Scan barcode
delaney_readeroffewbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-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
summmmmmmeeerrrt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Definitely loved the first two more but I liked the ending
madiskend's review against another edition
4.0
4⭐️+
Impressive pivot for a trilogy where the first two books took place within a closed off school. Multiple times I was decently horrified in some of the world building which felt impressive that I didn’t see things coming. A few things I was either not quite convinced made sense within the world or was confused on which knocked it back a bit. There were parts of the book where i was ready for it to move on so it was probably slightly too long for what it was. Overall enjoyed
Impressive pivot for a trilogy where the first two books took place within a closed off school. Multiple times I was decently horrified in some of the world building which felt impressive that I didn’t see things coming. A few things I was either not quite convinced made sense within the world or was confused on which knocked it back a bit. There were parts of the book where i was ready for it to move on so it was probably slightly too long for what it was. Overall enjoyed
lucycanread's review against another edition
4.5
Okay I've finally finished it! And wow...I'm honestly not sure how I feel! The first few moments after finishing the book (and whole series) I was ecstatic.- immediately wanted to give it 5 stars! But the more I properly digest it and think about everything that's happened...I feel a little robbed to be honest. It's why I ended up docking .5 in my rating.
My biggest complaint about this one is
I also wasn't a big fan of the way it ended - in the sense that I would've preferred something more concrete and less open ended. But I understand that that's always a risk I take everytime I read something new, so it doesn't anger me too much.
Now onto what I DID love! Honestly the twists were SO GOOD. Whether it was the minor ones that I totally saw coming
And even though it pisses me off that Novik makes it a point throughout her series that there is no black and white good guys vs evil guys, which can be a hard pill swallow (I'm quite similar to El in that way), I appreciate her for the realistic portrayal of human nature. Granted I *am* reading a fantasy book so it's not unrealistic for me to want a solid bad guy that could be defeated and we could all cheer and celebrate. But the author frustratingly makes it realistic in that most people aren't only good or only bad. Good people do bad things for the sake of their survival, or that of their loved ones. And bad people can do positively evil things but still refuse to cross a line that worse people have. Even though it was frustrating to read at times, ultimately I appreciated the reality that is the way that humans are. Similarly, even though it absolutely BOGGLES my mind that
I think one of the reasons I loved this series so much was that I relate to El really well. A lot of her reactions and the way she thinks reminds me of myself, so her character growth and evolution really struck a chord with me.
Overall it was a solid book and even though I wish it felt more cohesive with the first two, I ultimately still loved it. I have my complaints, of course, but the parts of the book I loved far outweigh the flaws. I laughed, I cried, I almost threw it across the room a few times out of rage and it's been a while since I book has made me feel so intensely. It's not a romance fantasy by any real standard, but that was my fault expecting that going into it simply because that's what I've been reading a lot recently. I went in expecting one thing and got another entirely, but I'm not complaining because it ended up being just as much (if not more) satisfying.
******************************
Adding my thoughts as I read along because I cannot function anymore.
As of Chapter 2
As of Chapter 6
blove0312's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? Yes
I’m wavering on the final “grade.” Novik is a masterful storyteller though, and I loved many of these characters completely. So 5 it is.
<i>(A lot of the following was just partial sentences I jotted down as I was reading so I wouldn’t forget. I did try and finagle them into a somewhat intelligible paragraph. But honestly if you finished book two and still came looking for reviews of book three… maybe call your therapist instead.)</i>
Holy shit. This book pulls no punches. Several things have happened that hit me full on in the face, completely out of the blue.
Namely, the maleficer. Spoiler free. WTF.
But also the summoning spell at the beginning, and reaching through the puddle to FEEL HIM AND HE STILL FOUGHT HER! I could’ve vomited I was so sick and stressed and upset!
And then London?! All of it! The maw mouth. The scheming in such a short window of time. Liesel’s offer! The route out. What we learn about the void and how things actually disappear… or don’t.
Liu, Liesel, Aadhya.
Dubai. Mumbai.
Oh my god. The attacks on the enclaves. IT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE 😳😭
The real truth comes out. <i>(Or many truths is probably more accurate.)</i>
There’s no downtime. There’s no breathing room. We’re jetting across the world and back again, only to head to a new place, and well, only to end up where we began.
I also wish we got more time with her mom. I wanted to see her reaction when she learned her wonderful daughter could kill maw-mouths. Also that her surly daughter actually has friends. Real “I’d die for you” friends. And there’s none or almost no dialogue between them when they’re there.
Dialogue between the characters was sacrificed for the internal monologuing again. I know it’s a quicker way to move the ball along, but El fought for those friendships and relationships and I’d have liked to see them continue to grow and strengthen, instead of just being told or “knowing” they did.
