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books_and_keys's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
the4thmusketeer's review
5.0
This book absolutely devastated me in the best way. Incredible ending to an incredible series.
mikehuffman's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While good and enjoyable my least favorite book in the series. It seemed far more character based and lacked the unique world building of the previous two novels. There are also some oddly chosen subp ots that seem to come out of and lead to nowhere. Overall though a satisfying conclusion to the series
rebeccacider's review
This book certainly held my attention - it delivered all the pathos and character drama that the first two books metered out at limited intervals. Also, some great worldbuilding (servitor POV character ftw!!)
Yet I missed the high-octane firefights of the first book, and didn't experience much suspense while I was reading. Most of the remaining mysteries were cleanly explicated (although I think I lost track of some of them along the way) and the plot felt fairly linear. There was also a lot of lampshading that left me uncertain about the parameters of the world and undercut the drama.
I possibly have some issues with Kujen's character, and to a lesser extent Jedao's. In general I am not super fond of stories that delve into villains' tragic backstories, as if evil has a genealogy. (This is a lie, I loved the Voldemort flashback scenes in HBP, but I'm not proud of this love.)
Overall I'm glad I followed this ambitious trilogy to its end, even if neither of the sequels wowed me quite like Ninefox Gambit.
Yet I missed the high-octane firefights of the first book, and didn't experience much suspense while I was reading. Most of the remaining mysteries were cleanly explicated (although I think I lost track of some of them along the way) and the plot felt fairly linear. There was also a lot of lampshading that left me uncertain about the parameters of the world and undercut the drama.
I possibly have some issues with Kujen's character, and to a lesser extent Jedao's. In general I am not super fond of stories that delve into villains' tragic backstories, as if evil has a genealogy. (This is a lie, I loved the Voldemort flashback scenes in HBP, but I'm not proud of this love.)
Overall I'm glad I followed this ambitious trilogy to its end, even if neither of the sequels wowed me quite like Ninefox Gambit.
qteabeans's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A solid ending to the series. There is the introduction of a new character that feels like wouldn't have been planned from the start. Not messy but it has the feeling of a late addition. The big bad gets dealt with and personhood is granted to more people, which feels good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, and War
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
sridevi93's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
fantasticraccoon's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
christopherward's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
chirson's review
4.0
This, by the way, seems to be my 500th review on this website! I want a cookie. And what a fitting book to mark this moment.
----------------------------
I read this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; nonetheless, I also bought a paper copy with my own money (and it's reportedly on its way to me already).
It's difficult writing the review of a next or last volume in a series! So much of what might be said is a spoiler for earlier volumes, or might make little sense for those who haven't read them; in addition, it's not as though I am attempting to convince anyone to read this particular book - it is the whole series that I am recommending.
So what I can say is that this was a great way to start my #pride reading month. Yoon Ha Lee writes a complex and fascinating world that is in itself queer; he conceives of ways of being that are both strange and familiar. This volume brings the series to a staggering and logical conclusion; it gives protagonists fitting endings and it's poignant and tragic but also hopeful.
I must confess I wish it had been longer. It gives us more clarity and explanations than volume 2 (and particularly - more than volume 1, which could be occasionally abstruse) but at the same time, its quick pacing meant we didn't linger as long as I would have loved to with some characters or plotlines. It was good, but maybe not enough of a good thing--or perhaps I'm merely being greedy. I could keep reading about some characters, including new ones, for a hundred more pages.
I think this was a powerful conclusion to a great trilogy of novels; I expect it will lend itself well to re-reading. Take this as a strong recommendation - even if this genre doesn't seem like your thing, Yoon Ha Lee's posthumanist military sf novels are full of heart, soul and humanity.
----------------------------
I read this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; nonetheless, I also bought a paper copy with my own money (and it's reportedly on its way to me already).
It's difficult writing the review of a next or last volume in a series! So much of what might be said is a spoiler for earlier volumes, or might make little sense for those who haven't read them; in addition, it's not as though I am attempting to convince anyone to read this particular book - it is the whole series that I am recommending.
So what I can say is that this was a great way to start my #pride reading month. Yoon Ha Lee writes a complex and fascinating world that is in itself queer; he conceives of ways of being that are both strange and familiar. This volume brings the series to a staggering and logical conclusion; it gives protagonists fitting endings and it's poignant and tragic but also hopeful.
I must confess I wish it had been longer. It gives us more clarity and explanations than volume 2 (and particularly - more than volume 1, which could be occasionally abstruse) but at the same time, its quick pacing meant we didn't linger as long as I would have loved to with some characters or plotlines. It was good, but maybe not enough of a good thing--or perhaps I'm merely being greedy. I could keep reading about some characters, including new ones, for a hundred more pages.
I think this was a powerful conclusion to a great trilogy of novels; I expect it will lend itself well to re-reading. Take this as a strong recommendation - even if this genre doesn't seem like your thing, Yoon Ha Lee's posthumanist military sf novels are full of heart, soul and humanity.
grid's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the non-human characters, and glimpses of the rest of the universe outside the hexarche.
This was definitely the strongest of the trilogy. 4.5 stars.
This was definitely the strongest of the trilogy. 4.5 stars.