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daggie02's review against another edition
5.0
This was definitely the best book in this serie, just wow begin, middle and end where all so good, it was never boring I wanted to keep reading to see what was gonna happen next. I would recommend this book to everyone! Elise kova is definitely a new favourite author of mine
graciediaz25's review against another edition
4.6 stars bro and a 5 start mf series
i have not felt this alive in forever. Truly have not read a fantasy series that was pure magic in so long this was so amazing and magical and i want to die that it’s over and i stretched this very thin book into an 8 day read bc i didn’t want it to end
i have not felt this alive in forever. Truly have not read a fantasy series that was pure magic in so long this was so amazing and magical and i want to die that it’s over and i stretched this very thin book into an 8 day read bc i didn’t want it to end
literarycath's review against another edition
4.0
Let me get one thing out of the way. I don't like Vhalla Yarl. I think she had the potential to be a great character in the last book, but that ship has sailed. She has become a Mary Sue/Chosen One character with little to no effort on her part, and for the life of me, I could not understand why everyone is so head over heels in love with her.
I get her struggle and her strength, but she is so annoying. I know that characters should have their own flaws and they're not supposed to be perfect, but half of what happened in this book would not have happened at all if Vhalla had stopped for even one second to think about what she was planning on doing and thought about the consequences.
The part where she went to see Vi, for instance. That was out of the blue and the entire time, she barely gave what she agreed to a second thought. She just went with the flow. It was convenient that things worked out in the end, but had Vi been cunning and sinister, things would've turned out differently.
The moment during the final battle when she just upped and ran away. I still don't understand what that was about. What was her plan, really? Her doing what she was going to do would result in nothing. NOTHING. It might probably even ruin things for everyone. So why was she doing it? I don't know.
Baldair, my poor pumpkin. I still can't believe what happened to you. You do not deserve that ending. I'm still mad about it.
Regardless of my qualms for Vhalla, this book was an enjoyable read. There were moments when I went, "Huh?" and then there were moments when I scoffed at the absurdity of it all. But the entire series is nice. I've been looking for something that's a bit heavy on the romance side, and this one definitely has that.
I get her struggle and her strength, but she is so annoying. I know that characters should have their own flaws and they're not supposed to be perfect, but half of what happened in this book would not have happened at all if Vhalla had stopped for even one second to think about what she was planning on doing and thought about the consequences.
The part where she went to see Vi, for instance. That was out of the blue and the entire time, she barely gave what she agreed to a second thought. She just went with the flow. It was convenient that things worked out in the end, but had Vi been cunning and sinister, things would've turned out differently.
The moment during the final battle when she just upped and ran away. I still don't understand what that was about. What was her plan, really? Her doing what she was going to do would result in nothing. NOTHING. It might probably even ruin things for everyone. So why was she doing it? I don't know.
Baldair, my poor pumpkin. I still can't believe what happened to you. You do not deserve that ending. I'm still mad about it.
Regardless of my qualms for Vhalla, this book was an enjoyable read. There were moments when I went, "Huh?" and then there were moments when I scoffed at the absurdity of it all. But the entire series is nice. I've been looking for something that's a bit heavy on the romance side, and this one definitely has that.
christiesmerchek's review against another edition
4.0
This review will be about the series as a whole. It started off strong for the first couple books but I felt like books 3 and 4 took a nosedive, and then 5 wasn't quite enough for me to pull it back up.
I felt like I had whiplash the entire time. There was either almost no lead into something happening, or it was beaten absolutely to death, no subtlety or in between. One second we are happy and laughing and the next something terrible happens. I also felt like time made no sense most of the time, something would read like a couple days that was apparently actually weeks. It was very much plot driven and while I knew basically where things were going it just felt like a very jolted ride. And Vhalla tended to annoy me more often than not.
That said I did enjoy the regionality of each of the magic types, and the history of the world that was built.
