually care.)
the final fight in the book was probably its strongest element. i appreciated the use of levana’s power and insight to her character. i wish we could’ve gotten more of that before the final book—since before i really felt nothing for her character. no hatred. no love. nothing at all. sure she does some messed up things but because there was a lack of backstory and insight to her character i didn’t feel much towards her. she deserved better writing, it would’ve made this series much more impactful—but hey maybe that’s just me.
overall i did rate this one four stars because you know what? despite my complaints and the little voice in my head that screams for me to give it less i actually didn’t hate this series. and i made the choice after each one to continue reading—so i must’ve enjoyed it in a way, right?
it has…many…many flaws.
but i realize that…that’s just gonna happen. like in any book.
very rarely do i find a book series that i could say “this was perfect.” it can be REALLY GOOD. but i don’t think i can say (often) that a book was perfect through and through.
i understand the hype for this series but i hugely agree with the hate as well.
i think it was worth giving a chance. not the worst retelling i’ve ever seen/read. not by a long shot.
This is one of those books I could have easily breezed through as though I'm living it myself, but I took my time because I never wanted it to end. I'm so sad all I have left is Stars Above (short story collection) in this wonderful series. It has become my new favorite series. It's hard to decide which book was best in this series, but Winter is a definite contender. I loved Winter the character, her compassion and humanity. Her honesty, humility, and refusal to manipulate could be perceived as naive or childish but to me it felt raw and brave. She is strong in her genuine gentle and tender self. She is beautifully written.
I love the dynamics between the 4 protagonists and how unique each personality is. I loved each romantic relationship (although some queer rep would have been nice).
I picked a mighty good time to read an empowering and exciting series dealing with a pandemic and the downfall of an Evil tyrant.
I'm going to miss these characters and this story! It has even invaded my dreams.
I love the dynamics between the 4 protagonists and how unique each personality is. I loved each romantic relationship (although some queer rep would have been nice).
I picked a mighty good time to read an empowering and exciting series dealing with a pandemic and the downfall of an Evil tyrant.
I'm going to miss these characters and this story! It has even invaded my dreams.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
No puedo creer que haya terminado. ME NIEGO.
Fue un libro fantástico, lleno de acción y feels y más feels y todo. Los personajes son lo más, as always, y la trama me encantó.
Me leí la mitad de este libro de 850 paginas en un día, eso es ser manija.
No puedo creer que haya terminado. ME NIEGO.
Fue un libro fantástico, lleno de acción y feels y más feels y todo. Los personajes son lo más, as always, y la trama me encantó.
Me leí la mitad de este libro de 850 paginas en un día, eso es ser manija.
While the book ends happily (as any fairy tale should), I like that the book wasn't sunshine and roses. While I like Cinder and Kai, I wish we got an epilogue to see how their story progressed...it was left with some promises and intentions. Everyone else was great! Loved Jacin's arc and Winter. Loved Throne and Cress. And Wolf and Scarlet continued as my favorites! Iko is even better in this. Satisfied with the book (4 stars because it was so damn long)
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated