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koitori's review against another edition
4.0
3.5! I enjoyed this last book a lot, it was really fun!
deepower7's review against another edition
2.0
Not only did it feel like a rehash of the last book, it also felt slapped together. I really enjoyed the last two books, but this was a chore to read. Most of Sam's relationships are people just popping up when she can use them.
Anyone who knows me knows I like my romances to end happily, but I don't mind open ended breakups too badly. This one I mind, because it came from nowhere and had no foundation, and it felt like it was thrown in because that's apparently a growing trend. Makes the whole book even more frustrating.
Anyone who knows me knows I like my romances to end happily, but I don't mind open ended breakups too badly. This one I mind, because it came from nowhere and had no foundation, and it felt like it was thrown in because that's apparently a growing trend. Makes the whole book even more frustrating.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
Yesterday this book arrived and I just had to read it right away! The first two books had been such nice, light, adventurous and entertaining reads and I was in the mood for a nice, quick and easy book, especially since I've been a little ill the last couple of days. And this book was exactly what I had hoped it would be.
Sam is one of the most amazing characters I know. She's smart, she's confident, she knows what she wants and she just goes for it. Yes, what the world thinks of her does bother her, but it doesn't change her. And yes, she has a boyfriend, but her story and this adventure are not about him or their romance. It's her adventure and her trip and most of all her story. And I really love that.
Of course, the supporting cast is great too. I like that, even though there have been some troubles, there are strong female friendships in this book, there is a strong friendship between a girl and a boy that never has a hint of romance, the good and the bad guys are actually all a little bit of both, which keeps it really interesting and all characters are unique and different. (And I think there is an opening for a Zain spin off and I'd love it!) O, and Evie's point of view was back! How I missed that!
And just like in the previous books, we got to see a new part of the world and met new mythological creatures. It weren't as many as in the previous books, but that's fine. I love that Alward doesn't let her characters just run around for nothing. They have a goal, they go for it and their going around serves that goal and the plot.
Combine all that with a lovely writing style that reads that easy that it almost feels like reading in my mother tongue and it's the perfect book to read on days like this!
Sam is one of the most amazing characters I know. She's smart, she's confident, she knows what she wants and she just goes for it. Yes, what the world thinks of her does bother her, but it doesn't change her. And yes, she has a boyfriend, but her story and this adventure are not about him or their romance. It's her adventure and her trip and most of all her story. And I really love that.
Of course, the supporting cast is great too. I like that, even though there have been some troubles, there are strong female friendships in this book, there is a strong friendship between a girl and a boy that never has a hint of romance, the good and the bad guys are actually all a little bit of both, which keeps it really interesting and all characters are unique and different. (And I think there is an opening for a Zain spin off and I'd love it!) O, and Evie's point of view was back! How I missed that!
And just like in the previous books, we got to see a new part of the world and met new mythological creatures. It weren't as many as in the previous books, but that's fine. I love that Alward doesn't let her characters just run around for nothing. They have a goal, they go for it and their going around serves that goal and the plot.
Combine all that with a lovely writing style that reads that easy that it almost feels like reading in my mother tongue and it's the perfect book to read on days like this!
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a little bit sad that the Potion Diaries have come to an end, it's been such a fun trilogy. I whizzed through the final instalment at record speed, especially considering how terrible I've been at concentrating on reading lately.
The kingdom of Nova is safe now that Princess Evelyn has married and shared her power, yet alchemist Sam Kemi isn't relieved yet. She hasn't heard from Evelyn since her wedding day and there's a mysterious virus spreading across the land, zapping talented's magic.
At the end of Royal Tour the reader became aware that Stefan was infected with the virus and wanted to marry the princess to get his magic back. I liked that this story reveals a bit more of a complicated character for him rather than an outright villain.
Meanwhile, a film crew is interested in making a documentary about the life of an alchemist. They get more than they bargained for when they follow Sam in the steps of her ancestors. She visits the spiritual home of alchemy in the hope of finding a cure and finds herself scaling an active volcano. I love the mix of adventure, travel and magic, it's just plain loveliness.
The kingdom of Nova is safe now that Princess Evelyn has married and shared her power, yet alchemist Sam Kemi isn't relieved yet. She hasn't heard from Evelyn since her wedding day and there's a mysterious virus spreading across the land, zapping talented's magic.
At the end of Royal Tour the reader became aware that Stefan was infected with the virus and wanted to marry the princess to get his magic back. I liked that this story reveals a bit more of a complicated character for him rather than an outright villain.
