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k_winchester's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I struggled a bit on how to rate this one - it's probably more of a wobbly 3.5? There were a lot of elements I liked, and the really the whole concept of this one is particular, with Marguerite having to chase down her most evil version through a dozen universes, was awesome. But the few things I didn't like kinda stuck out.
Like, man, I just have never felt any chemistry on the page with her big love (which makes it hard to care or cheer for them) and soooo many of their interactions just feel like melodramatic angst for angst's sake more than anything. There were some good moments between them (or versions of them) along the way, but I honestly found myself mostly rolling my eyes and wanting them to just not be a thing - push them aside and get to the rest of the story. And I also felt like most of their interactions in this book in particular were very repetitive on top of melodramatic. I loved the romantic element and wanted to love THEM as a couple, but just never got there.
My other quibble is really the last chapterwhen the conversation with the Home Office parents happened , it seemed waaay too easy and very anti-climactic after alllll that, and particularly everything in this book, based on what those alternates' mission apparently was. The stuff *around* that in the climactic last couple chapters was great, tension-y and complicated, some Hail Mary's etc (and for a good minute there I really did think, with only so few pages left, it really was going to end with That Death and/or major history erasure and I was ready to throw the book at the wall, haha). Lastly, as with the second one in this series, I felt like I had a hard time getting into the first quarter or so - though thankfully, this one didn't resort to the constant back and forth the 2nd book did.
Despite my quibbles though, I definitely liked this overall better than the 2nd book, and it felt like a worthy conclusion, complete with a nice wrap-up epilogue at the end, which was satisfying to see loose ends or stories/universes get one more mention/conclusion. There were certainly some great moments in this and moments that threw me for a loop, which was great to read. Overall, a cool series, and a good (if bumpy, or eye-rolling at times) ride.
And of course, it technically doesn't matter, but gotta mention the cover art again. I want to keep the books just for the gorgeous covers, if no other reason. 😂
Like, man, I just have never felt any chemistry on the page with her big love (which makes it hard to care or cheer for them) and soooo many of their interactions just feel like melodramatic angst for angst's sake more than anything. There were some good moments between them (or versions of them) along the way, but I honestly found myself mostly rolling my eyes and wanting them to just not be a thing - push them aside and get to the rest of the story. And I also felt like most of their interactions in this book in particular were very repetitive on top of melodramatic. I loved the romantic element and wanted to love THEM as a couple, but just never got there.
My other quibble is really the last chapter
Despite my quibbles though, I definitely liked this overall better than the 2nd book, and it felt like a worthy conclusion, complete with a nice wrap-up epilogue at the end, which was satisfying to see loose ends or stories/universes get one more mention/conclusion. There were certainly some great moments in this and moments that threw me for a loop, which was great to read. Overall, a cool series, and a good (if bumpy, or eye-rolling at times) ride.
And of course, it technically doesn't matter, but gotta mention the cover art again. I want to keep the books just for the gorgeous covers, if no other reason. 😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Gore, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Drug use, and Pregnancy
Minor: Violence, Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, and War
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