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galidar's review
5.0
A fantastic ending to a great series. I'm going to miss these characters until I read them all again.
mary_soon_lee's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is the fourth and final book in the Ketty Jay fantasy series. It brings the adventures of the crew of the Ketty Jay to a dramatic conclusion. Once again, the perspective shifts between the crew, concentrating on their captain, Darian Frey, a rogue who finds himself embroiled in epic events. I anticipated various turns in the plot, but wasn't annoyed by doing so. I note that Slag the cat was a favorite of mine, and his small part in the plot emotionally engaged me more than the fate of the humans. Likewise, I liked Bess the golem. While I'm not the ideal reader for these adventures -- preferring more conspicuously ethical characters -- I enjoyed this.
Three and a half out of five conclusive stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Three and a half out of five conclusive stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
omnificer's review
4.0
Protagonist Breakdown: Ensemble Anti-heroes
As an endcap to the series I'm quite pleased with this book.
What we have is a character driven series with a pulp action narrative. At the beginning of the series, the characters are at their worst. They are driven by their flaws and are frankly unlikable. But each book has had the characters develop, deal with the demons of their past, and overcome their flaws. At least partially (except Pinn).
Basically you start with a group of assholes who can't really stand each other and you end with friends and family, who despite going their own way at the finish are closer than ever before. On its own it is perhaps a bit saccharine how the characters are driving themselves forward for lofty ideals of love, freedom, and friendship. However, I was invested in the character arcs where I was cheering them on as they complete their metamorphosis from selfish pirates into Big Damn Heroes.
I also appreciate the action scenes of the series. They're dynamic. Have explosions. Cool set pieces. Basically everything you want from a kind of diesel-punk sky-pirate series. In this final book it even comes to a head with a massive battle in the sky.
Overall the books tend to run a little long for their subject matter but I'm convinced that helps the camaraderie and victories at the end of each book feel well earned. It's hard to see that halfway through the first book but I think it's well worth it by the end of the first and just gets better each book after.
As an endcap to the series I'm quite pleased with this book.
What we have is a character driven series with a pulp action narrative. At the beginning of the series, the characters are at their worst. They are driven by their flaws and are frankly unlikable. But each book has had the characters develop, deal with the demons of their past, and overcome their flaws. At least partially (except Pinn).
Basically you start with a group of assholes who can't really stand each other and you end with friends and family, who despite going their own way at the finish are closer than ever before. On its own it is perhaps a bit saccharine how the characters are driving themselves forward for lofty ideals of love, freedom, and friendship. However, I was invested in the character arcs where I was cheering them on as they complete their metamorphosis from selfish pirates into Big Damn Heroes.
I also appreciate the action scenes of the series. They're dynamic. Have explosions. Cool set pieces. Basically everything you want from a kind of diesel-punk sky-pirate series. In this final book it even comes to a head with a massive battle in the sky.
Overall the books tend to run a little long for their subject matter but I'm convinced that helps the camaraderie and victories at the end of each book feel well earned. It's hard to see that halfway through the first book but I think it's well worth it by the end of the first and just gets better each book after.
nclcaitlin's review against another edition
3.5
Frey takes his crew on a rescue mission for a whispermonger’s business partner who went missing looking for a treasure cache. Only thing is, it is in the war zone of Korrene, strife with Knights and the Awakeners. The civil war the crew of the Ketty Jay were responsible for.
Maybe it’s because I binged this series back-back-back, but this last story felt too repetitive and didn’t engage me.
Character motivations felt unrealistic or backwards, and everything the series has been building towards character-wise seems to have been reversed even though the plot points all come together.
Overall, yes, I would recommend this series, but I did feel slightly let down by this last instalment. It might have worked better as a trilogy.
’We a losin' hand, Cap'n, he said. 'But you the Ace of Skulls. Anyone can turn us to winnin', you can.'
Maybe it’s because I binged this series back-back-back, but this last story felt too repetitive and didn’t engage me.
Character motivations felt unrealistic or backwards, and everything the series has been building towards character-wise seems to have been reversed even though the plot points all come together.
Overall, yes, I would recommend this series, but I did feel slightly let down by this last instalment. It might have worked better as a trilogy.
’We a losin' hand, Cap'n, he said. 'But you the Ace of Skulls. Anyone can turn us to winnin', you can.'
stevefiori's review
5.0
Awesome. An incredible ending to a fantastic series. I won't put spoilers but I found it very fitting for this bunch of misfits, though pirates and freebooters, are heroic at heart.
This last book was the loudest, maddest, and mosta action packed of them all. Loved it.
This last book was the loudest, maddest, and mosta action packed of them all. Loved it.
veronica87's review against another edition
4.0
Well that was a humdinger of a book. Admittedly some of the battle scenes went on a little too long - or maybe that was just me wanting to get back to the more character driven, emotional beats - but I suppose it all evened out in the end. This book, like the series, had a little bit of everything: action, humor, friendship, romance, and the inevitability of change. So a big shout out to Mr. Wooding as well as to Captain Frey, Malvery, Crake, Jez, Silo, Harkins, Trinica, Samandra, Slag, and Grudge. Thanks for the ride. It was a blast.
nanu_nanu_narnett's review
5.0
This book was amazing, the ending was perfect and I need more like right now.
iam_griff's review against another edition
4.0
What a beautiful & sad ending to an amazing series! The Tales of the Ketty Jay is superb story. There is so much character growth for the main character Cpt Darian Frey & his crew of drunks & misfits. Wooding does a great job bringing this dieselpunk story to a close, although I’d keep reading about these characters.
jmschomers's review
4.0
Happy and fun. Got a little long on this one. Great series that was light and fun.