Reviews

Last Stand in Lychford by Paul Cornell

samwescott's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I loved this. I really wasn’t sure how the book was going to continue after the major loss in the last one, but it was really cool to see the story progress is such an evolved world. The secrecy being so altered was really interesting and I loved the new character. I’m glad Cornell didn’t abandon the themes of insider/outsider and believer/non-believer. They really enrich these stories.

a_h_haga's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I'm not entierly sure what to say about this book. It has some interesting scenes and events, but I kept asking myself ''why'' for the main plot, and never actually got an answer!
All in all, I did like it, but not sure I'll be giving it a reread any time soon.

blackmetalblackheart's review

Go to review page

4.0

This series has remained strong from the first book. Cornell has created a cool world with rules that make sense, characters that feel real, and conflicts that matter. I enjoyed the new characters and dynamics presented in this fifth novella. It was a quick and satisfying read. I would recommend this series to any fans of magic or strong female casts.

penstarling's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Absolutely enjoyable and satisfying conclusion to the seires.

shereadstales's review

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful mysterious 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

4.0

toristorytime's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.5

Okay I REALLY loved these books but WHYYYYY was Lizzie being canonically queer literally the last two lines of the book???

nichola's review

Go to review page

5.0

I have so many feelings about this little series. Firstly the whole is better than the sum of its parts.

Secondly Reverend Lizzie is my favourite character.

Thirdly I am definitely going to return to Lychford in a few years.

frogggirl2's review

Go to review page

4.0

Quite a good end to a highly enjoyable series. Continue to enjoy the subtle and not so subtle Brexit references and themes.

art3mouse's review

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

trish204's review

Go to review page

4.0

As the title suggests, this is it!

Judith is gone and Finn ... exploded (at the end of the previous book)! So now Autumn and Lizzy are scrambling to protect the town. Granted, it's a little bit better now that many have been rained on and therefore see some of the magic (making them more likely to listen to their new wise woman).
But then the enemy is coming. Fairies ... or are they? Because the King (Finn's father) is not with them. Instead, something that looks to Lizzy (a Reverend) like an angel. Well, we know of at least one from Christian mythology that might have had wings but wasn't QUITE what Christians had wanted him to be. *snickers*
It's all about herd mentality vs. individualism and self-reliance, being gullible vs being informed and brave, old and new knowledge coming together to form something that hasn't been before.
There is also a message or two from Judith that had me whooping and we finally find out what Cummings was/is.

We learn of other realms, of history (in a way), of treaties and how the borders / walls had been put up for protection. Other than that, it's pretty much a straight forward conflict between the sides (incl. a nice examination of Cummings and his "boss" and how they were doing what they were doing that, of course, has its basis in our political reality) but with relatively little actual fighting (think action movie) and more moves and counter-moves. We can't all be superheroes after all. Though there were a few very satisfying explosions. Muahahahahahaha!

As much as I've mourned Judith, I liked the character progression and
SpoilerZorya entering the picture, becoming part of the coven
. Just like some funny literary references, some of which had me chuckling quite a bit. Moreover, the split-up story paths with
SpoilerAutumn's
quest being one, was making this finale even more fast-paced.

Overall, I'm quite happy with this little series. I generally like stories about witches and ones that are a bit different, though not all. I liked that there wasn't any wand-waving or too much spell-casting, that it was more nature stuff and knowledge and being clever. Made for a nice, more realism-based change.