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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I absolutely loved the first two books in the series. This one fell a bit short for me. Still very entertaining and moved the story along (even if slowly). In the previous two books we are surrounded by a group of Elloren’s friends and we really get to know these friends. Most of them are completely absent from this book and the few who are present have very limited chapters and development. I found that I missed these supporting characters quite a bit.
<spoiler below>
I was spoiled going into this book. I knew Lukas would play a big role after Yvan’s “death” and WAS NOT excited about it. However Lukas really won me over and I found myself questioning which of these men I wanted her to end up with.
<spoiler below>
I was spoiled going into this book. I knew Lukas would play a big role after Yvan’s “death” and WAS NOT excited about it. However Lukas really won me over and I found myself questioning which of these men I wanted her to end up with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This series just keeps getting better and better! The twists, turns, development, and story have me completely enchanted.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
More power, more allies and more enemies
This installment of this YA fantasy series was definitely another stay up too late, cannot put it down kind of book. I once again fell head first into the story and was equally desperate to read it all at once and also to savor it and make it last. The storyline was imaginative, the characters were real and relatable, and the writing was captivating. Despite adding more characters and locations in this book, the world building continues to be phenomenal, woven together scene by scene, layer by layer. It now exists as a living breathing place full of three dimensional beings, so real it feels like you have been there. The story had a perfect balance of all the best plot elements. This is book 3 is the Black Witch Chronicles and picks up where the last book left us. Elloren and Yvan having discovered that they are the two points of the prophecy, the Black Witch and the Icaral, go together to be trained so they can fight and use their full powers to help the resistance. Unlike the first two books, this book has multiple chapters told from POVs other than Elloren’s as we see where the two three main characters are. Now Elloren just needs to learn to control her power so they all can defeat Vogel. I love that Elloren’s character, despite her unique and overwhelming powers, is a bit naive, scared, and reluctant to step into the role forced upon her which makes her a likeable and relatable hero. The pacing of this story was well done - the tension continuing to ratchet up higher and higher with a hopeful plateau right before the crushing storm. The story includes what you’d expect from this genre - intrigue, fighting, dangerous situations, end of the world scenarios, paranormal creatures, evil masterminds, henchmen, loyal friends and family, tragic back stories, secrets, mystical coincidences, snark, laughs, soulmates, light spice, deep emotions, and so many plots twists. There is another cliffhanger ending and I am so excited to read the next book in the series.
Julia Whelan did a phenomenal job narrating the story and characters into life with enough change of inflection, tone and cadence to voice multiple characters quite convincingly.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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:
Complicated
adventurous
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
The first half of this book was difficult to get into. The 2nd half felt more familiar and exciting and got me back into the story.
A lot of the reviews I have seen say that this book felt so different than the first 2 in a way that made it hard to enjoy. While I understand this and didn't necessarily like this book as much as the 2nd I feel that the direction of the story was necessary and is setting up an even bigger, epic story in the next book. The stakes are so much higher which is naturally going to change the way the story feels. Elloren is no longer at school. She can't get by anymore slowly resisting the government. All out war is here and lives are at stake. Because of this we meet a lot of new characters, are in new settings, and are being introduced to new magic. This forces us back into the world building and understanding mindset which isn't my favorite but I am super excited to move on to the next book.
Also ummmmmmmmm Lukas?!?!?!?! I am so torn. I usually do not feel this split when it comes to a love triangle (assuming Lukas survived) but oh no I am already so stressed about who she is going to pick and I genuinely do not know who I want her to pick. This was a twist that I really was not expecting from this book and really enjoyed.
A lot of the reviews I have seen say that this book felt so different than the first 2 in a way that made it hard to enjoy. While I understand this and didn't necessarily like this book as much as the 2nd I feel that the direction of the story was necessary and is setting up an even bigger, epic story in the next book. The stakes are so much higher which is naturally going to change the way the story feels. Elloren is no longer at school. She can't get by anymore slowly resisting the government. All out war is here and lives are at stake. Because of this we meet a lot of new characters, are in new settings, and are being introduced to new magic. This forces us back into the world building and understanding mindset which isn't my favorite but I am super excited to move on to the next book.
Also ummmmmmmmm Lukas?!?!?!?! I am so torn. I usually do not feel this split when it comes to a love triangle (assuming Lukas survived) but oh no I am already so stressed about who she is going to pick and I genuinely do not know who I want her to pick. This was a twist that I really was not expecting from this book and really enjoyed.
The pacing of this book is definitely slowed down in comparison to the first two which, at times, was nice. It does add to the sense of urgency that “oh gods, a lot is happening in such a short period of time and action must be taken asap.” I was really vibing with the first chunk of the book where we were seeing other perspectives and was hoping to get a book filled with multiple povs. The Elloren chunks got a tad boring at times and I wanted something more.
I’d be a little more okay with the Yvan “death” had it fueled her to be a badass warrior ala Celena Sardothien and had she not gone back to Lukas. I wanted to like him in the end but he’s just not it for me.
I’d be a little more okay with the Yvan “death” had it fueled her to be a badass warrior ala Celena Sardothien and had she not gone back to Lukas. I wanted to like him in the end but he’s just not it for me.