Scan barcode
violetvulptex's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Overall I enjoyed it more than the first book, less than the second, but it made me feel many things (particularly towards the end) and I think the highs are the highest in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, War, Hate crime, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Death of parent
karelidz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.75
It was fine. I liked Adelina's redemption and I also liked that she wasn't given "a second chance" at the end.
Over all as a series "from the villain's pov" it was quite refreshing to read.
I feel like maybe it could've built up a bit more being the 3rd book, but it was still enjoyable. I also think that out of the 3 books the first one was the best one since you see the making of the villain; the other 2 were a bit "bland" in comparison. Still, i enjoyed reading, so 4 stars :)
Over all as a series "from the villain's pov" it was quite refreshing to read.
I feel like maybe it could've built up a bit more being the 3rd book, but it was still enjoyable. I also think that out of the 3 books the first one was the best one since you see the making of the villain; the other 2 were a bit "bland" in comparison. Still, i enjoyed reading, so 4 stars :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, and War
noellelovesbooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
4.0
- Child sex work
- Hallucinations & delusions
- Murder & attempted murder
- Torture
- Drowning
- Forced conscription
- War & rebellion themes
- Animal death
- Loss of loved ones [on page]
- Self-harm, suicidal ideations, and suicide attempt [on page]
In this final installment, though we mostly see things through Adelina’s eyes, we bounce between six different perspectives as they face a new challenge, that will require them to work together. What will it take for the different Elite to put their past behind them as they head towards a threat that affects them all?
Having loved seeing Adelina grow from a broken and scared young girl to a conquering Queen…I was extremely nervous to read this book. Fantasy series are notorious for emotionally destroying me in their final installment…but I needed to see how this story ended. I found myself cuddled in bed as this book repeatedly had me crying.
There were a few things that happened, in book two, that I thought would be explained further in this book but sadly weren’t mentioned. I’m wondering if they were meant to be explored more but were forgotten? Although I LOVED having most of the story about Adelina I do wish all of the books would have given us a little more history and story to each of the other characters we follow.
Of course, I had a completely unrealistic hope for how this book would end…which didn’t come to pass but I was left still happy with how Lu decided to end it. I feel like I’m still processing so I may have more to add later, you know how those “late-night about to fall asleep” thoughts hit, but for now I’ll that’s all I’ve got. A YA trilogy with interesting world-building and complex characters…I’ll definitely be re-reading this series in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Self harm, Blood, Murder, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Death
anniereads221's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Self harm, Torture, and Violence
thegoodyouth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“Where will you go, when the clocl strikes twelve?
What will you do, when you face yourself?
How will you live, knowing what you’ve done?
How will you die, if your soul’s already gone?”
There’s no comparing it to the previous book, but this one was still really good. It had me gasping at the end, and the plot twists were excellent. I liked that ultimately this was a story about sisters and relationships that can survive through anything.
The one thing I didn’t like, however, is that Adelina has just one eye as a result of the blood fever, but it was only mentioned once or twice for dramatic effect. I didn’t even remember that part until it was, and I found it rather disingenuous.
It was also a lost opportunity to write a character and how she moves through the world with just one eye. I’m hard of hearing, and it absolutely does affect the way I interact with the world.
What will you do, when you face yourself?
How will you live, knowing what you’ve done?
How will you die, if your soul’s already gone?”
There’s no comparing it to the previous book, but this one was still really good. It had me gasping at the end, and the plot twists were excellent. I liked that ultimately this was a story about sisters and relationships that can survive through anything.
The one thing I didn’t like, however, is that Adelina has just one eye as a result of the blood fever, but it was only mentioned once or twice for dramatic effect. I didn’t even remember that part until it was, and I found it rather disingenuous.
It was also a lost opportunity to write a character and how she moves through the world with just one eye. I’m hard of hearing, and it absolutely does affect the way I interact with the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, and Violence
krijemseoddusana's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, and Death
ghostams's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A perfect ending for the series...Even if I wish the series didn't end. From emotional complexities, extreme world-building, to just beautiful character interactions - it was a fitting end, one that left you heart-broken, hopeful, happy (aka the holy trinity of feels). HIGHLY recommend, this, and the entire series. One of those that lingers with you because you wish it wasn't over so soon.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Death
Minor: Self harm
sarahmreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
5.0
Did I devour this book in one day? Yes. Did I sob? Also yes. Marie Lu has done it again.
Adelina has finally gotten everything she wanted: a throne to rule over and freedom for malfettos. However, across the world, darkness begins to seep in and Elites are slowly but surely having their powers weaken and consume them. Adelina now finds herself at the doorsteps of the Daggers and makes an unlikely alliance to save the world they know. Who will make it out alive?
The story in this final book was phenomenal. Enemies putting aside their grievances for the greater good, even after so much destruction and death. The way the lore with the gods is explored was so well done, and helps readers to fully understand the world of the Young Elites as a whole.
Each of our characters also face their own struggle with the powers gifted to them by the gods, and it's beautifully described with the tethers and the way insanity takes them over or destroys them, even for Adelina as her powers involve illusions. But there is still so much growth in the 300 pages that Marie Lu has given us. Darkness going to light, shared losses, my heart ached even for the most cruel of characters, and as mentioned, I ended up sobbing.
Do I wish Magiano all the best and wish I could cradle him and hold him tight? UH ALSO YES! I would kill for this man. And Raffaele as well. He's cool as all hell. Probably my favorite character.
This series started out a bit rough but got so good so quickly and I can definitely say this book might be up there as one of my faves by Marie Lu.
Adelina has finally gotten everything she wanted: a throne to rule over and freedom for malfettos. However, across the world, darkness begins to seep in and Elites are slowly but surely having their powers weaken and consume them. Adelina now finds herself at the doorsteps of the Daggers and makes an unlikely alliance to save the world they know. Who will make it out alive?
The story in this final book was phenomenal. Enemies putting aside their grievances for the greater good, even after so much destruction and death. The way the lore with the gods is explored was so well done, and helps readers to fully understand the world of the Young Elites as a whole.
Each of our characters also face their own struggle with the powers gifted to them by the gods, and it's beautifully described with the tethers and the way insanity takes them over or destroys them, even for Adelina as her powers involve illusions. But there is still so much growth in the 300 pages that Marie Lu has given us. Darkness going to light, shared losses, my heart ached even for the most cruel of characters, and as mentioned, I ended up sobbing.
Do I wish Magiano all the best and wish I could cradle him and hold him tight? UH ALSO YES! I would kill for this man. And Raffaele as well. He's cool as all hell. Probably my favorite character.
This series started out a bit rough but got so good so quickly and I can definitely say this book might be up there as one of my faves by Marie Lu.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Blood
sm_moon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
beccaand's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Reading this reminded me of reading the Legend trilogy (and Champion), like, 7 years ago.
Especially since the ending fucked me up (so, so good).
Especially since the ending fucked me up (so, so good).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Confinement, Self harm, and Torture