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amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
This was definitely a thrill ride from start to finish. It was great to catch up with characters I adored and watch them battle in truly wicked fashion. There were lots of great reveals about the past, some crazy chases and escapes, and one wild final battle. Though I wanted to see a little more of Devon and some of the dialogue was repetitive and cheesy, I was very happy with Lila's final development. She's a great character and I'm going to miss her.
rainbow_storm3200's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
witchylevy's review against another edition
5.0
This book was action packed amazing. Parts were extremely heartbreaking, others were sweet. I hope the series continues!
fyrekatz's review against another edition
4.0
The first thing I got to say is that I love how all Jennifer's books are tied together somehow... its real nice. Another thing is that even if this story and Lila kicks butt it doesn't have the same feeling as Mythos Books- but alas that was my first series I read of hers. The Mythos actually made me cry thru out the series... this one not so much but I still love the story. And it ended with some of the conflict not addressed but what the heck... this trilogy was filled with action and I love the pixes and other creatures filled in it like the Lochness! So yup yup!
http://fkrants.blogspot.com/2016/03/bright-blaze-of-magic.html
http://fkrants.blogspot.com/2016/03/bright-blaze-of-magic.html
talya_'s review against another edition
2.0
I found this book to be a bit lacking. I wasn't really expecting too much going into it, yet it somehow managed to disappoint anyway. Now I'm not saying the book was bad. I just didn't enjoy it very much.
Despite the length of the book it was a pretty quick read, and I was done reading it within only 2 hours. I think the main reason for that is that the writing was lacking in depth. And everything happened quickly and worked out almost perfectly for our main characters. Lila is the typical oh-so-powerful MC that can do everything and anything and allows nothing to get in her way, because she's that amazing. It was all pretty unrealistic and annoying, and I felt completely disconnected from the entire book. The characters all seem to be shallow and lack depth, just like the writing, plot, and romance. (The romance is completely lacking in chemistry if you're wondering.) Another thing that bugged me was the dialogue. It was corny, cheesy, and redundant. Every time Lila's fighting someone, she manages to throw in cocky retorts when she could be fighting and killing them instead. The romance dialogue is annoying and shallow and boring. I'm not even going to get into that. And there seems to be a problem with the characters saying the same things 20 different times. Like Victor who in every exchange felt the need to brag about killing Lila's mother. Maybe his character was purposely written like that, but if so, that was a bad call. We all get that the guy is evil and cocky and all that jazz. Him restating the same thing on every page isn't necessary. Neither are Lila's speeches about doing whatever it takes to protect people, or continuously repeating the same things about the monster under the bridge, or talking about how much she loves her friends, or mentioning what an amazing thief she is. These things are constantly repeated throughout the entire book. We get it. We've gotten it since the first book. Why are these things still being discussed? It may not be a big deal for others, but it really turned me off. So yeah. Definitely not feeling this book.
Despite the length of the book it was a pretty quick read, and I was done reading it within only 2 hours. I think the main reason for that is that the writing was lacking in depth. And everything happened quickly and worked out almost perfectly for our main characters. Lila is the typical oh-so-powerful MC that can do everything and anything and allows nothing to get in her way, because she's that amazing. It was all pretty unrealistic and annoying, and I felt completely disconnected from the entire book. The characters all seem to be shallow and lack depth, just like the writing, plot, and romance. (The romance is completely lacking in chemistry if you're wondering.) Another thing that bugged me was the dialogue. It was corny, cheesy, and redundant. Every time Lila's fighting someone, she manages to throw in cocky retorts when she could be fighting and killing them instead. The romance dialogue is annoying and shallow and boring. I'm not even going to get into that. And there seems to be a problem with the characters saying the same things 20 different times. Like Victor who in every exchange felt the need to brag about killing Lila's mother. Maybe his character was purposely written like that, but if so, that was a bad call. We all get that the guy is evil and cocky and all that jazz. Him restating the same thing on every page isn't necessary. Neither are Lila's speeches about doing whatever it takes to protect people, or continuously repeating the same things about the monster under the bridge, or talking about how much she loves her friends, or mentioning what an amazing thief she is. These things are constantly repeated throughout the entire book. We get it. We've gotten it since the first book. Why are these things still being discussed? It may not be a big deal for others, but it really turned me off. So yeah. Definitely not feeling this book.
papidoc's review against another edition
3.0
Light YA fiction. Not especially good or bad,,,shallow characters, repetitive phrasing, but an OK story line. Was satisfying to see the various plot points wrap up and get some closure.
singsthewren's review against another edition
4.0
Finales are so hard, but this one was really satisfying. There wasn't as much of a B plot as I would have liked, given that the whole book was focused on the big confrontation with Victor, but I still really liked where it went and how it all wrapped up.
A few times I struggled with plot holes which were then filled in retroactively (why isn't he using his power to defend himself? and then six chapters later, they explain his powers in a way they never have before, for instance), which was a bit frustrating because I still had to spend all that time wondering why X wasn't just doing Y.
Great series, easy read, fun time.
A few times I struggled with plot holes which were then filled in retroactively (why isn't he using his power to defend himself? and then six chapters later, they explain his powers in a way they never have before, for instance), which was a bit frustrating because I still had to spend all that time wondering why X wasn't just doing Y.
Great series, easy read, fun time.
jscarpa14's review against another edition
4.0
While I really loved this ending to what I've heard is only going to be a trilogy, but to what I hope is just another installment in a larger series, there were a few things that bothered me. I don't know if they're just specifically about this book, or more of a comment on the series in general.
First of all the love story, I love the relationship between Lila and Devon, but I guess I would have like more conversations and interactions between them before the L word came out. I know this is a common complaint of mine with any love story. It's just that love is such a complicated, multifaceted emotion that I think it needs more I guess demonstration than is typically shown in a book for me to be completely happy with it. Devon and Lila have gone through a great many things together and I understand why this would make feelings so much more intense than in a typical setting, but if you think back the first book it was like they have this connection from the moment they set eyes on each other and I'd like to better understand that. I'd never claim to call this instalove, but the initial beginnings of the relationship and the connection between these characters I strongly feel needs more exploring.
The disappearing from the foster system thing of Lila's past also leaves me with a lot of questions. Wouldn't they have looked for her? And when did her Mom who died when she was only thirteen, if I understand it right, have time to teach her all these skills for theft, sword play and roof jumping? I guess none of these things are impossible, but at the same time I think I'd prefer to read some sort of examples and see the things as they happened in writing then quick tellings of them later. Serena and Luke themselves remain still a mystery with lives that set all of this into motion and I find that I'd very much like to know more than just a few explanatory sentences about what really happened between this couple. I'd love to have known Serena as more than a deceased background character because she seems as though she might have been even more intriguing a character than Lila herself.
Another thing I found distracting was the way Lila describes sword play as swinging her sword back and forth. I mean basically that's kind of what sword play is, but if she's an experienced I guess fencer you'd say, wouldn't she varry the language used to describe her moves? It just seems a little insulting to those who spend years learning the art of sword play to make the skill seem so simple by using that regular description of it.
My final small issue is the sequencing of events felt bit rushed. As in when between Claudia being rescued and Lila waking up captured did Victor have time to challenge her to a duel? It seems as though almost every scene was action packed leaving the reader entranced, but honestly I think the story might have been even better if it was dragged out a bit more letting us see those connections that are often skipped over or happen in conversation in order to make every scene intense.
That said I adored this series, I adored the characters and should another book ever be offered in the series I will be standing in line to read it. There are so many character relationships in this world that I'd love to see explored, like Lila and the Lochness, learning more about Deah and so many others. There's so much to this world and these character that we leave still not knowing that I'd gratefully return to the world if the chance was offered. The characters are interesting, the world building is wonderfully done and the plot is intense from beginning to end. Highly recommended.
