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midrel's review
3.0
Reviewing this book is in many ways a challenging notion. Being the last entry of a series I very much loved, my feelings regarding it are in many ways entwined with the my overall feelings for the trilogy.
There was much to love. The setting, the many, vastly different cast of characters, most of them interesting in their own way, the plot. The prose sometimes could be plodding, but the story would always come through in the end.
So, why only three stars?
I do not think the book is in any way bad. But the ending was entirely too disappointing in a way I cannot overlook despite having very much enjoyed the road that led to it.
There was much to love. The setting, the many, vastly different cast of characters, most of them interesting in their own way, the plot. The prose sometimes could be plodding, but the story would always come through in the end.
So, why only three stars?
I do not think the book is in any way bad. But the ending was entirely too disappointing in a way I cannot overlook despite having very much enjoyed the road that led to it.
Spoiler
I feel like it was a little cowardly to tease at the bad ending and then take it away like a bad decision after a night of drinking. I would have preferred if the ending was Lil truly screwing up because that's just human nature sometimes. But what we got not only reeks of Deux Ex Machina in the most un-engaging of ways, from Lil being rescued from the bone tree to Zezli not even receiving any manner of closure after being suddenly pulled back into the story. It generally just leaves a lot of question unanswered. 'Some people disappeared and some didn't' is just an awful note for a series to end on.a_sullivan16's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/4 stars, I guess?
This installment almost felt like an entirely separate story. The tone was different, the dialogue wildly different, and the characterization sometimes felt off/unexpected. I like what Hurley did in the 2nd book, giving what felt like the series' climax to leave readers wondering what could ever happen afterwards. But I ended up not liking that answer :(
My complaints --
I don't think the 3rd world was necessary to bring into the fray. The third Kirana was there for all of ten pages, and the revelation that her mom had been feeding her intel from Lilia's world (I think?) was confusing.
Lilia needs to figure her shit out. And why did everyone keep listening to her when every idea she's ever had failed BECAUSE of her?
I don't know where Meyna's authority came from, nor do I understand almost any of what happened to Akhio during the time jump, making it even more confusing for Lilia's success when she did the same. If the People's Temple required Kai blood, what does Roh have to do with anything?
SPEAKING OF AHKIO...there is no way he would have fallen for Kirana's trick. Absolutely not. I know this Ahkio was all screwed up because of the time jump, but after being chopped up and thrown down a toilet by his MOTHER you'd think he'd learn some sense. I was so upset to see him brought back and struck down again. I know Lilia had to learn of the time jump mechanism some how, but I don't like how it was revealed.
Positives! --
Despite everything I still adored this series. I've never read anything so jarring, unique, and immersive. The political plot revolving around Ahkio was by far my favorite part, and when Anavha story took over, I was full taken by Hurley's world. I can forgive almost every fault in the finale because of how spectacular books 1 and 2 are. I don't think I'll ever read something like this ever again.
Final thoughts? Wildly original. Wildly violent. Better than the Poppy War series on most accounts. The single best example of truly evil main characters I've ever seen (Zezili is literally despicable and I love hating her). Most fascinating world-build I've ever seen. JUSTICE FOR AHKIO.
This installment almost felt like an entirely separate story. The tone was different, the dialogue wildly different, and the characterization sometimes felt off/unexpected. I like what Hurley did in the 2nd book, giving what felt like the series' climax to leave readers wondering what could ever happen afterwards. But I ended up not liking that answer :(
Spoiler
My complaints --
I don't think the 3rd world was necessary to bring into the fray. The third Kirana was there for all of ten pages, and the revelation that her mom had been feeding her intel from Lilia's world (I think?) was confusing.
Lilia needs to figure her shit out. And why did everyone keep listening to her when every idea she's ever had failed BECAUSE of her?
I don't know where Meyna's authority came from, nor do I understand almost any of what happened to Akhio during the time jump, making it even more confusing for Lilia's success when she did the same. If the People's Temple required Kai blood, what does Roh have to do with anything?
SPEAKING OF AHKIO...there is no way he would have fallen for Kirana's trick. Absolutely not. I know this Ahkio was all screwed up because of the time jump, but after being chopped up and thrown down a toilet by his MOTHER you'd think he'd learn some sense. I was so upset to see him brought back and struck down again. I know Lilia had to learn of the time jump mechanism some how, but I don't like how it was revealed.
Positives! --
Despite everything I still adored this series. I've never read anything so jarring, unique, and immersive. The political plot revolving around Ahkio was by far my favorite part, and when Anavha story took over, I was full taken by Hurley's world. I can forgive almost every fault in the finale because of how spectacular books 1 and 2 are. I don't think I'll ever read something like this ever again.
Final thoughts? Wildly original. Wildly violent. Better than the Poppy War series on most accounts. The single best example of truly evil main characters I've ever seen (Zezili is literally despicable and I love hating her). Most fascinating world-build I've ever seen. JUSTICE FOR AHKIO.
milili's review
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? Yes
5.0
bookaneer's review
4.0
Still gathering my thoughts. Not sure I liked the ending but this feels like watching Avengers: Endgame. Fantastic worldbuilding (or worldbreaking).
jennieartemis's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
TL;DR: A thoughtful if slightly hurried conclusion that matches the grimdark brutality with philosophical hope
The Broken Heavens completely repaid my faith in the series, with an immensely satisfying ending focused on hope and empathy. It is still utterly unflinching and willing to accept the darker elements, but it is never needlessly cynical. The book does feel a little more unpolished and contrived, with a shorter length than probably was needed - it can lead to momentum verging on chaos, and some events you just have to shrug through the convenience of. But I will happily forgive the slight rush for the ultimate message it presents. I am very happy I took a risk with this daunting series, because it proved its worth.
9/10 in personal rating system
The Broken Heavens completely repaid my faith in the series, with an immensely satisfying ending focused on hope and empathy. It is still utterly unflinching and willing to accept the darker elements, but it is never needlessly cynical. The book does feel a little more unpolished and contrived, with a shorter length than probably was needed - it can lead to momentum verging on chaos, and some events you just have to shrug through the convenience of. But I will happily forgive the slight rush for the ultimate message it presents. I am very happy I took a risk with this daunting series, because it proved its worth.
9/10 in personal rating system
pearlbird's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
laurapr8's review
5.0
Qué final más perfecto para una trilogía tan compleja. No sabía cómo pensaba acabar esta historia la autora, pero como siempre Kameron Hurley sabe lo que se hace.