Meanwhile, a film crew is interested in making a documentary about the life of an alchemist. They get more than they bargained for when they follow Sam in the steps of her ancestors. She visits the spiritual home of alchemy in the hope of finding a cure and finds herself scaling an active volcano. I love the mix of adventure, travel and magic, it's just plain loveliness.
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
4.0
Another fun addition to the potion diaries series!
I really enjoyed getting to see more alchemists in this one, and their different ways of working - I really want Sam to go on and revolutionise things in Nova now. And who doesn’t love a Phoenix! There should be more of them in my books ;)
I think the quest for the ingredient was great this time, but I was sad that there wasn’t a lot of intrigue to the recipe. I also thought the villain(s) weren’t as strong as I’d have liked - one is just angry and the other is almost accidental despite being a bad person.
I quite liked Evie and Molly’s storyline, and what they needed to do, I like that they were so strong and brave. And Sam, as always, is a fun and interesting main character. I have to say I didn’t feel the lack of Zain as much though - though I like the resolution he comes to at the end.
I still want to see more - maybe less running around and more time in Nova, trying to change things. Somehow I don’t think that’s where this series will go though, and I do look forward to anything more!
I really enjoyed getting to see more alchemists in this one, and their different ways of working - I really want Sam to go on and revolutionise things in Nova now. And who doesn’t love a Phoenix! There should be more of them in my books ;)
I think the quest for the ingredient was great this time, but I was sad that there wasn’t a lot of intrigue to the recipe. I also thought the villain(s) weren’t as strong as I’d have liked - one is just angry and the other is almost accidental despite being a bad person.
I quite liked Evie and Molly’s storyline, and what they needed to do, I like that they were so strong and brave. And Sam, as always, is a fun and interesting main character. I have to say I didn’t feel the lack of Zain as much though - though I like the resolution he comes to at the end.
I still want to see more - maybe less running around and more time in Nova, trying to change things. Somehow I don’t think that’s where this series will go though, and I do look forward to anything more!
rhianneyanne's review against another edition
4.0
This review originally appeared on www.littlenovelist.com.
Firstly, I just want to say that this cover is RIDICULOUSLY beautiful. I loved the style of all the Potion Diaries covers. The colours and style is a perfect combination.
This series continues the story of Sam Kemi, Master Alchemist. I absolutely love Sam as a character, she's so determined to learn and prove the truth about the deadly virus spreading through the world.
All the characters in this novel were effortlessly portrayed and I could see them clearly in my imagination. I have to say the visual image I got of Zhongou and the mountain was super vivid. The adventure Sam and the gang go on throughout this novel was lovely.
I'm not sure if there is going to be another one but honestly, this series is super. Overall, this book was a super easy read, full of good fun and exciting turns. 100& Recommend this book!
Firstly, I just want to say that this cover is RIDICULOUSLY beautiful. I loved the style of all the Potion Diaries covers. The colours and style is a perfect combination.
This series continues the story of Sam Kemi, Master Alchemist. I absolutely love Sam as a character, she's so determined to learn and prove the truth about the deadly virus spreading through the world.
All the characters in this novel were effortlessly portrayed and I could see them clearly in my imagination. I have to say the visual image I got of Zhongou and the mountain was super vivid. The adventure Sam and the gang go on throughout this novel was lovely.
I'm not sure if there is going to be another one but honestly, this series is super. Overall, this book was a super easy read, full of good fun and exciting turns. 100& Recommend this book!
emily692's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
booksandpops4000's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved how this book wrapped up this series. I also liked how this book tackled the harder issues in this lighter fantsay read. I also do want to note this book did tackled some "pandemic" issues at the heart of this book. But i also really liked the adventure elements. I also really liked how this book had two POV as well. It also dived more into the LGBTQ elements and really liked seeing these characters again!
lhcarter24's review against another edition
2.0
The potion storyline in this one felt too easy and I hated the ending. It just wasn’t a great book. If I wasn’t invested in these characters, I would give this less. The dream stuff was weird and everything felt rushed. Characters weren’t in character, this book was a mess
sean67's review against another edition
1.0
Every book in this series has gotten progressively worse and this one is a bit of a stinker really. The story is fairly dull and it never really grabs your attention and becomes a struggle to get through. I believe this is the final entry but you never know. Whether I shall be tempted to return is another matter all together.