First of all the love story, I love the relationship between Lila and Devon, but I guess I would have like more conversations and interactions between them before the L word came out. I know this is a common complaint of mine with any love story. It's just that love is such a complicated, multifaceted emotion that I think it needs more I guess demonstration than is typically shown in a book for me to be completely happy with it. Devon and Lila have gone through a great many things together and I understand why this would make feelings so much more intense than in a typical setting, but if you think back the first book it was like they have this connection from the moment they set eyes on each other and I'd like to better understand that. I'd never claim to call this instalove, but the initial beginnings of the relationship and the connection between these characters I strongly feel needs more exploring.
The disappearing from the foster system thing of Lila's past also leaves me with a lot of questions. Wouldn't they have looked for her? And when did her Mom who died when she was only thirteen, if I understand it right, have time to teach her all these skills for theft, sword play and roof jumping? I guess none of these things are impossible, but at the same time I think I'd prefer to read some sort of examples and see the things as they happened in writing then quick tellings of them later. Serena and Luke themselves remain still a mystery with lives that set all of this into motion and I find that I'd very much like to know more than just a few explanatory sentences about what really happened between this couple. I'd love to have known Serena as more than a deceased background character because she seems as though she might have been even more intriguing a character than Lila herself.
Another thing I found distracting was the way Lila describes sword play as swinging her sword back and forth. I mean basically that's kind of what sword play is, but if she's an experienced I guess fencer you'd say, wouldn't she varry the language used to describe her moves? It just seems a little insulting to those who spend years learning the art of sword play to make the skill seem so simple by using that regular description of it.
My final small issue is the sequencing of events felt bit rushed. As in when between Claudia being rescued and Lila waking up captured did Victor have time to challenge her to a duel? It seems as though almost every scene was action packed leaving the reader entranced, but honestly I think the story might have been even better if it was dragged out a bit more letting us see those connections that are often skipped over or happen in conversation in order to make every scene intense.
That said I adored this series, I adored the characters and should another book ever be offered in the series I will be standing in line to read it. There are so many character relationships in this world that I'd love to see explored, like Lila and the Lochness, learning more about Deah and so many others. There's so much to this world and these character that we leave still not knowing that I'd gratefully return to the world if the chance was offered. The characters are interesting, the world building is wonderfully done and the plot is intense from beginning to end. Highly recommended.
angie_stl's review
4.0
4 3/4 Stars
I was given a copy of this book by netgalley for an honest review.
This is the third and final installment of the Black Blade series by Jennifer Estep. This is her second YA series, though I have not yet read the Mythos Academy series to be able to make any comparisons between the two. I am a huge fan of her urban fantasy series Elemental Assassin. Though the Black Blade series is YA, I personally would recommend it for teens at the youngest, and maybe even older teens at that, depending on the youth.
Each of the three books in this series has a separate plot, with a storyline that ties all three together quite well. Lila Merriweather, thief extraordinaire, is searching for her mother's murderer, and plans to avenge her. Throughout the three books she searches for and then plans her revenge. In the individual books, she faces different crazies searching for more power, more magic, and they think Lila and her friends are the way to get it, one way or another. And here in Bright Blaze of Magic, she faces the biggest, baddest crazy ever.
I loved this book, and this series, and knew going in it would be action packed. It was that and so much more. I must say that I appreciate that Ms Estep has Lila and Devon, the male main character, in a romantic relationship, but the most they ever do is kiss. To me, sex is thrown at our society constantly, and to have these books that don't even elude to a sexual relationship between 16-18 year old teens is refreshing. But there is quite a bit of violence that goes with the action. This town is rules by Families, similar to magical mobs, that fight their battles with magic and swords. I'm not even sure guns are mentioned throughout the whole series. And the battles fought with swords are extremely descriptive and graphic, which is one of the reasons I'd recommend this series for older teens.
