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readwithde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
Action. Adventure. Romance. Mystery. Lore. Sacrifice. Character Growth. Secrets. Meaningful Choices. This book had it all.
This book read like the end of a trilogy, despite the fact that there are four houses (and supposedly a fourth book coming). Most of the main characters had their story arcs conclude, and there are only a few loose ends.Along with the obvious: How will Midgard be ruled now? Will technology survive? But these seem like simple worldbuilding questions, not future books or series of content.
Bryce and Hunt became less vital and important to me; the background characters became much more important. I love that the story focused on so many different paths and choices, all culminating in the final conflict of the book.
All that to say, it was good. I liked it. But I wanted more, and I'm not sure when or if that will happen.
This book read like the end of a trilogy, despite the fact that there are four houses (and supposedly a fourth book coming). Most of the main characters had their story arcs conclude, and there are only a few loose ends.
Bryce and Hunt became less vital and important to me; the background characters became much more important. I love that the story focused on so many different paths and choices, all culminating in the final conflict of the book.
All that to say, it was good. I liked it. But I wanted more, and I'm not sure when or if that will happen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, War, Sexual content, Torture, Body horror, Cursing, Gore, Death, Violence, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child death, Alcohol, Confinement, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
zanazy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
CC3 picks up right where book 2 ended. Bryce finds herself within the Prythian, in the Night Court with Rhysand, Nesta, Amren, and Azriel. Although we see ACOTAR characters in the first few scenes, the overall world overlap is only 5% of this story. For most of this story, Bryce is in Lunathion/Crescent City. The small parts of the story where Prythian is the setting, Nesta and Azriel are the main two characters Bryce interacts with. Feyre does not make any big appearances, and eve Cassian is hardly present. Rhysand is present in that they say his name a lot, but he’s also barely in the story. This is truly a Crescent City story more than anything else.
The book is told through many perspectives and the scene breaks are very abrupt. There were quite a few times where the POV changed mid page that made me do a double take to make sure I was following along. A LOT happens to everyone and we see it all. We see into the dungeon Hunt, Ruhn, and Baxian are in, as well as get Ithan’s POV from his journey, Tharion also has his own bits throughout the story. The main POV is of course Bryce, but Lydia is another featured POV that adds a lot, and she has one of the better character developments in this book.
This book ends Bryce and Hunt’s storyline, giving them their own happily ever after. My assumption is that future CC books will follow Lydia and Ruhn, who were by far my favorite couple in this book. Ithan is also someone I would love to continue to follow along, so I hope he and Tharion also appear in future books.
As far as the impact to ACOTAR characters, I think thatNesta will continue to be the POV we read, as Bryce sets her up to follow whatever the eight-pointed star has in store for her.
CC in general has not been my favorite story, and this book did nothing to change that. I think this story made me hate Bryce as a character, and there were plenty of times I wanted to chuck my book at the wall. Bryce’s actions throughout the book show she is selfish, conceited, and only concerned about what she wants, regardless of the cost or impact to others. I will admit I was not a big fan of hers, but I ended the book disliking her even more. All the other characters talk about how selfless she is, how special, kind, good, insert other nice things throughout the scenes and story, which makes things worse. There should be no need for other characters to rave about her, the fact they do, tells you enough that her actions do not reflect what other characters think she is like. Lydia, Ruhn, Tharion, and Ithan save this story from being completely unreadable.
Unfortunately, this is my least favorite of all the Maas universe books, and I am truly hoping this was the end of Bryce’s story, because I do not care to read more about her.
The book is told through many perspectives and the scene breaks are very abrupt. There were quite a few times where the POV changed mid page that made me do a double take to make sure I was following along. A LOT happens to everyone and we see it all. We see into the dungeon Hunt, Ruhn, and Baxian are in, as well as get Ithan’s POV from his journey, Tharion also has his own bits throughout the story. The main POV is of course Bryce, but Lydia is another featured POV that adds a lot, and she has one of the better character developments in this book.
This book ends Bryce and Hunt’s storyline, giving them
As far as the impact to ACOTAR characters, I think that
CC in general has not been my favorite story, and this book did nothing to change that. I think this story made me hate Bryce as a character, and there were plenty of times I wanted to chuck my book at the wall. Bryce’s actions throughout the book show she is selfish, conceited, and only concerned about what she wants, regardless of the cost or impact to others. I will admit I was not a big fan of hers, but I ended the book disliking her even more. All the other characters talk about how selfless she is, how special, kind, good, insert other nice things throughout the scenes and story, which makes things worse. There should be no need for other characters to rave about her, the fact they do, tells you enough that her actions do not reflect what other characters think she is like. Lydia, Ruhn, Tharion, and Ithan save this story from being completely unreadable.
Unfortunately, this is my least favorite of all the Maas universe books, and I am truly hoping this was the end of Bryce’s story, because I do not care to read more about her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, War, Death, Child death, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Gun violence, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content, Rape, Sexual harassment, Medical content, and Toxic relationship
justbooker's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I believe this is the best book in the Crescent City saga so far. I felt very satisfied with the story in the end and feel like it would be a great stopping point for the series (though I know SJM has already confirmed another is coming). However, I did struggle with the pacing of the story and some character choices.
The conflicts between Hunt and Bryce felt unnecessary and, frankly, annoying. Bryce also felt a bit wishy-washy in terms of her goals and overall feelings. One momentshe's Queen, the other she wants to burn it all down, and then she's right back to Queen mode . There's also Ithan, who I could not have cared less about for most of the book. It felt like he only became truly relevant at the end. I understand what his character development was supposed to be throughout the book and why everything happened with him. However, ever chapter from his perspective felt like a slog.
On the other hand, I believe this book has the best lore building moments of the series. The information dumps were easy to follow and engaging. With the lore building in the first book, it felt very scattered and needlessly confusing. This books had smooth, consistent lore that felt properly woven between character dialogue.
As far as characters go, Lidia is probably my favorite. I appreciate the depth and growth that she shows with Ruhn. Every development between her and Ruhn kept me on the edge of my seat, desperately rooting for them. I would love to seeher children be further developed in the next book.
Overall, the plot felt very satisfying. All loose ends were tied up beautifully. I cheered when Ruhngot to finally kill his father , when Lidia got to kill Pollux , and just all characters getting their moment of justice. The Asteri conflict has been perfectly resolved, and while there is the oncoming struggle of setting up a new government , it feels like everything is alright. The saying "Through love, all things are possible" is repeated time and time again, and this book really drives that theme home. I will not forget the frustrations I had with the book/series, but in the end I enjoyed my time in the world and am glad to have read it.
The conflicts between Hunt and Bryce felt unnecessary and, frankly, annoying. Bryce also felt a bit wishy-washy in terms of her goals and overall feelings. One moment
On the other hand, I believe this book has the best lore building moments of the series. The information dumps were easy to follow and engaging. With the lore building in the first book, it felt very scattered and needlessly confusing. This books had smooth, consistent lore that felt properly woven between character dialogue.
As far as characters go, Lidia is probably my favorite. I appreciate the depth and growth that she shows with Ruhn. Every development between her and Ruhn kept me on the edge of my seat, desperately rooting for them. I would love to see
Overall, the plot felt very satisfying. All loose ends were tied up beautifully. I cheered when Ruhn
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Murder, War, Death of parent, Gore, Blood, Torture, Vomit, Excrement, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Child death, Sexism, Trafficking, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Kidnapping, and Cursing
Minor: Classism, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual assault, and Rape
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