Reviews

The Secret: Irin Chronicles Book Three by Elizabeth Hunter

awitham4077's review against another edition

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4.0

The build-up in this one was slow and I wasn't sure if the plot would go on for another book. It wrapped up nicely though, and left no loose ends. Damien ended up being my favorite, I think. His history and dynamic with Sari did it. I love the idea of magic being written on the body. A very satisfying series. 

seffra's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5-5 stars!

I'll just say..WOW what an amazing ending!
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Meet my Malachi:
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Meet my Ava:
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I was quite disappointed with the second one and it took me a while to get over my sadness. The second one, [b:The Singer|20734562|The Singer (Irin Chronicles, #2)|Elizabeth Hunter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393597844s/20734562.jpg|40062977] , had to live up to the epic perfection of the first one, [b:The Scribe|18298132|The Scribe (Irin Chronicles, #1)|Elizabeth Hunter|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1375864087s/18298132.jpg|25782924], and that was no easy feat.
The Secret more than made up for The Singer's pitfalls, I can tell you that!
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I loved how this felt like a new book, Hunter did not reiterate EVERY aspect of the Irin/Irina history and the people. We got to explore many new things that I hope she revisits since she said she's not done with the Irin people!

This book had a few pacing issues because Elizabeth Hunter tried to fit so many revelations and new ideas into one book that I sometimes felt like things weren't moving along, like we were just getting new info but not doing anything about it. I only felt that about once and it picked up soon after!

Ava and Malachi will forever be one of my favourite couples I've read because of their bond and their true understanding of one another. They are such a beautiful couple and so well written that I felt their pain and their yearning. I loved that not only did they deal with supernatural issues, they dealt with real 'couple' problems as well.

AVA'S FIRE WAS BACK!!!!!!!!
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I love that woman.

Great book to a really great series! I loved this last book so much that I must now own this series hard copy.

Elizabeth Hunter, you did an amazing job with closing off Malachi and Ava's story, but I just discovered you wrote a short story for them!?!!??!?!?!
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mariposaenelsol's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

elenajohansen's review against another edition

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3.0

I'd give this an actual rating of 3.5 stars, because I do feel it's better than The Singer, which I gave three, but overall I don't feel like it's a four-star read.

It's complicated.

I love that Ava and Malachi are back together and working on sorting themselves out--they're a power couple again, in some senses literally, and their banter and occasional arguments and making up are fun, sweet, and occasionally epic.

But the politicking is just as present and just as complicated, and really I don't feel like the first book (much as I adore it) did enough groundwork to set up and support this intricate a tale of political maneuvering. The second book felt like a complete stylistic departure in its subject matter--the main reason that I didn't like it nearly as much--and this book is a synthesis of the romance of the first and the sociopolitical mess of the second. So it's better because we get the romance back, and I like that, but it's still a whole lot of people yelling at each other a lot about change and enemies and how their society should work in the future. Which isn't bad, but kind of isn't what I thought I was signing up for when I started the trilogy.

I'll be honest--I wanted more of what we got in the first book and less of the epic angel battles and politics. That being said, of course the epilogue is centered on
SpoilerAva telling Malachi she's pregnant. Surprise! It might be to him but I saw it coming a mile away.
And while it does make sense in this context, it's a style of happily-ever-after ending that I'm honestly tired of seeing, because the taint it carries from all the times I've read it before on stupid books has poisoned me somewhat against it. Not the book's fault, my personal bias and I'll own that, but it was a letdown.

So I don't think this book is bad, I think it's just not really enough of what I actually wanted from it.

josiee19's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

emilmoor's review against another edition

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4.0

❤️

ufcasey's review against another edition

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3.0

Sigh, this book was a mixed bag. Some parts were really good. Some parts I just skimmed through because I was bored. It averages out to a 3. Which is the same rating I would give to this series overall.

laprofedelengua's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad 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? No

4.0

a_novel_ty's review against another edition

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5.0

The Secret has finally been revealed! And BOY was it a doozey. I started this book late on the 25th of November...and finished on the evening of November 26th. This book is 375 pages and I DON’T READ THAT FAST....But it was sooooo good I just couldn’t stop. I wanted to know so bad what the hell was happening and what the hell was going to happen.