I wasn’t ready for what happened, having already resigned myself to something else, and as soon as my eyes dipped down a few lines and cheated, all on their own I assure you, I just lost it. Sobbing so hard I scared all three of my dogs (my bebes) and couldn’t get it together and just. Damn. <i>(however in hindsight, as I’ve been working on this off and on for nearly 40 minutes jumping around, not much else was added to it. And left many questions behind that I can’t voice here.)</i>
I do not like that there is no accountability. No wizard jail for the worst offenders (or even just The One). Probably because so many of them are okay with the means because the ends and they can say they <i>technically</i> didn’t do the bad thing themselves… I guess it’s probably a good thing that El doesn’t just sweep through with fire and brimstone… especially with the whole maleficer thing… but that’s what some of them deserved. And even better than some deserved. I was full on rooting for it at least two different times for sure, and kept as a solid backup plan for a lot more times.
<b>Worth noting:</b> I suppose it’s more realistic that way. Some bad things are stopped, some bad practices eliminated, but not nearly enough people are held accountable or face justice. And it doesn’t ever prevent NEW bad things from popping up. Not everything can be tied up in a neat bow.
I’m really glad I gave up on the rubbish bargainer series; it felt like good karma sending them on their way bc I landed these 3 from the library in the same day. Which are without a doubt in my top 5 series of the year. (Wolfsong/Green Creek can’t be topped, and I don’t think it’s better than Magnus Chase but I’m partial to Rick Riordan lol). I don’t even want to give them back. For the first time ever I did selfishly hold onto books 1&2 as I finished them in case I needed to go back and look something up. But I suppose I can force myself to relinquish them. If only because El forced herself not to just obliterate mfs that get on her nerves.
<i>(A lot of the following was just partial sentences I jotted down as I was reading so I wouldn’t forget. I did try and finagle them into a somewhat intelligible paragraph. But honestly if you finished book two and still came looking for reviews of book three… maybe call your therapist instead.)</i>
Holy shit. This book pulls no punches. Several things have happened that hit me full on in the face, completely out of the blue.
Namely, the maleficer. Spoiler free. WTF.
But also the summoning spell at the beginning, and reaching through the puddle to FEEL HIM AND HE STILL FOUGHT HER! I could’ve vomited I was so sick and stressed and upset!
And then London?! All of it! The maw mouth. The scheming in such a short window of time. Liesel’s offer! The route out. What we learn about the void and how things actually disappear… or don’t.
Liu, Liesel, Aadhya.
Dubai. Mumbai.
Oh my god. The attacks on the enclaves. IT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE 😳😭
The real truth comes out. <i>(Or many truths is probably more accurate.)</i>
There’s no downtime. There’s no breathing room. We’re jetting across the world and back again, only to head to a new place, and well, only to end up where we began.
I also wish we got more time with her mom. I wanted to see her reaction when she learned her wonderful daughter could kill maw-mouths. Also that her surly daughter actually has friends. Real “I’d die for you” friends. And there’s none or almost no dialogue between them when they’re there.
Dialogue between the characters was sacrificed for the internal monologuing again. I know it’s a quicker way to move the ball along, but El fought for those friendships and relationships and I’d have liked to see them continue to grow and strengthen, instead of just being told or “knowing” they did.
I wasn’t ready for what happened, having already resigned myself to something else, and as soon as my eyes dipped down a few lines and cheated, all on their own I assure you, I just lost it. Sobbing so hard I scared all three of my dogs (my bebes) and couldn’t get it together and just. Damn. <i>(however in hindsight, as I’ve been working on this off and on for nearly 40 minutes jumping around, not much else was added to it. And left many questions behind that I can’t voice here.)</i>
I do not like that there is no accountability. No wizard jail for the worst offenders (or even just The One). Probably because so many of them are okay with the means because the ends and they can say they <i>technically</i> didn’t do the bad thing themselves… I guess it’s probably a good thing that El doesn’t just sweep through with fire and brimstone… especially with the whole maleficer thing… but that’s what some of them deserved. And even better than some deserved. I was full on rooting for it at least two different times for sure, and kept as a solid backup plan for a lot more times.
<b>Worth noting:</b> I suppose it’s more realistic that way. Some bad things are stopped, some bad practices eliminated, but not nearly enough people are held accountable or face justice. And it doesn’t ever prevent NEW bad things from popping up. Not everything can be tied up in a neat bow.
I’m really glad I gave up on the rubbish bargainer series; it felt like good karma sending them on their way bc I landed these 3 from the library in the same day. Which are without a doubt in my top 5 series of the year. (Wolfsong/Green Creek can’t be topped, and I don’t think it’s better than Magnus Chase but I’m partial to Rick Riordan lol). I don’t even want to give them back. For the first time ever I did selfishly hold onto books 1&2 as I finished them in case I needed to go back and look something up. But I suppose I can force myself to relinquish them. If only because El forced herself not to just obliterate mfs that get on her nerves.
finglishknits's review against another edition
4.0
I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH
There’s definitely weaknesses, but I enjoyed reading this immensely.
There’s definitely weaknesses, but I enjoyed reading this immensely.
cometgrrl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
5.0