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whatsthalireading's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
3.75
best one of the trilogy
vidhi26p's review
3.0
This was a less than stunning conclusion to the Cage trilogy. However dazzling the novel may have been by itself, compared to the wonders of its predecessors, I️t remains only mediocre. The story was finished, the ending satisfying and real, but I️t was plainly just not as gripping as the others. The bar was set high for this novel, and while I️t wasn’t quite met, I️t still remained a fun and enjoyful narrative.
zu_reviews's review
2.0
I'm really disappointed by this. I thought I would like this book the most, the Gauntlet trope is my favourite... but Cora doesn't even get to the gauntlet until halfway into the book.
Like the second book, this one just stacks escalations for escalations sake. I just wasn't invested anymore because I wasn't connected to the characters. It was just a series of events that kept pulling out surprises to raise the tension, but instead of being surprised or shocked I just sat there asking, "Why does this matter?"
Some of the plot holes of the second book were answered here, but it was NOT satisfying. Lots of characters would end up sharing these "revelations" that "changed everything" but there was no sense as to why none of these things were explained in the first place. It feels like so much of this book happens "just because". Even some of the deaths just felt like an attempt to be dramatic.
Also the "romance" is still so dumb. No chemistry, no real interaction...they just like eachother because she's "determined and brave" and "not like other girls" and he's hot and has an electric touch.
Like the second book, this one just stacks escalations for escalations sake. I just wasn't invested anymore because I wasn't connected to the characters. It was just a series of events that kept pulling out surprises to raise the tension, but instead of being surprised or shocked I just sat there asking, "Why does this matter?"
Some of the plot holes of the second book were answered here, but it was NOT satisfying. Lots of characters would end up sharing these "revelations" that "changed everything" but there was no sense as to why none of these things were explained in the first place. It feels like so much of this book happens "just because". Even some of the deaths just felt like an attempt to be dramatic.
Also the "romance" is still so dumb. No chemistry, no real interaction...they just like eachother because she's "determined and brave" and "not like other girls" and he's hot and has an electric touch.
izumisano's review
2.0
I pretty much only read this series, because I liked Shepherd's Madman's Daughter series so much. It's kind of a pain being a completist, because you wind up wasting time reading an entire series you don't particularly care about. Perhaps if I had made the wise choice not to read the second book, I could've stopped, but having read The Hunt, I was committed to the end.
At first I was generally liking this book. Some of the annoying characteristics were calmed down in the storytelling. Then Cora had to face the Gauntlet. It reminded me of every other YA dystopian novel where the protagonist has to prove they are worthy. Conveniently every puzzle in the Gauntlet Cora had already experienced somehow in the other books. The ending was also very cheesy. The whole, "if you need me, whistle," departing scene between her and Cassian made me laugh out loud. I really hope Shepherd redeems herself in her future works.
At first I was generally liking this book. Some of the annoying characteristics were calmed down in the storytelling. Then Cora had to face the Gauntlet. It reminded me of every other YA dystopian novel where the protagonist has to prove they are worthy. Conveniently every puzzle in the Gauntlet Cora had already experienced somehow in the other books. The ending was also very cheesy. The whole, "if you need me, whistle," departing scene between her and Cassian made me laugh out loud. I really hope Shepherd redeems herself in her future works.
lenkaengels's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
4.0
dietzan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
delaneybull's review against another edition
1.0
This is a biased rating because I really didn't like any of the previous books in this series but wanted to finish it out. Not surprisingly, I didn't like this one either, but at least it's over.
melissasbookshelf's review
4.0
Really enjoyed this conclusion to The Cage series. In this final story, Cora must run the Gauntlet to prove humanity's intelligence. But first, she has to figure out how to get off of Armstrong. What was once thought of as a haven, has turned out to be another prison. Teenagers are put to work in a mine by a ruthless sheriff. They must also try to rescue Cassian. This riveting conclusion is filled with twists and turns with a hint of romance. I really liked this series and would definitely recommend it. There is a little bit of swearing and violence. The romance is clean.