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sparklethenpop's review against another edition
3.0
Major letdown. The book was a little slow to start but then the middle until the last chapter or so was great. Lots of action, suspense, and even a little romance. The ending was horrible though. That's it, Suzanne Collins? Does he move? Does he see Luxa again? Are you going to write us an update so we can find some things out?
wrentheblurry's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
At long last, I'm done reading this series to my boys as their bedtime story. I suspect I would have liked this one more if I hadn't read all five books back-to-back. By the time we were shortly into this one, I was tired of Gregor. I needed a break from him, and his drama, and wondering why his Overland school hadn't kicked him out yet. Yet the boys wanted to finish, so I pushed onward, and this one is pretty good.
This was the first time I added the 'violent' shelf to one in this series, though they've been becoming more increasingly bloody and/or violent. My younger son (11) is not a fan of that sort of thing, but I suspect he tolerates it better than the blossoming forbidden love between Gregor and Luxa, which is touched on more here than any of the others. I found it fairly eye-rolling, but that might be because I have two boys (the other is 13) that have NO interest in romance, and so it's a stretch to imagine 12-year old Gregor as being so ga-ga. But hey, he's been through a lot the last couple of years, and it certainly changed him, and maybe matured him too. Still, it did not stop the 11-year old from putting his hands over his ears when I got to any "mushy" scenes, haha.
Anyway, the culmination of the series involves a war between rats and humans, and once again Gregor is right in the thick of it. Giving Lizzie some more attention (and less to Boots) was a welcome change for me. As ever, Ripred remains our unanimously favorite character. Oh, he is such fun to read aloud too!
I still think this would make a fine movie series. Maybe after the Hunger Games series is all done in the theaters...
At long last, I'm done reading this series to my boys as their bedtime story. I suspect I would have liked this one more if I hadn't read all five books back-to-back. By the time we were shortly into this one, I was tired of Gregor. I needed a break from him, and his drama, and wondering why his Overland school hadn't kicked him out yet. Yet the boys wanted to finish, so I pushed onward, and this one is pretty good.
This was the first time I added the 'violent' shelf to one in this series, though they've been becoming more increasingly bloody and/or violent. My younger son (11) is not a fan of that sort of thing, but I suspect he tolerates it better than the blossoming forbidden love between Gregor and Luxa, which is touched on more here than any of the others. I found it fairly eye-rolling, but that might be because I have two boys (the other is 13) that have NO interest in romance, and so it's a stretch to imagine 12-year old Gregor as being so ga-ga. But hey, he's been through a lot the last couple of years, and it certainly changed him, and maybe matured him too. Still, it did not stop the 11-year old from putting his hands over his ears when I got to any "mushy" scenes, haha.
Anyway, the culmination of the series involves a war between rats and humans, and once again Gregor is right in the thick of it. Giving Lizzie some more attention (and less to Boots) was a welcome change for me. As ever, Ripred remains our unanimously favorite character. Oh, he is such fun to read aloud too!
Spoiler
Collins does a decent job of tying things up and providing resolution, while at the same time leaving a window of opportunity, should she ever want to come back to this world (worlds?) and characters. It was somewhat of a 'meh' ending after so much action for so long, but it was probably as good as it could be.I still think this would make a fine movie series. Maybe after the Hunger Games series is all done in the theaters...
rchluther's review against another edition
5.0
What a great ending. Probably the best book in the series. Part of me wants an epilogue but I also like how each reader can decide what happens in the future.
Update in 2021: Wow. I mean it's been five years so I had forgotten a lot of what happens but just wow. Trying to have no spoilers in my review, but that one great friendship that begins in this book just blew me away. And the way the prophecy comes together! And I'm a sucker for a good Code breaking. And as much as I hate the open-ended-ness, I think it's perfect for this story and I have spent several days deciding what I think happens as everyone moves on from the war.
Update in 2021: Wow. I mean it's been five years so I had forgotten a lot of what happens but just wow. Trying to have no spoilers in my review, but that one great friendship that begins in this book just blew me away. And the way the prophecy comes together! And I'm a sucker for a good Code breaking. And as much as I hate the open-ended-ness, I think it's perfect for this story and I have spent several days deciding what I think happens as everyone moves on from the war.
sindri_inn_arsaeli's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, this series is better written than Harry Potter, with more depth of character and better depiction of the gray-ness of right and wrong. It is worlds better than Suzanne Collins' own better known Hunger Games. I loved both those other series, so that means this one is absolutely the bees' knees, the cat's pajamas, and the crown jewel. I am a grown ass woman and I got to the end of this book and blubbered (no, literally, ask my husband,) for the entire final chapter (s)...
This book, this series, is the best of children's literature, the best of modern fantasy, and honestly, just the BEST all around.
This book, this series, is the best of children's literature, the best of modern fantasy, and honestly, just the BEST all around.
contodoelamor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emskidua's review against another edition
5.0
I CANNNOT HANDLE THAT ENDING!!!!!! I need about 10 billion more installments and I want everything to go back to the way it should be. Worst ending ever. But literally so good.
rjskitt's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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
4.5
mkoehn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
abbybee22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? No
5.0