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natroze's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Stalking
Moderate: Murder, Grief, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Torture, Addiction, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Death, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Confinement, Blood, Vomit, Excrement, and Cannibalism
alan713ch's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
breckman's review
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
katieanne4's review against another edition
4.5
As the conclusion to a trilogy I feel unsatisfied, as the third of a trilogy of trilogies (ie there are 6 more books) I'm happy because the story does not feel finished and that means we'll hopefully spend more time with these characters in future books.
I have to admit that I'm partially here for the smut and on that front these books are not delivering. Like everything doesn't have to have smut but every book with a romantic subplot does. Or, maybe it's just that the romance did not satisfy on its own terms.Addam definitely was a stronger character in the first one and in this book it seemed like he was just there to be perfect, strong, hot, patient. And a lot of what happened with him was his relationship with Brand which basically happened off screen.
But yeah primary feeling coming out of this is that it's not finished and I'm glad about that. There was definitely plot progress and character progress, I inhaled this one just like the first 2.
edited to add: upon further reflection, this review was overly critical. i love this world/these characters so much and i guess i was just mistaken in thinking that book 3 would be a conclusion of some sort and so i'm feeling some kinda way about waiting for 6 more books to come out. and the lack of smut is clearly a me problem.
that said-- i stand by what i said about addam's characterization in this one, and in general i think the cast is getting kind of big and unwieldy to be able to keep track of everyone and like care about their problems? anna, corbie, layne, corrine, lady death, addam's mom, addam's aunt, mayan, max, quinn. god i hate to say this but it's almost getting marvel-like in that everyone needs to get their screen time... almost! again i want to be clear that i am all in, ride or die, but that just makes me more pickier about the imperfections.
I have to admit that I'm partially here for the smut and on that front these books are not delivering. Like everything doesn't have to have smut but every book with a romantic subplot does. Or, maybe it's just that the romance did not satisfy on its own terms.
But yeah primary feeling coming out of this is that it's not finished and I'm glad about that. There was definitely plot progress and character progress, I inhaled this one just like the first 2.
edited to add: upon further reflection, this review was overly critical. i love this world/these characters so much and i guess i was just mistaken in thinking that book 3 would be a conclusion of some sort and so i'm feeling some kinda way about waiting for 6 more books to come out. and the lack of smut is clearly a me problem.
that said-- i stand by what i said about addam's characterization in this one, and in general i think the cast is getting kind of big and unwieldy to be able to keep track of everyone and like care about their problems? anna, corbie, layne, corrine, lady death, addam's mom, addam's aunt, mayan, max, quinn. god i hate to say this but it's almost getting marvel-like in that everyone needs to get their screen time... almost! again i want to be clear that i am all in, ride or die, but that just makes me more pickier about the imperfections.
drakoulis's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely stunning!
The 3rd book of The Tarot Sequence lives up to the standards of its predecessors, expands the complex worldbuilding of New Atlantis, weaves together fast-paced action, traumatic events of the past, eerie murder scenes investigations and the domestic struggles of building a Court from scratch.
Rune is emotionally growing up quickly, thanks to both his new responsibilities as a member of the Arcanum and the impact his new family has on his life. He has to make more choices, and it is very obvious (it was from the start but now it's blatant) that he doesn't like the way the Arcanum runs New Atlantis. He worries about the safety of Max, Quinn, Anna, Corbie (who has a new best friend in Flynn the dinosaur!). He is more honest to himself about how he sees his mentor, Lord Tower.
His relationships with Brand and Addam remain in the heart of the story. Rune and Brand have a wonderfully written and emotional platonic relationship, and the mastery of KD Edwards balancing this with the lovely evolving romance between Rune and Addam in the story can't be appreciated enough.
One of my favourite parts of the book was when Rune decides to let Addam completely in. It was beautiful, a bit heartbreaking (because it touches Rune's past trauma) and comical (because it's Rune).
Plot-wise, the new, terrifying threat for Rune and the whole New Atlantis comes from the distant past of Atlantis, uses intimidation and manipulation in equal parts to achieve their nefarious goals, and won't hesitate to use Rune's past against him.
It's hard to write much more about both the plot and the characters without spoilers, this book is marvellous and I don't want to deprive anyone of the experience!
PS. For anyone who doesn't know, KD has written a novella (The Eidolon) from Max and Quinn's POV which will delve deeper in their side adventure during this book and will be released in the following months! Max and Quinn are two of my favourite characters, not to mention that I'm super hyped for (spoiler for the short stories:) and all of KD's extra content is very rich in worldbuilding!