And I definitely recommend this series, either for older teens or even adults. Though the books could be read as stand alone novels, you get so much more out of the series as a whole. In this third installment, there's much less explanation of the monsters, the Families, the past events, than what you'd get from reading the whole series in order. The world building and character development throughout is just as amazing as in Elemental Assassin. So I say grab Bright Blaze of Magic, and the rest of the series if needed, and settle in for a great read!!
I was given a copy of this book by netgalley for an honest review.
This is the third and final installment of the Black Blade series by Jennifer Estep. This is her second YA series, though I have not yet read the Mythos Academy series to be able to make any comparisons between the two. I am a huge fan of her urban fantasy series Elemental Assassin. Though the Black Blade series is YA, I personally would recommend it for teens at the youngest, and maybe even older teens at that, depending on the youth.
Each of the three books in this series has a separate plot, with a storyline that ties all three together quite well. Lila Merriweather, thief extraordinaire, is searching for her mother's murderer, and plans to avenge her. Throughout the three books she searches for and then plans her revenge. In the individual books, she faces different crazies searching for more power, more magic, and they think Lila and her friends are the way to get it, one way or another. And here in Bright Blaze of Magic, she faces the biggest, baddest crazy ever.
I loved this book, and this series, and knew going in it would be action packed. It was that and so much more. I must say that I appreciate that Ms Estep has Lila and Devon, the male main character, in a romantic relationship, but the most they ever do is kiss. To me, sex is thrown at our society constantly, and to have these books that don't even elude to a sexual relationship between 16-18 year old teens is refreshing. But there is quite a bit of violence that goes with the action. This town is rules by Families, similar to magical mobs, that fight their battles with magic and swords. I'm not even sure guns are mentioned throughout the whole series. And the battles fought with swords are extremely descriptive and graphic, which is one of the reasons I'd recommend this series for older teens.
And I definitely recommend this series, either for older teens or even adults. Though the books could be read as stand alone novels, you get so much more out of the series as a whole. In this third installment, there's much less explanation of the monsters, the Families, the past events, than what you'd get from reading the whole series in order. The world building and character development throughout is just as amazing as in Elemental Assassin. So I say grab Bright Blaze of Magic, and the rest of the series if needed, and settle in for a great read!!
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Read for Review (NetGalley)
Overall Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.50
First Thought when Finished: I finished this one while on a road trip so my review won't be as specific as I would like. Don't write and drive y'all LOL! Bright Blaze of Magic was such a fitting end for this trilogy though so I wouldn't want to give anything away anyway. I will miss these characters!
Quick Thoughts: Jennifer Estep is one of those authors that I trust to give me the story that I didn't see coming but also that is needed for the world that she created. I may get annoyed but in the grand scheme I tend to get it. There were two moments in this book that I was like "WHYYYYYYYYYY" but then in the end I was like "OH THAT IS WHY!" I also trust her to give me YA that I want to read and I am picky about my YA. This trilogy was good from beginning to end. The characters were outstanding. The resolution of the conflict was full circle and fitting. While I am really sad to leave these characters behind, I feel OK that they will be good. They still have growing and living to do but that they are in a great place.
Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! Reviews
Overall Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.50
First Thought when Finished: I finished this one while on a road trip so my review won't be as specific as I would like. Don't write and drive y'all LOL! Bright Blaze of Magic was such a fitting end for this trilogy though so I wouldn't want to give anything away anyway. I will miss these characters!
Quick Thoughts: Jennifer Estep is one of those authors that I trust to give me the story that I didn't see coming but also that is needed for the world that she created. I may get annoyed but in the grand scheme I tend to get it. There were two moments in this book that I was like "WHYYYYYYYYYY" but then in the end I was like "OH THAT IS WHY!" I also trust her to give me YA that I want to read and I am picky about my YA. This trilogy was good from beginning to end. The characters were outstanding. The resolution of the conflict was full circle and fitting. While I am really sad to leave these characters behind, I feel OK that they will be good. They still have growing and living to do but that they are in a great place.
Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! Reviews