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linhsreadinghour's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0
Sound conclusion to a really great YA fantasy series. I think I loved book 1 and 2 the most. I think 3 felt a little distant to the rest of the books because it has been a while since I read the first 2 books. That aside, I think the series overall is such a good diverse YA fantasy series for young readers.
I think it’s best for older younger readers due to the really big and dark themes the books explored but I think it’s done in a really accessible way for young readers. It’s a great gateway series that would ease them into adult fantasy, exploring themes such as oppression, misogyny, and lgbtq+ rep (great non-binary rep in book 3.
It’s got all the goodness in fantasy such as sisterhood, quest, found family, animal companion, gods, and a whole lot of cool magic and creatures.
At the heart of the story though, is the classic theme of coming of age and that everyone has a choice in who they become.
If I review book 3 specifically though, I thought that book 1 and 2 were much better. I remember having more bigger reactions to book 1 and 2. This book I felt like I had to force myself to keep reading near the middle. We’re introduced to some new characters/creatures and information/decisions but ultimately this and the ending felt a little rushed. I also understand Deka was trying to grapple with her destiny but her emotions were all over the place it seemed.
I think it’s best for older younger readers due to the really big and dark themes the books explored but I think it’s done in a really accessible way for young readers. It’s a great gateway series that would ease them into adult fantasy, exploring themes such as oppression, misogyny, and lgbtq+ rep (great non-binary rep in book 3.
It’s got all the goodness in fantasy such as sisterhood, quest, found family, animal companion, gods, and a whole lot of cool magic and creatures.
At the heart of the story though, is the classic theme of coming of age and that everyone has a choice in who they become.
If I review book 3 specifically though, I thought that book 1 and 2 were much better. I remember having more bigger reactions to book 1 and 2. This book I felt like I had to force myself to keep reading near the middle. We’re introduced to some new characters/creatures and information/decisions but ultimately this and the ending felt a little rushed. I also understand Deka was trying to grapple with her destiny but her emotions were all over the place it seemed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, War, Misogyny, Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Grief
ashndean88's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.0
I felt this was the weakest in the trilogy.
There was just so much repetition! I understand the need for a recap of information and significant plot developments between books because of how long publishing can take, but doing them constantly throughout the story is a bit ridiculous. Especially when we're at the end of the book and I'm being reminded of something for the fourth time. Once in the beginning is enough!
Another aspect that bothered me was how the characters would go against themselves. For example, there were a couple of times Deka would say something like "I will no longer allow my emotions to control me." Then a few paragraphs later, guess what happened? Her emotions controlled her. I wish she would've just experienced and work through them. That would've been much more compelling. The same thing would happen between characters both with emotions and in regards to tolerating one another. It was odd. Especially when the flip happened without any explanation.
Those were my big issues. However, there were still aspects I enjoyed. Having a group of people so loyal to one other was refreshing, as was witnessing Deka maneuvering through the path she was thrust into. Although I could predict how essentially the book would end, I didn't know how we would get there. So there were enough twists and turns to keep me interested, despite also really wanting to just get this book done with.
There was just so much repetition! I understand the need for a recap of information and significant plot developments between books because of how long publishing can take, but doing them constantly throughout the story is a bit ridiculous. Especially when we're at the end of the book and I'm being reminded of something for the fourth time. Once in the beginning is enough!
Another aspect that bothered me was how the characters would go against themselves. For example, there were a couple of times Deka would say something like "I will no longer allow my emotions to control me." Then a few paragraphs later, guess what happened? Her emotions controlled her. I wish she would've just experienced and work through them. That would've been much more compelling. The same thing would happen between characters both with emotions and in regards to tolerating one another. It was odd. Especially when the flip happened without any explanation.
Those were my big issues. However, there were still aspects I enjoyed. Having a group of people so loyal to one other was refreshing, as was witnessing Deka maneuvering through the path she was thrust into. Although I could predict how essentially the book would end, I didn't know how we would get there. So there were enough twists and turns to keep me interested, despite also really wanting to just get this book done with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
kshertz's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.25
The ending of the trilogy! It was time. It took a while to read because I had started to grow weary of more battles and more obstacles. But in the end they pulled it off. It was sad but satisfying and definitely if someone asked for a BIPOC fantasy novel with a badass femme heroine, these three books will be the first recommendation. I’ll miss this found family but look forward to wherever the author goes from here.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence, Death of parent, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Body horror
le3713's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I loved the world Forna created, and then broke apart, over the course of this series. Unfortunately, I spent so long trying to remind myself of the characters and the elements of the world that I think some of the impact of the plot was lost on me. The ending balanced hope and loss in a measure that felt appropriate to the heaviness of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
gwennanwrites's review against another edition
I loved the first two books, they were super engaging and fun to read. This one was kinda boring and I never had one of those moments where you forget your reading. I am going to try listening to it as an audiobook because thats how read the first two. I also read the first two a few years ago so maybe I am remembering them as better than they actually are. ( some o the contentwarnings I added where referenced from the first two books)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Gore, Blood, Child death, Murder, Sexism, War, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Mental illness, Child abuse, Death, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Medical trauma, and Torture
kickitupanotch7's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
A wonderful ending to a great series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, Murder, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Religious bigotry
readingelli's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
thenurc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
I'm torn. I really enjoyed the series, the development of the characters, the resolution. But so much violence. To the main characters, by the main characters. There were times when I didn't want to pick the books back up because what were the next horrors they would have? You need to have a certain emotional robustness to read these stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, and Death
lpdx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Violence, Animal cruelty, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, War, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, and Gore
Minor: Alcohol
palmkd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
The Eternal Ones is the conclusion to the Deathless Trilogy which is another amazing series and also a top favorite this month which I also strongly recommend!
This story was brutal, powerful, and really well done. There is found family, amazing creatures, awesome magic and world building.
In the OwlCrate author letter for the first book she says she wanted to address the concept of purity and how it’s been used to keep women in their place. That really came through to me and was such a powerful part of the story all the way through. I will definitely be rereading this one.
This story was brutal, powerful, and really well done. There is found family, amazing creatures, awesome magic and world building.
In the OwlCrate author letter for the first book she says she wanted to address the concept of purity and how it’s been used to keep women in their place. That really came through to me and was such a powerful part of the story all the way through. I will definitely be rereading this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Blood, and Grief