The 3rd book of The Tarot Sequence lives up to the standards of its predecessors, expands the complex worldbuilding of New Atlantis, weaves together fast-paced action, traumatic events of the past, eerie murder scenes investigations and the domestic struggles of building a Court from scratch.
Rune is emotionally growing up quickly, thanks to both his new responsibilities as a member of the Arcanum and the impact his new family has on his life. He has to make more choices, and it is very obvious (it was from the start but now it's blatant) that he doesn't like the way the Arcanum runs New Atlantis. He worries about the safety of Max, Quinn, Anna, Corbie (who has a new best friend in Flynn the dinosaur!). He is more honest to himself about how he sees his mentor, Lord Tower.
His relationships with Brand and Addam remain in the heart of the story. Rune and Brand have a wonderfully written and emotional platonic relationship, and the mastery of KD Edwards balancing this with the lovely evolving romance between Rune and Addam in the story can't be appreciated enough.
One of my favourite parts of the book was when Rune decides to let Addam completely in. It was beautiful, a bit heartbreaking (because it touches Rune's past trauma) and comical (because it's Rune).
Plot-wise, the new, terrifying threat for Rune and the whole New Atlantis comes from the distant past of Atlantis, uses intimidation and manipulation in equal parts to achieve their nefarious goals, and won't hesitate to use Rune's past against him.
It's hard to write much more about both the plot and the characters without spoilers, this book is marvellous and I don't want to deprive anyone of the experience!
PS. For anyone who doesn't know, KD has written a novella (The Eidolon) from Max and Quinn's POV which will delve deeper in their side adventure during this book and will be released in the following months! Max and Quinn are two of my favourite characters, not to mention that I'm super hyped for (spoiler for the short stories:
Spoiler
their friends-to-boyfriends plotline that KD has hinted in the short story where Quinn confides in Addamlelia_1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
plinktin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
- 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
3.5
theoguinto's review against another edition
5.0
Just as good as the first two.
The throuple that Rune, Brand, and Addam seem to be forming is really interesting to watch unfold.
Ciaran retaking the Magician's Throne was unexpected, and I kind of wish that it didn't happen in the same book that we found out that he was the Magician. I'm interested in seeing how the power struggle between him and the false Magician plays out.
I legitimately cried when Rune told Addam about how it was his fault that the Sun Court originally fell, and how Brand was involved with it because of him.
The fight scenes were very action-y and fun to read, but the final fight with Lady Time was a little anti-climactic when she just dies from over-exhausting her Majuer.
I refuse to believe the Tower is dead, I'm hoping he comes back in later entries so that he can become Rune's consort. Maybe he's doing something similar to Lord Time who isn't dead and was able to survive in the stream.
I'm also curious about who the new heads of the Judgement and Dagger courts will be now. Also very curious about the Moon, Devil, and Star courts that all didn't participate in the story (particularly the Moon and Star as they both have links to the previous Sun court)
I loved the different characters' short parts at his wake. It was very personal and really emphasized how big of an influence the Tower was to all these people. I was really surprised to see Brand confess to being attracted to the Tower (similar to Rune's crush), but he said he was in love and that reframed a lot of their previous interactions for me.
The not so sly Empress seems to have some part in the next set of stories, so I'm very interested in seeing how that develops.
I cannot wait for the next book to come out.
The throuple that Rune, Brand, and Addam seem to be forming is really interesting to watch unfold.
Ciaran retaking the Magician's Throne was unexpected, and I kind of wish that it didn't happen in the same book that we found out that he was the Magician. I'm interested in seeing how the power struggle between him and the false Magician plays out.
I legitimately cried when Rune told Addam about how it was his fault that the Sun Court originally fell, and how Brand was involved with it because of him.
The fight scenes were very action-y and fun to read, but the final fight with Lady Time was a little anti-climactic when she just dies from over-exhausting her Majuer.
I refuse to believe the Tower is dead, I'm hoping he comes back in later entries so that he can become Rune's consort. Maybe he's doing something similar to Lord Time who isn't dead and was able to survive in the stream.
I'm also curious about who the new heads of the Judgement and Dagger courts will be now. Also very curious about the Moon, Devil, and Star courts that all didn't participate in the story (particularly the Moon and Star as they both have links to the previous Sun court)
I loved the different characters' short parts at his wake. It was very personal and really emphasized how big of an influence the Tower was to all these people. I was really surprised to see Brand confess to being attracted to the Tower (similar to Rune's crush), but he said he was in love and that reframed a lot of their previous interactions for me.
The not so sly Empress seems to have some part in the next set of stories, so I'm very interested in seeing how that develops.
I cannot wait for the next book to come out.