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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
“I never found a book that did not have at least a little magic in it.”
That's certainly a way to end a series. I love these characters so much. I'm sad to see them go.
That's certainly a way to end a series. I love these characters so much. I'm sad to see them go.
Warnings: violence, war
The Dire King delivered in more ways than one, as the finale of this amazing series and tying up the expectations and developments into this conclusion. The book starts off with Jackaby and Abigail preparing for The Dire Council, who have been revealed to be supernatural in origin, to invade and take over the human realm. However, before they can even have a proper plan in place, they are caught up in the town's mayor's rising hysteria over the existence of supernatural creatures. From the earlier book, we already knew Jackaby doesn't tolerate discrimination against people, so he opens up his house for the influx of supernatural refugees. Their investigation into the Dire Council's plans takes them back and forth between Anwynn and the human realm, as well as delve into the history of how the realms came to be separate.
Without going into too many spoiler-y details, all I am going to say is that things that were hinted in earlier books were definitely played out in this one. There was always a mentor-student relationship between Jackaby and Abigail, and we see it so well in this one: they are a superb team, whose bond is tight, and their paths are now inextricably linked. There are appearances, once again, of many secondary characters as well as resolutions for both romances (you know which is the other one if you have been paying attention) and there's plenty of action and development blended in. We also see Charlie's backstory, get more background on the fae, and the roles some supernatural characters have been playing for a while.
What stopped me from giving that final star was the fact that, at some point well into the first half, it does feel directionless. There are too many characters, too much plot happening and it is all very confusing for a while. Again, towards the ending, there were twists upon twists, and normally that is a good thing, but here you had to second guess every motive and it was getting exhausting to keep up with that pace. The endings, however, deliver some gut punches (which were foreshadowed) and still also resolved very well, turning some things around.
In short, an explosive finale.
The Dire King delivered in more ways than one, as the finale of this amazing series and tying up the expectations and developments into this conclusion. The book starts off with Jackaby and Abigail preparing for The Dire Council, who have been revealed to be supernatural in origin, to invade and take over the human realm. However, before they can even have a proper plan in place, they are caught up in the town's mayor's rising hysteria over the existence of supernatural creatures. From the earlier book, we already knew Jackaby doesn't tolerate discrimination against people, so he opens up his house for the influx of supernatural refugees. Their investigation into the Dire Council's plans takes them back and forth between Anwynn and the human realm, as well as delve into the history of how the realms came to be separate.
Without going into too many spoiler-y details, all I am going to say is that things that were hinted in earlier books were definitely played out in this one. There was always a mentor-student relationship between Jackaby and Abigail, and we see it so well in this one: they are a superb team, whose bond is tight, and their paths are now inextricably linked. There are appearances, once again, of many secondary characters as well as resolutions for both romances (you know which is the other one if you have been paying attention) and there's plenty of action and development blended in. We also see Charlie's backstory, get more background on the fae, and the roles some supernatural characters have been playing for a while.
What stopped me from giving that final star was the fact that, at some point well into the first half, it does feel directionless. There are too many characters, too much plot happening and it is all very confusing for a while. Again, towards the ending, there were twists upon twists, and normally that is a good thing, but here you had to second guess every motive and it was getting exhausting to keep up with that pace. The endings, however, deliver some gut punches (which were foreshadowed) and still also resolved very well, turning some things around.
In short, an explosive finale.
Is it August 22nd yet?? Because seriously, I anticipate this book being the best Jackaby we've seen yet! From the first page, the book is unputdownable! So far, we are seeing more characters, more of London, and more supernatural creatures than we have had in the series so far. William Ritter is delivering everything we have been waiting for in what I think will be an amazing climactic battle for London and even humanity. I am so incredibly excited to read the full book. I have no doubt that I will sit down and read the full book in less than a day. I wasn't fully on board with Jackaby in book 1. Book 2 he grew on me a little. Book 3 we finally heard a little bit of background and now in book 4 the whole gang needs to come together so we'll see what Mr. Ritter has in store!
