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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
For the past two books, Ava, Malachi and all of his friends and her newfound sisters have been trying to find out where her power stems from. Its a power unlike any other Irina they have encountered with just a touch of darkness to it. It isn’t evil but its raw and unpredictable...And I speculated. OH DID I SPECULATE. I would never have come to the conclusion that is the truth in this book. And what I loved about it is the fact that it fit! Ava’s origin story isn’t outrageous or convenient. It made sense and it blew my mind. This entire series so far has blown me away. The writing, characters, story, mystery and lessons. I just loved every minute of it.
Malachi and Ava...I swear they get on my nerves because they’re so cute. Their relationship feels like something that would get old after a while. The way they are always all over one another but for whatever reason it worked. Everytime they touched or kissed or made love, it was well timed and dare I say, added to the story. Their passion and love for one another was just as important to the story line as their journey to finding out what the truth was.
I enjoyed watching them fight with and for their friends. Trust themselves and beings they never thought would be on their side. I loved watching long time enemies find a commonality with one another and fight toward a shared goal. It seems cliche but it really was a great and unique story to read.
Everything didn’t go as I wanted it to, but we can’t always have what we want. I wanted a happy ending with Ava and ALL of her family living happily and merrily ever after...That didn’t happen, but what I did get was enough and I’m glad that after a year from my first experience with Elizabeth Hunters work, that I finally picked this series up.
Malachi and Ava’s story is complete, however there is one more book in this series. I don’t think I will be reading it.... It’s more of a prequel than a sequel. One that features characters that I have grown to love, but If I’m going to be reading about a different couple I want to move forward not backward. That may change...but for now i;m glad to have read this series and it will definitely be on my list of favorites from this point on.
Recommendation: I think this series is for anyone. Male or female young (not too young...) or old. It has action, mystery, history and romance. Warriors and heroines, villains and the misunderstood. It’s a tale of love and loss, vengeance and redemption. There is good, evil and all that is in between and every step of the way your allegiance and trust is constantly being challenged or changing. I couldn’t put this series down and I’m genuinely sad to have it come to an end for me. With an open mind and a desire for adventure, I think anyone who decides to read this series will more than enjoy it.
The conclusion for Ava and Malachi story and the end of the first arc of Irin Chronicles (I hope so). The Secret answer some questions from The Scribe and The Singer, like who is Ava exactly. The revelation kinda shocking, but I praised Hunter again for her unique take from overused theme, like nephilim, band of warriors, angel theme, etc etc. In this book, the characters not pure black and white, there's always shade of grey. The bad honchos of course is bad, but not all Irin enemies, The Grigori, are bad. Hunter show that even the enemy have their own reason to attack the Irin and how the Irin and Irina were wrong about the Grigori.
The Secret is more complex and compelling compared to the previous. The Scribe introduce reader to the Irin society and introduction to Ava and Malachi relationship. The Singer reveal the Irina society, and how Ava and Malachi try to rekindle their broken connection. The Secret come to full circle, with Ava and Malachi strengthen their bond and the Irin and Irina become one once more. Also, reader will finally understand why one of the antagonist, the fallen angel Jaron always protect Ava, despite that he is a fallen. It's quite sad, tbh. The truth behind Ava's past is also sad, which include her father and grandmother. But glad that in the end, some peace come to them.
I like how Hunter handle the ending. Not too rushed, not too sweet either. For some, the final battle between Irin-Irina and The Grigori might not epic, but in the otherside its result are devastating. Hunter did a good job to explain the result, how its impact Malachi and Ava in some ways. Anyway that's not mean that the story end. Some loose tie is still...loose.
I will always recommend Elizabeth Hunter work. I love her Elemental Mysteries series, and in The Irin Chronicles she once again prove that she is one of premium PNR/UF author out there. I wonder if she got picked by traditional publisher, her name will hear often. But, even just indie, she already being fabulous as she is. I can't wait to read what next in Irin world.
Other problems from the first two books persist.
My issues below, spoilered.
Spoiler
Ava has been Mary Sue-esue through this whole series, which has been fine because she's still been enjoyable. But it really hit a peak here, and it dragged the whole book down for me.All of the characters kind of went downhill for me, as everything was tied up so very nicely. I liked the final battle between Jaron and Volund, but Jaron went from this badass to...this? From "the power of love"? Vasu is really the only one I'm interested in at this point. I liked him.
A lot of the book just felt like filler, and then it ended with the pregnancy trope? Really? Just, what happened to the badasses I met in the last two books?
Lastly, where are the gay people? Deliberately not even mentioning the existence of gay folks, the "balance" talk, and the heavy use of "females" has me feeling off. What is that about?
