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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Excellent book, excellent characters, until the end. Not because it was anticlimactic, I don't mind anticlimactic, most books are slightly when there is a major fighting scene at the end, but because I expected better from the message. I feel like it was a cop out to say that well if one person didn't exist all the bad things wouldn't have happened. I think it sends a message that great evil can't be defeated in the time that it exists to any good or satisfactory way, it has to be eradicated before it even really comes into existence. That people can't overcome their own and their ancestors faults to make a good and safe society, there just has to be a kind of miracle to get rid of the bad thing before it exists. It made me sad that the book made such fatalistic and despondent finish.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was with it up until the last bit in New London… I personally hate books that end with ✨and it was all a dream with no consequences✨ although I understand why the author chose that particular trope for this series.
1.4 stars
Spoiler
I think this ending was a shameless insult to the readers who have gotten invested in the characters and this storyline over the course of three books and then had to live with all of development being erased by a cheap time travel stunt.
Throughout all three books of the series, acontinuing theme was the question of how a leader could shape a society, in which everyone could thrive and be cared for. What difficult decisions would have to made, and how dangerous power structures, criminals, and the dark sides of human natures could be dealt with a society. To me, these questions were a big part what made the books worthwhile and interesting to read. I was excited to find out how Kelsea would shape her kingdom in the end.
And then, instead of ending on a hopeful note, showing how after the devastations of the invasion and war she could build a better system and slowly change the country for the better, we skip right to an alternate universe where everything is already perfect and the work is already done. Without any mention on how they actually achieved this utopia.
Even though at several points before it was explicitely said that such a drastic change couldn't be made by one simple decision, but has to be worked for over a long time, in the end it appearently only needed the death of two people to create the perfect world.
What's more, even though the entire book seems to be a deliberation of what the best state system would be in the Tear society or how the system could be improved, the actual system in place in the post-crossing society is never explained! I was constantly wondering whether they actually held regular elections for the leader or whether they had any kind of legislation in place, except for some town meetings, where they just voted on the decision at hand. The Tears were constantly portrayed to be against any kind of dictatorship or dynasty, but the reader was just supposed to agree that, of course Tear could decide that Katie's mother would be in charge or that his son would get a secret armed guard. No wonder the townspeople got sick of it.
All in all, the third book (especially the ending) was a complete disappointment and I regret getting invested in the series at all.
Spoiler
I think this ending was a shameless insult to the readers who have gotten invested in the characters and this storyline over the course of three books and then had to live with all of development being erased by a cheap time travel stunt.
Throughout all three books of the series, acontinuing theme was the question of how a leader could shape a society, in which everyone could thrive and be cared for. What difficult decisions would have to made, and how dangerous power structures, criminals, and the dark sides of human natures could be dealt with a society. To me, these questions were a big part what made the books worthwhile and interesting to read. I was excited to find out how Kelsea would shape her kingdom in the end.
And then, instead of ending on a hopeful note, showing how after the devastations of the invasion and war she could build a better system and slowly change the country for the better, we skip right to an alternate universe where everything is already perfect and the work is already done. Without any mention on how they actually achieved this utopia.
Even though at several points before it was explicitely said that such a drastic change couldn't be made by one simple decision, but has to be worked for over a long time, in the end it appearently only needed the death of two people to create the perfect world.
What's more, even though the entire book seems to be a deliberation of what the best state system would be in the Tear society or how the system could be improved, the actual system in place in the post-crossing society is never explained! I was constantly wondering whether they actually held regular elections for the leader or whether they had any kind of legislation in place, except for some town meetings, where they just voted on the decision at hand. The Tears were constantly portrayed to be against any kind of dictatorship or dynasty, but the reader was just supposed to agree that, of course Tear could decide that Katie's mother would be in charge or that his son would get a secret armed guard. No wonder the townspeople got sick of it.
All in all, the third book (especially the ending) was a complete disappointment and I regret getting invested in the series at all.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
terrible ending
The series….is absolutely astonishing. I don’t understand the bad reviews…(although I appreciate the ending was unexpected and may have felt a little rushed), but it’s an absolutely brilliant masterpiece.
Interesting twists but not sure how I feel honestly. I think the author tried to wrap up a lot in the finale book which made it feel overwhelming at times.
I feel as if this series became more and more nonsensical as it went on. While I still cared about the deeply flawed characters, I couldn’t help but feel like so much of the plot and character development didn’t matter at all in the end. Essentially, the ending invalidated everything that came before it. Almost all the more fantastical elements of the book had no explanation (no real world-building or rules), even by the end of the books, which was an odd choice for a novel discussing so much “logic” and “reason.” Unfortunately, so much hypocrisy, hatred, idealism and conflicting elements badly muddled character arcs and the plot. While I could have accepted morally gray characters who grew and learned, most of the characters in this book felt flat and stubbornly defiant of any real change to their character (especially concerning thoughts or beliefs). Overall, a very disappointing book and ending to this series.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wish I hadn't waited so long to read this book after finishing book 2. There is so much detail in this series that I think I would need to re-read it more than once to catch everything. I find the concept of the series to be really fascinating. It blends past and present in a way that really makes you think. The series as a whole is a 10/10 for me. I would absolutely read it again.
I am immensely grateful to have read this series. It has shown a complexity in its world and characters' depth and morality that really feels like a game changer. This book is a bittersweet conclusion, and oddly enough, while I COULD imagine it ending in other ways, I am satisfied with this ending, and I understand Johansen's message(s).
This is one of those rare series that I dare to call flawless, book after book. I gave the first book 4 stars, but I won't change it at all. I'm simply glad and floored that the troublesome questions I had in book 1 were explored and/or answered in such mind-blowing ways.
Johansen's writing suited this story perfectly, and I am continually in awe of her ability to spin this story out as deftly as she has, to even fathom everything weaving together and around each other in these pages. I realized that her kind of storytelling is how I aspire to write. Therefore, great thanks to Erika Johansen for giving us this story.
This is one of those rare series that I dare to call flawless, book after book. I gave the first book 4 stars, but I won't change it at all. I'm simply glad and floored that the troublesome questions I had in book 1 were explored and/or answered in such mind-blowing ways.
Johansen's writing suited this story perfectly, and I am continually in awe of her ability to spin this story out as deftly as she has, to even fathom everything weaving together and around each other in these pages. I realized that her kind of storytelling is how I aspire to write. Therefore, great thanks to Erika Johansen for giving us this story.