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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
This didn’t read like the first two, the main villain is a complete unknown and it feels more like an attempt at writing an additional book for the sake of it rather than because there was actually more to the story to write about. The build up of the first two books is completely wiped out with no resolution and I’m not willing to read more to find out if this is resolved.
Listened to this as an audiobook. Idk if it’s been too long since I read book 2 or if I just was not interested in the story anymore. I had a time limit since it was on loan from the library and I just did not care to see it through.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
You know I hadn't been waiting for this book for over 3 years, this would've been AMAZING. Just didn't live up to the anticipation.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fantastic book on its own, but a frustrating end to the series. Two pages to wrap everything up after the climax? TWO? PAGES??? After watching these characters get their asses KICKED for 3 WHOLE BOOKS, I would love to see more of their relief, their hope, their joy, after finally achieving freedom. Ugh
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Holy moly. I have a lot to say. I literally have a 1000-word essay sitting in my Notes app. I'll try to make it brief.
This book is bad.
I'll start with the TLDR
It's like the Star Wars sequel trilogy, where the conclusion speed runs an entirely different trilogy at the expense of the established universe. Maybe this could have worked as a legacy series (emphasis on series, because one book would not cut it), starring Zelie's descendant. I'd give this points for at least being well-written, but scenes simultaneously take too much time and are sped to a degree that makes the book seem disinterested in itself. The last fifth of the book feels like it was written with a 30-day deadline looming over her.
This was just awful.
-Orïsha is just as much a main character as Zelie. Leaving Orïsha behind to save some random girl who's story relevance is about on par with the Sun Stone in Book 1 feels so cheap.
-Zelie loses the powers she worked so hard to regain. She remarks on it here and there, but it doesn't seem to devastate her enough.
-Inan returns to Orïsha, though, so we do have an eye in Lagos. Three chapters of flacid tension later, he's in New Gaia with the rest to contribute very little. Everything we've been tasked to care for is now handled off-page.
-Amari is almost non-existent. Any of her progression is somewhat forgotten. After many moments of teasing, Amari finally gets a queer turn, but not with Zelie, which the prior books would have you believe, but with a brand new character, the aforementioned Sun Stone replacement. To split Tzaimari and Zenan apart for neither women to pursue each other is a disservice to all ships involved.
-Tzain gets his own chapters this time around, but he always came off a bit boring. As basically the "Sokka" of the group, he doesn't serve as the voice of reason or heart. He ends up getting a new underexplained power in a "Here! Damn!" kind of way. If they were brave, they would have put him and Köa together.
Now, let's talk about the Skulls. They suck! As a villain force, they are extremely weak like Power Rangers Putties: all informed menace but taken out by the dozens. The opening escape sequence should have failed to show the menace the Skulls serve, but if they couldn't defeat poisoned, powerless, malnourished prisoners with all of their advantage, how could they ever serve as a roadblock to anything? In fact, they are never really proactive in any of their movements. King Baldyr's victories come from dumb luck or the main characters doing something stupid. Especially at the end,when Zelie and Mae'e delivered themselves to him, despite being the single most unintelligent thing they could have done at the moment.
I'm skipping other points, like the almost non-existent language barrier, or Rõen's absence, but I think you get the drift. This is such a cop out ending. It makes me feel foolish for having cared in the first place.
This book is bad.
I'll start with the TLDR
It's like the Star Wars sequel trilogy, where the conclusion speed runs an entirely different trilogy at the expense of the established universe. Maybe this could have worked as a legacy series (emphasis on series, because one book would not cut it), starring Zelie's descendant. I'd give this points for at least being well-written, but scenes simultaneously take too much time and are sped to a degree that makes the book seem disinterested in itself. The last fifth of the book feels like it was written with a 30-day deadline looming over her.
This was just awful.
-Orïsha is just as much a main character as Zelie. Leaving Orïsha behind to save some random girl who's story relevance is about on par with the Sun Stone in Book 1 feels so cheap.
-Zelie loses the powers she worked so hard to regain. She remarks on it here and there, but it doesn't seem to devastate her enough.
-Inan returns to Orïsha, though, so we do have an eye in Lagos. Three chapters of flacid tension later, he's in New Gaia with the rest to contribute very little. Everything we've been tasked to care for is now handled off-page.
-Amari is almost non-existent. Any of her progression is somewhat forgotten. After many moments of teasing, Amari finally gets a queer turn, but not with Zelie, which the prior books would have you believe, but with a brand new character, the aforementioned Sun Stone replacement. To split Tzaimari and Zenan apart for neither women to pursue each other is a disservice to all ships involved.
-Tzain gets his own chapters this time around, but he always came off a bit boring. As basically the "Sokka" of the group, he doesn't serve as the voice of reason or heart. He ends up getting a new underexplained power in a "Here! Damn!" kind of way. If they were brave, they would have put him and Köa together.
Now, let's talk about the Skulls. They suck! As a villain force, they are extremely weak like Power Rangers Putties: all informed menace but taken out by the dozens. The opening escape sequence should have failed to show the menace the Skulls serve, but if they couldn't defeat poisoned, powerless, malnourished prisoners with all of their advantage, how could they ever serve as a roadblock to anything? In fact, they are never really proactive in any of their movements. King Baldyr's victories come from dumb luck or the main characters doing something stupid. Especially at the end,
I'm skipping other points, like the almost non-existent language barrier, or Rõen's absence, but I think you get the drift. This is such a cop out ending. It makes me feel foolish for having cared in the first place.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-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