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mageekm193's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
crtsjffrsn's review against another edition
4.0
Aidan faces a difficult decision. He always knew his gift (though he often thought it a curse) would be the key to defeating a demonic force. He just never expected that force would manifest in his own sister. He will need to find a way to stop her; it's just a matter of whether he can stop her and save her at the same time. He works to bring his team together, his "Lights" as he's been told they are called. And his friend Rebecca, who he was certain was not a Light, suddenly finds herself with powers all her own. With so much at stake and so many variables at play, what will Aidan decide? And will he have the power to carry out his plan of action?
The final installment of this series does not disappoint! This unique world that Rachel Marks has created managed to draw me back in as quickly as it did in the last two books. And the twists and turns that are thrown at the reader--it's quite a journey! This is an absolutely fitting third act. My only major disappointment is that the story has come to an end. I certainly look forward to more from this author.
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
The final installment of this series does not disappoint! This unique world that Rachel Marks has created managed to draw me back in as quickly as it did in the last two books. And the twists and turns that are thrown at the reader--it's quite a journey! This is an absolutely fitting third act. My only major disappointment is that the story has come to an end. I certainly look forward to more from this author.
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
merlin_reads's review against another edition
3.0
It took me forever to get around to finishing this series but I'm kinda glad I finally did. This was definitely the strongest book out of the three and I felt that the characters grew a bit here, which is always important. But I was still unable to really connect with anyone and therefore I was just reading for the sake of finishing.
In this installment, Aidan isn't coping well with the loss of his sister. And honestly, she's not making it easy. There's more demon activity and people seem to be dying left and right. Not only that, but Aidan's mentor seems to be wasting away to nothing. While I didn't mind Aidan's struggle to stop his sister, I felt that his sister was childish and found it hard to believe that as a demon she would just spend her time sending riddles to her brother. Cause that's really all it was, one riddle after another. It was almost like see regressed to a five year old and I wasn't amused.
The shinning star of this story was Conner and Rebecca. Rebecca kind of got shafted in the previous books and felt very shallow but here she really comes into her own and pretty much takes over the story. And this I was completely fine with because it was about time she found strength. Her relationship with Conner was also adorable.
The relationship I did not like was Aidan and Kat (?) I really can't remember her name.... Obviously she left a mark.
Overall, the series was just okay. I was not too into the biblical references everywhere and wished it could have gone a tad darker. So this wasn't really for me. But I do love the author on a personal level and would love to see what else she can do.
In this installment, Aidan isn't coping well with the loss of his sister. And honestly, she's not making it easy. There's more demon activity and people seem to be dying left and right. Not only that, but Aidan's mentor seems to be wasting away to nothing. While I didn't mind Aidan's struggle to stop his sister, I felt that his sister was childish and found it hard to believe that as a demon she would just spend her time sending riddles to her brother. Cause that's really all it was, one riddle after another. It was almost like see regressed to a five year old and I wasn't amused.
The shinning star of this story was Conner and Rebecca. Rebecca kind of got shafted in the previous books and felt very shallow but here she really comes into her own and pretty much takes over the story. And this I was completely fine with because it was about time she found strength. Her relationship with Conner was also adorable.
The relationship I did not like was Aidan and Kat (?) I really can't remember her name.... Obviously she left a mark.
Overall, the series was just okay. I was not too into the biblical references everywhere and wished it could have gone a tad darker. So this wasn't really for me. But I do love the author on a personal level and would love to see what else she can do.
hermes262's review against another edition
3.0
I'm gonna have a hard time writing a review of this book. To me, it was average. I was thrilled by the first book. It was new, thrilling, funny, and I fell in love with the characters. That's what got me through this book. I care about the characters.
The first book had a clear path and direction. The second book... I'm not sure what the point was. Here, there's a goal in sight, but I'm truly not sure how anything that happened in the meat of the book led up to that goal. It seemed like there was some master plan at play... but then there wasn't.
But the characters remain just as fun as they were before, and that counts for something. If you want to spend more time with the characters, but aren't too concerned with how much sense the story makes, then I'd recommend it. If what I described above may frustrate you, then maybe hold off.
I want answers. If this is the last book in the trilogy, then I need to know why Ava turned out evil. I need to know what made her turn into this beast we met at the end of the last book. How was she going to bring about the apocalypse? What was Aidan's purpose? What was his dad's purpose?
Also, why the heck was Rebecca so important?
I think the first book was so steeped in mythology, I would have liked to see more of that in book 3. More angels and demons battling it out. Some attempt at an explanation as to why Ava ended up evil at the end of the last book. Why the demons were so obsessed with killing Rebecca. I think Marks is a great author in both character development and world building, so I believe she knows those answers, I just wish they could have been part of the plot.
So, overall, I guess I'd recommend reading book 1, because it is brilliant, and end with that book. Leave it an open ended novel. I think the series works better that way. But again, if you want more time with the characters, read on!
The first book had a clear path and direction. The second book... I'm not sure what the point was. Here, there's a goal in sight, but I'm truly not sure how anything that happened in the meat of the book led up to that goal. It seemed like there was some master plan at play... but then there wasn't.
But the characters remain just as fun as they were before, and that counts for something. If you want to spend more time with the characters, but aren't too concerned with how much sense the story makes, then I'd recommend it. If what I described above may frustrate you, then maybe hold off.
I want answers. If this is the last book in the trilogy, then I need to know why Ava turned out evil. I need to know what made her turn into this beast we met at the end of the last book. How was she going to bring about the apocalypse? What was Aidan's purpose? What was his dad's purpose?
Also, why the heck was Rebecca so important?
I think the first book was so steeped in mythology, I would have liked to see more of that in book 3. More angels and demons battling it out. Some attempt at an explanation as to why Ava ended up evil at the end of the last book. Why the demons were so obsessed with killing Rebecca. I think Marks is a great author in both character development and world building, so I believe she knows those answers, I just wish they could have been part of the plot.
So, overall, I guess I'd recommend reading book 1, because it is brilliant, and end with that book. Leave it an open ended novel. I think the series works better that way. But again, if you want more time with the characters, read on!
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