Full review when the book releases!! Can't wait!!
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Well, I was right. This book was the absolute best in the series! I laughed, I cried, and I sat on the edge of my seat reading. I had hardly realized how attached I became to these characters, but I very much love Jenny, Jackaby, Charlie, and 'Miss Rook.' The plot in this finale of a book is greatly in-depth and I loved the chase and the multiple guesses that the team makes as to who the Dire King truly is. We see so many different magical creatures that its almost hard to keep track, and some I haven't even heard of. I feel like I could go on for hours about this book because I was so blown away by it. I am so sad that this is the end. I would love to see it go on, maybe now from Jackaby's POV. I'm just gushing about this one!!
Full review when the book releases!! Can't wait!!
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Well, I was right. This book was the absolute best in the series! I laughed, I cried, and I sat on the edge of my seat reading. I had hardly realized how attached I became to these characters, but I very much love Jenny, Jackaby, Charlie, and 'Miss Rook.' The plot in this finale of a book is greatly in-depth and I loved the chase and the multiple guesses that the team makes as to who the Dire King truly is. We see so many different magical creatures that its almost hard to keep track, and some I haven't even heard of. I feel like I could go on for hours about this book because I was so blown away by it. I am so sad that this is the end. I would love to see it go on, maybe now from Jackaby's POV. I'm just gushing about this one!!
I'm not sure how I felt about the widening of the scope. Although, it did feel like the season finale of a great, fun supernatural show. I just was in the mood for a mystery of the week. That's on me. But I adored all of the character work, and the end played with my emotions a lot. I am going to need some time to recover.
An emotional ending to a remarkable series.
Ritter is a writer that deserves a closer look in my opinion. I could easily see him taking up a chair with Lewis and Tolkien sharing story ideas.
I feel a little empty now that I've finished the final book. I'll miss these characters until I'm able to find time for a reread.
Until then I look forward to what Mr. Ritter produces next.
Ritter is a writer that deserves a closer look in my opinion. I could easily see him taking up a chair with Lewis and Tolkien sharing story ideas.
I feel a little empty now that I've finished the final book. I'll miss these characters until I'm able to find time for a reread.
Until then I look forward to what Mr. Ritter produces next.
I received this free from the publisher via NetGalley
Following along with previous events, Abigail Rook and Jackaby are still trying to find out who is creating rends between Earth and the Otherworld and figure out how to close them – before an all-out war between New Fiddleham and the Otherworld breaks out. Apparently, an evil king long thought dead is behind it – The Dire King. Alongside this, a case leads Abigail and Jackaby to have a run in with literal zombies. Romance is in the air, but no one can think about their own futures until they defeat the evil trying to take away that future.
I’ve been very lucky to receive ARCs for this whole series, and it is a fantastic series at that. The Jackaby series is a lighthearted, entertaining, quirky, and fun series, and while The Dire King is still a lighthearted read it does take a much darker tone compared to the rest of the series. It was very much a roller-coaster of emotions, especially towards the end but it does end on a hopeful note.
I really loved the development that both Jackaby and Abigail went through throughout the whole series. I loved how their relationship developed and ultimately how their roles reversed. I also really loved how their relationship stayed completely platonic. I liked the romance between Abigail and Charlie, and Jackaby and Jenny, and I was glad it still took a back seat, as it always has been. My favourite part of The Dire King is how, finally, Abigail and her strengths are put at the forefront of the book. She is the heroine of this series.
The Dire King was a very action-packed book which meant it was fast-paced and fun and still very magical. It also had a satisfying ending and is, ultimately, a great ending to a great series.
Following along with previous events, Abigail Rook and Jackaby are still trying to find out who is creating rends between Earth and the Otherworld and figure out how to close them – before an all-out war between New Fiddleham and the Otherworld breaks out. Apparently, an evil king long thought dead is behind it – The Dire King. Alongside this, a case leads Abigail and Jackaby to have a run in with literal zombies. Romance is in the air, but no one can think about their own futures until they defeat the evil trying to take away that future.
