Reviews

Revolutionary by Colleen Cowley

retrogirlreads's review

5.0

“Revolutionary” is the stunning conclusion to Colleen Cowley’s Clandestine Magic trilogy. With the vows now destroyed, Beatrix Harper finally realizes that she is in love with the town’s Omnimancer Peter Blackwell of her own accord. Unfortunately, Peter is now in a coma due to the work of her best friend Ella, who is now missing and presumably on the run. Finding employment with Senator Gray, Beatrix works on finding a cure for Peter, strengthens her ties to the League, and keeping a roof over her head.

This was such a beautiful ending to a series that I absolutely loved. The plot was interesting, the banter hilarious, the love story sweet with just the right touch of angst.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition

5.0

I read this both trying to savour every moment of this final book, whilst also being absolutely desperate to find out what happens next. I wanted to complete the story yet at the same time never finish it, because this story of Beatrice, Peter, Rosemary, Lydia, Martinelli et al has rapidly become one of my favourite series' ever.


There was just so much that happened in this final instalment, with twist upon shock upon surprise. Not once did the pace drop, this held my attention with a firm grip and a depth of emotion that had me laughing, crying and raging in equal measure. The story had me on the figurative edge of my seat, unable to get even close to guessing what would happen next.


Colleen Cowley surpassed all my expectations with Revolutionary, it had action, it had adventure, it had love and it had battles of good verses evil on an epic scale. She created a tale that was the very essence of magical, both in storyline and in its ability to transport the reader into another world.


The only bad thing about this book is that it had to end. Despite the inequalities of the world, I'd love to actually spend time with Bee, Peter, their family and friends. I do hope the author has more stories in the pipeline and I don't have to wait too long for her next book.

themanfromdelmonte's review

2.0

The feminism is somewhat overblown in this, the last of the trilogy, a sort of equal rights march crossed with the Manhatten Project. It all got steadily more implausible (yes, yes, I know this is a fantasy) until I was reading the final pages more in an effort to finish the trilogy rather than out of any real enjoyment. Perhaps if the three books had been condensed into two it would have had more tension and impact. Which is a shame because the worldbuilding was quite good

xjennoe's review against another edition

adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

atagarev's review

3.0

Unfortunately the last book in the trilogy left me with pretty mixed feelings. The story moved at a better pace than the last installment so I was never bored but it never quite managed to hit the right stride of buildup and resolution. Sometimes reveals would come too early or be foreshadowed too often, sometimes we'd get a reveal first and then a tension building scene that doesn't really work because we've already gotten the reveal. It wasn't a huge problem by any means and several of the twists still landed pretty well but I never quite got engrossed in it.

It also kind of just randomly ended. The story wasn't done, the conflict wasn't resolved, we just ended up fast forwarding through all the really difficult parts of the aftermath as they got resolved behind the scenes. It was definitely a weird decision.

wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition

5.0

I am a flailing mess. I loved this book so much. What a spectacular ending! AAHHH! There's so very little I can say that won't spoil things. There was something I kept hoping against hope would happen, but it didn't. And it shouldn't have. And I know that. I thought I would be more distressed that it didn't happen, but then everything was resolved in a way that made my heart absolutely sing and *wistful sigh* it was just so good. Please go read this series. Please. I beg you.

kathrynreadsmuch's review against another edition

4.0

This was a very satisfying ending to the trilogy. I would be very interested in reading more from this world (and author). It was a delight with twists and turns and angst and how-did-they-do-that going on.

One question that I still have (and maybe I missed it) is

Spoiler

did Beatrix stop the color spell on her hair and let the silver of magic shine bright

?

jezebe11e's review against another edition

5.0

Tbh I'd give this one 4.5 stars if that was an option. Great series, kept me begging for more the entire way through until 80-ish percent of the last one. It kind of stalled out for a bit there. However, the pace picked back up at about 85% and kept me hooked the rest of the way. All in all, a great series, highly recommend.

amenalf53's review against another edition

5.0

excellent conclusion!

This final book was the perfect conclusion to a series I’m not likely to forget. There are even more plot twists, and the ending feels so realistic. The book was, in fact, so good that I didn’t mind too much when the author switched narration mediums to include news articles (which is something I usually hate). This is definitely a perfect book for this period in the US and will motivate the absorbed reader to greater actions in the cause of feminism.

fjordic's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I was tired of the back and forth but glad I held out to find out what happened.