Reviews

Ethera Grave by Essa Hansen

graff_fuller's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.0

This third novel leaned a little more into the philosophical/metaphysical weeds than I could completely understand, but that being said...it was still very enjoyable.

A very good trilogy story, that was ended with a truly satisfying ending. Well done.

The character of Caiden grows SO much in this series. His journey is not always pretty, but it is commendable, for sure.

One negative, would be that I wish we had more involvement of his rescuers (from the first book - found family) in the rest of the series. They're there, but not as "front and center" as I would've liked (that may not be what everyone else thinks, but I loved them).

The characters that we do have...are truly unique...and leveled up...so the above desire precluded the above desire, but it is, what it is.

The way that the books expanded the central conflict from book to book, was absolutely magnificent. I believe that the author is incredibly brilliant (far surpasing anything that I could achieve) and was able to transmit her vision of this univese structure into words...in such a way that you feel/smell/hear and at times even touch the topics being written about. Mind boggling.

I am hoping that she returns to this universe...and expands further stories that can be told through other characters, either ones that we've already been introduced to, OR even people unknow (as of now), but that could add SO much to the experience of this incredibly unique and bazaar multiverse.

Whatever she writes in the future...I will definitely pickup. 

I've been watching a number of interviews that she's given, and she's a really interesting and captivating person. Love the way her mind works. 

lancenichols's review

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

fancifulreader's review

I just can’t seem to get into this one. It’s a slow start for the third and final book and I really wish they had continued audiobooks for #2 and #3 because that could’ve helped me push through but at this point there are so many other books I want to read and series to finish 

skylar2's review

adventurous challenging tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

grahamrt's review

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

teaturtlesandbooks's review

adventurous challenging emotional 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? Yes

5.0

taserface's review

adventurous dark 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

 What a spectacular ending to a bonkers trilogy! I feel like I've been flying through an asteroid field by the seat of my pants and now I'm exhausted.

Gonna need a break before I read something new! 

ninegladiolus's review

adventurous challenging emotional 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

5.0

Ethera Grave was the conclusion to one of the most unique sci-fi trilogies I have ever read and has firmly earned its place amongst my shelves and favourites. In addition to being exquisitely paced and plotted, Ethera Grave undertakes a lot of my favourite themes with fresh insight and compelling concepts. Transhumanism, queerness, neurodivergence, bodily autonomy, disability, and of course interpersonal relationships all take center stage in an expansive multiverse packed with action and characters you want to root for. I laughed, I cried, I highlighted so many lines, and I think about it every time sci-fi books come up in discussion. I cannot recommend this trilogy highly enough and consider it deeply underrated.

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

heavenbythesea's review

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective

4.0

_hex_libris's review

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious 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