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nikkohlkaleah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.75
A very satisfying conclusion. There were many moments that asked the reader to suspend their belief: from intertwining narratives to plot armor. However, seeing where the story ends is truly rewarding.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
creadsagain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
breakfastgrey's review
4.0
Reviewing the last book of a series is always a bit difficult because you want to both talk about the book itself and the series as a whole.
Reeves does a beautiful job sticking the landing on this series. As with any series, each book adds more pieces to the whole, all of which need to be tied up. It's one of the reasons why I honestly would not be shocked if A Song of Ice and Fire never actually finishes. Reeves navigates this problem beautifully, though, knowing when to cut to the different parts of the plot and having a good sense of what can happen off screen.
Unfortunately, because he needs to tie everything off neatly, this book isn't as exciting as the others. The stakes are bigger, but the risks are non-existent. Massive plot twists and a constant level of threat to characters gave the earlier books a sense of danger this book lacks. It's very safe, which is a bit disappointing.
Looking at the series as a whole, though, this safety serves its purpose. There are certain stories that needed to be told and a thematic unity to be achieved that constant twists would've endangered. Viewing it as Act 4 of a larger arc alleves some of that disappointment.
The same applies to the rest of the novels, as well: even though I only gave one of the four books a five star rating, I would have no hesitation calling this a five star series. Individual pieces have some flaws, but its impact is so much more than that. I am absolutely in love with this world and these characters in a way that few twixt series outside of Harry Potter or His Dark Materials have managed. I'm going to miss it terribly.
Reeves does a beautiful job sticking the landing on this series. As with any series, each book adds more pieces to the whole, all of which need to be tied up. It's one of the reasons why I honestly would not be shocked if A Song of Ice and Fire never actually finishes. Reeves navigates this problem beautifully, though, knowing when to cut to the different parts of the plot and having a good sense of what can happen off screen.
Unfortunately, because he needs to tie everything off neatly, this book isn't as exciting as the others. The stakes are bigger, but the risks are non-existent. Massive plot twists and a constant level of threat to characters gave the earlier books a sense of danger this book lacks. It's very safe, which is a bit disappointing.
Looking at the series as a whole, though, this safety serves its purpose. There are certain stories that needed to be told and a thematic unity to be achieved that constant twists would've endangered. Viewing it as Act 4 of a larger arc alleves some of that disappointment.
The same applies to the rest of the novels, as well: even though I only gave one of the four books a five star rating, I would have no hesitation calling this a five star series. Individual pieces have some flaws, but its impact is so much more than that. I am absolutely in love with this world and these characters in a way that few twixt series outside of Harry Potter or His Dark Materials have managed. I'm going to miss it terribly.
telly_in_town's review against another edition
5.0
Finishing this series is such a strange feeling. I started reading the first book about 3 years ago when I found the first one in an Asda. I fell in love with it and a two years later found out there were more books available. I’ve been reading this series the entire way through my early teens and the way it ended was perfect. There was no edgy deaths, no annoying cliffhangers, just thoughts and a peaceful close. It came full circle and I couldn’t have loved it more. Thank you, Philip Reeve, you kept me alive with your wonderfully exiting world that j could escape to.
I’m exited to start the prequels and see where you take it next. <3
I’m exited to start the prequels and see where you take it next. <3
amybraunauthor's review
5.0
Just when I find myself enthralled with one book from this wholly unique series, another arrives to sweep me off my feet!
Almost all of the book is a sprawling adventure with so many near misses and sacrifices from beloved characters both old and new. I was thrilled to see Theo’s POV, as he quickly became a favourite of mine, yet much of the story followed Tom, Hester, and Wren. Each had moments of heroism and suffering, and I felt that their endings were well deserved.
There were tons of shocking moments and creative choices made by the author, and I found the epilogue to be quite memorable. I honestly didn’t know who would make it out alive or how their stories would end. Yet all in all it was a beautiful finale that leaves me craving more.
A must have for steampunk fans and lovers of dystopian fantasy!
Almost all of the book is a sprawling adventure with so many near misses and sacrifices from beloved characters both old and new. I was thrilled to see Theo’s POV, as he quickly became a favourite of mine, yet much of the story followed Tom, Hester, and Wren. Each had moments of heroism and suffering, and I felt that their endings were well deserved.
There were tons of shocking moments and creative choices made by the author, and I found the epilogue to be quite memorable. I honestly didn’t know who would make it out alive or how their stories would end. Yet all in all it was a beautiful finale that leaves me craving more.
A must have for steampunk fans and lovers of dystopian fantasy!
socialamoebaemily's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Overall entertaining. Worth a quick read.
cheyburn92's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
4.5
teajunki's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.75