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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
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
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
aseel_reads's review against another edition
dark
tense
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
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed the ending of this book/series!! I thought it was well-done. I also really enjoyed the incorporation of more myths/folklore/gods etc into the story, it was really great to see it and was done super well!! I think it was a bit slow during the middle, while other parts felt rushed, however, still really liked this!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Torture, Violence, Self harm, and Confinement
Minor: Child abuse
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