For the past two books, Ava, Malachi and all of his friends and her newfound sisters have been trying to find out where her power stems from. Its a power unlike any other Irina they have encountered with just a touch of darkness to it. It isn’t evil but its raw and unpredictable...And I speculated. OH DID I SPECULATE. I would never have come to the conclusion that is the truth in this book. And what I loved about it is the fact that it fit! Ava’s origin story isn’t outrageous or convenient. It made sense and it blew my mind. This entire series so far has blown me away. The writing, characters, story, mystery and lessons. I just loved every minute of it.

Malachi and Ava...I swear they get on my nerves because they’re so cute. Their relationship feels like something that would get old after a while. The way they are always all over one another but for whatever reason it worked. Everytime they touched or kissed or made love, it was well timed and dare I say, added to the story. Their passion and love for one another was just as important to the story line as their journey to finding out what the truth was.

I enjoyed watching them fight with and for their friends. Trust themselves and beings they never thought would be on their side. I loved watching long time enemies find a commonality with one another and fight toward a shared goal. It seems cliche but it really was a great and unique story to read.

Everything didn’t go as I wanted it to, but we can’t always have what we want. I wanted a happy ending with Ava and ALL of her family living happily and merrily ever after...That didn’t happen, but what I did get was enough and I’m glad that after a year from my first experience with Elizabeth Hunters work, that I finally picked this series up.

Malachi and Ava’s story is complete, however there is one more book in this series. I don’t think I will be reading it.... It’s more of a prequel than a sequel. One that features characters that I have grown to love, but If I’m going to be reading about a different couple I want to move forward not backward. That may change...but for now i;m glad to have read this series and it will definitely be on my list of favorites from this point on.

Recommendation: I think this series is for anyone. Male or female young (not too young...) or old. It has action, mystery, history and romance. Warriors and heroines, villains and the misunderstood. It’s a tale of love and loss, vengeance and redemption. There is good, evil and all that is in between and every step of the way your allegiance and trust is constantly being challenged or changing. I couldn’t put this series down and I’m genuinely sad to have it come to an end for me. With an open mind and a desire for adventure, I think anyone who decides to read this series will more than enjoy it.

renpuspita's review against another edition

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4.0

4 stars

The conclusion for Ava and Malachi story and the end of the first arc of Irin Chronicles (I hope so). The Secret answer some questions from The Scribe and The Singer, like who is Ava exactly. The revelation kinda shocking, but I praised Hunter again for her unique take from overused theme, like nephilim, band of warriors, angel theme, etc etc. In this book, the characters not pure black and white, there's always shade of grey. The bad honchos of course is bad, but not all Irin enemies, The Grigori, are bad. Hunter show that even the enemy have their own reason to attack the Irin and how the Irin and Irina were wrong about the Grigori.

The Secret is more complex and compelling compared to the previous. The Scribe introduce reader to the Irin society and introduction to Ava and Malachi relationship. The Singer reveal the Irina society, and how Ava and Malachi try to rekindle their broken connection. The Secret come to full circle, with Ava and Malachi strengthen their bond and the Irin and Irina become one once more. Also, reader will finally understand why one of the antagonist, the fallen angel Jaron always protect Ava, despite that he is a fallen. It's quite sad, tbh. The truth behind Ava's past is also sad, which include her father and grandmother. But glad that in the end, some peace come to them.

I like how Hunter handle the ending. Not too rushed, not too sweet either. For some, the final battle between Irin-Irina and The Grigori might not epic, but in the otherside its result are devastating. Hunter did a good job to explain the result, how its impact Malachi and Ava in some ways. Anyway that's not mean that the story end. Some loose tie is still...loose.

I will always recommend Elizabeth Hunter work. I love her Elemental Mysteries series, and in The Irin Chronicles she once again prove that she is one of premium PNR/UF author out there. I wonder if she got picked by traditional publisher, her name will hear often. But, even just indie, she already being fabulous as she is. I can't wait to read what next in Irin world.