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weisstars's review against another edition
1.0
after loving the first book, i noticed a decline from book 2 into book 3. book 2 was still tolerable enough to get through, but i think book 3 just did not get proper editing and revisions to help support the story that it was trying to tell.
the war aspects became incredibly boring, and unfortunately, took a centerpoint in this sequel. i felt that it became stretched too thin: there was suddenly a whole bunch of new characters and plot lines, but not in a good way. since this is the final book in the trilogy, this is not the time to suddenly make these introductions, especially with such little payoff. from page one, we get the introduction of eliza, and this already was a red flag to me. but as i kept reading, i quickly realized that everything that i loved about book 1 had become buried and lost in a sea of ambitious writing that ultimately fails.
i think book 1 will always be special. but this book completely takes what was so magical and beautiful about karou's story and begins to make it too complicated. complication, on it's own, is not a flaw nor error of a book: for example, a game of thrones is an incredibly complicated book in it's own way, and yet this only serves the book quite well due to the author's execution of it. but in dreams of gods & monsters, this only hinders the book. it stopped being about karou and akiva, and became about the gods and monsters of that world. i understand that premise, and it can be interesting, but it was not grounded in any way. it made it all feel way too abstract and detached from anything emotional and meaningful.
i also found that switching povs so much was very distracting. i hated it in book 2, and in book 3, i absolutely loathe it. i just feel like we're missing so much interesting detail.
it's fine. i still love book 1. that one will always be special. but i'm afraid book 2 and 3 were wasted potential.
the war aspects became incredibly boring, and unfortunately, took a centerpoint in this sequel. i felt that it became stretched too thin: there was suddenly a whole bunch of new characters and plot lines, but not in a good way. since this is the final book in the trilogy, this is not the time to suddenly make these introductions, especially with such little payoff. from page one, we get the introduction of eliza, and this already was a red flag to me. but as i kept reading, i quickly realized that everything that i loved about book 1 had become buried and lost in a sea of ambitious writing that ultimately fails.
i think book 1 will always be special. but this book completely takes what was so magical and beautiful about karou's story and begins to make it too complicated. complication, on it's own, is not a flaw nor error of a book: for example, a game of thrones is an incredibly complicated book in it's own way, and yet this only serves the book quite well due to the author's execution of it. but in dreams of gods & monsters, this only hinders the book. it stopped being about karou and akiva, and became about the gods and monsters of that world. i understand that premise, and it can be interesting, but it was not grounded in any way. it made it all feel way too abstract and detached from anything emotional and meaningful.
i also found that switching povs so much was very distracting. i hated it in book 2, and in book 3, i absolutely loathe it. i just feel like we're missing so much interesting detail.
it's fine. i still love book 1. that one will always be special. but i'm afraid book 2 and 3 were wasted potential.
emperor_aj's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sshinesea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Bestvof the series
bookdust's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a big eye roller for reviews that have no sustenance and just blubber about the readers emotions. But my heart. Oh my heart. This series has been wonderful, and its clawed it's way to my top favorites, nestling itself up next to Harry Potter. How beautiful and epic and the last sentence brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful. How BEAUTIFUL this was. How absolutely amazing and stunning and wonderful! This is a painful and happy goodbye because I don't want it to end, but I am so happy for the characters - even if Laini Taylor did end the whole series on a very CATASTROPHIC cliffhanger that honestly could have made this into a four book series. God. Oh God. Read this, please. All of you. Scepticism isn't needed here. How wonderful this series was. I feel so thankful and honored to be able to read such a beautiful story.
ruhi_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ollieoxnfree's review against another edition
5.0
10 stars! Most likely the greatest book series I have ever read. This one will go down in history for me… definitely set the standard for something that will not be reached for a very long time. An epic story of so much more than love. It filled a space in my soul that I did not know was vacant. I wish she would turn it into an epic series of 13 books instead of three.
hurrikanekathrina's review against another edition
5.0
I can't believe it's over. One of the best series I've ever read, if not the best, has come to an end.
I cannot say how amazed I am by what Laini Taylor did with this series. This book was even better than the second one, and I hadn't thought that was possible!
I am speechless! READ THESE BOOKS! They are masterpieces!
I cannot say how amazed I am by what Laini Taylor did with this series. This book was even better than the second one, and I hadn't thought that was possible!
I am speechless! READ THESE BOOKS! They are masterpieces!
penosa16's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I adored it, it made me cry, laugh, and live (live laugh love basically). The characters were amazing, especially Karou and Akiva, I was happy with the conclusion and the way the storylines ended. I enjoyed reading this book, I like the writing style, it made for a very quick and entertaining reading.
There were some small hiccups but nothing major. There is a new plotline and sort of rushed worldbuilding that tries to tie everything together in the end. I would say it was 90% successful with it. I still enjoyed it though, the new characters added some insight into the main characters so I didn't mind. And I would not have liked making this a four-book saga instead of a trilogy to extend that plotline so, I'm content with what I got.
This book does not follow a normal three-act structure, and I enjoyed it more because of it. The resolution wasn't plain or simple, it had nuance. And the climax was very satisfactory to me, even if it happened way earlier than it should have been (the conflict with Jael is the climax for me).
Truly, the highlight of this story was the romance between Karou and Akiva, their reluctance to show their love, their insecurities, their fears, hopes, and dreams. I don't think I can ever forget a protagonist like Karou, she is my beloved forever.
There were some small hiccups but nothing major. There is a new plotline and sort of rushed worldbuilding that tries to tie everything together in the end. I would say it was 90% successful with it. I still enjoyed it though, the new characters added some insight into the main characters so I didn't mind. And I would not have liked making this a four-book saga instead of a trilogy to extend that plotline so, I'm content with what I got.
This book does not follow a normal three-act structure, and I enjoyed it more because of it. The resolution wasn't plain or simple, it had nuance. And the climax was very satisfactory to me, even if it happened way earlier than it should have been (the conflict with Jael is the climax for me).
Truly, the highlight of this story was the romance between Karou and Akiva, their reluctance to show their love, their insecurities, their fears, hopes, and dreams. I don't think I can ever forget a protagonist like Karou, she is my beloved forever.
jocelyntaylor1's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0