I felt like I had whiplash the entire time. There was either almost no lead into something happening, or it was beaten absolutely to death, no subtlety or in between. One second we are happy and laughing and the next something terrible happens. I also felt like time made no sense most of the time, something would read like a couple days that was apparently actually weeks. It was very much plot driven and while I knew basically where things were going it just felt like a very jolted ride. And Vhalla tended to annoy me more often than not.
That said I did enjoy the regionality of each of the magic types, and the history of the world that was built.
belovedfables's review against another edition
3.0
3 ⭐️
When there's a triggering subject that happens within the story—and it's a KEY plot point for the story—there needs to be a warning. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. This particular plot point felt like it was just used for shock value, and it's a serious topic that was just glossed over. From that moment on, everything was tainted for me. The storyline was okay enough. Kova does a great job covering the gory scenes—they were actually my favorite part. But everything felt flat after that for me. I really just finished the book to see how this was handled.
Trigger warning:
Miscarriage.
When there's a triggering subject that happens within the story—and it's a KEY plot point for the story—there needs to be a warning. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. This particular plot point felt like it was just used for shock value, and it's a serious topic that was just glossed over. From that moment on, everything was tainted for me. The storyline was okay enough. Kova does a great job covering the gory scenes—they were actually my favorite part. But everything felt flat after that for me. I really just finished the book to see how this was handled.
Trigger warning:
Miscarriage.
list_addict's review against another edition
3.0
Real score 3.85. I loved this series all the way through until this book. I’m not sure why this didn’t grab me. There is something about Vhalla and Aldrik’s relationship that seems disingenuous. And why are we leaving poor Jax hanging? A real bummer that I couldn’t love this more.
kkae's review
5.0
4.5 stars
A nice ending to this main series! It took a bit longer to really hook me in, but once I was there, I wanted to resolve everything. A good majority of the story felt like success was inevitable in the end. That's not necessarily bad, but it did leave me wanting a little more uncertainty as far as the fates of the characters. Some of it was predictable as well, but not enough to make me frustrated or feel the story was lacking.
There is a nice tie in to a companion series at the very end, but everything was wrapped up nicely in regards to Vhalla and Aldrick. I don't feel the need to read more, but I'll keep the other series in the back of my mind.
A nice ending to this main series! It took a bit longer to really hook me in, but once I was there, I wanted to resolve everything. A good majority of the story felt like success was inevitable in the end. That's not necessarily bad, but it did leave me wanting a little more uncertainty as far as the fates of the characters. Some of it was predictable as well, but not enough to make me frustrated or feel the story was lacking.
There is a nice tie in to a companion series at the very end, but everything was wrapped up nicely in regards to Vhalla and Aldrick. I don't feel the need to read more, but I'll keep the other series in the back of my mind.
carriermonkey's review against another edition
5.0
Why does it have to be over? I enjoyed this series SO MUCH. Like more than I can begin to tell you. UGH. There were highs, there were lows, it stabbed you in the heart SO MANY TIMES. It was SO GOOD.
In the final book, crap has really hit the fan. Vhalla accidentally helped a deranged sorcerer has murdered the Emporer and taken over the kingdom. He's told everyone Vhalla and Prince Aldrick are dead with the rest of the royal family and the throne unchallenged. Vhalla, Aldrick and the rest of their crew must raise an army, bring his people together and take back his throne.
A+. This series was a joy.
In the final book, crap has really hit the fan. Vhalla accidentally helped a deranged sorcerer has murdered the Emporer and taken over the kingdom. He's told everyone Vhalla and Prince Aldrick are dead with the rest of the royal family and the throne unchallenged. Vhalla, Aldrick and the rest of their crew must raise an army, bring his people together and take back his throne.
A+. This series was a joy.
sheepishly_sarah's review against another edition
3.0
It was a satisfying ending to the series but overall this just isn't going to be a series I love which is a shame. I really want to love this series and maybe that worked against me and made me more critical than I would be normally. I think I need some more time to think on this before I try and put any more thoughts down.