I’ve been very lucky to receive ARCs for this whole series, and it is a fantastic series at that. The Jackaby series is a lighthearted, entertaining, quirky, and fun series, and while The Dire King is still a lighthearted read it does take a much darker tone compared to the rest of the series. It was very much a roller-coaster of emotions, especially towards the end but it does end on a hopeful note.
I really loved the development that both Jackaby and Abigail went through throughout the whole series. I loved how their relationship developed and ultimately how their roles reversed. I also really loved how their relationship stayed completely platonic. I liked the romance between Abigail and Charlie, and Jackaby and Jenny, and I was glad it still took a back seat, as it always has been. My favourite part of The Dire King is how, finally, Abigail and her strengths are put at the forefront of the book. She is the heroine of this series.
The Dire King was a very action-packed book which meant it was fast-paced and fun and still very magical. It also had a satisfying ending and is, ultimately, a great ending to a great series.
(From www.pingwings.ca)
Oh boy, was I excited for this book! The Jackaby series has become one of my favourites, and while I was sad to learn that The Dire King was the last book in the series, I was really excited to see what was going to happen to the characters I love: Abigail, Jackaby, Jenny, and Charlie.
While I thought the previous book, Ghostly Echoes, did a nice job of connecting the stories of each book together into a bigger picture, this book had the difficult task of making it all mean something. What were all of these individual stories building to? It turns out it was building to a pretty epic finale. I was sucked into this story and the high stakes for all involved right away. I read this in a couple of days, and absolutely did not want to put it down.
So much happened in this final story, including new alliances forming, betrayal, heartbreak, death, battles between good and evil, and through it all, Abigail and Jackaby were their same wonderful selves. I’ve loved reading about Abigail’s growing confidence and skill in her work, and her partnership with Jackaby by now feels like a partnership between equals.
Being the last in the series, this book was bittersweet, but still had the fantastic writing and the humour that I’ve come to expect. And I don’t want to spoil the story, but there were a couple of events that really surprised me, along with some things that I’ve been waiting (hoping) for, and I loved it all! And at the end, I had tears in my eyes, right up to the very last line on the very last page.
This is truly a wonderful, magical, fun series. I try to describe it to people like a paranormal Sherlock, but it’s more than that. It’s got mystery, monsters, humour, heart, and adventure, in a historical setting in one of the most unique homes I’ve come across in my reading experience.
I will definitely be re-reading these books, and I am so looking forward to William Ritter’s next story. This series is an absolute must-read!
Oh boy, was I excited for this book! The Jackaby series has become one of my favourites, and while I was sad to learn that The Dire King was the last book in the series, I was really excited to see what was going to happen to the characters I love: Abigail, Jackaby, Jenny, and Charlie.
While I thought the previous book, Ghostly Echoes, did a nice job of connecting the stories of each book together into a bigger picture, this book had the difficult task of making it all mean something. What were all of these individual stories building to? It turns out it was building to a pretty epic finale. I was sucked into this story and the high stakes for all involved right away. I read this in a couple of days, and absolutely did not want to put it down.
So much happened in this final story, including new alliances forming, betrayal, heartbreak, death, battles between good and evil, and through it all, Abigail and Jackaby were their same wonderful selves. I’ve loved reading about Abigail’s growing confidence and skill in her work, and her partnership with Jackaby by now feels like a partnership between equals.
Being the last in the series, this book was bittersweet, but still had the fantastic writing and the humour that I’ve come to expect. And I don’t want to spoil the story, but there were a couple of events that really surprised me, along with some things that I’ve been waiting (hoping) for, and I loved it all! And at the end, I had tears in my eyes, right up to the very last line on the very last page.
This is truly a wonderful, magical, fun series. I try to describe it to people like a paranormal Sherlock, but it’s more than that. It’s got mystery, monsters, humour, heart, and adventure, in a historical setting in one of the most unique homes I’ve come across in my reading experience.
I will definitely be re-reading these books, and I am so looking forward to William Ritter’s next story. This series is an absolute must-read!